Alpharetta to Elberton is 95.2 miles and takes about 2 hours 8 minutes via University Parkway and Colbert-Comer Road, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Georgia, connecting two points in the Southeast region. The route offers a mix of highway and surface roads, suitable for a single-day excursion. You'll find it a straightforward drive, perfect for a quick getaway or a functional trip between these two locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47.6 miles from Alpharetta, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
University Parkway
34.2 mi
41m
Colbert-Comer Road
20.8 mi
26m
Outer Loop 10
9 mi
10m
Duluth Highway
8.2 mi
12m
State Bridge Road
4.7 mi
8m
Hull Colbert Road
4.6 mi
6m
Old Milton Parkway
3.9 mi
7m
Hull Road
2.7 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
University Parkway
— 34.2 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alpharetta, GA and Elberton, GA.
1
Start on Academy Street
139 ft·11 sec·Academy Street
2
Turn left onto GA 9
0.3 mi·31 sec·South Main Street
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto GA 120
3.9 mi·7 min·Old Milton Parkway
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on GA 120
1.0 mi·1 min·State Bridge Road
Use the straight lane.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto State Bridge Road
3.7 mi·6 min·State Bridge Road
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on Pleasant Hill Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Pleasant Hill Road
Use the left lane.
7
Turn left onto Howell Ferry Road
0.2 mi·40 sec·Howell Ferry Road
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on McClure Bridge Road
0.5 mi·1 min·McClure Bridge Road
9
Enter roundabout onto West Lawrenceville Street
129 ft·3 sec·West Lawrenceville Street
10
Continue on West Lawrenceville Street
0.5 mi·1 min·West Lawrenceville Street
11
Continue on GA 120
8.2 mi·12 min·Duluth Highway
Use the left lane.
12
Take the ramp onto US 29; GA 8
0.2 mi·31 sec·US 29; GA 8
Toward GA 316 East, US 29 North, GA 8 North: WinderUse the left lane.
13
Merge onto GA 316; US 29; GA 8
34 mi·41 min·University Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit onto US 29; US 78; GA 8
0.4 mi·29 sec·US 29; US 78; GA 8
Toward US 29 North, US 78 East, GA 10 Loop Outer: University of Georgia, Lexington, HartwellUse the right lane.
15
Merge onto US 29; US 78; GA 8; GA 10 Loop
9.0 mi·10 min·Outer Loop 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on US 29; GA 8
1.2 mi·1 min·US 29; GA 8
17
Turn right onto GA 72
2.7 mi·3 min·Hull Road
Use the right lane.
18
Continue on GA 72
4.6 mi·6 min·Hull Colbert Road
19
Continue on GA 72
1.2 mi·1 min·Third Avenue
20
Continue on GA 72
21 mi·26 min·Colbert-Comer Road
21
Continue on SR 17; SR 72
1.2 mi·1 min·College Avenue
22
Turn left
92 ft·11 sec
23
Turn left
176 ft·17 sec
24
Turn left
291 ft·22 sec
25
Turn left
24 ft·1 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour drive time, starting your trip in Alpharetta after morning rush hour should allow you to reach Elberton with plenty of daylight to spare. With only 95.2 miles, there's no need to split this drive; you can comfortably complete it in one go. You might consider filling up your fuel tank before you leave Alpharetta to take advantage of potentially lower prices, as the estimated fuel cost is around $15. Keep an eye out for the transition from University Parkway to Colbert-Comer Road, as this marks a significant change in the road's profile and driving pace.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 47.6 miles from Alpharetta, GA, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 34.2 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 21 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.6 miles or 1h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elberton, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Alpharetta, GA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Alpharetta, GA
This is one driving day of about 95.2 miles and 2h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Alpharetta, GA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on University Parkway for about 34.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 53.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|GA 9 / South Main Street
Turn left onto GA 9 / South Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
5.2 mi into trip|~9m in|State Bridge Road
Keep slight right at fork onto State Bridge Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
5
10 mi into trip|~18m in|Howell Ferry Road
Turn left onto Howell Ferry Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
19.5 mi into trip|~34m in|US 29; GA 8
Take the ramp onto US 29; GA 8 toward GA 316 East, US 29 North, GA 8 North: Winder
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward GA 316 East, US 29 North, GA 8 North: Wi...
7
53.9 mi into trip|~1h 16m in|US 29; US 78; GA 8
Take the exit onto US 29; US 78; GA 8 toward US 29 North, US 78 East, GA 10 Loop Outer: University of Georgia, Lexington, Hartwell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward US 29 North, US 78 East, GA 10 Loop Oute...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.89 one way
$29.77 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$16.28
$32.56
premium
$4.70
$17.62
$35.24
diesel
$5.61
$21.02
$42.04
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.6
0
$10.00
$4.57
Efficient EV
23.8
0
$8.33
$3.81
EV Truck/SUV
38.1
0
$13.33
$6.09
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Alpharetta, GA
Morning
in Alpharetta on Tuesday
Local time
8:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Clear
NW 0 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 20 at 2:53PM EDT until April 20 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 20 at 8:40AM EDT until April 20 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Elberton, GA
Morning
in Elberton on Tuesday
Local time
8:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Clear
N 2 to 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 20 at 2:53PM EDT until April 20 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 20 at 8:40AM EDT until April 20 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
4 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 8m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Today the river valley attracts us for so many reasons. Take a solitary walk to enjoy nature’s display, raft leisurely through the rocky shoals with friends, fish the misty waters as the sun comes up,...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
$5
near mile 3.3
Park Closure: Island Ford Trail Closures Winter 2025-2026
Park Closure: Restrooms and Water Fountains Unavailable at Powers Island and Akers Mill
Welcome to Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park & Preservation District where a young boy grows up in a time of segregation. He was moved by destiny to lead the modern civil rights movemen...
21 mi from route
~52 min detour
Free
near mile 9.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 95.2-mile drive is a mixed bag, with 42% of it on highways. You'll encounter your longest continuous stretch of 34.2 miles on University Parkway before transitioning to surface roads. Expect sections with dense exits as you navigate out of the more populated areas, followed by more open cruising on Colbert-Comer Road. The profile indicates a combination of driving experiences, not solely highway or rural byways.
42% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 34.2 mi on University Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near GA 9 / South Main Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 95.2 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (GA 9 / South Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.2 miles (State Bridge Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 10 miles (Howell Ferry Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Alpharetta, GA and Elberton, GA, road signs point toward Lexington and Hartwell.
Lexington
53.9 mi in|~1h 16m|via US 29; US 78; GA 8
Hartwell
53.9 mi in|~1h 16m|via US 29; US 78; GA 8
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 8m. Total distance: 95.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (42%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 34.2 miles on University Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Elberton, GA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (GA 9 / South Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.2 miles (State Bridge Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 10 miles (Howell Ferry Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Elberton, GA before heading back.
