Blackshear to Alpharetta is 264.8 miles and takes about 5h 30m via I 75, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Georgia, moving from the Southeast region up to the more populated northern part of the state. With a recommended one-day drive, it's a straightforward trip primarily on major highways. Expect a mostly highway profile, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently. Given the relatively short duration, it's a good option for a quick transit or if you have an early start.
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
132.4 miles from Blackshear, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
84.9 mi
1h 35m
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
65.2 mi
1h 9m
Gordon Street
34.5 mi
51m
Main Street
11.9 mi
16m
Turner McDonald Parkway
11 mi
13m
Cedar Crossing Road
10.4 mi
21m
135
9.2 mi
13m
James Street
8.9 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 84.9 mi, about 1h 35m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 139 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,725 veh/hr typical
· worst 6,618
Quietest
2 AM
~939 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Blackshear, GA and Alpharetta, GA.
Toward I 75 North: AtlantaUse the straight / left lanes.
20
Merge onto I 75
62 mi·1 hr 7 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
23 mi·28 min·I 75
Toward I 75 North: Atlanta, BirminghamUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85
2.7 mi·3 min·Northeast Expressway
Exit 251BToward I 85 North: Greenville
23
Keep slight right at fork onto GA 400
7.1 mi·8 min·T Harvey Mathis Parkway
Exit 87Toward GA 400 North: Buckhead, CummingUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on GA 400
11 mi·13 min·Turner McDonald Parkway
Use the right lane.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 9Toward Alpharetta, Haynes Bridge RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn left onto Haynes Bridge Road
1.3 mi·2 min·Haynes Bridge Road
Use the left lane.
27
Turn left onto GA 120
0.2 mi·21 sec·Old Milton Parkway
Use the left lane.
28
Turn right onto GA 9
0.3 mi·52 sec·South Main Street
29
Turn right onto Academy Street
139 ft·3 sec·Academy Street
30
Arrive at destination
Academy Street
Trip Plan
For this approximately 5.5-hour drive, leaving Blackshear in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Alpharetta before evening. With only one recommended stop, you have a lot of flexibility in how you pace yourself. The $41 fuel estimate is based on the 264.8 miles, so check current prices before you depart. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 84.9-mile stretch on I 75, as services can be more spread out on interstates than on local roads.
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 132.4 miles from Blackshear, GA, or about 2h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.9 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 58 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.4 miles or 2h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alpharetta, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Blackshear, 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 Blackshear, GA
This is one driving day of about 264.8 miles and 5h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Blackshear, 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 I 75 for about 84.9 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 90.6 and 262.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
90.6 mi into trip|~2h 12m in
Take the ramp toward I-16 West: Macon
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I-16 West: Macon
7
156.6 mi into trip|~3h 23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 75 North: Atlanta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward I 75 North: Atlanta
8
219.1 mi into trip|~4h 31m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward I 75 North: Atlanta, Birmingham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 75 North: Atlanta, Birmingham
9
244.6 mi into trip|~5h 3m in|GA 400 / T Harvey Mathis Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto GA 400 / T Harvey Mathis Parkway toward GA 400 North: Buckhead, Cumming
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 87
Toward GA 400 North: Buckhead, Cumming
8
262.7 mi into trip|~5h 26m in
Take the exit toward Alpharetta, Haynes Bridge Road
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 9
Toward Alpharetta, Haynes Bridge Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.09 one way
$78.19 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$42.96
$85.92
premium
$4.49
$46.83
$93.66
diesel
$4.80
$50.00
$100.00
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.4
0
$27.80
$12.71
Efficient EV
66.2
0
$23.17
$10.59
EV Truck/SUV
105.9
1
$37.07
$16.95
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Blackshear, GA
Late night
in Blackshear on Sunday
Local time
4:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Clear
S 1 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:16AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Charleston SC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:14AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Columbia SC
Destination
Alpharetta, GA
Late night
in Alpharetta on Sunday
Local time
4:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Partly Cloudy
NW 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:16AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Charleston SC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:14AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Columbia SC
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
1 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
5h 30m 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.
Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Welcome to Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. This park is a prehistoric American Indian site, where many different American Indian cultures occupied this land for thousands of years. American...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 155.2
Caution: River Trail periodically closed under I-16
Park Closure: BOARDWALK CLOSED along the River Trail
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 237.4
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,...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is about 70% highway, so you'll spend most of your time on interstates. The longest stretch without needing to exit is 84.9 miles on I 75. You'll transition from Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway and Gordon Street onto the interstate system early in your drive. As you approach the Atlanta metro area, anticipate an increase in traffic density and exit activity.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84.9 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 90.6 miles in.
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 15 significant decision points across 264.8 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 90.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 156.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 219.1 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,134 ft111 ft
Total Climb
1,271 ft
Total Descent
249 ft
Highest Point
1,134 ft
~264.8 mi in
Elevation Range
1,023 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Blackshear, GA and Alpharetta, GA, road signs point toward Birmingham and Cumming.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 30m. Total distance: 264.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 84.9 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 18 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Alpharetta, 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. There are 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 90.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 156.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 219.1 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Alpharetta, GA before the return drive.
