Traveling from Augusta to Winder covers 121.1 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 29 minutes. This route is well-suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to easily manage the journey without needing an overnight stay. You should plan for a fuel budget of approximately $19 to cover the distance. Navigating through the Southeast, you will utilize a combination of US 78, Washington Road, and the Carl Sanders Highway. Because this is a straightforward, mixed-drive experience, it offers a practical way to connect these two Georgia hubs without the complexity of a multi-day itinerary.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
60.5 miles from Augusta, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 12m 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 Winder, 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
Use the left lane.
20
Turn left onto GA 8; GA 53
1.3 mi·1 min·Atlanta Highway
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on GA 8; GA 53
1.0 mi·1 min·May Street
22
Turn slight right
150 ft·6 sec
23
Turn slight right onto GA 11; GA 53
0.2 mi·26 sec·North Broad Street
24
Arrive at destination
GA 11; GA 53; GA 211
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. While the 121.1-mile distance is manageable in one go, keep in mind that the route involves zero formal stops, so you should ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you head out. Budgeting $19 for gas is a solid baseline, though you may want to carry a little extra for unexpected detours. Pay close attention to your navigation when transitioning between Washington Road and US 78 to stay on track. By planning your departure to avoid peak local traffic, you can make the most of your time on the road.
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 60.5 miles from Augusta, GA, or about 1h 12m 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 27 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.5 miles or 1h 12m 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Winder, 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 121.1 miles and 2h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 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
$18.94 one way
$37.87 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$20.71
$41.41
premium
$4.70
$22.41
$44.83
diesel
$5.61
$26.74
$53.47
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: 42.4 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
36.3
0
$12.72
$5.81
Efficient EV
30.3
0
$10.60
$4.84
EV Truck/SUV
48.4
0
$16.95
$7.75
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 21, 2026
Origin
Augusta, GA
Late night
in Augusta on Tuesday
Local time
5:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Winder, GA
Late night
in Winder on Tuesday
Local time
5:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
83°F
Union Point, GA
61 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
26 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
2h 29m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a varied driving experience as you navigate this route, which is balanced between local roads and highway segments. About 47% of your travel occurs on highways, providing a mix of steady cruising and slower-paced driving. Your longest uninterrupted stretch lasts for 42.6 miles on US 78, giving you a chance to settle into a rhythm before conditions shift. The drive transitions through different road types, ensuring you remain engaged behind the wheel. The combination of Carl Sanders Highway and regional corridors keeps the pace dynamic rather than monotonous.
47% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 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?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 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 12 significant decision points across 121.1 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 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 Winder, GA, road signs point toward Washington and Monroe.
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 2h 29m. Total distance: 121.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (47%). 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 Winder, 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 Winder, GA before heading back.
