Traveling from Ashburn to Atlanta covers 159.5 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 57 minutes of driving time. Since this route is easily manageable in a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Expect to spend roughly $26 on fuel for the journey, making it a relatively budget-friendly trip through the Southeast. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major thoroughfares, specifically I-75, Larry Justice Highway, and North Street. Whether you are heading north for business or a weekend getaway, the direct nature of this path makes it a straightforward transition between these two Georgia locations.
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
79.7 miles from Ashburn, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
139.9 mi
2h 33m
Larry Justice Highway
15.9 mi
17m
North Street
2 mi
3m
Capitol Avenue Southeast
0.5 mi
<1m
Fulton Street Southwest
0.2 mi
<1m
US 41
0.2 mi
<1m
East Washington Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 139.9 mi, about 2h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ashburn, GA and Atlanta, GA.
1
Start on GA 112
65 ft·5 sec·East Washington Avenue
2
Turn right onto US 41; GA 7
0.2 mi·23 sec·US 41; GA 7
3
Turn straight onto GA 159
2.0 mi·3 min·North Street
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
5
Merge onto I 75
72 mi·1 hr 17 min·I 75
Use the straight lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 475
16 mi·17 min·Larry Justice Highway
Exit 156Toward I 475 North: AtlantaUse the slight left lane.
7
Merge onto I 75
49 mi·53 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
18 mi·21 min·I 75
Toward I 75 North: Atlanta, BirminghamUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 246Toward Fulton Street, Central Avenue, Georgia State UniversityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·59 sec
Toward Fulton Street, Zoo AtlantaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn right onto Fulton Street Southwest
0.2 mi·27 sec·Fulton Street Southwest
Use the left / right lanes.
12
Turn left onto Capitol Avenue Southeast
0.5 mi·56 sec·Capitol Avenue Southeast
13
Arrive at destination
Capitol Avenue Southeast
Trip Plan
Because this is a sub-three-hour trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though planning for at least one stop is recommended to break up the monotony of the long interstate stretch. Keep a close watch on your fuel levels before merging onto I-75, as the 139.9-mile main segment offers limited opportunities for quick detours. If you are heading into Atlanta during peak hours, factor in extra time beyond the estimated 2-hour and 57-minute duration to account for typical metro traffic. Use the stop to stretch your legs and refresh, especially since the drive is dominated by high-speed cruising. Prioritizing a mid-route break will ensure you arrive in the city feeling sharp and ready for your destination.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 79.7 miles from Ashburn, GA, or about 1h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 139.9 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 35 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.7 miles or 1h 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Atlanta, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ashburn, 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 Ashburn, GA
This is one driving day of about 159.5 miles and 2h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Ashburn, 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 139.9 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 74.6 and 158.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
74.6 mi into trip|~1h 21m in|I 475 / Larry Justice Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 475 / Larry Justice Highway toward I 475 North: Atlanta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 156
Toward I 475 North: Atlanta
8
139.9 mi into trip|~2h 32m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward I 75 North: Atlanta, Birmingham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 75 North: Atlanta, Birmingham
8
158.1 mi into trip|~2h 54m in
Take the exit toward Fulton Street, Central Avenue, Georgia State University
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 246
Toward Fulton Street, Central Avenue, Georgia S...
8
158.4 mi into trip|~2h 54m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Fulton Street, Zoo Atlanta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Fulton Street, Zoo Atlanta
6
158.8 mi into trip|~2h 55m in|Fulton Street Southwest
Turn right onto Fulton Street Southwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.94 one way
$49.88 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$27.27
$54.54
premium
$4.70
$29.52
$59.04
diesel
$5.61
$35.22
$70.43
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.9
0
$16.75
$7.66
Efficient EV
39.9
0
$13.96
$6.38
EV Truck/SUV
63.8
0
$22.33
$10.21
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Ashburn, GA
Night
in Ashburn on Saturday
Local time
10:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Atlanta, GA
Night
in Atlanta on Saturday
Local time
10:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Jackson, GA
80 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
2 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
2h 57m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 159.5
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...
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,...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
$5
near mile 159.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 88% of the journey spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a long, steady rhythm for the majority of the trip, as your longest uninterrupted stretch covers 139.9 miles along I-75. While the interstate provides a fast and efficient backbone for your travel, the character of the road shifts slightly as you navigate the final segments on Larry Justice Highway and North Street. Expect a fairly consistent driving experience that prioritizes efficiency over technical, winding backroads. It is a no-nonsense commute that allows you to cover the distance quickly while keeping your focus on standard highway traffic.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 139.9 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Larry Justice Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 74.6 miles in near I 475 / Larry Justice Highway.
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 10 significant decision points across 159.5 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: at 74.6 miles (I 475 / Larry Justice Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 139.9 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 158.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,040 ft309 ft
Total Climb
942 ft
Total Descent
329 ft
Highest Point
1,040 ft
~159.5 mi in
Elevation Range
731 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Ashburn, GA to Atlanta, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Birmingham along the way.
Atlanta is the vanguard of the New South, with the charm and elegance of the Old. It's a city that balances southern traditions with sleek modernism, and southern hospitality with three skylines and the world’s busiest airport. It's a city that has been burnt to the ground and built back up; seen the horrors of war; felt the pain of droughts and floods; and given birth to Martin Luther King, Jr., the greatest figure of the civil rights movement. Atlanta is the capital of the state of Georgia.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 57m. Total distance: 159.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 139.9 miles on I 75. 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 Atlanta, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 74.6 miles (I 475 / Larry Justice Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 139.9 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 158.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park and Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. 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 Atlanta, GA before heading back.
