This 69.4-mile drive from Cave Spring, GA, to Atlanta, GA, is easily manageable in about 1 hour and 39 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll navigate primarily using the Tom Murphy Freeway, Rockmart Highway, and Nathan Dean Parkway. With a projected fuel cost of around $11, this trip is quite budget-friendly. The route offers a mixed driving experience as you travel within the Southeast region. Given the short duration and distance, you won't need to worry about overnight stays; it's a straightforward journey from one point to another.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
34.7 miles from Cave Spring, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Tom Murphy Freeway
11.9 mi
14m
Rockmart Highway
10.8 mi
13m
Nathan Dean Parkway
10.1 mi
12m
C H James Parkway
7.4 mi
10m
Jimmy Campbell Parkway
5.9 mi
8m
Cave Spring Road
4.7 mi
8m
Thornton Road
3.5 mi
5m
Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway
3.4 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Tom Murphy Freeway
— 11.9 mi, about 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cave Spring, GA and Atlanta, GA.
1
Start on Old Cedartown Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Old Cedartown Road
2
Continue on Cave Spring Cedartown Road Southwest
1.2 mi·2 min·Cave Spring Cedartown Road Southwest
3
Continue on Old Cave Spring Road
2.2 mi·3 min·Old Cave Spring Road
4
Continue on Cave Spring Road
4.7 mi·8 min·Cave Spring Road
5
Continue on North Cave Spring Street
0.7 mi·1 min·North Cave Spring Street
6
At end of road, turn left onto Wissahickon Avenue
0.1 mi·15 sec·Wissahickon Avenue
7
At end of road, turn right onto East Avenue
68 ft·6 sec·East Avenue
8
Continue on East Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·East Avenue
9
Continue on Rockmart Highway
6.5 mi·8 min·Rockmart Highway
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 278; GA 6
2.8 mi·3 min·Cedartown Highway
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 278; GA 6
10 mi·12 min·Nathan Dean Parkway
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 278; GA 6
4.4 mi·5 min·Rockmart Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Continue on US 278; GA 6
5.9 mi·8 min·Jimmy Campbell Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Continue on US 278; GA 6; GA 120
3.4 mi·5 min·Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 278; GA 6
1.0 mi·1 min·Wendy Bagwell Parkway
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 278; GA 6
7.4 mi·10 min·C H James Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
17
Continue on US 278; GA 6
3.5 mi·5 min·Thornton Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 East: AtlantaUse the right lane.
19
Merge onto I 20
12 mi·14 min·Tom Murphy Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 56BToward Windsor Street, Ted Turner Drive, State Farm ArenaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto Rawson Street Southwest
0.3 mi·48 sec·Rawson Street Southwest
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Turn left onto Central Avenue Southwest
0.2 mi·21 sec·Central Avenue Southwest
23
Turn right onto Memorial Drive Southwest
0.3 mi·38 sec·Memorial Drive Southwest
Use the right lane.
24
Turn left onto Capitol Avenue Southeast
0.1 mi·16 sec·Capitol Avenue Southeast
Use the left lane.
25
Arrive at destination
Capitol Avenue Southeast
Trip Plan
For this 1 hour and 39 minute trip, flexibility is your best friend. Since it's a short drive from Cave Spring to Atlanta, you can depart at your leisure, though avoiding peak Atlanta traffic is always a good idea. With a fuel cost estimated at $11, you likely won't need to worry about frequent refueling stops, but it's wise to start with a full tank. Keep an eye on road conditions as you approach Atlanta, as traffic can change rapidly. A specific tip: consider the longest stretch of 11.9 miles on the Tom Murphy Freeway as a good point to check your navigation and ensure you're on track for your arrival in Atlanta.
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 34.7 miles from Cave Spring, GA, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 11.9 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 15 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.7 miles or 49m 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 25m
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 Cave Spring, GA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cave Spring, GA
This is one driving day of about 69.4 miles and 1h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Cave Spring, 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 11.9 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 9.6 and 69 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
9.6 mi into trip|~17m in|East Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto East Avenue
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
55.7 mi into trip|~1h 20m in
Take the exit toward I 20 East: Atlanta
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 20 East: Atlanta
8
68.2 mi into trip|~1h 36m in
Take the exit toward Windsor Street, Ted Turner Drive, State Farm Arena
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 56B
Toward Windsor Street, Ted Turner Drive, State...
6
68.5 mi into trip|~1h 37m in|Rawson Street Southwest
Keep slight left at fork onto Rawson Street Southwest
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
69 mi into trip|~1h 38m in|Memorial Drive Southwest
Turn right onto Memorial Drive Southwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.85 one way
$21.71 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg24 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$11.87
$23.73
premium
$4.70
$12.84
$25.69
diesel
$5.61
$15.32
$30.65
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
20.8
0
$7.29
$3.33
Efficient EV
17.4
0
$6.07
$2.78
EV Truck/SUV
27.8
0
$9.72
$4.44
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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 17, 2026
Origin
Cave Spring, GA
Late night
in Cave Spring on Sunday
Local time
2:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Atlanta, GA
Late night
in Atlanta on Sunday
Local time
2:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Sunny
NW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Fire Weather Watch
Fire Weather Watch issued April 17 at 2:19PM EDT until April 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Fire Weather Watch
Fire Weather Watch issued April 17 at 2:19PM EDT until April 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
53°F
Dallas, GA
35 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
41 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
1h 39m 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.
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?
Expect a mixed drive on this 69.4-mile route, with 57% of it being highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 11.9 miles on the Tom Murphy Freeway, offering a good opportunity for consistent speed. As you transition between the Tom Murphy Freeway, Rockmart Highway, and Nathan Dean Parkway, you'll notice the road's character evolve. It's not a monotonous interstate grind, but rather a blend of faster-paced sections and potentially more local road segments, keeping the drive engaging without being overly demanding.
57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 11.9 mi on Tom Murphy Freeway.
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 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 9.6 miles in near East Avenue.
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 69.4 miles you will encounter 9 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 9.6 miles (East Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 55.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.2 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 1h 39m. Total distance: 69.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (57%). 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 11.9 miles on Tom Murphy Freeway. 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 Atlanta, GA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 9.6 miles (East Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 55.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.2 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 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 Atlanta, GA before heading back.
