Traveling from Chatsworth to Alpharetta covers 69.9 miles of Georgia terrain, typically taking about 1 hour and 44 minutes to complete. Because this is a relatively short trek through the Southeast, it works perfectly as a straightforward day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $11 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating this route involves a combination of South 3rd Avenue, APD Highway, and Old State Hwy 61. It is a practical, efficient connection between these two points, allowing you to reach your destination without significant travel fatigue.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
34.9 miles from Chatsworth, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
South 3rd Avenue
13 mi
18m
APD Highway
12.3 mi
15m
Old State Hwy 61
11.6 mi
20m
A P D Highway
10.1 mi
10m
Hickory Flat Highway
8.8 mi
13m
Arnold Mill Road
3.2 mi
5m
Rucker Road
2.6 mi
5m
Perrow Highway
2.4 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
South 3rd Avenue
— 13 mi, about 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chatsworth, GA and Alpharetta, GA.
1
Start on this road
116 ft·12 sec·this road
2
Turn left
103 ft·8 sec
3
Turn right onto US 76; US 411; GA 61
13 mi·18 min·South 3rd Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
4
Turn left onto GA 136
0.4 mi·47 sec·Nicklesville Road Northeast
5
Continue on GA 136
12 mi·20 min·Old State Hwy 61
6
Enter roundabout onto GA 136
128 ft·2 sec·Perrow Highway
7
Continue on GA 136
2.2 mi·2 min·Perrow Highway
8
Enter roundabout onto GA 136
35 ft·0 sec·Perrow Highway
9
Continue on GA 136
0.3 mi·21 sec·Perrow Highway
Use the left lane.
10
Turn left
0.1 mi·34 sec
Use the left lane.
11
Take the ramp
261 ft·8 sec
12
Merge onto GA 5; GA 515
12 mi·15 min·APD Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Continue on I 575; GA 5
10 mi·10 min·A P D Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 575; GA 5
1.2 mi·1 min·Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 19Toward GA 20 East: Downtown Canton, CummingUse the slight right lane.
16
Continue on East Main Street
307 ft·5 sec·East Main Street
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on Cumming Highway
0.5 mi·51 sec·Cumming Highway
18
Turn right onto Northside-Cherokee Boulevard
1.4 mi·2 min·Northside-Cherokee Boulevard
19
Turn left onto GA 140
8.8 mi·13 min·Hickory Flat Highway
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on GA 140
3.2 mi·5 min·Arnold Mill Road
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on GA 140
0.3 mi·44 sec·Houze Road
22
Turn left onto Rucker Road
1.5 mi·3 min·Rucker Road
23
Enter roundabout onto Rucker Road
57 ft·1 sec·Rucker Road
24
Continue on Rucker Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Rucker Road
25
Enter roundabout onto Rucker Road
79 ft·1 sec·Rucker Road
26
Continue on Rucker Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Rucker Road
27
Continue on Old Milton Parkway
0.8 mi·1 min·Old Milton Parkway
28
Turn left onto GA 9
0.4 mi·54 sec·South Main Street
Use the left lane.
29
Turn right onto Academy Street
139 ft·3 sec·Academy Street
30
Arrive at destination
Academy Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a single-day journey with no mandatory stops, you have the flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. Because the drive is under two hours and requires no mid-trip refueling based on the $11 estimate, you can easily complete the trek in one go. Keep in mind the turn-heavy nature of the roads; staying alert is key to navigating the intersections effectively. If you prefer a smoother experience, try to avoid peak local traffic hours to ensure you maintain your estimated travel time. Given the lack of required stops, consider keeping a few snacks or water in the car to remain comfortable for the duration of the 1 hour and 44 minute trip.
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 34.9 miles from Chatsworth, GA, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 13 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 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.9 miles or 53m 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 Alpharetta, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Chatsworth, GA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Chatsworth, GA
This is one driving day of about 69.9 miles and 1h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Chatsworth, GA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on South 3rd Avenue for about 13 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 53.7 — 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|US 76; US 411; GA 61 / South 3rd Avenue
Turn right onto US 76; US 411; GA 61 / South 3rd Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
6
27.5 mi into trip|~43m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
27.7 mi into trip|~43m in|GA 5; GA 515 / APD Highway
Merge onto GA 5; GA 515 / APD Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
51.3 mi into trip|~1h 11m in
Take the exit toward GA 20 East: Downtown Canton, Cumming
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 19
Toward GA 20 East: Downtown Canton, Cumming
6
53.7 mi into trip|~1h 16m in|GA 140 / Hickory Flat Highway
Turn left onto GA 140 / Hickory Flat Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.93 one way
$21.86 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$11.95
$23.90
premium
$4.70
$12.94
$25.87
diesel
$5.61
$15.43
$30.87
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: 24.5 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
21
0
$7.34
$3.36
Efficient EV
17.5
0
$6.12
$2.80
EV Truck/SUV
28
0
$9.79
$4.47
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 16, 2026
Origin
Chatsworth, GA
Late night
in Chatsworth on Tuesday
Local time
5:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Alpharetta, GA
Late night
in Alpharetta on Tuesday
Local time
5:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Sunny
W 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 5:50AM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 15 at 8:01PM EDT by NWS Peachtree City GA
77°F
Canton, 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
9 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 44m 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.
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
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,...
5 mi from route
~14 min detour
$5
near mile 69.9
Park Closure: Island Ford Trail Closures Winter 2025-2026
Park Closure: Restrooms and Water Fountains Unavailable at Powers Island and Akers Mill
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...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 67.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route features a highway share of only 18 percent, keeping you on local roads for the majority of the journey. Your longest uninterrupted stretch lasts 13 miles on South 3rd Avenue, providing a brief period of consistent driving before the road profile shifts. The experience feels more like a winding local transit than a high-speed highway cruise. Be prepared to navigate frequent changes in direction as you transition between the various segments of the route.
Only 18% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 13 mi on South 3rd Avenue.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 76; US 411; GA 61 / South 3rd Avenue.
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 69.9 miles you will encounter 18 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 (US 76; US 411; GA 61 / South 3rd Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 27.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 27.7 miles (GA 5; GA 515 / APD Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 Chatsworth, GA to Alpharetta, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Cumming along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 44m. Total distance: 69.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (18%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 13 miles on South 3rd Avenue. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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: near the start (US 76; US 411; GA 61 / South 3rd Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 27.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 27.7 miles (GA 5; GA 515 / APD Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park. 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 Alpharetta, GA before heading back.
