Spanning 169 miles across Georgia, this trip from Augusta to Powder Springs is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 13 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $27 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly option for your travel plans. Navigating through the Southeast, you will utilize the Carl Sanders Highway, the Purple Heart Highway, and the Ralph David Abernathy Freeway to reach your destination. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick getaway, the trip offers a practical balance between time spent on the road and time spent at your final 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
84.5 miles from Augusta, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Carl Sanders Highway
85.2 mi
1h 31m
Purple Heart Highway
46.9 mi
50m
Ralph David Abernathy Freeway
22.8 mi
27m
Thornton Road
3.4 mi
5m
C H James Parkway
3.3 mi
4m
Washington Road
2.5 mi
4m
Calhoun Expressway
1.7 mi
1m
Lewis Road
1.2 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 Powder Springs, 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
23 mi·27 min·Ralph David Abernathy Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 44Toward GA 6: Thornton Road, AustellUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
175 ft·4 sec
Use the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto GA 6
3.4 mi·5 min·Thornton Road
Use the right lane.
14
Continue on US 278; GA 6
3.3 mi·4 min·C H James Parkway
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn right onto Oglesby Road
0.1 mi·18 sec·Oglesby Road
Use the right lane.
16
Continue on Lewis Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Lewis Road
17
Enter roundabout onto Lewis Road
73 ft·1 sec·Lewis Road
18
Continue on Lewis Road
0.1 mi·23 sec·Lewis Road
19
Turn left onto Marietta Street
107 ft·2 sec·Marietta Street
20
Arrive at destination
Marietta Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around local traffic patterns. To make the most of your 3-hour and 13-minute drive, try to schedule your one planned stop near the midway point to recharge. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the route can be more taxing than interstate travel, so account for extra time if you are driving during peak daylight hours. Because fuel costs are estimated at $27, topping off your tank before leaving Augusta ensures you won't need to hunt for gas stations during the technical portions of the drive. Prioritize comfort and alertness, as the local road segments require more active steering than a typical highway-heavy itinerary.
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 84.5 miles from Augusta, GA, or about 1h 33m 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 37 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.5 miles or 1h 33m 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 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Powder Springs, 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 169 miles and 3h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.8 and 169 — 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
160.7 mi into trip|~2h 59m in
Take the exit toward GA 6: Thornton Road, Austell
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 44
Toward GA 6: Thornton Road, Austell
7
160.9 mi into trip|~2h 59m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
5
161 mi into trip|~2h 59m in|GA 6 / Thornton Road
Merge onto GA 6 / Thornton Road
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
169 mi into trip|~3h 12m in|Marietta Street
Turn left onto Marietta Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.43 one way
$52.86 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$28.90
$57.79
premium
$4.70
$31.28
$62.56
diesel
$5.61
$37.31
$74.63
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.1 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
50.7
0
$17.74
$8.11
Efficient EV
42.3
0
$14.79
$6.76
EV Truck/SUV
67.6
0
$23.66
$10.82
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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
4:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Powder Springs, GA
Late night
in Powder Springs on Tuesday
Local time
4:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
82°F
Covington, GA
85 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 13m 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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 145.7
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,...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
$5
near mile 145.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a varied driving experience that transitions from highway cruising to more technical local navigation. With only 16% of the journey consisting of highway driving, this is primarily a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. You will spend your longest uninterrupted period on the road during the 85.2-mile stretch along the Carl Sanders Highway. As you move away from the major arterial roads, be prepared for a shift in pace that requires more frequent adjustments than a standard interstate commute. This profile makes for an engaging drive where the road conditions change as you progress through the state.
Only 16% 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?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.8 miles in near I 20 / Carl Sanders Highway.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 169 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 160.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 160.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 13m. Total distance: 169 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 13m 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 Powder Springs, 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 160.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 160.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Powder Springs, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
