Augusta, GA to Manchester, GA is 190.5 miles and takes about 4h 9m via Carl Sanders Highway and Monticello Highway, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Georgia, traversing the Southeast region. With mostly surface roads, expect a more relaxed pace than a pure interstate cruise. It's a straightforward drive, ideal for a single-day excursion without feeling rushed.
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
95.3 miles from Augusta, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Carl Sanders Highway
85.2 mi
1h 31m
Monticello Highway
21.9 mi
30m
West Washington Street
13.3 mi
18m
Concord Street
12.5 mi
21m
GA 16
11.4 mi
15m
GA 85
7.9 mi
11m
US 19
7.6 mi
10m
West 3rd Street
4.7 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Carl Sanders Highway
— 85.2 mi, about 1h 31m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,812 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,441
Quietest
2 AM
~187 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Manchester, 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
0.8 mi·53 sec·Purple Heart Highway
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 113Toward GA 83: Madison, MonticelloUse the slight right lane.
11
Turn left onto GA 83
22 mi·30 min·Monticello Highway
12
Continue on GA 83
0.2 mi·16 sec·Madison Road
13
Continue on GA 83
0.4 mi·50 sec·Madison Street
14
Continue on GA 83
0.2 mi·29 sec·North Warren Street
15
Turn right onto GA 16; GA 83; GA 212
175 ft·6 sec·West Greene Street
16
Turn left onto GA 11; GA 16; GA 83; GA 212
301 ft·13 sec·Forsyth Street
17
Turn right onto GA 16; GA 212
13 mi·18 min·West Washington Street
18
Enter roundabout onto GA 16
108 ft·2 sec·GA 16
19
Continue on GA 16
4.7 mi·7 min·GA 16
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Enter roundabout onto GA 16
134 ft·3 sec·West 3rd Street
21
Continue on GA 16
4.7 mi·6 min·West 3rd Street
22
Continue on GA 16
3.1 mi·4 min·State Route 16
23
Continue on GA 16
6.7 mi·7 min·GA 16
Use the straight lane.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto GA 16
2.4 mi·3 min·Arthur K. Bolton Parkway
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on GA 16
0.2 mi·26 sec·Memorial Drive
26
Turn left onto Hamilton Boulevard
0.3 mi·48 sec·Hamilton Boulevard
27
At end of road, turn right onto East College Street
85 ft·8 sec·East College Street
28
Turn left onto Kincaid Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Kincaid Avenue
29
Continue on Crescent Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Crescent Road
30
Turn sharp left onto US 19 Business; US 41 Business; GA 155
1.2 mi·2 min·South Hill Street
Use the left lane.
31
Continue on US 19 Business; US 41 Business; GA 155
1.7 mi·2 min·Zebulon Road
32
Continue on US 19; GA 3
7.6 mi·10 min·US 19; GA 3
33
Turn right onto GA 18
13 mi·21 min·Concord Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
34
Continue on GA 18
2.2 mi·3 min·North Main Street
35
At end of road, turn right onto GA 18; GA 74; GA 109
1.2 mi·1 min·South Main Street
Use the right lane.
36
Continue on GA 18; GA 74; GA 109
2.8 mi·4 min·Woodbury Highway
37
Turn left onto GA 85
7.9 mi·11 min·GA 85
38
Turn right onto Wrightsville Road
1.6 mi·2 min·Wrightsville Road
39
Turn right onto GA 85 Spur
0.6 mi·1 min·Perry Street
40
Arrive at destination
GA 85 Spur
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour drive, leaving Augusta in the morning should give you ample time to reach Manchester before evening. Since it's a single-day trip with only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in timing. Keep an eye on your fuel; with a $30 estimated cost, you might want to top off before leaving Augusta, especially since the longest stretch without a clear stop point is over 85 miles. The transition from highway to surface roads means paying attention to local speed limits and potential traffic lights.
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 95.3 miles from Augusta, GA, or about 1h 46m 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 42 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 95.3 miles or 1h 46m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Manchester, 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 190.5 miles and 4h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 91.8 and 176.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
91.8 mi into trip|~1h 41m in
Take the exit toward GA 83: Madison, Monticello
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 113
Toward GA 83: Madison, Monticello
6
147.3 mi into trip|~3h in|GA 16 / Arthur K. Bolton Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto GA 16 / Arthur K. Bolton Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
151.2 mi into trip|~3h 7m in|US 19 Business; US 41 Business; GA 155 / South Hill Street
Turn sharp left onto US 19 Business; US 41 Business; GA 155 / South Hill Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
161.8 mi into trip|~3h 23m in|GA 18 / Concord Street
Turn right onto GA 18 / Concord Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
176.5 mi into trip|~3h 48m in|GA 18; GA 74; GA 109 / South Main Street
At end of road, turn right onto GA 18; GA 74; GA 109 / South Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.30 one way
$60.60 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg67 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$33.04
$66.08
premium
$4.78
$35.84
$71.69
diesel
$5.35
$40.13
$80.25
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
57.2
0
$20.00
$9.14
Efficient EV
47.6
0
$16.67
$7.62
EV Truck/SUV
76.2
0
$26.67
$12.19
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 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 May 24, 2026
Origin
Augusta, GA
Afternoon
in Augusta on Wednesday
Local time
4:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Patchy Fog
0 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 24 at 4:21AM EDT by NWS Columbia SC
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 24 at 4:17AM EDT by NWS Peachtree City GA
Destination
Manchester, GA
Afternoon
in Manchester on Wednesday
Local time
4:05 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Chance Rain Showers
0 mph27% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 24 at 4:21AM EDT by NWS Columbia SC
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 24 at 4:17AM EDT by NWS Peachtree City GA
66°F
Monticello, GA
95 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
1 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
4h 9m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 18% of this 190.5-mile drive is on highways, meaning you'll spend the majority of your time on surface roads. The longest stretch on a primary road, Carl Sanders Highway, extends for 85.2 miles. You'll transition from highway driving to surface roads, so be prepared for varying speed limits and potentially more local traffic as you get closer to Manchester.
Only 18% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
40 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 91.8 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 21 significant decision points across 190.5 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 91.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 147.3 miles (GA 16 / Arthur K. Bolton Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 151.2 miles (US 19 Business; US 41 Business; GA 155 / South Hill Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
897 ft140 ft
Total Climb
1,128 ft
Total Descent
396 ft
Highest Point
897 ft
~149.7 mi in
Elevation Range
757 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Augusta, GA to Manchester, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Monticello along the way.
Monticello
91.8 mi in|~1h 41m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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 9m. Total distance: 190.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
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.
Yes — we found about 13 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 Manchester, 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 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 91.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 147.3 miles (GA 16 / Arthur K. Bolton Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 151.2 miles (US 19 Business; US 41 Business; GA 155 / South Hill Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Manchester, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
