Atlanta to Midway is 261.1 miles and takes about 4h 48m via I-75 and I-16, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive stays within Georgia, connecting the Southeast region from the capital to the coast. With 95% of the trip on major highways, expect a straightforward journey that's ideal for a single-day trip. If you're looking for an efficient way to get from Atlanta to the Georgia coast, this route offers a direct path.
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
130.6 miles from Atlanta, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 16
155.9 mi
2h 47m
I 75
77.1 mi
1h 25m
I 95
11.5 mi
12m
Ocean Highway
10.4 mi
13m
James Wendell George Parkway
2.3 mi
3m
Downtown Connector
0.6 mi
<1m
Pulliam Street Southwest
0.6 mi
1m
Washington Street Southwest
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 16
— 155.9 mi, about 2h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Atlanta, GA and Midway, GA.
1
Start on Capitol Avenue Southeast
195 ft·9 sec·Capitol Avenue Southeast
2
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Jr Drive Southwest
434 ft·16 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Drive Southwest
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto Washington Street Southwest
0.4 mi·51 sec·Washington Street Southwest
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Continue on Pulliam Street Southwest
0.6 mi·1 min·Pulliam Street Southwest
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 75 South, I 85 South
6
Merge onto I 75; I 85
0.6 mi·50 sec·Downtown Connector
7
Continue on I 75; I 85
2.3 mi·3 min·James Wendell George Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
65 mi·1 hr 11 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
12 mi·13 min·I 75
Toward Macon, SavannahUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
1.1 mi·1 min
Exit 165Toward I 16 East: Jim Gillis Highway, SavannahUse the slight right lane.
11
Continue on I 16
156 mi·2 hr 47 min·I 16
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·31 sec
Toward I 95 South: Brunswick, Jacksonville
13
Merge onto I 95
11 mi·12 min·I 95
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Exit 87Toward US 17: Coastal HighwayUse the left lane.
15
Turn left onto US 17; GA 25
4.8 mi·5 min·Ocean Highway
16
Continue on US 17; GA 25
0.1 mi·14 sec·Ocean Highway
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 17; GA 25
0.3 mi·22 sec·Coastal Highway
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 17; GA 25
5.4 mi·8 min·Ocean Highway
19
Arrive at destination
US 17; GA 25
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 48-minute duration, starting your drive from Atlanta in the morning will allow you to reach Midway with plenty of daylight remaining. While there's only one recommended stop, consider that the longest stretch without an exit is over 155 miles, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly. Ensure your gas tank is full before departing Atlanta, as the majority of this trip is on I-16 and I-75, and opportunities for services can be spaced out. This is a manageable one-day drive, so you have the flexibility to depart when it's most convenient for you.
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 130.6 miles from Atlanta, GA, or about 2h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 155.9 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 57 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.6 miles or 2h 24m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Midway, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Atlanta, 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 Atlanta, GA
This is one driving day of about 261.1 miles and 4h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Atlanta, 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 16 for about 155.9 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 250.2 — 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|Martin Luther King Jr Drive Southwest
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Jr Drive Southwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
4.3 mi into trip|~6m 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
69.1 mi into trip|~1h 18m 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
81.3 mi into trip|~1h 31m 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
7
250.2 mi into trip|~4h 33m in
Take the exit toward US 17: Coastal Highway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Exit 87
Toward US 17: Coastal Highway
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.83 one way
$81.66 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$44.64
$89.29
premium
$4.70
$48.32
$96.65
diesel
$5.61
$57.65
$115.30
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78.3
0
$27.42
$12.53
Efficient EV
65.3
0
$22.85
$10.44
EV Truck/SUV
104.4
1
$36.55
$16.71
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 16, 2026
Origin
Atlanta, GA
Night
in Atlanta on Saturday
Local time
10:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Midway, GA
Night
in Midway on Saturday
Local time
10:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 48m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
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,...
For much of the 19th century, masonry fortifications were the United States’ main defense against overseas enemies. However, during the Civil War, new technology proved its superiority over these fort...
20 mi from route
~51 min detour
$10
near mile 243.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 95% of the route utilizing major interstates. You'll experience the longest uninterrupted stretch of 155.9 miles on I-16, which is a significant portion of the journey. The profile suggests a consistent, high-speed driving experience for most of the trip, making it efficient but potentially less varied. Expect to spend the majority of your time on well-maintained interstate highways, offering a predictable travel experience.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 155.9 mi on I 16.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 16 and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Martin Luther King Jr Drive Southwest.
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 11 significant decision points across 261.1 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 (Martin Luther King Jr Drive Southwest): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.3 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 69.1 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Atlanta, GA and Midway, GA, road signs point toward Macon, Savannah and Jacksonville.
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 4h 48m. Total distance: 261.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 48m 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 155.9 miles on I 16. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Midway, 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: near the start (Martin Luther King Jr Drive Southwest): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.3 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 69.1 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Midway, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
