Columbus, GA to Young Harris, GA is 215 miles and takes about 4h 21m via Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway and US 19, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Georgia, taking you from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. With over 60% of the drive on highways, expect a relatively straightforward cruise for much of the way. This is a solid option if you're looking for a single-day excursion without extensive planning.
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
107.5 miles from Columbus, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
58.8 mi
1h 5m
Chet Atkins Parkway
43.7 mi
46m
US 19
40.9 mi
53m
Turner McDonald Parkway
35.7 mi
42m
T Harvey Mathis Parkway
7.1 mi
8m
Young Harris Highway
7 mi
10m
Downtown Connector
5.1 mi
6m
South Chestatee Street
5.1 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
— 58.8 mi, about 1h 5m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 67 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~7,899 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~1,289 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.1×
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 Columbus, GA and Young Harris, GA.
1
Start on US 27; GA 1
11 ft·5 sec·Veterans Parkway
2
Continue on US 27; GA 1
0.3 mi·46 sec·Veterans Parkway
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto 10th Street
0.5 mi·1 min·10th Street
4
Turn left onto 10th Avenue
404 ft·16 sec·10th Avenue
Use the left lane.
5
Turn sharp right onto Wynnton Road
1.6 mi·2 min·Wynnton Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on GA 22 Spur
1.1 mi·1 min·Macon Road
Use the left lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 185 NorthUse the left lane.
8
Merge onto I 185
44 mi·46 min·Chet Atkins Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 85
59 mi·1 hr 5 min·Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 75; I 85
5.1 mi·6 min·Downtown Connector
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85
2.7 mi·3 min·Northeast Expressway
Exit 251BToward I 85 North: Greenville
12
Keep slight right at fork onto GA 400
7.1 mi·8 min·T Harvey Mathis Parkway
Exit 87Toward GA 400 North: Buckhead, CummingUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on GA 400
36 mi·42 min·Turner McDonald Parkway
Use the right lane.
14
Continue on US 19; GA 400
4.3 mi·5 min·US 19; GA 400
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Continue on US 19; GA 400
1.4 mi·1 min·US 19; GA 400
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on US 19; GA 400
127 ft·1 sec·US 19; GA 400
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
17
Continue on US 19; GA 400
0.4 mi·25 sec·US 19; GA 400
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
18
Continue on US 19; GA 400
1.3 mi·1 min·US 19; GA 400
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
19
Continue on US 19; GA 400
3.7 mi·4 min·US 19; GA 400
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn sharp left onto US 19; GA 60
5.1 mi·7 min·South Chestatee Street
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn right onto US 19; GA 9; GA 52; GA 60
3.5 mi·6 min·Morrison Moore Parkway East
Use the straight lane.
22
Continue on US 19; GA 9; GA 60
4.5 mi·7 min·US 19; GA 9; GA 60
23
Continue on US 19; GA 9
5.3 mi·8 min·US 19; GA 9
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
At end of road, turn left onto US 19; US 129; GA 11
20 mi·22 min·US 19; US 129; GA 11
25
Turn right onto US 19; US 129; GA 11
1.1 mi·1 min·Glenn Gooch Bypass
26
Turn right onto US 76; GA 2; GA 515
7.0 mi·10 min·Young Harris Highway
27
Continue on US 76; GA 2; GA 515
0.6 mi·1 min·Main Street
28
Turn sharp right onto College Street
0.1 mi·26 sec·College Street
29
Arrive at destination
College Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 21m estimated drive time, leaving in the morning from Columbus should allow ample time to reach Young Harris before dark. You'll have one recommended stop, but with a drive this manageable, you can be flexible. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you get closer to Young Harris, as services can become more spread out. Plan your fuel stops accordingly, and consider topping off before the final stretch on surface roads.
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 107.5 miles from Columbus, GA, or about 2h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.8 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 47 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.5 miles or 2h 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Young Harris, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Columbus, 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 Columbus, GA
This is one driving day of about 215 miles and 4h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Columbus, 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 Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway for about 58.8 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 167.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.7 mi into trip|~1m in|10th Avenue
Turn left onto 10th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
0.8 mi into trip|~2m in|Wynnton Road
Turn sharp right onto Wynnton Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
111.3 mi into trip|~2h 6m in|I 85 / Northeast Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85 / Northeast Expressway toward I 85 North: Greenville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 251B
Toward I 85 North: Greenville
9
114 mi into trip|~2h 9m in|GA 400 / T Harvey Mathis Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto GA 400 / T Harvey Mathis Parkway toward GA 400 North: Buckhead, Cumming
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 87
Toward GA 400 North: Buckhead, Cumming
7
167.8 mi into trip|~3h 15m in|US 19; GA 60 / South Chestatee Street
Turn sharp left onto US 19; GA 60 / South Chestatee Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.74 one way
$63.48 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$34.88
$69.76
premium
$4.49
$38.02
$76.05
diesel
$4.80
$40.60
$81.19
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.5
0
$22.58
$10.32
Efficient EV
53.8
0
$18.81
$8.60
EV Truck/SUV
86
1
$30.10
$13.76
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Columbus, GA
Morning
in Columbus on Sunday
Local time
6:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 0 to 5 mph40% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 6:40PM EDT by NWS Peachtree City GA
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 6:37PM EDT until July 18 at 7:15PM EDT by NWS Peachtree City GA
Destination
Young Harris, GA
Morning
in Young Harris on Sunday
Local time
6:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
NW 0 to 5 mph21% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 6:40PM EDT by NWS Peachtree City GA
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 6:37PM EDT until July 18 at 7:15PM EDT by NWS Peachtree City GA
87°F
Gainesville, GA
108 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 21m 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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 111.2
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 is mostly highway, with 62% of the drive on higher-speed roads. You'll encounter your longest continuous stretch on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, covering 58.8 miles. After the highway portions conclude, you'll transition to surface roads for the remainder of the trip. Expect the feel of rural cruising as you approach your destination.
62% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 58.8 mi on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway and Chet Atkins Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near 10th Avenue.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 215 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 0.7 miles (10th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.8 miles (Wynnton Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 111.3 miles (I 85 / Northeast Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,927 ft239 ft
Total Climb
1,855 ft
Total Descent
167 ft
Highest Point
1,927 ft
~215 mi in
Elevation Range
1,688 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 Columbus, GA to Young Harris, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Cumming along the way.
Columbus is a city in Georgia's Classic Heartland, near the Chattahoochee River and bordering Alabama. It is known for its Southern hospitality, unique attractions, and proximity to Fort Benning.
Top landmarks
•Springer Opera House — theater in Columbus, Georgia, United States
•Trinity Episcopal Church — church building in Columbus, United States of America
•Bullard-Hart House — historic house in Georgia, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 21m. Total distance: 215 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 58.8 miles on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 4 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 Young Harris, 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 4 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (10th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.8 miles (Wynnton Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 111.3 miles (I 85 / Northeast Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Young Harris, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
