Origin
Dawsonville, GA
Morning in Dawsonville on Tuesday
Local time
10:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dawsonville, GA to Atlanta, GA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 14m
Distance
57.8 mi
93 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 8m
★
6 AM
1h 14m
8 AM
1h 26m
10 AM
1h 18m
12 PM
1h 17m
3 PM
1h 19m
5 PM
1h 25m
8 PM
1h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dawsonville, GA
Wikimedia Commons
Atlanta, GA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Dawsonville to Atlanta is a straightforward 57.9-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 4 minutes. Because the trip is short, you can easily complete it as a simple day trip without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via the Northeast Expressway, the Downtown Connector, and Martin Luther King Junior Drive. Budgeting approximately $9 for fuel is sufficient for the transit between these two Southeast locations. This drive is a practical connection between the northern reaches of Georgia and the state capital, offering a direct path for those looking to reach the city efficiently.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 19 | 44.8 mi | 53m |
| GA 53 | 6.5 mi | 10m |
| Downtown Connector | 3 mi | 4m |
| Northeast Expressway | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| GA 9 | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Capitol Square Southwest | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Capitol Avenue Southeast | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Southeast | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 19
— 44.8 mi, about 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dawsonville, GA and Atlanta, GA.
1
Start on GA 9; GA 53
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
GA 9; GA 53
Use the straight / left lanes.
2
Turn slight right onto GA 53
6.5 mi
·
10 min
·
GA 53
Use the slight right lane.
3
Turn right onto US 19; GA 400
45 mi
·
53 min
·
US 19; GA 400
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
4
Merge onto I 85
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Northeast Expressway
5
Continue on I 75; I 85
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Downtown Connector
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 248A
Toward Martin Luther King Junior Drive, State Capitol, Turner Field
Use the slight right lane.
7
Turn slight right onto Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Southeast
288 ft
·
13 sec
·
Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Southeast
Use the right lane.
8
Turn left onto Capitol Square Southwest
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Capitol Square Southwest
Use the straight / left lanes.
9
Turn right onto Capitol Avenue Southeast
318 ft
·
6 sec
·
Capitol Avenue Southeast
Use the right lane.
10
Arrive at destination
Capitol Avenue Southeast
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
29 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 28.9 miles from Dawsonville, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 85 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 57.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
GA 9; GA 53
Depart onto GA 9; GA 53
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
6.6 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
US 19; GA 400
Turn right onto US 19; GA 400
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
57.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 12m in
Take the exit toward Martin Luther King Junior Drive, State Capitol, Turner Field
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 248A
Toward Martin Luther King Junior Drive, State C...
6
57.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 13m in
|
Capitol Square Southwest
Turn left onto Capitol Square Southwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
57.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m in
|
Capitol Avenue Southeast
Turn right onto Capitol Avenue Southeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.04 one way
$18.08 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $9.88 | $19.77 |
| premium | $4.70 | $10.70 | $21.40 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.76 | $25.52 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.3 | 0 | $6.07 | $2.77 |
| Efficient EV | 14.5 | 0 | $5.06 | $2.31 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 23.1 | 0 | $8.09 | $3.70 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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.
Destination
Atlanta, GA
Morning in Atlanta on Tuesday
Local time
10:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Sunny
SW 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 12:59PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 15 at 8:01PM EDT by NWS Peachtree City GA
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
28 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 14m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features zero percent highway share. You will find yourself navigating through a variety of local roads, meaning there is no single long stretch of open highway to settle into; in fact, the longest stretch on the Northeast Expressway is 0 miles. The route requires your full attention as you transition from the smaller roads of Dawsonville into the denser traffic patterns of Atlanta. The character of the drive shifts noticeably as you move from the quieter northern outskirts into the heart of the city via the Downtown Connector.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
10 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 44.8 mi on US 19.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 19 and GA 53. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near GA 9; GA 53.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 57.8 miles you will encounter 8 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 (GA 9; GA 53): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.6 miles (US 19; GA 400): Lane positioning matters here; at 57.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
Starting in Dawsonville, GA
Full guide →Dawsonville is a city in Georgia's Historic High Country.
Arriving in Atlanta, GA
Full guide →“The Big Peach” · Founded 1845
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.
Top landmarks
- • Georgia State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of Georgia
- • Virginia-Highland — human settlement in Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- • Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park — heritage site in Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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 1h 14m. Total distance: 57.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 44.8 miles on US 19. 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 (GA 9; GA 53): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.6 miles (US 19; GA 400): Lane positioning matters here; at 57.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
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.
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