Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Cochran, GA to Atlanta, GA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 24m

Distance

123.2 mi

198 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min
4 AM
2h 15m ★
6 AM
2h 25m
8 AM
2h 45m
10 AM
2h 32m
12 PM
2h 30m
3 PM
2h 33m
5 PM
2h 44m
8 PM
2h 19m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Cochran, GA, GA

Cochran, GA

dp singh Bhullar

capital city of Georgia, United States

Atlanta, GA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 121.1-mile journey from Cochran, GA, to Atlanta, GA, is a straightforward drive that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 1 minute. With a fuel cost estimated at $19, it's an economical option for a day trip, as it requires no overnight stays. The route primarily utilizes local roads like Northeast 2nd Street and Golden Isles Highway, transitioning to Highway 87, with no highway driving involved. This makes it a more engaging, turn-heavy local experience rather than a high-speed interstate cruise. You'll be traveling within the Southeast region for the entire trip, staying within Georgia.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

61.6 miles from Cochran, GA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 14m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 75 80.3 mi 1h 29m
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway 22.5 mi 24m
Longstreet Road 7.4 mi 10m
Golden Isles Highway 4.2 mi 6m
Longstreet Church Road 2.5 mi 3m
GA 96 2.3 mi 3m
Northeast 2nd Street 1.2 mi 2m
Fall Line Freeway 0.5 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 75 — 80.3 mi, about 1h 29m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cochran, GA and Atlanta, GA.

1

Start on GA 26

104 ft · 7 sec · East Dykes Street
2

Turn right onto US 23 Business; US 129 Alternate; GA 87 Business; GA 112

1.2 mi · 2 min · Northeast 2nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3

Continue on US 23 Business; US 129 Alternate; GA 87 Business; GA 112

1.2 mi · 1 min · Golden Isles Highway
4

At end of road, turn left onto US 23; US 129 Alternate; GA 87; GA 112

0.1 mi · 9 sec · Highway 87 Bypass North
Use the left lane.
5

Turn straight onto US 23; US 129 Alternate; GA 87; GA 112

3.1 mi · 4 min · Golden Isles Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
6

Turn right onto Longstreet Church Road

2.5 mi · 3 min · Longstreet Church Road
Use the right lane.
7

Continue on Longstreet Road

7.4 mi · 10 min · Longstreet Road
8

At end of road, turn left onto GA 358

411 ft · 8 sec · GA 358
9

Turn right onto GA 96

2.0 mi · 2 min · GA 96
Use the right lane.
10

Continue on GA 96

0.3 mi · 28 sec · GA 96
Toward Jeffersonville
11

Turn left

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Toward I 16:west: Macon Use the left lane.
12

Merge onto I 16

22 mi · 24 min · Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
Toward Macon
13

Continue on I 16; GA 540

0.5 mi · 39 sec · Fall Line Freeway
14

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 42 sec
Toward I 75 North: Atlanta Use the straight / left lanes.
15

Merge onto I 75

62 mi · 1 hr 7 min · I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

18 mi · 21 min · I 75
Toward I 75 North: Atlanta, Birmingham Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Exit 246 Toward Fulton Street, Central Avenue, Georgia State University Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 59 sec
Toward Fulton Street, Zoo Atlanta Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Turn right onto Fulton Street Southwest

0.2 mi · 27 sec · Fulton Street Southwest
Use the left / right lanes.
20

Turn left onto Capitol Avenue Southeast

0.5 mi · 56 sec · Capitol Avenue Southeast
21

Arrive at destination

Capitol Avenue Southeast

Trip Plan

Given its manageable 2-hour duration and 121.1-mile length, this trip from Cochran to Atlanta is ideal for a single day. You can leave any time of day and still arrive without feeling rushed. The estimated fuel cost is a budget-friendly $19, so no major financial planning is needed for gas. Since it's a local drive with no highway segments, plan for a steady pace and be ready for frequent turns, especially as you navigate through Northeast 2nd Street, Golden Isles Highway, and Highway 87. Keep an eye on your GPS, as the turn-heavy nature means you'll want to stay on track.

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 61.6 miles from Cochran, GA, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.3 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 27 miles or 36m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 61.6 miles or 1h 14m 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 57m

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 Cochran, 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 Cochran, GA

This is one driving day of about 123.2 miles and 2h 24m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Cochran, GA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 80.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

county seat of Butts County, Georgia, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Jackson, GA

62 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Macon, GA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Jackson, GA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 61.6 miles from Cochran, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.3 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Starbucks

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Forsyth, Georgia

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 61.6

Hours: 4:30 am–9 pm

+14787582001

Visit website

Dunkin'

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Atlanta, Georgia

1.9 mi

Starbucks Coffee Company

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Atlanta, Georgia

2.7 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Daylight Donuts of Cochran

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cochran, Georgia

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 5 am–12 pm

+14782713300

Starbucks

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 61.6

Forsyth, Georgia

Hours: 4:30 am–9 pm

+14787582001

Visit website

Dunkin'

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour Inexpensiv mile 123.2

Atlanta, Georgia

Hours: 5 am–12 pm

+14048100010

Visit website

Starbucks Coffee Company

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 123.2

Atlanta, Georgia

Hours: 5 am–8 pm

+14046850287

Visit website

Daylight Donuts of Cochran

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Cochran, Georgia

Hours: 5 am–12 pm

+14782713300

Illy Coffee Bar at Rowdy Tiger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 123.2

Atlanta, Georgia

Hours: 6:30 am–3 pm

+16784122402

Visit website

Brash Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 123.2

Atlanta, Georgia

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Pemberton Place

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 123.2

Atlanta, Georgia

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

Children's Museum of Atlanta

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 123.2

Atlanta, Georgia

Hours: Closed

+14046595437

Visit website

Krog Street Tunnel

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 123.2

Atlanta, Georgia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+14044920847

Visit website

Zoo Atlanta

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 123.2

Atlanta, Georgia

Hours: 9 am–3:30 pm

+14046245600

Visit website

Museum of Arts and Sciences

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 44

Macon, Georgia

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+14784773232

Visit website

Museum of Illusions

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 123.2

Atlanta, Georgia

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+14044584717

Visit website

Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 35.2

Macon, Georgia

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+14787528257

Visit website

Cannonball House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 44

Macon, Georgia

Hours: 10 am–3:30 pm

+14787455982

Visit website

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 17.8 and 122.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
17.8 mi into trip | ~26m in

Turn left toward I 16:west: Macon

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I 16:west: Macon
7
41.1 mi into trip | ~51m 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
103.6 mi into trip | ~1h 59m 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
8
121.9 mi into trip | ~2h 21m in

Take the exit toward Fulton Street, Central Avenue, Georgia State University

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 246 Toward Fulton Street, Central Avenue, Georgia S...
8
122.1 mi into trip | ~2h 22m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Fulton Street, Zoo Atlanta

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward Fulton Street, Zoo Atlanta

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$19.27 one way

$38.53 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 43 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $21.07 $42.13
premium $4.70 $22.80 $45.60
diesel $5.61 $27.20 $54.40

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 43.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 37 0 $12.94 $5.91
Efficient EV 30.8 0 $10.78 $4.93
EV Truck/SUV 49.3 0 $17.25 $7.88

Gas CO2

43 kg

EV CO2

14 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 18, 2026

Origin

Cochran, GA

Late night in Cochran on Sunday

Local time

3:30 AM

EDT

Current temp

81°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Atlanta, GA

Late night in Atlanta on Sunday

Local time

3:30 AM

EDT

Current temp

88°F

Mostly Sunny

SW 0 to 10 mph 1% chance Live forecast

49°F

Jackson, GA

62 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

7 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

2h 24m 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

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...

1 mi from route ~2 min detour Free near mile 121.1
View on nps.gov
Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park

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 ~2 min detour Free near mile 37.6
View on nps.gov
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

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,...

18 mi from route ~45 min detour $5 near mile 121.1
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a "turn-heavy local drive" for the entirety of this 121.1-mile route. With a 0% highway share, this trip is all about navigating local roads, which means a more engaging driving experience with frequent turns and changes in scenery. The absence of long highway stretches means you'll be more immersed in the local landscape. While there's no longest uninterrupted stretch noted, the character suggests a continuous series of local roads that keep you actively involved behind the wheel, offering a different pace than a typical interstate journey.

86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.3 mi on I 75.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

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 17.8 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 123.2 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 17.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 41.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 103.6 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Cochran, GA and Atlanta, GA, road signs point toward Jeffersonville, Macon and Birmingham.

Jeffersonville

17.5 mi in | ~26m | via GA 96

Macon

18.1 mi in | ~27m | via I 16

Birmingham

103.6 mi in | ~1h 59m | via I 75

About the Cities

Arriving in Atlanta, GA

Full guide →

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.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 24m. Total distance: 123.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 80.3 miles on I 75. 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.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 17.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 41.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 103.6 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, Ocmulgee Mounds 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.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Atlanta, GA

Darien, GA 290.5 mi · 5h 18m Midway, GA 261.1 mi · 4h 48m Waycross, GA 252 mi · 4h 51m Savannah, GA 248.3 mi · 4h 34m

More from Cochran, GA

Macon, GA 41 mi · 53m

More trips to Atlanta, GA

Kingsland, GA 305.7 mi Tybee Island, GA 265.6 mi Deenwood, GA 248.9 mi Garden City, GA 247.5 mi Hinesville, GA 244.3 mi Homerville, GA 240.8 mi
Escape planner: Cochran, GA Scenic drives in GA

Explore more options from Cochran, GA or browse trips ending in Atlanta, GA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse GA road trips.