Augusta, GA to Ellaville, GA is 194.2 miles and takes about 4h 6m via Fall Line Freeway, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, entirely within Georgia, offering a straightforward drive. With a recommended single day of travel, you can expect a relatively efficient transit between these two points. The route is mostly highway, making it a good option if you're looking to cover ground without too many detours. Consider this a practical transit rather than a scenic expedition.
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
97.1 miles from Augusta, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Fall Line Freeway
82.5 mi
1h 39m
Deans Bridge Road
27.6 mi
37m
South Broad Street
21.2 mi
24m
GA 96
18.8 mi
22m
Fenns Bridge Road
16.6 mi
19m
GA 49
9.5 mi
12m
Irwinton Road
6 mi
7m
Emery Highway
2.8 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Fall Line Freeway
— 82.5 mi, about 1h 39m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 22 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~1,923 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,311
Quietest
2 AM
~199 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 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 Augusta, GA and Ellaville, GA.
1
Start on Walton Way
0.8 mi·1 min·Walton Way
2
Turn left onto 15th Street
2.0 mi·3 min·15th Street
Use the left lane.
3
Turn straight onto GA 4
0.7 mi·1 min·Milledgeville Road
4
Continue on GA 4
28 mi·37 min·Deans Bridge Road
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on US 1; US 221; GA 4; GA 540
2.4 mi·4 min·North Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Turn right onto GA 88; GA 540
17 mi·19 min·Fenns Bridge Road
7
Continue on GA 88; GA 540
6.4 mi·7 min·Fall Line Freeway
8
Keep slight right at fork onto GA 88; GA 540
0.6 mi·40 sec·Fall Line Freeway
9
Keep slight left at fork onto GA 88; GA 540
3.6 mi·4 min·Fall Line Freeway
10
Enter roundabout onto GA 24; GA 540
146 ft·1 sec·Fall Line Freeway
11
Continue on GA 24; GA 540
51 mi·1 hr 1 min·Fall Line Freeway
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on GA 57; GA 540
6.0 mi·7 min·Irwinton Road
13
Continue on US 80; GA 19; GA 540
1.3 mi·2 min·Jeffersonville Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on US 80; GA 19; GA 540
0.4 mi·37 sec·Emery Road
15
Continue on US 23; US 80; US 129 Alternate; GA 19; GA 87; GA 540
2.8 mi·5 min·Emery Highway
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on GA 540
0.8 mi·1 min·Fall Line Freeway
Use the left / straight / sharp right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto GA 540
1.0 mi·1 min·Fall Line Freeway
Toward I 75 South, GA 540 West: ValdostaUse the left / straight lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto GA 540
15 mi·15 min·Fall Line Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Take the exit onto GA 540
0.2 mi·24 sec·GA 540
Exit 149Toward GA 49: Byron, Fort ValleyUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto GA 540
0.3 mi·31 sec·GA 540
Toward GA 540: Byron Welcome Center, Massee Lane Gardens, Fort Valley State University, Byron, Fort ValleyUse the slight right lane.
21
Continue on GA 49; GA 540
0.8 mi·1 min·GA 49; GA 540
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Continue on GA 49; GA 540
8.6 mi·11 min·GA 49; GA 540
Use the straight lane.
23
Turn right onto GA 49 Connector; GA 540
4.8 mi·6 min·Fall Line Freeway
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on GA 96; GA 540
19 mi·22 min·GA 96; GA 540
Use the straight lane.
25
Turn left onto US 19; GA 3
21 mi·24 min·South Broad Street
Use the straight lane.
26
Turn right onto North Broad Street
1.3 mi·2 min·North Broad Street
27
Turn right onto GA 26
87 ft·2 sec·West Oglethorpe Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Arrive at destination
GA 26
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour drive, leaving Augusta, GA in the morning will give you ample time to reach Ellaville, GA before evening. The $30 fuel estimate suggests a moderately priced trip, so top off your tank before you depart. Since it's a single-day drive, you don't need to plan for overnight stops, giving you flexibility. Pay attention to the transition points where the highway ends, as these can sometimes involve more complex intersections or slower local traffic. With only one recommended stop, plan your break strategically along the Fall Line Freeway.
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 97.1 miles from Augusta, GA, or about 2h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.5 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 43 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97.1 miles or 2h 3m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ellaville, 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 194.2 miles and 4h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 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 Fall Line Freeway for about 82.5 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 122.7 and 171.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
122.7 mi into trip|~2h 38m in|GA 540 / Fall Line Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto GA 540 / Fall Line Freeway toward I 75 South, GA 540 West: Valdosta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / straight lanes.
Toward I 75 South, GA 540 West: Valdosta
6
123.7 mi into trip|~2h 40m in|GA 540 / Fall Line Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto GA 540 / Fall Line Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
138.2 mi into trip|~2h 56m in|GA 540
Take the exit onto GA 540 toward GA 49: Byron, Fort Valley
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 149
Toward GA 49: Byron, Fort Valley
9
138.4 mi into trip|~2h 56m in|GA 540
Keep slight right at fork onto GA 540 toward GA 540: Byron Welcome Center, Massee Lane Gardens, Fort Valley State University, Byron, Fort Valley
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward GA 540: Byron Welcome Center, Massee Lan...
6
171.6 mi into trip|~3h 38m in|US 19; GA 3 / South Broad Street
Turn left onto US 19; GA 3 / South Broad Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.89 one way
$61.78 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg68 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$33.68
$67.36
premium
$4.78
$36.54
$73.08
diesel
$5.35
$40.90
$81.81
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
58.3
0
$20.39
$9.32
Efficient EV
48.6
0
$16.99
$7.77
EV Truck/SUV
77.7
0
$27.19
$12.43
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Augusta, GA
Afternoon
in Augusta on Wednesday
Local time
4:07 PM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
NW 3 mph21% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Ellaville, GA
Afternoon
in Ellaville on Wednesday
Local time
4:07 PM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Partly Sunny
NW 0 to 5 mph1% chanceLive 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 6m 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.
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...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 120.5
Caution: River Trail periodically closed under I-16
Park Closure: BOARDWALK CLOSED along the River Trail
Few U.S. Presidents have had such close ties with where they were born and raised. The rural southern culture of Plains, Georgia revolves around farming, church, and school, which had a large influenc...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 194.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 57% highway, with the longest continuous stretch on the Fall Line Freeway covering 82.5 miles. You'll experience a mix of highway cruising and surface roads, with the transition likely occurring after the main highway section concludes. Expect a noticeable shift in traffic patterns and speed limits as you move from the freeway to surface streets. The initial part of the drive will feel more like open road travel before you encounter more local traffic.
57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 82.5 mi on Fall Line Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 122.7 miles in near GA 540 / Fall Line Freeway.
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 14 significant decision points across 194.2 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 122.7 miles (GA 540 / Fall Line Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 123.7 miles (GA 540 / Fall Line Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 138.2 miles (GA 540): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
570 ft140 ft
Total Climb
589 ft
Total Descent
159 ft
Highest Point
570 ft
~194.2 mi in
Elevation Range
430 ft
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 Ellaville, GA, road signs point toward Fort Valley, Massee Lane Gardens, Fort Valley State University and Byron.
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.
Top landmarks
•Augusta National Golf Club — golf course in Georgia, United States
•Augusta Canal — canal in Augusta, Georgia, United States of America
•Morris Museum of Art — museum in Augusta, Georgia, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 6m. Total distance: 194.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 82.5 miles on Fall Line Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 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 Ellaville, 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 6 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 122.7 miles (GA 540 / Fall Line Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 123.7 miles (GA 540 / Fall Line Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 138.2 miles (GA 540): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park and Jimmy Carter National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Ellaville, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
