Traveling from Atlanta to Waycross covers 252 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 51 minutes. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straightforward interstate sprint, it is best approached as a full-day commitment. You can expect to spend roughly $40 on fuel for the journey. While you could technically complete this drive in a single day, the winding nature of the local roads means you should plan for a focused, active driving experience. Both cities are located within the Southeast, keeping you firmly in the region throughout the trip. It is a practical route for those who prefer navigating local corridors over the monotony of major highways.
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
126 miles from Atlanta, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Fall Line Freeway
93.3 mi
1h 40m
US 82
64.9 mi
1h 19m
I 75
64.8 mi
1h 11m
Larry Justice Highway
16.1 mi
17m
Albany Avenue
4.8 mi
8m
James Wendell George Parkway
2.3 mi
3m
West 2nd Street
1.4 mi
2m
5th Street East
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Fall Line Freeway
— 93.3 mi, about 1h 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Atlanta, GA and Waycross, 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 right at fork onto I 475
16 mi·17 min·Larry Justice Highway
Exit 177Toward I 475 South: ValdostaUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 75; GA 540
93 mi·1 hr 40 min·Fall Line Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 63AToward 2nd StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
102 ft·8 sec
Use the straight / left lanes.
13
Turn left onto West 2nd Street
1.4 mi·2 min·West 2nd Street
14
Turn right onto Tift Avenue South
0.2 mi·37 sec·Tift Avenue South
15
Turn left onto US 82; US 319; GA 35; GA 520
1.3 mi·2 min·5th Street East
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 82; GA 520
15 mi·18 min·US 82; GA 520
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
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.
18
Continue on US 82; GA 520
26 mi·32 min·US 82; GA 520
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Continue on US 82; GA 520
23 mi·26 min·US 82; GA 520
20
Turn right onto Fulford Road
0.5 mi·57 sec·Fulford Road
21
At end of road, turn left onto Albany Avenue
4.8 mi·8 min·Albany Avenue
Use the left lane.
22
Turn right onto Church Street
94 ft·4 sec·Church Street
23
Arrive at destination
Church Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 252-mile journey, consider departing early in the morning to avoid local traffic congestion, especially when exiting the Atlanta area. Since the route involves significant turn-heavy navigation, keeping your GPS updated will be essential for staying on track through the various local streets. While the trip only requires one planned stop, use that break strategically to refuel, keeping in mind the $40 budget allocated for gas. Flexibility is your biggest advantage on this drive, so do not hesitate to pause if you need to recalibrate your route through the city corridors. Prioritize staying alert during the turns, as the lack of long highway stretches means you will be working the wheel more than on a standard interstate commute.
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 126 miles from Atlanta, GA, or about 2h 19m 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 55 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126 miles or 2h 19m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waycross, 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 252 miles and 4h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 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 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 178.8 — 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 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
178.5 mi into trip|~3h 15m 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
178.8 mi into trip|~3h 16m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.41 one way
$78.81 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg88 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$43.09
$86.18
premium
$4.70
$46.64
$93.28
diesel
$5.61
$55.64
$111.28
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.6
0
$26.46
$12.10
Efficient EV
63
0
$22.05
$10.08
EV Truck/SUV
100.8
1
$35.28
$16.13
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% 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
Waycross, GA
Night
in Waycross on Saturday
Local time
10:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°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
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
4h 51m 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...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 78.2
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,...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a unique behind-the-wheel experience that relies entirely on local navigation rather than high-speed interstates. With a highway share of 0%, this journey keeps you off the major freeways and onto surface streets like Martin Luther King Jr Drive, Washington Street, and Pulliam Street. The route is defined by its turn-heavy profile, which demands your full attention as you transition between local segments. Because the path lacks long, uninterrupted highway stretches, you will find yourself navigating a more technical and varied road surface than a standard cross-state drive. Be prepared for a steady, hands-on pace that keeps you engaged with the local geography for the duration of your trip.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 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 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 14 significant decision points across 252 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 475 / Larry Justice Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 51m. Total distance: 252 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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.
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 Waycross, 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 475 / Larry Justice Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Waycross, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
