This 119.4-mile drive from Augusta, GA to Russell, GA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 26 minutes. You'll primarily navigate US 78 and the Carl Sanders Highway, with a portion on Washington Road. With a fuel cost estimated at $19, this is an economical journey through the Southeast. The mixed driving profile means you'll experience a variety of road types, so it's best to plan for the entire trip without needing an overnight stop. This route offers a straightforward way to cover ground between these two Georgia locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.7 miles from Augusta, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 78
42.6 mi
51m
Carl Sanders Highway
26.9 mi
28m
Washington Road
13.3 mi
17m
University Parkway
12.2 mi
15m
Thomson Road
11 mi
13m
Inner Loop 10
5.9 mi
6m
Hog Mountain Road
2.2 mi
3m
Calhoun Expressway
1.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 78
— 42.6 mi, about 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Augusta, GA and Russell, 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
27 mi·28 min·Carl Sanders Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward US 78, GA 17: Thomson, Washington
10
Turn right onto GA 17
11 mi·12 min·Washington Road
11
Continue on US 78; GA 10; GA 17
11 mi·13 min·Thomson Road
12
Turn left onto US 78; GA 10
42 mi·51 min·US 78; GA 10
13
Turn left onto US 78
0.4 mi·29 sec·US 78
Toward US 129 South, US 441 South, US 29 South, GA 10 Loop South, US 78 West, GA 10 West
14
Merge onto US 29; US 78; US 129; US 441; GA 8; GA 10 Loop; GA 15
5.9 mi·6 min·Inner Loop 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit onto US 29; US 78; GA 8
0.3 mi·40 sec·US 29; US 78; GA 8
Exit 1Toward US 29 South, US 78 West, GA 316 West: Atlanta, MonroeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
At end of road, turn left onto University Parkway
12 mi·15 min·University Parkway
Use the left lane.
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 27Toward GA 53: Hog Mountain Road
18
Turn slight right
137 ft·3 sec
19
Turn right onto GA 8; GA 53
2.2 mi·3 min·Hog Mountain Road
20
Continue on East Midland Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·East Midland Avenue
21
Turn right
236 ft·17 sec
22
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour 26-minute duration, you can comfortably depart Augusta, GA, any time of day and reach Russell, GA within the same day. With no designated stops, you have the flexibility to pull over as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 42.6-mile stretch on US 78, to ensure you have enough to reach your destination without needing to search for a gas station. The estimated fuel cost of $19 makes this an affordable trip, so budget accordingly.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 59.7 miles from Augusta, GA, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.6 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 26 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.7 miles or 1h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Russell, 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 119.4 miles and 2h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Augusta, GA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 78 for about 42.6 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.8 and 103.2 — 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.
5
32.7 mi into trip|~38m in
Take the exit toward US 78, GA 17: Thomson, Washington
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 78, GA 17: Thomson, Washington
5
96.9 mi into trip|~1h 57m in|US 78
Turn left onto US 78 toward US 129 South, US 441 South, US 29 South, GA 10 Loop South, US 78 West, GA 10 West
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 129 South, US 441 South, US 29 South,...
5
97.3 mi into trip|~1h 57m in|US 29; US 78; US 129; US 441; GA 8; GA 10 Loop; GA 15 / Inner Loop 10
Merge onto US 29; US 78; US 129; US 441; GA 8; GA 10 Loop; GA 15 / Inner Loop 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
103.2 mi into trip|~2h 4m in|US 29; US 78; GA 8
Take the exit onto US 29; US 78; GA 8 toward US 29 South, US 78 West, GA 316 West: Atlanta, Monroe
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 1
Toward US 29 South, US 78 West, GA 316 West: At...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.67 one way
$37.34 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$20.42
$40.83
premium
$4.70
$22.10
$44.20
diesel
$5.61
$26.36
$52.72
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.8
0
$12.54
$5.73
Efficient EV
29.9
0
$10.45
$4.78
EV Truck/SUV
47.8
0
$16.72
$7.64
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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 18, 2026
Origin
Augusta, GA
Late night
in Augusta on Sunday
Local time
12:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 18 at 2:27AM EDT until April 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 18 at 2:27AM EDT until April 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Russell, GA
Late night
in Russell on Sunday
Local time
12:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
83°F
Union Point, GA
60 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
21 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
2h 26m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Your journey will feature a mixed drive profile, with 48% of the route on highways. Expect a solid stretch of 42.6 miles on US 78, which will likely feel like the most continuous part of your drive. The Carl Sanders Highway and Washington Road will introduce different driving conditions as you progress. This isn't a completely monotonous interstate experience, but rather a blend that keeps things interesting as you travel across the landscape.
48% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 42.6 mi on US 78.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 12 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 119.4 miles you will encounter 12 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 32.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 96.9 miles (US 78): 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 Russell, GA, road signs point toward Washington and Monroe.
Washington
32.7 mi in|~38m
Monroe
103.2 mi in|~2h 4m|via US 29; US 78; GA 8
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 26m. Total distance: 119.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (48%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 42.6 miles on US 78. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Russell, 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. 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 32.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 96.9 miles (US 78): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Russell, GA before heading back.
