Augusta, GA to Lookout Mountain, GA is 267.1 miles and takes about 5h 2m via Larry McDonald Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Georgia, traversing the Southeast region. Expect a drive that primarily uses surface roads, making it a more relaxed pace than a pure interstate trip. It's a manageable one-day drive, perfect if you want to get to your destination without a long haul, but still want to see a bit of the landscape along the way.
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
133.5 miles from Augusta, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Larry McDonald Memorial Highway
92.2 mi
1h 40m
Carl Sanders Highway
85.2 mi
1h 31m
Purple Heart Highway
46.9 mi
50m
Ralph David Abernathy Freeway
9.1 mi
10m
Horace E Tate Freeway
7.2 mi
8m
Battlefield Parkway
6.4 mi
7m
Downtown Connector
3.1 mi
4m
Washington Road
2.5 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Larry McDonald Memorial Highway
— 92.2 mi, about 1h 40m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 179 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~4,784 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,515
Quietest
2 AM
~713 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Lookout Mountain, 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
82 mi·1 hr 28 min·Larry McDonald Memorial Highway
Toward I 75 North: Chattanooga, Barrett Parkway, KennesawUse the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 350Toward GA 2: Battlefield Parkway, Fort OglethorpeUse the slight right lane.
20
Merge onto GA 2
6.4 mi·7 min·Battlefield Parkway
Use the straight lane.
21
Take the exit
404 ft·11 sec
22
Merge onto US 27; GA 1
1.0 mi·1 min·Lafayette Road
23
Continue on US 27; GA 1
1.9 mi·2 min·Chickamauga Avenue
24
Continue on US 27
1.2 mi·1 min·Rossville Boulevard
25
Turn left onto East 37th Street
0.4 mi·37 sec·East 37th Street
26
Continue on East 38th Street
1.2 mi·2 min·East 38th Street
27
Turn left onto Alton Park Boulevard
419 ft·10 sec·Alton Park Boulevard
28
Turn right onto West 40th Street
0.5 mi·55 sec·West 40th Street
29
Continue on Tennessee Avenue
368 ft·12 sec·Tennessee Avenue
30
Turn left onto SR 17; SR 58
330 ft·6 sec·St Elmo Avenue
31
Turn right onto SR 58
2.2 mi·3 min·Ochs Highway
32
Continue on GA 157
1.2 mi·2 min·Red Riding Hood Trail
33
At end of road, turn right onto GA 157
457 ft·11 sec·Lula Lake Road
34
Arrive at destination
Lula Lake Road
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration, you can easily complete this drive in a single day. Aim to leave Augusta in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. With only one recommended stop, plan your break strategically, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition to surface roads, as stations might be less frequent than on major interstates. The $43 fuel estimate is a good baseline, but always factor in a buffer.
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 133.5 miles from Augusta, GA, or about 2h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.2 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 59 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.5 miles or 2h 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lookout Mountain, 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 267.1 miles and 5h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 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 Larry McDonald Memorial Highway for about 92.2 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 147 and 250.5 — 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
250.5 mi into trip|~4h 38m in
Take the exit toward GA 2: Battlefield Parkway, Fort Oglethorpe
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 350
Toward GA 2: Battlefield Parkway, Fort Oglethor...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.43 one way
$84.86 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$46.27
$92.54
premium
$4.78
$50.27
$100.53
diesel
$6.18
$64.98
$129.95
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.1
0
$28.05
$12.82
Efficient EV
66.8
0
$23.37
$10.68
EV Truck/SUV
106.8
1
$37.39
$17.09
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Augusta, GA
Morning
in Augusta on Saturday
Local time
11:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Rain Showers Likely
NW 10 mph65% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 17 at 4:53AM EDT by NWS Charleston SC
Lake Wind Advisory
Lake Wind Advisory issued October 17 at 2:32AM EDT until October 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Columbia SC
Destination
Lookout Mountain, GA
Morning
in Lookout Mountain on Saturday
Local time
11:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Mostly Sunny
N 10 to 15 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 17 at 4:53AM EDT by NWS Charleston SC
Lake Wind Advisory
Lake Wind Advisory issued October 17 at 2:32AM EDT until October 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Columbia SC
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 2m 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...
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,...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
$5
near mile 156.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly surface roads, with only about 9% on highways. You'll spend the bulk of your time on local routes, with one stretch of 92.2 miles on Larry McDonald Memorial Highway. Expect a lot of exits and intersections as you navigate through towns and rural areas. The transition from highway to surface roads happens early on, setting a consistent pace for most of the trip.
Only 9% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 92.2 mi on Larry McDonald Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 267.1 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: 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,799 ft140 ft
Total Climb
1,970 ft
Total Descent
312 ft
Highest Point
1,799 ft
~267.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,658 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 Lookout Mountain, GA, road signs point toward Turner Field, Chattanooga, Kennesaw and Fort Oglethorpe.
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 5h 2m. Total distance: 267.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 92.2 miles on Larry McDonald Memorial 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 Lookout Mountain, 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lookout Mountain, GA before the return drive.
