Traveling from Bainbridge to Atlanta covers 231.8 miles through the heart of Georgia, typically taking about 4 hours and 31 minutes of drive time. Because this is a straightforward trek, it works perfectly as a one-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stop. You should budget approximately $37 for fuel to complete the journey. The route primarily utilizes US 27, the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, and the Chet Atkins Parkway. Since both the origin and destination are located within the Southeast, the drive maintains a consistent regional character throughout.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
115.9 miles from Bainbridge, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 27
86.3 mi
1h 42m
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
58.8 mi
1h 5m
Chet Atkins Parkway
49.2 mi
53m
Colquitt Highway
18.7 mi
22m
Martha Berry Highway
10.9 mi
14m
Crawford Street
4.4 mi
7m
Downtown Connector
0.5 mi
<1m
Capitol Avenue Southeast
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 27
— 86.3 mi, about 1h 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bainbridge, GA and Atlanta, GA.
1
Start on South Broad Street
78 ft·10 sec·South Broad Street
2
Turn left onto US 84 Business; GA 38 Business; 97; 309
0.5 mi·43 sec·East Shotwell Street
3
Take the ramp onto US 84 Business; 38 Business
0.3 mi·37 sec·US 84 Business; 38 Business
4
Merge onto US 27; US 84; GA 1; GA 38
19 mi·22 min·Colquitt Highway
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on US 27; GA 1
4.4 mi·7 min·Crawford Street
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on US 27; GA 1
10 mi·11 min·US 27; GA 1
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on US 27; GA 1
19 mi·22 min·US 27; GA 1
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
Continue on US 27; GA 1
57 mi·1 hr 7 min·US 27; GA 1
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn left onto US 27; US 280; GA 1; GA 520
11 mi·14 min·Martha Berry Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward I 185 North: LaGrange, Atlanta
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·47 sec
Toward I 185 North: LaGrange, Atlanta
12
Continue on I 185
49 mi·53 min·Chet Atkins Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 85
59 mi·1 hr 5 min·Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 75; I 85
0.5 mi·40 sec·Downtown Connector
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 246Toward Fulton Street, Central Avenue, Georgia State UniversityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·59 sec
Toward Fulton Street, Zoo AtlantaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn right onto Fulton Street Southwest
0.2 mi·27 sec·Fulton Street Southwest
Use the left / right lanes.
18
Turn left onto Capitol Avenue Southeast
0.5 mi·56 sec·Capitol Avenue Southeast
19
Arrive at destination
Capitol Avenue Southeast
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 231.8-mile journey, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the drive and keep your energy levels consistent. Leaving early in the morning is your best bet to manage the traffic flow as you approach the city. Since you have a single primary stretch of over 86 miles, use that time to settle into a steady rhythm before hitting the more variable sections of the route. Keep your fuel budget of $37 in mind when planning your refueling intervals, and stay flexible with your pace to account for the mixed nature of the roads encountered between Bainbridge and Atlanta.
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 115.9 miles from Bainbridge, GA, or about 2h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.3 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 51 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.9 miles or 2h 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Atlanta, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bainbridge, 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 Bainbridge, GA
This is one driving day of about 231.8 miles and 4h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Bainbridge, 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 US 27 for about 86.3 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 231.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.8 mi into trip|~1m in|US 27; US 84; GA 1; GA 38 / Colquitt Highway
Merge onto US 27; US 84; GA 1; GA 38 / Colquitt Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
121.4 mi into trip|~2h 28m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 185 North: LaGrange, Atlanta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 185 North: LaGrange, Atlanta
8
230.4 mi into trip|~4h 28m in
Take the exit toward Fulton Street, Central Avenue, Georgia State University
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 246
Toward Fulton Street, Central Avenue, Georgia S...
8
230.6 mi into trip|~4h 29m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Fulton Street, Zoo Atlanta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Fulton Street, Zoo Atlanta
6
231.1 mi into trip|~4h 30m in|Fulton Street Southwest
Turn right onto Fulton Street Southwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.25 one way
$72.50 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$39.63
$79.27
premium
$4.70
$42.90
$85.80
diesel
$5.61
$51.18
$102.36
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.5
0
$24.34
$11.13
Efficient EV
58
0
$20.28
$9.27
EV Truck/SUV
92.7
1
$32.45
$14.84
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 15, 2026
Origin
Bainbridge, GA
Night
in Bainbridge on Saturday
Local time
10:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Atlanta, GA
Night
in Atlanta on Saturday
Local time
10:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Richland, GA
116 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
24 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
4h 31m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 231.8
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,...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
$5
near mile 231.8
Few U.S. Presidents have had such close ties with where they were born and raised. The rural southern culture of Plains, Georgia revolves around farming, church, and school, which had a large influenc...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 87.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip offers a mixed driving profile that keeps you moving across diverse road types. With 59% of the route consisting of highway driving, you will experience a balance between steady cruising and navigating more localized stretches. Expect a significant portion of your time on the road to be spent on US 27, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of 86.3 miles. The transition between these road types means the driving environment shifts as you progress, requiring you to remain attentive as you move from the quieter southern stretches toward the more active corridors approaching Atlanta.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 86.3 mi on US 27.
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 0.8 miles in near US 27; US 84; GA 1; GA 38 / Colquitt 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 10 significant decision points across 231.8 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 0.8 miles (US 27; US 84; GA 1; GA 38 / Colquitt Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 121.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 230.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Atlanta is the vanguard of the New South, with the charm and elegance of the Old. It's a city that balances southern traditions with sleek modernism, and southern hospitality with three skylines and the world’s busiest airport. It's a city that has been burnt to the ground and built back up; seen the horrors of war; felt the pain of droughts and floods; and given birth to Martin Luther King, Jr., the greatest figure of the civil rights movement. Atlanta is the capital of the state of Georgia.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 31m. Total distance: 231.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 86.3 miles on US 27. 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 Atlanta, 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 0.8 miles (US 27; US 84; GA 1; GA 38 / Colquitt Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 121.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 230.4 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, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and Jimmy Carter National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Atlanta, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
