Augusta, GA to Milton, GA is 175.5 miles and takes about 3h 26m via Carl Sanders Highway, Purple Heart Highway, and Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, traveling across Georgia. It's a straightforward drive that primarily uses surface roads, making it a practical option for a single-day excursion. You'll encounter a mix of environments as you head towards your destination.
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
87.7 miles from Augusta, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Carl Sanders Highway
85.2 mi
1h 31m
Purple Heart Highway
46.6 mi
50m
Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
17.8 mi
20m
Turner McDonald Parkway
9.1 mi
11m
Hopewell Road
2.7 mi
6m
Washington Road
2.5 mi
4m
Calhoun Expressway
1.7 mi
1m
Haynes Bridge Road
1.3 mi
2m
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 Milton, 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
Take the exit
0.4 mi·57 sec
Exit 67BToward I 285 Bypass North: Greenville, ChattanoogaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 285
18 mi·20 min·Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Toward GA 400 North, GA 400 South, Peachtree Dunwoody Road, US 19 North: Cumming, Dahlonega, AtlantaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·47 sec
Toward US 19 North, GA 400 North, GA 400 South: Cumming, Dahlonega, Atlanta
14
Keep slight right at fork
2.0 mi·2 min
Toward US 19 North, GA 400 North: Cumming, DahlonegaUse the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto US 19; GA 400
9.1 mi·11 min·Turner McDonald Parkway
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 9Toward Alpharetta, Haynes Bridge RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn left onto Haynes Bridge Road
1.3 mi·2 min·Haynes Bridge Road
Use the left lane.
18
Turn left onto GA 120
0.2 mi·21 sec·Old Milton Parkway
Use the left lane.
19
Turn right onto GA 9
1.2 mi·2 min·South Main Street
20
Turn left onto Canton Street
399 ft·13 sec·Canton Street
21
Turn right onto Hopewell Road
2.0 mi·4 min·Hopewell Road
22
Enter roundabout onto Hopewell Road
118 ft·3 sec·Hopewell Road
23
Continue on Hopewell Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Hopewell Road
24
Turn left onto Redd Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Redd Road
25
Turn right onto South Thompson Road
0.8 mi·3 min·South Thompson Road
26
Turn right onto Scotlandwell Place
0.4 mi·1 min·Scotlandwell Place
27
Arrive at destination
Scotlandwell Place
Trip Plan
For this 3h 26m drive, leaving in the morning is recommended to avoid potential afternoon traffic congestion, especially as you approach the Atlanta area. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $27, and plan your refueling accordingly before the longest stretch. The prevalence of surface roads means you'll likely encounter more traffic signals than on a pure highway drive.
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 87.7 miles from Augusta, GA, or about 1h 37m 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 39 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.7 miles or 1h 37m 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Milton, 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 175.5 miles and 3h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 137.6 and 168 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
137.6 mi into trip|~2h 30m in
Take the exit toward I 285 Bypass North: Greenville, Chattanooga
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 67B
Toward I 285 Bypass North: Greenville, Chattano...
7
155.8 mi into trip|~2h 52m in
Take the exit toward GA 400 North, GA 400 South, Peachtree Dunwoody Road, US 19 North: Cumming, Dahlonega, Atlanta
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.
Toward GA 400 North, GA 400 South, Peachtree Du...
6
156.2 mi into trip|~2h 53m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 19 North, GA 400 North, GA 400 South: Cumming, Dahlonega, Atlanta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 19 North, GA 400 North, GA 400 South:...
8
156.9 mi into trip|~2h 54m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 19 North, GA 400 North: Cumming, Dahlonega
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 19 North, GA 400 North: Cumming, Dahl...
8
168 mi into trip|~3h 7m in
Take the exit toward Alpharetta, Haynes Bridge Road
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 9
Toward Alpharetta, Haynes Bridge Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.44 one way
$54.89 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$30.01
$60.02
premium
$4.70
$32.48
$64.96
diesel
$5.61
$38.75
$77.50
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.7
0
$18.43
$8.42
Efficient EV
43.9
0
$15.36
$7.02
EV Truck/SUV
70.2
0
$24.57
$11.23
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
21 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 21, 2026
Origin
Augusta, GA
Late night
in Augusta on Tuesday
Local time
5:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Milton, GA
Late night
in Milton on Tuesday
Local time
5:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
82°F
Covington, GA
88 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
6 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 26m 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,...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
$5
near mile 163.4
Park Closure: Island Ford Trail Closures Winter 2025-2026
Park Closure: Restrooms and Water Fountains Unavailable at Powers Island and Akers Mill
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...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 145.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly surface roads, with about 17% on highways. You'll experience 85.2 miles on the Carl Sanders Highway before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a high number of exits and intersections as you navigate through populated areas.
Only 6% 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?
10/10
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 137.6 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 18 significant decision points across 175.5 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 137.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 155.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 156.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Milton, GA, road signs point toward Chattanooga, Dahlonega and Atlanta.
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 3h 26m. Total distance: 175.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 26m 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.
Yes — we found about 15 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 Milton, 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 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 137.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 155.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 156.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Milton, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
