This 152.8-mile drive from Cumming, GA to Augusta, GA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes. The journey through the Southeast region of Georgia primarily utilizes local roads, with a 24% share of highway driving, suggesting a more connected-to-the-landscape experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $24, this route offers an affordable option for a quick getaway. You'll encounter one recommended stop along the way, and the overall feel is that of a turn-heavy local exploration rather than a high-speed transit.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
76.4 miles from Cumming, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Carl Sanders Highway
26.6 mi
28m
Lexington Road
23.2 mi
29m
US 78
22.3 mi
28m
University Parkway
11.8 mi
14m
Washington Road
11.7 mi
14m
Athens Road
8.4 mi
9m
Atlanta Highway Northwest
6.4 mi
9m
Outer Loop 10
6.2 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
Carl Sanders Highway
— 26.6 mi, about 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cumming, GA and Augusta, GA.
1
Start on this road
40 ft·8 sec·this road
2
Turn sharp left onto West Courthouse Square
482 ft·14 sec·West Courthouse Square
3
Continue on Castleberry Road
473 ft·12 sec·Castleberry Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
4
Turn left onto Bank Avenue
421 ft·21 sec·Bank Avenue
5
Turn right onto Veterans Memorial Boulevard
1.2 mi·2 min·Veterans Memorial Boulevard
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Continue on GA 20
5.2 mi·9 min·Buford Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Continue on GA 20
4.2 mi·7 min·Cumming Highway
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on GA 20
0.2 mi·20 sec·Buford Drive
Use the left lane.
9
Continue on GA 20
1.0 mi·1 min·Nelson Brogdon Boulevard
Use the right lane.
10
Continue on US 23; GA 20
2.4 mi·3 min·Buford Drive
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn left onto GA 324
3.9 mi·6 min·Gravel Springs Road
12
Continue on GA 324
4.9 mi·7 min·Auburn Road
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on GA 324
0.8 mi·1 min·Hill's Shop Road
14
Turn left onto GA 8
6.4 mi·9 min·Atlanta Highway Northwest
15
Continue on GA 8
2.5 mi·4 min·West May Street
16
Continue on GA 8; GA 53
1.3 mi·1 min·Atlanta Highway Southeast
17
Turn slight right
193 ft·3 sec
18
Turn slight right onto GA 8; GA 53
2.3 mi·3 min·Hog Mountain Road
Use the left lane.
19
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·35 sec
20
Merge onto US 29; GA 8; GA 316
12 mi·14 min·University Parkway
Use the left lane.
21
Take the exit onto US 29; US 78; GA 8
0.4 mi·29 sec·US 29; US 78; GA 8
Toward US 29 North, US 78 East, GA 10 Loop Outer: University of Georgia, Lexington, HartwellUse the right lane.
22
Merge onto US 29; US 78; GA 8; GA 10 Loop
6.2 mi·7 min·Outer Loop 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit onto US 78
0.4 mi·49 sec·US 78
Exit 8Toward US 78, GA 10: Oconee Street, Lexington RoadUse the slight right lane.
24
Continue on US 78; GA 10
1.4 mi·2 min·Lexington Road
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on US 78; GA 10
0.2 mi·24 sec·Lexington Highway
26
Continue on US 78; GA 10
5.8 mi·8 min·Lexington Road
Use the left lane.
27
Continue on US 78; GA 10
8.4 mi·9 min·Athens Road
28
Continue on US 78; GA 10; GA 22
0.9 mi·58 sec·Main Street
29
Continue on US 78; GA 10; GA 22
9.3 mi·10 min·Washington Road
30
Continue on US 78; GA 10
16 mi·18 min·Lexington Road
31
Turn right onto US 78; GA 10; GA 17
22 mi·27 min·US 78; GA 10; GA 17
Use the straight lane.
32
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I-20 East: AugustaUse the left lane.
33
Merge onto I 20
27 mi·28 min·Carl Sanders Highway
Use the straight lane.
34
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 199Toward GA 28: Augusta
35
Keep slight right at fork
481 ft·11 sec
36
Turn straight onto GA 28
2.4 mi·4 min·Washington Road
37
Turn straight onto GA 28
2.7 mi·3 min·Calhoun Expressway
38
Continue on GA 28
0.1 mi·13 sec·Greene Street
39
Turn right onto 11th Street
0.4 mi·44 sec·11th Street
40
Turn right onto Walton Way
225 ft·3 sec·Walton Way
41
Arrive at destination
Walton Way
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 20-minute duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize your time at your destination, and consider making your single recommended stop mid-way to break up the drive. With a fuel cost around $24, it's an economical journey. Keep an eye out for the frequent turns characteristic of this route; it's a good idea to have your navigation set up before you leave Cumming to smoothly transition onto Carl Sanders Highway and subsequent roads like Lexington Road and US 78.
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 76.4 miles from Cumming, GA, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 26.6 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 34 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.4 miles or 1h 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 2h 47m
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 Cumming, 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 Cumming, GA
This is one driving day of about 152.8 miles and 3h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Cumming, 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 26.6 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 120 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|West Courthouse Square
Turn sharp left onto West Courthouse Square
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
6
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|Veterans Memorial Boulevard
Turn right onto Veterans Memorial Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
49 mi into trip|~1h 14m in|US 29; US 78; GA 8
Take the exit onto US 29; US 78; GA 8 toward US 29 North, US 78 East, GA 10 Loop Outer: University of Georgia, Lexington, Hartwell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward US 29 North, US 78 East, GA 10 Loop Oute...
8
55.7 mi into trip|~1h 22m in|US 78
Take the exit onto US 78 toward US 78, GA 10: Oconee Street, Lexington Road
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 8
Toward US 78, GA 10: Oconee Street, Lexington R...
7
120 mi into trip|~2h 41m in
Take the ramp toward I-20 East: Augusta
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I-20 East: Augusta
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.89 one way
$47.79 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg54 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$26.13
$52.25
premium
$4.70
$28.28
$56.56
diesel
$5.61
$33.74
$67.47
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45.8
0
$16.04
$7.33
Efficient EV
38.2
0
$13.37
$6.11
EV Truck/SUV
61.1
0
$21.39
$9.78
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% 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
Cumming, GA
Late night
in Cumming on Tuesday
Local time
5:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Augusta, GA
Late night
in Augusta on Tuesday
Local time
5:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
60°F
Athens, GA
76 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
16 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
3h 20m 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,...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
$5
near mile 5.3
Park Closure: Island Ford Trail Closures Winter 2025-2026
Park Closure: Restrooms and Water Fountains Unavailable at Powers Island and Akers Mill
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' on this route, meaning you'll be navigating a series of local roads and highways rather than a continuous interstate. While 24% of the drive involves highway travel, the bulk of your time will be spent on roads like Carl Sanders Highway and Lexington Road, interspersed with US 78. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 26.6 miles on Carl Sanders Highway, so be prepared for frequent adjustments and a more engaged driving experience. This profile suggests a drive that keeps you connected to the surroundings as you transition between towns.
Only 24% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 26.6 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 West Courthouse Square.
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 18 significant decision points across 152.8 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 (West Courthouse Square): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.3 miles (Veterans Memorial Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 49 miles (US 29; US 78; GA 8): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Cumming, GA and Augusta, GA, road signs point toward Lexington and Hartwell.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 20m. Total distance: 152.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 26.6 miles on Carl Sanders Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 8 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 8 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Courthouse Square): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.3 miles (Veterans Memorial Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 49 miles (US 29; US 78; GA 8): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Augusta, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
