Alpharetta, GA to Folkston, GA is 313.4 miles and takes about 6h 7m via Fall Line Freeway and US 82, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, entirely within Georgia, offering a straightforward path for a single-day drive. You'll spend most of your time on highways, making it a practical option if you're looking to cover ground efficiently. Plan for about six hours of driving time, so consider an early start to ensure you arrive with plenty of daylight.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
156.7 miles from Alpharetta, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Fall Line Freeway
93.3 mi
1h 40m
US 82
67.2 mi
1h 22m
I 75
64.8 mi
1h 11m
Jacksonville Highway
29.3 mi
34m
Larry Justice Highway
16.1 mi
17m
Turner McDonald Parkway
11 mi
13m
T Harvey Mathis Parkway
6.8 mi
8m
Downtown Connector
5 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Fall Line Freeway
— 93.3 mi, about 1h 40m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 143 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~4,931 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,874
Quietest
2 AM
~829 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alpharetta, GA and Folkston, 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
0.2 mi·24 sec·Old Milton Parkway
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto Haynes Bridge Road
1.1 mi·1 min·Haynes Bridge Road
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward US 19 South, GA 400 SouthUse the right lane.
6
Merge onto US 19; GA 400
11 mi·13 min·Turner McDonald Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on GA 400
6.8 mi·8 min·T Harvey Mathis Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 85
2.9 mi·4 min·Northeast Expressway
9
Continue on I 75; I 85
5.0 mi·6 min·Downtown Connector
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 75; I 85
2.3 mi·3 min·James Wendell George Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
65 mi·1 hr 11 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 475
16 mi·17 min·Larry Justice Highway
Exit 177Toward I 475 South: ValdostaUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 75; GA 540
93 mi·1 hr 40 min·Fall Line Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 63AToward 2nd StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
102 ft·8 sec
Use the straight / left lanes.
16
Turn left onto West 2nd Street
1.4 mi·2 min·West 2nd Street
17
Turn right onto Tift Avenue South
0.2 mi·37 sec·Tift Avenue South
18
Turn left onto US 82; US 319; GA 35; GA 520
1.3 mi·2 min·5th Street East
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on US 82; GA 520
15 mi·18 min·US 82; GA 520
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Continue on US 82; US 129; GA 11; GA 520
1.1 mi·1 min·US 82; US 129; GA 11; GA 520
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on US 82; GA 520
26 mi·32 min·US 82; GA 520
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Continue on US 82; GA 520
25 mi·29 min·US 82; GA 520
Use the straight lane.
23
Turn left onto Carswell Avenue
3.7 mi·6 min·Carswell Avenue
Use the left lane.
24
Continue on US 1 Business
3.2 mi·5 min·Memorial Drive
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
25
Continue on US 1; US 23; GA 4
29 mi·34 min·Jacksonville Highway
26
Continue on US 1; US 23; US 301; GA 4; GA 15; GA 23; GA 121
1.6 mi·2 min·US 1; US 23; US 301; GA 4; GA 15; GA 23; GA 121
27
Turn right onto GA 23; GA 121
0.6 mi·1 min·GA 23; GA 121
Use the right lane.
28
Turn right onto Love Street
258 ft·15 sec·Love Street
29
Turn left onto Magnolia Street
220 ft·9 sec·Magnolia Street
30
Arrive at destination
Magnolia Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour duration, departing from Alpharetta early in the morning is recommended to make the most of your day. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $48, this route is quite manageable for a single day. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on highways, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 93.3-mile stretch on the Fall Line Freeway. Consider using your GPS to confirm the transition from highway to surface roads to avoid any surprises as you approach Folkston.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 156.7 miles from Alpharetta, GA, or about 2h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93.3 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 69 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 156.7 miles or 2h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Folkston, 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 313.4 miles and 6h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Alpharetta, GA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Fall Line Freeway for about 93.3 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 204.7 — 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
1.6 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the ramp toward US 19 South, GA 400 South
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward US 19 South, GA 400 South
8
95 mi into trip|~1h 51m in|I 475 / Larry Justice Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 475 / Larry Justice Highway toward I 475 South: Valdosta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 177
Toward I 475 South: Valdosta
7
204.4 mi into trip|~3h 48m in
Take the exit toward 2nd Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 63A
Toward 2nd Street
7
204.7 mi into trip|~3h 49m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.85 one way
$99.70 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg110 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$54.35
$108.70
premium
$4.78
$58.97
$117.93
diesel
$5.35
$66.01
$132.02
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
94
1
$32.91
$15.04
Efficient EV
78.4
0
$27.42
$12.54
EV Truck/SUV
125.4
1
$43.88
$20.06
Gas CO2
110 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Alpharetta, GA
Afternoon
in Alpharetta on Wednesday
Local time
3:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Folkston, GA
Afternoon
in Folkston on Wednesday
Local time
3:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
W 2 mph16% chanceLive forecast
66°F
Ohio, GA
157 mi in
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
5 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 7m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
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,...
Welcome to Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. This park is a prehistoric American Indian site, where many different American Indian cultures occupied this land for thousands of years. American...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 108.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 80% of the route utilizing major roads like I-75 and the Fall Line Freeway. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch on the Fall Line Freeway, covering 93.3 miles. After the highway segments, expect a shift to surface roads for the remainder of the trip. The highway portion means you'll likely experience periods of higher speeds and potentially more dense exit ramps before transitioning to a more rural cruising feel.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 93.3 mi on Fall Line Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Fall Line Freeway and US 82. 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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 313.4 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 1.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95 miles (I 475 / Larry Justice Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Folkston is a city in South Georgia in the US South.
Folkston is the gateway to the Okefenokee Swamp and the place of the Folkston Funnel (a convergence of rail lines). If you want to explore the best of Georgia's nature, from alligators to woodpeckers or bladderworts to water lilies, then the Okefenokee Swamp is the place to be.
Top landmarks
•Charlton County Courthouse — courthouse in Folkston, Georgia
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 7m. Total distance: 313.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 7m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 93.3 miles on Fall Line Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 30 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Folkston, 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 30 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (GA 9 / South Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 95 miles (I 475 / Larry Justice Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Folkston, GA before the return drive.
