This 173.8-mile drive from Augusta, GA, to Peachtree City, GA, is a manageable 3-hour and 17-minute journey perfect for a single day trip. With a fuel cost estimated at $27, it's an economical option for exploring the Southeast. The route primarily utilizes the Carl Sanders Highway and Purple Heart Highway, with a portion on the Atlanta Bypass/The Perimeter, offering a blend of driving experiences. Given its relatively short duration and single recommended stop, this trip is straightforward for most travelers.
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
86.9 miles from Augusta, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Carl Sanders Highway
85.2 mi
1h 31m
Purple Heart Highway
46.9 mi
50m
Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
13.9 mi
16m
Joel Cowan Parkway
9.3 mi
13m
I 85
8.3 mi
9m
Washington Road
2.5 mi
4m
Calhoun Expressway
1.7 mi
1m
Senoia Road
1.7 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 Peachtree City, 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
0.1 mi·7 sec·Ralph David Abernathy Freeway
11
Take the exit
0.9 mi·2 min
Exit 67AToward I 285 South Bypass: Atlanta Airport, MaconUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 285
14 mi·16 min·Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 61Toward I 85 South, I 85 North: Columbus, Montgomery, Atlanta, Domestic AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward I 85 South: Columbus, MontgomeryUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 85
8.3 mi·9 min·I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 61Toward GA 74: Fairburn, Peachtree CityUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn left onto GA 74
1.7 mi·2 min·Senoia Road
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on GA 74
9.3 mi·13 min·Joel Cowan Parkway
Use the straight lane.
19
Turn sharp right onto GA 54
0.3 mi·32 sec·Floy Farr Parkway
Use the straight lane.
20
Arrive at destination
GA 54
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour and 17-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your day and avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach the Atlanta Bypass/The Perimeter. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a major change in road is 85.2 miles on the Carl Sanders Highway, and plan your refueling accordingly before you embark on this segment.
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 86.9 miles from Augusta, GA, or about 1h 36m 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 38 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.9 miles or 1h 36m 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Peachtree City, 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 173.8 miles and 3h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.8 and 162.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
5.8 mi into trip|~9m in|I 20 / Carl Sanders Highway
Merge onto I 20 / Carl Sanders Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
138 mi into trip|~2h 31m in
Take the exit toward I 285 South Bypass: Atlanta Airport, Macon
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 67A
Toward I 285 South Bypass: Atlanta Airport, Mac...
8
152.8 mi into trip|~2h 49m in
Take the exit toward I 85 South, I 85 North: Columbus, Montgomery, Atlanta, Domestic Airport
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 61
Toward I 85 South, I 85 North: Columbus, Montgo...
8
153 mi into trip|~2h 49m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 85 South: Columbus, Montgomery
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 85 South: Columbus, Montgomery
8
162.4 mi into trip|~3h 1m in
Take the exit toward GA 74: Fairburn, Peachtree City
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 61
Toward GA 74: Fairburn, Peachtree City
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.18 one way
$54.36 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$29.72
$59.43
premium
$4.70
$32.17
$64.33
diesel
$5.61
$38.37
$76.75
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: 60.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.1
0
$18.25
$8.34
Efficient EV
43.5
0
$15.21
$6.95
EV Truck/SUV
69.5
0
$24.33
$11.12
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Augusta, GA
Morning
in Augusta on Sunday
Local time
10:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Peachtree City, GA
Morning
in Peachtree City on Sunday
Local time
10:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Covington, GA
87 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
30 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 17m 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.
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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 143.8
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,...
20 mi from route
~49 min detour
$5
near mile 137.9
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 on this route, which is reflected in its 11% highway share. While there's a significant 85.2-mile stretch on the Carl Sanders Highway, much of the journey involves navigating local roads and changes in direction. This profile suggests a driving experience that is less about sustained high-speed cruising and more about engaging with the local road network as you progress towards Peachtree City.
Only 11% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 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?
8/10
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 5.8 miles in near I 20 / Carl Sanders Highway.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 173.8 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 5.8 miles (I 20 / Carl Sanders Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 138 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 152.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Peachtree City, GA, road signs point toward Macon, Montgomery, Atlanta and Domestic Airport.
Macon
138 mi in|~2h 31m
Montgomery
152.8 mi in|~2h 49m
Atlanta
152.8 mi in|~2h 49m
Domestic Airport
152.8 mi in|~2h 49m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 17m. Total distance: 173.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 17m 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 Peachtree City, 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 5.8 miles (I 20 / Carl Sanders Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 138 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 152.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Peachtree City, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
