Chatsworth to Augusta is 233.7 miles and takes about 4h 34m via Carl Sanders Highway and I-75, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Georgia, traversing the Southeast region from its northwestern edge down towards the central part of the state. Expect a drive that primarily utilizes surface roads, offering a more grounded perspective of the landscape rather than high-speed interstate travel. It's a manageable one-day excursion, suitable if you prefer a more leisurely pace with some time for exploration along the way.
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
116.8 miles from Chatsworth, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Carl Sanders Highway
84.9 mi
1h 30m
Purple Heart Highway
46.9 mi
50m
I 75
46.3 mi
53m
South 3rd Avenue
23.4 mi
32m
Salacoa Avenue
15.3 mi
22m
Ralph David Abernathy Freeway
9.7 mi
11m
Calhoun Expressway
2.7 mi
3m
Washington Road
2.4 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Carl Sanders Highway
— 84.9 mi, about 1h 30m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 71 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~5,478 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~929 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
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 Chatsworth, GA and Augusta, 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
23 mi·32 min·South 3rd Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
4
Continue on US 411; GA 61
15 mi·22 min·Salacoa Avenue
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 South: AtlantaUse the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto I 75
46 mi·53 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 247Toward I 20: Augusta, BirminghamUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 East: AugustaUse the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto I 20
9.7 mi·11 min·Ralph David Abernathy Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 20
47 mi·50 min·Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 20
85 mi·1 hr 30 min·Carl Sanders Highway
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 199Toward GA 28: Augusta
13
Keep slight right at fork
481 ft·11 sec
14
Turn straight onto GA 28
2.4 mi·4 min·Washington Road
15
Turn straight onto GA 28
2.7 mi·3 min·Calhoun Expressway
16
Continue on GA 28
0.1 mi·13 sec·Greene Street
17
Turn right onto 11th Street
0.4 mi·44 sec·11th Street
18
Turn right onto Walton Way
225 ft·3 sec·Walton Way
19
Arrive at destination
Walton Way
Trip Plan
Given this route takes under five hours of driving time, you can easily complete it in a single day. Leaving in the morning allows for flexibility, with only one recommended stop to consider along the way. With a fuel cost estimated at $36, monitor your gas gauge, especially before heading onto longer stretches like the 84.9 miles on Carl Sanders Highway. Keep an eye out for areas with dense exits as you get closer to Augusta, as this will require more attention.
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 116.8 miles from Chatsworth, GA, or about 2h 25m 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 51 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116.8 miles or 2h 25m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Augusta, 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.
+
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 Chatsworth, GA
This is one driving day of about 233.7 miles and 4h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Chatsworth, 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 Carl Sanders Highway 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 85.7 — 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
38.8 mi into trip|~55m in
Take the exit toward I 75 South: Atlanta
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 75 South: Atlanta
5
39.1 mi into trip|~56m in|I 75
Merge onto I 75
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
85.4 mi into trip|~1h 49m in
Take the exit toward I 20: Augusta, Birmingham
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 247
Toward I 20: Augusta, Birmingham
7
85.7 mi into trip|~1h 50m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 20 East: Augusta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 20 East: Augusta
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.50 one way
$69.01 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$37.92
$75.83
premium
$4.49
$41.33
$82.66
diesel
$4.80
$44.13
$88.25
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.1
0
$24.54
$11.22
Efficient EV
58.4
0
$20.45
$9.35
EV Truck/SUV
93.5
1
$32.72
$14.96
Gas CO2
82 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Chatsworth, GA
Late night
in Chatsworth on Sunday
Local time
4:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
N 5 mph33% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 11:36AM 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
Augusta, GA
Late night
in Augusta on Sunday
Local time
4:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
96°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 1 to 7 mph29% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 11:36AM 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
6 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
4h 34m 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...
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 route features a 25% highway share, meaning you'll spend most of your time on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 84.9 miles along the Carl Sanders Highway. After that, you'll transition to surface roads, so anticipate more frequent intersections and lower speed limits. Expect to encounter areas with dense exits as you navigate towards your destination.
Only 25% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84.9 mi on Carl Sanders Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 76; US 411; GA 61 / South 3rd Avenue.
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 11 significant decision points across 233.7 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: near the start (US 76; US 411; GA 61 / South 3rd Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 38.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 39.1 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,045 ft140 ft
Total Climb
532 ft
Total Descent
1,136 ft
Highest Point
1,045 ft
~66.8 mi in
Elevation Range
905 ft
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 Augusta, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Birmingham along the way.
Augusta is a city in Georgia's Classic Heartland. Due to its location inland on the Savannah River, Augusta was a city of major strategic importance by the end of the Civil War. It was spared most of the destruction of many other southern cities, so there are many old buildings and landmarks. Augusta is also home to the Augusta National Golf Club, one of the world's most prestigious and exclusive golf clubs, which plays host to the Masters golf tournament.
Top landmarks
•Augusta National Golf Club — golf course in Georgia, United States
•Augusta Canal — canal in Augusta, Georgia, United States of America
•Morris Museum of Art — museum in Augusta, Georgia, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 34m. Total distance: 233.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 84.9 miles on Carl Sanders Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 17 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 Augusta, 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 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 76; US 411; GA 61 / South 3rd Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 38.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 39.1 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 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 Augusta, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
