Spanning 128.9 miles across Georgia, this trip from Augusta to Auburn is an efficient journey that typically takes 2 hours and 38 minutes. Since the entire route stays within the Southeast, you will notice a consistent regional feel as you transition between these two Georgia communities. You can easily complete this drive in a single day, making it an ideal candidate for a straightforward day trip. Budget roughly $21 for fuel, which keeps this excursion quite affordable. Whether you are heading out for business or a visit, the trip is manageable enough that you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations.
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
64.5 miles from Augusta, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 78
42.6 mi
51m
Carl Sanders Highway
26.9 mi
28m
University Parkway
19.7 mi
23m
Washington Road
13.3 mi
17m
Thomson Road
11 mi
13m
Inner Loop 10
5.9 mi
6m
Carl Bethlehem Road
4.5 mi
7m
Calhoun Expressway
1.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 78
— 42.6 mi, about 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Augusta, GA and Auburn, GA.
1
Start on Walton Way
0.7 mi·1 min·Walton Way
2
Turn straight
235 ft·8 sec
3
Turn right onto 15th Street
0.2 mi·18 sec·15th Street
4
Turn slight left
0.3 mi·40 sec
5
Merge onto GA 28
1.7 mi·1 min·Calhoun Expressway
6
Continue on GA 28
2.5 mi·4 min·Washington Road
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
8
Merge onto I 20
27 mi·28 min·Carl Sanders Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 78, GA 17: Thomson, Washington
10
Turn right onto GA 17
11 mi·12 min·Washington Road
11
Continue on US 78; GA 10; GA 17
11 mi·13 min·Thomson Road
12
Turn left onto US 78; GA 10
42 mi·51 min·US 78; GA 10
13
Turn left onto US 78
0.4 mi·29 sec·US 78
Toward US 129 South, US 441 South, US 29 South, GA 10 Loop South, US 78 West, GA 10 West
14
Merge onto US 29; US 78; US 129; US 441; GA 8; GA 10 Loop; GA 15
5.9 mi·6 min·Inner Loop 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit onto US 29; US 78; GA 8
0.3 mi·40 sec·US 29; US 78; GA 8
Exit 1Toward US 29 South, US 78 West, GA 316 West: Atlanta, MonroeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
At end of road, turn left onto University Parkway
20 mi·23 min·University Parkway
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto Carl Bethlehem Road
4.5 mi·7 min·Carl Bethlehem Road
Use the right lane.
18
Turn right onto Carl Midway Church Road
152 ft·10 sec·Carl Midway Church Road
19
Turn left onto GA 8
1.1 mi·1 min·Atlanta Highway
20
Turn right onto Mount Moriah Road
302 ft·12 sec·Mount Moriah Road
21
Turn right onto 4th Avenue
83 ft·2 sec·4th Avenue
22
Arrive at destination
4th Avenue
Trip Plan
For the best experience, plan for a single stop during your 2-hour and 38-minute transit to break up the drive. Since the total distance is under 130 miles, you have plenty of flexibility with your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours is always a smart move. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge when you are on the longer stretches of US 78, as service availability can vary compared to the more populated sections of the route. Because you are tackling a mix of highway and local roads, stay alert for speed limit changes, especially when transitioning off the main parkways. This route is short enough that you don't need an elaborate itinerary, allowing you to focus on a comfortable and steady pace.
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 64.5 miles from Augusta, GA, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.6 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 28 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.5 miles or 1h 17m 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Auburn, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Augusta, 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 Augusta, GA
This is one driving day of about 128.9 miles and 2h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Augusta, 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 US 78 for about 42.6 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 5.8 and 103.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
5.8 mi into trip|~9m in|I 20 / Carl Sanders Highway
Merge onto I 20 / Carl Sanders Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
32.7 mi into trip|~38m in
Take the exit toward US 78, GA 17: Thomson, Washington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 78, GA 17: Thomson, Washington
5
96.9 mi into trip|~1h 57m in|US 78
Turn left onto US 78 toward US 129 South, US 441 South, US 29 South, GA 10 Loop South, US 78 West, GA 10 West
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 129 South, US 441 South, US 29 South,...
5
97.3 mi into trip|~1h 57m in|US 29; US 78; US 129; US 441; GA 8; GA 10 Loop; GA 15 / Inner Loop 10
Merge onto US 29; US 78; US 129; US 441; GA 8; GA 10 Loop; GA 15 / Inner Loop 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
103.2 mi into trip|~2h 4m in|US 29; US 78; GA 8
Take the exit onto US 29; US 78; GA 8 toward US 29 South, US 78 West, GA 316 West: Atlanta, Monroe
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 1
Toward US 29 South, US 78 West, GA 316 West: At...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.16 one way
$40.31 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg45 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$22.04
$44.08
premium
$4.70
$23.86
$47.71
diesel
$5.61
$28.46
$56.92
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38.7
0
$13.53
$6.19
Efficient EV
32.2
0
$11.28
$5.16
EV Truck/SUV
51.6
0
$18.05
$8.25
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (67% 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 21, 2026
Origin
Augusta, GA
Late night
in Augusta on Tuesday
Local time
4:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Auburn, GA
Late night
in Auburn on Tuesday
Local time
4:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°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
5 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
2h 38m 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.
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
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,...
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
$5
near mile 128.9
Park Closure: Island Ford Trail Closures Winter 2025-2026
Park Closure: Restrooms and Water Fountains Unavailable at Powers Island and Akers Mill
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This mixed drive offers a varied experience behind the wheel, split evenly between highway travel and local roads. You will spend about 50% of your time on highways like University Parkway and the Carl Sanders Highway, providing a decent pace for your journey. A significant portion of the trip involves navigating US 78, which features your longest uninterrupted stretch of 42.6 miles. Because the route transitions between faster highway sections and more localized driving, you should be prepared for changing traffic patterns as you progress toward Auburn. It is a balanced drive that avoids the monotony of a purely interstate route while still allowing you to cover the distance effectively.
50% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 42.6 mi on US 78.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.8 miles in near I 20 / Carl Sanders Highway.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 128.9 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 5.8 miles (I 20 / Carl Sanders Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 32.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 96.9 miles (US 78): 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 Augusta, GA and Auburn, GA, road signs point toward Washington and Monroe.
Augusta is a city in Georgia's Classic Heartland. Due to its location inland on the Savannah River, Augusta was a city of major strategic importance by the end of the Civil War. It was spared most of the destruction of many other southern cities, so there are many old buildings and landmarks. Augusta is also home to the Augusta National Golf Club, one of the world's most prestigious and exclusive golf clubs, which plays host to the Masters golf tournament.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 38m. Total distance: 128.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (50%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 42.6 miles on US 78. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.8 miles (I 20 / Carl Sanders Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 32.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 96.9 miles (US 78): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — 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 Auburn, GA before heading back.
