Alpharetta to Lyons is 203.7 miles and takes about 3h 59m via I 75 and I 16, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Georgia, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. It's primarily a highway drive, making it a straightforward trip for a single day. Expect a consistent pace for most of the drive, with minimal deviation from major interstates. This route is a practical choice if you need to get from the northern part of Georgia to the central part efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
101.8 miles from Alpharetta, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
77.1 mi
1h 25m
I 16
65.6 mi
1h 10m
GA 29
20.6 mi
26m
Turner McDonald Parkway
11 mi
13m
T Harvey Mathis Parkway
6.8 mi
8m
US 280
6.3 mi
11m
Downtown Connector
5 mi
6m
Northeast Expressway
2.9 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 77.1 mi, about 1h 25m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 139 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,725 veh/hr typical
· worst 6,618
Quietest
2 AM
~939 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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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 Lyons, 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 left at fork onto I 75
12 mi·13 min·I 75
Toward Macon, SavannahUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
1.1 mi·1 min
Exit 165Toward I 16 East: Jim Gillis Highway, SavannahUse the slight right lane.
14
Continue on I 16
66 mi·1 hr 10 min·I 16
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 67Toward GA 29: Soperton, Vidalia
16
Turn right onto GA 29
21 mi·26 min·GA 29
17
Turn left onto US 280; GA 15; GA 29; GA 30
6.3 mi·11 min·US 280; GA 15; GA 29; GA 30
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 280; GA 30
0.8 mi·1 min·Vidalia Road
19
Continue on US 280; GA 30
1.6 mi·2 min·West Liberty Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Turn left onto US 1; GA 4
516 ft·10 sec·South State Street
Use the left lane.
21
Turn right onto 152; 292
29 ft·0 sec·Northeast Broad Street
22
Arrive at destination
152; 292
Trip Plan
Given the roughly 4-hour drive time, leaving Alpharetta in the morning allows ample time to reach Lyons before evening. With only one recommended stop and 95% highway driving, you can maintain a steady pace. Plan your fuel stops strategically, especially considering the longest stretch of 77.1 miles on I 75. The $31 fuel estimate is helpful for budgeting. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility with your departure time; an early start will give you the most daylight for your travels.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 101.8 miles from Alpharetta, GA, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.1 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 45 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.8 miles or 1h 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lyons, 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 203.7 miles and 3h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 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 I 75 for about 77.1 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 107.2 — 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
6
30.2 mi into trip|~39m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
95 mi into trip|~1h 51m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward Macon, Savannah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Macon, Savannah
8
107.2 mi into trip|~2h 4m in
Take the exit toward I 16 East: Jim Gillis Highway, Savannah
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 165
Toward I 16 East: Jim Gillis Highway, Savannah
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.40 one way
$64.80 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$35.33
$70.65
premium
$4.78
$38.33
$76.65
diesel
$5.35
$42.91
$85.81
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.1
0
$21.39
$9.78
Efficient EV
50.9
0
$17.82
$8.15
EV Truck/SUV
81.5
1
$28.52
$13.04
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% 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 May 29, 2026
Origin
Alpharetta, GA
Evening
in Alpharetta on Wednesday
Local time
5:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SE 5 mph57% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 29 at 5:27PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 29 at 5:11PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Lyons, GA
Evening
in Lyons on Wednesday
Local time
5:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SE 5 mph70% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 29 at 5:27PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 29 at 5:11PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
66°F
Monticello, GA
102 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
3 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
3h 59m 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.
Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 112.4
Caution: River Trail periodically closed under I-16
Park Closure: BOARDWALK CLOSED along the River Trail
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 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is overwhelmingly on highways, with 95% of the 203.7 miles covered by high-speed roads like I 75 and I 16. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 77.1 miles on I 75 before needing to transition. Surface roads will only make up about 10 miles of your total travel. Be prepared for a significant amount of merging and exiting traffic on the interstates.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 77.1 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and I 16. 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 13 significant decision points across 203.7 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 30.2 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,134 ft227 ft
Total Climb
243 ft
Total Descent
1,134 ft
Highest Point
1,134 ft
Elevation Range
907 ft
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 Lyons, GA, road signs point toward Macon, Savannah and Vidalia.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 59m. Total distance: 203.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 77.1 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 18 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 Lyons, 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 18 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 30.2 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Lyons, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
