Fayetteville to Smyrna is 78.3 miles and takes about 1 hour 41 minutes via Purple Heart Highway and Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Georgia, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. Expect a local drive with frequent turns rather than a straightforward highway journey. With a recommended one-day duration and a reasonable fuel cost, this route is ideal for a quick trip when you want to avoid extensive highway time.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.1 miles from Fayetteville, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Purple Heart Highway
44 mi
47m
Glynn Street North
12.1 mi
19m
Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
9.5 mi
10m
Greensboro Road
3 mi
4m
South Main Street
2.7 mi
5m
Monticello Highway
1.5 mi
2m
Forest Parkway
1.2 mi
2m
Old Dixie Road
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Highway
— 44 mi, about 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fayetteville, GA and Smyrna, GA.
1
Start on GA 85; GA 92
12 mi·19 min·Glynn Street North
Use the left lane.
2
Turn right onto GA 331
1.2 mi·2 min·Forest Parkway
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn left onto US 19; US 41; GA 3
0.8 mi·1 min·Old Dixie Road
4
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 285 EastUse the right lane.
5
Merge onto I 285
9.5 mi·10 min·Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
1.5 mi·3 min
Exit 46BToward I 20 East: AugustaUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 20 East: AugustaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 20
44 mi·47 min·Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Exit 113Toward GA 83: Madison, MonticelloUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn left onto GA 83
1.5 mi·2 min·Monticello Highway
11
Turn slight right onto GA 83
0.4 mi·37 sec·GA 83
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 278; GA 12; GA 83
0.5 mi·1 min·South Main Street
13
Turn left onto US 129; US 278; US 441; GA 12; GA 24; GA 83
157 ft·3 sec·Eatonton Road
14
Turn straight onto US 129; US 278; US 441; GA 12; GA 24; GA 83
2.2 mi·4 min·South Main Street
15
Continue on US 278; GA 12
3.0 mi·4 min·Greensboro Road
16
Turn right onto Buckhead Road
103 ft·2 sec·Buckhead Road
17
Arrive at destination
Buckhead Road
Trip Plan
Given the 1 hour and 41-minute duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave mid-morning to avoid peak rush hour traffic, especially as you approach the Atlanta Bypass. While the total fuel cost is estimated at $12, it's always wise to top off your tank before heading out, as gas prices can fluctuate. Since this is not an extended journey, you can decide on stops as you go, but be prepared for frequent turns and potential traffic delays around intersections.
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 39.1 miles from Fayetteville, GA, or about 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44 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 17 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.1 miles or 53m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Smyrna, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fayetteville, GA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fayetteville, GA
This is one driving day of about 78.3 miles and 1h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Fayetteville, GA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Purple Heart Highway for about 44 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 14.1 and 70.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
14.1 mi into trip|~23m in
Take the ramp toward I 285 East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 285 East
5
14.9 mi into trip|~24m in|I 285 / Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
Merge onto I 285 / Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
24.4 mi into trip|~35m in
Take the exit toward I 20 East: Augusta
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 46B
Toward I 20 East: Augusta
7
25.9 mi into trip|~39m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 20 East: Augusta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 20 East: Augusta
8
70.2 mi into trip|~1h 27m in
Take the exit toward GA 83: Madison, Monticello
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 113
Toward GA 83: Madison, Monticello
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.24 one way
$24.49 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$13.39
$26.78
premium
$4.70
$14.49
$28.98
diesel
$5.61
$17.29
$34.58
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.5
0
$8.22
$3.76
Efficient EV
19.6
0
$6.85
$3.13
EV Truck/SUV
31.3
0
$10.96
$5.01
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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 16, 2026
Origin
Fayetteville, GA
Late night
in Fayetteville on Sunday
Local time
12:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Smyrna, GA
Late night
in Smyrna on Sunday
Local time
12:26 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
Decatur, GA
39 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
6 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
1h 41m 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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 18.9
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 drive is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll encounter numerous intersections and changes in direction, especially on local roads. While 46% of this route is on the Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter, offering a highway experience, the Purple Heart Highway and Glynn Street North segments will likely involve more local traffic and signal lights. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 44 miles on Purple Heart Highway, offering a brief period of consistent travel before you navigate more varied road conditions.
Only 2% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 44 mi on Purple Heart 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 around 14.1 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 78.3 miles you will encounter 11 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: at 14.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 14.9 miles (I 285 / Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Fayetteville, GA to Smyrna, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Monticello along the way.
Fayetteville is a small town about an hour away from Atlanta, in the city's Metro Area. Formerly quite rural, it has lately become more suburban with the rise of shopping chains such as Lowe's and JC Penney's, and housing sub-development neighborhoods.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 41m. Total distance: 78.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 44 miles on Purple Heart Highway. 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 Smyrna, GA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
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: at 14.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 14.9 miles (I 285 / Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 24.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Smyrna, GA before heading back.
