This 112.7-mile journey from Carrollton, GA to Smyrna, GA is a manageable one-day trip, taking an estimated 2 hours and 14 minutes. The drive primarily utilizes Tom Murphy Freeway and Purple Heart Highway, with a portion on GA 113, offering a mixed driving experience. With a projected fuel cost of around $18, this route is an economical option for exploring within the Southeast region. The relatively short duration and straightforward path make it ideal for a spontaneous day trip or a focused commute, without the need for an overnight stay. You'll find the drive is well within reach for most vehicles.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
56.4 miles from Carrollton, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Tom Murphy Freeway
48.2 mi
54m
Purple Heart Highway
45.3 mi
48m
GA 113
9.2 mi
12m
Greensboro Road
3 mi
4m
South Main Street
2.7 mi
5m
Monticello Highway
1.5 mi
2m
North Park Street
1.5 mi
2m
GA 83
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Tom Murphy Freeway
— 48.2 mi, about 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carrollton, GA and Smyrna, GA.
1
Start on this road
142 ft·10 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn right
189 ft·16 sec
3
At end of road, turn right onto North Cliff Street
161 ft·12 sec·North Cliff Street
4
Turn left onto Alabama Street
288 ft·9 sec·Alabama Street
5
Turn right onto US 27; GA 1
1.5 mi·2 min·North Park Street
6
Turn slight right onto GA 113
9.2 mi·12 min·GA 113
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward I 20 EastUse the right lane.
8
Merge onto I 20
48 mi·54 min·Tom Murphy Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 20
45 mi·48 min·Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Exit 113Toward GA 83: Madison, MonticelloUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn left onto GA 83
1.5 mi·2 min·Monticello Highway
12
Turn slight right onto GA 83
0.4 mi·37 sec·GA 83
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 278; GA 12; GA 83
0.5 mi·1 min·South Main Street
14
Turn left onto US 129; US 278; US 441; GA 12; GA 24; GA 83
157 ft·3 sec·Eatonton Road
15
Turn straight onto US 129; US 278; US 441; GA 12; GA 24; GA 83
2.2 mi·4 min·South Main Street
16
Continue on US 278; GA 12
3.0 mi·4 min·Greensboro Road
17
Turn right onto Buckhead Road
103 ft·2 sec·Buckhead Road
18
Arrive at destination
Buckhead Road
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour 14-minute duration, departing earlier in the morning can help you avoid potential traffic congestion, especially as you approach Smyrna. While this trip is easily completed in a single day, plan for brief breaks if needed. The fuel cost is estimated at $18, so ensure your tank is sufficiently full before departing Carrollton. Keep an eye on your navigation as you transition between Tom Murphy Freeway, Purple Heart Highway, and GA 113 to stay on the most efficient path.
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 56.4 miles from Carrollton, GA, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 48.2 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 25 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.4 miles or 1h 8m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Smyrna, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Carrollton, 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 Carrollton, GA
This is one driving day of about 112.7 miles and 2h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Carrollton, GA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Tom Murphy Freeway for about 48.2 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 104.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in
At end of road, turn right
Navigation decision point
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|North Cliff Street
At end of road, turn right onto North Cliff Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
5
10.8 mi into trip|~16m in
Take the ramp toward I 20 East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 20 East
5
11.2 mi into trip|~16m in|I 20 / Tom Murphy Freeway
Merge onto I 20 / Tom Murphy Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
104.7 mi into trip|~2h in
Take the exit toward GA 83: Madison, Monticello
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 113
Toward GA 83: Madison, Monticello
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.62 one way
$35.25 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg39 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$19.27
$38.54
premium
$4.70
$20.86
$41.72
diesel
$5.61
$24.88
$49.77
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.8
0
$11.83
$5.41
Efficient EV
28.2
0
$9.86
$4.51
EV Truck/SUV
45.1
0
$15.78
$7.21
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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 20, 2026
Origin
Carrollton, GA
Late night
in Carrollton on Tuesday
Local time
4:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Smyrna, GA
Late night
in Smyrna on Tuesday
Local time
4:54 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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 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 14m 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...
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?
The drive features a 51% highway share, indicating a good balance between faster-paced travel and more local road segments. You'll experience a longest uninterrupted stretch of 48.2 miles on Tom Murphy Freeway, allowing for steady progress. The 'Mixed drive' profile suggests a dynamic route that may transition from more open highway to varied local road conditions. Expect the character of the drive to evolve as you navigate through different stretches, offering a varied experience behind the wheel.
51% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 48.2 mi on Tom Murphy Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort5/10
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 112.7 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (North Cliff Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 10.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Carrollton, GA to Smyrna, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Monticello along the way.
Monticello
104.7 mi in|~2h
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 14m. Total distance: 112.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (51%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 48.2 miles on Tom Murphy Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (North Cliff Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 10.8 miles: 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Smyrna, GA before heading back.
