Ellaville, GA to Atlanta, GA is 115.3 miles and takes about 2h 38m via US 19, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, highway-focused drive primarily within Georgia. With a total trip time under three hours and a modest fuel cost, it’s an ideal option for a same-day journey. You'll spend most of your time on US 19, making it a simple and efficient route if you're looking to get from point A to point B without much fuss. Plan for just one main stop along the way.
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
57.7 miles from Ellaville, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 19
65.2 mi
1h 26m
North Church Street
15.2 mi
22m
North Poplar Street
11.3 mi
13m
I 75
10.2 mi
12m
Zebulon Road
4.6 mi
6m
Griffin Street
3 mi
4m
South Broad Street
2 mi
3m
North Broad Street
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 19
— 65.2 mi, about 1h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ellaville, GA and Atlanta, GA.
1
Start on GA 26
87 ft·9 sec·West Oglethorpe Street
2
Turn left onto North Broad Street
1.3 mi·2 min·North Broad Street
Use the left lane.
3
At end of road, turn left onto US 19; GA 3
21 mi·24 min·US 19; GA 3
4
Continue on US 19; GA 3
2.0 mi·3 min·South Broad Street
Use the straight lane.
5
Merge onto US 19; GA 3
11 mi·13 min·North Poplar Street
6
Continue on US 19; US 80; GA 3; GA 22
2.1 mi·2 min·US 19; US 80; GA 3; GA 22
7
Continue on US 19; GA 3
14 mi·18 min·US 19; GA 3
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Merge onto US 19; GA 3
0.5 mi·54 sec·North Church Street
9
Turn slight right
179 ft·20 sec
10
Turn left
167 ft·12 sec
11
Merge onto US 19; GA 3
15 mi·21 min·North Church Street
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 19; GA 3
3.0 mi·4 min·Griffin Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
13
Continue on US 19; GA 3
4.6 mi·6 min·Zebulon Road
14
Turn left onto US 19; US 41; GA 3
12 mi·17 min·US 19; US 41; GA 3
Use the left lane.
15
Continue on US 19; US 41; GA 3
3.1 mi·4 min·US 19; US 41; GA 3
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on US 19; US 41; GA 3
13 mi·19 min·US 19; US 41; GA 3
Use the straight lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto Tara Boulevard
0.4 mi·47 sec·Tara Boulevard
18
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 NorthUse the straight lane.
19
Merge onto I 75
10 mi·12 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 246Toward Fulton Street, Central Avenue, Georgia State UniversityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·59 sec
Toward Fulton Street, Zoo AtlantaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn right onto Fulton Street Southwest
0.2 mi·27 sec·Fulton Street Southwest
Use the left / right lanes.
23
Turn left onto Capitol Avenue Southeast
0.5 mi·56 sec·Capitol Avenue Southeast
24
Arrive at destination
Capitol Avenue Southeast
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short drive time of 2h 38m, you have plenty of flexibility for your departure. Aim to leave Ellaville in the morning to maximize daylight, especially since the longest uninterrupted stretch is over 65 miles. You'll want to plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel, though with a fuel cost around $18, it won't be a major budget concern. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Atlanta, as traffic can sometimes impact travel times.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 57.7 miles from Ellaville, GA, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.2 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 25 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.7 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 2h 7m
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 Ellaville, 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 Ellaville, GA
This is one driving day of about 115.3 miles and 2h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Ellaville, 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 US 19 for about 65.2 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 114.7 — 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|North Broad Street
Turn left onto North Broad Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
103.1 mi into trip|~2h 21m in
Take the exit toward I 75 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 75 North
8
114 mi into trip|~2h 35m 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
114.2 mi into trip|~2h 35m 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
6
114.7 mi into trip|~2h 36m in|Fulton Street Southwest
Turn right onto Fulton Street Southwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.03 one way
$36.06 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$19.71
$39.43
premium
$4.70
$21.34
$42.68
diesel
$5.61
$25.46
$50.91
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.6
0
$12.11
$5.53
Efficient EV
28.8
0
$10.09
$4.61
EV Truck/SUV
46.1
0
$16.14
$7.38
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Ellaville, GA
Late night
in Ellaville on Sunday
Local time
5:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Atlanta, GA
Late night
in Atlanta on Sunday
Local time
5:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
3 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 38m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 129.6
Few U.S. Presidents have had such close ties with where they were born and raised. The rural southern culture of Plains, Georgia revolves around farming, church, and school, which had a large influenc...
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 129.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 65% of the journey taking place on major roadways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 65.2 miles on US 19, providing a consistent pace for a good portion of the trip. While the main roads include North Church Street and North Poplar Street, the overall character leans heavily towards efficient travel rather than winding backroads. Expect a smooth and direct experience as you make your way north.
65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 65.2 mi on US 19.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 19 and North Church Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North Broad Street.
Driving Effort9/10
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 14 significant decision points across 115.3 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 (North Broad Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 103.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 114 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 38m. Total distance: 115.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (65%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 65.2 miles on US 19. 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Broad Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 103.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 114 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, Jimmy Carter 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.
