This 185.8-mile journey from Augusta, GA to Emerson, GA is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take about 3 hours and 30 minutes. You'll primarily travel on the Carl Sanders Highway, Purple Heart Highway, and Larry McDonald Memorial Highway, with a small portion on other roads. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $29, making it an economical option. Given its relatively short length and the profile of the roads, this route is best suited for a single day's travel rather than an overnight split. It offers a straightforward drive through the Southeast region of Georgia.
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
92.9 miles from Augusta, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Carl Sanders Highway
85.2 mi
1h 31m
Purple Heart Highway
46.9 mi
50m
Larry McDonald Memorial Highway
25.5 mi
29m
Ralph David Abernathy Freeway
9.1 mi
10m
Horace E Tate Freeway
7.2 mi
8m
Downtown Connector
3.1 mi
4m
Washington Road
2.5 mi
4m
Calhoun Expressway
1.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Carl Sanders Highway
— 85.2 mi, about 1h 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Augusta, GA and Emerson, 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
85 mi·1 hr 31 min·Carl Sanders Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 20
47 mi·50 min·Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 20
9.1 mi·10 min·Ralph David Abernathy Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 58BToward Hill Street, Turner FieldUse the slight right lane.
12
At end of road, turn right onto Hill Street Southeast
0.2 mi·41 sec·Hill Street Southeast
13
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Southeast
0.3 mi·29 sec·Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Southeast
14
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 75 North, I 85 North
15
Merge onto I 75; I 85
3.1 mi·4 min·Downtown Connector
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 75
7.2 mi·8 min·Horace E Tate Freeway
Toward I 75 North: Marietta, ChattanoogaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 75
11 mi·12 min·Larry McDonald Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
15 mi·16 min·Larry McDonald Memorial Highway
Toward I 75 North: Chattanooga, Barrett Parkway, KennesawUse the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 283Toward Allatoona Road, EmersonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn left onto Old Allatoona Road Southeast
0.8 mi·1 min·Old Allatoona Road Southeast
Use the left / straight lanes.
21
Continue on GA 293
0.6 mi·1 min·GA 293
Use the straight / left lanes.
22
Turn right
42 ft·5 sec
23
Turn right
172 ft·18 sec
24
Turn left onto GA 293
0.1 mi·18 sec·Main Street
25
Turn left onto Gaston Westbrook Avenue
322 ft·12 sec·Gaston Westbrook Avenue
26
Turn right onto 4th Street
46 ft·1 sec·4th Street
27
Arrive at destination
4th Street
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour and 30-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your day and avoid potential traffic. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition off the longer stretches of the Carl Sanders Highway, as services might be less frequent on the local road portions. The $29 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to have a little extra buffer. Enjoy the drive and the ability to take your time reaching Emerson.
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 92.9 miles from Augusta, GA, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.2 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 41 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.9 miles or 1h 42m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Emerson, 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 185.8 miles and 3h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 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 Carl Sanders Highway for about 85.2 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 147 and 183.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
147 mi into trip|~2h 42m in
Take the exit toward Hill Street, Turner Field
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 58B
Toward Hill Street, Turner Field
6
147.7 mi into trip|~2h 43m in
Take the ramp toward I 75 North, I 85 North
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 75 North, I 85 North
8
151.1 mi into trip|~2h 48m in|I 75 / Horace E Tate Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 75 / Horace E Tate Freeway toward I 75 North: Marietta, Chattanooga
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: Marietta, Chattanooga
8
168.8 mi into trip|~3h 9m in|I 75 / Larry McDonald Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 / Larry McDonald Memorial Highway toward I 75 North: Chattanooga, Barrett Parkway, Kennesaw
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 75 North: Chattanooga, Barrett Parkway...
8
183.8 mi into trip|~3h 26m in
Take the exit toward Allatoona Road, Emerson
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 283
Toward Allatoona Road, Emerson
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.06 one way
$58.11 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg65 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$31.77
$63.54
premium
$4.70
$34.39
$68.78
diesel
$5.61
$41.02
$82.04
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
55.7
0
$19.51
$8.92
Efficient EV
46.5
0
$16.26
$7.43
EV Truck/SUV
74.3
0
$26.01
$11.89
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 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 17, 2026
Origin
Augusta, GA
Late night
in Augusta on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
93°F
Sunny
NW 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Emerson, GA
Late night
in Emerson on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Covington, GA
93 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
40 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
3h 30m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 147.3
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,...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
$5
near mile 160.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for this 185.8-mile route, with only about 10% of the journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 85.2 miles along the Carl Sanders Highway. This suggests a drive that frequently transitions between different road types and may involve more frequent turns and adjustments than a pure interstate cruise. The character of the drive will likely evolve as you move from more main highway sections to more local road segments.
Only 10% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 85.2 mi on Carl Sanders Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 147 miles in.
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 17 significant decision points across 185.8 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 147 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 147.7 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 151.1 miles (I 75 / Horace E Tate Freeway): 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 Augusta, GA and Emerson, GA, road signs point toward Turner Field, Chattanooga and Kennesaw.
Turner Field
147 mi in|~2h 42m
Chattanooga
151.1 mi in|~2h 48m|via I 75
Kennesaw
168.8 mi in|~3h 9m|via I 75
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 30m. Total distance: 185.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 85.2 miles on Carl Sanders Highway. 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 Emerson, 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 147 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 147.7 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 151.1 miles (I 75 / Horace E Tate Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Martin Luther King, Jr. 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 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Emerson, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
