Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Garden City, GA to Marietta, GA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 59m

Distance

267.7 mi

431 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$42

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 46m ★
6 AM
4h 59m
8 AM
5h 26m
10 AM
5h 9m
12 PM
5h 6m
3 PM
5h 10m
5 PM
5h 25m
8 PM
4h 51m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
city in Chatham County, Georgia, United States

Garden City, GA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 269.1-mile journey from Garden City, GA, to Marietta, GA, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 4 hours and 14 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $43, it’s an accessible trip for many. The route primarily utilizes local roads, indicated by its zero percent highway share and 'turn-heavy' profile, meaning you'll be navigating through towns and communities rather than open highways. This drive is best suited for those who prefer a more engaged driving experience with frequent turns and road changes. It's a straightforward trip entirely within the Southeast region, connecting two points within Georgia.

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

133.8 miles from Garden City, GA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 26m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway 160.5 mi 2h 52m
I 75 84.9 mi 1h 35m
Horace E Tate Freeway 7.2 mi 8m
Larry McDonald Memorial Highway 7 mi 8m
North Marietta Parkway 1.8 mi 3m
US 80 1.2 mi 1m
Main Street 1.1 mi 1m
Chatham Parkway 1.1 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway — 160.5 mi, about 2h 52m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Garden City, GA and Marietta, GA.

1

Start on Rommel Avenue

0.3 mi · 50 sec · Rommel Avenue
2

At end of road, turn right onto GA 25

1.1 mi · 1 min · Main Street
3

Turn right onto GA 25

0.3 mi · 29 sec · Burnsed Boulevard
4

Turn right onto US 80; GA 26

1.2 mi · 1 min · US 80; GA 26
5

Turn left onto Chatham Parkway

1.1 mi · 1 min · Chatham Parkway
6

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 49 sec
Toward I 16 West: Macon
7

Merge onto I 16

161 mi · 2 hr 52 min · Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on I 16; GA 540

0.5 mi · 39 sec · Fall Line Freeway
9

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 42 sec
Toward I 75 North: Atlanta Use the straight / left lanes.
10

Merge onto I 75

62 mi · 1 hr 7 min · I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

23 mi · 28 min · I 75
Toward I 75 North: Atlanta, Birmingham Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight right at fork onto I 75

7.2 mi · 8 min · Horace E Tate Freeway
Toward I 75 North: Marietta, Chattanooga Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Continue on I 75

7.0 mi · 8 min · Larry McDonald Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 30 sec
Exit 265 Toward GA 120 Alternate: North Marietta Parkway Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Turn left onto GA 120 ALT

1.8 mi · 3 min · North Marietta Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
16

Turn left onto Church Street

0.4 mi · 59 sec · Church Street
Use the left lane.
17

Arrive at destination

West Park Square

Trip Plan

Given the 4-hour and 14-minute duration and the 'turn-heavy local drive' nature of this 269.1-mile route, consider an early morning departure from Garden City to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic delays. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of around $43, planning your fuel and rest stops strategically is key. Since there are no significant highway stretches, be prepared for more frequent slowdowns and turns. A good tip for this route is to familiarize yourself with the main roads like Main Street, Burnsed Boulevard, and Chatham Parkway beforehand, as they form the backbone of this local-focused journey.

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 133.8 miles from Garden City, GA, or about 2h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 160.5 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 59 miles or 1h 6m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 133.8 miles or 2h 26m 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 59m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Marietta, GA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Garden City, 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 Garden City, GA

This is one driving day of about 267.7 miles and 4h 59m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Garden City, 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 Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway for about 160.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

county seat of Butts County, Georgia, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Jackson, GA

134 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

Metter, GA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Warner Robins, GA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 133.8 miles from Garden City, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 160.5 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Dunkin'

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Atlanta, Georgia

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour Inexpensiv mile 248.6

Hours: 5 am–12 pm

+14048100010

Visit website

Starbucks Coffee Company

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Atlanta, Georgia

1.8 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Cool Beans Coffee Roasters

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Marietta, Georgia

Near the end, right off the route

0 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 267.7

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+17704229866

Visit website

Dunkin'

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour Inexpensiv mile 248.6

Atlanta, Georgia

Hours: 5 am–12 pm

+14048100010

Visit website

Starbucks Coffee Company

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 248.6

Atlanta, Georgia

Hours: 5 am–8 pm

+14046850287

Visit website

Starbucks

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 191.2

Forsyth, Georgia

Hours: 4:30 am–9 pm

+14787582001

Visit website

Origin Coffee Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Savannah, Georgia

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+19123495122

Visit website

The Collins Quarter

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $20 to $30

Savannah, Georgia

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+19127774147

Visit website

Savannah Coffee Roasters

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Savannah, Georgia

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+19123522994

Visit website

Maté Factor

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20

Savannah, Georgia

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+19122352906

Visit website

Cool Beans Coffee Roasters

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 267.7

Marietta, Georgia

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+17704229866

Visit website

Illy Coffee Bar at Rowdy Tiger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 248.6

Atlanta, Georgia

Hours: 6:30 am–3 pm

+16784122402

Visit website

Bitty & Beau’s Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10

Savannah, Georgia

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+19123587180

Visit website

The Coffee Fox Roasting Co.

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10

Savannah, Georgia

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+19124010399

Visit website

Brash Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 248.6

Atlanta, Georgia

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Asher + Rye Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Savannah, Georgia

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+19122363044

Visit website

Starbucks Coffee

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10

Savannah, Georgia

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+19123739099

Visit website

Pemberton Place

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 248.6

Atlanta, Georgia

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

Children's Museum of Atlanta

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 248.6

Atlanta, Georgia

Hours: Closed

+14046595437

Visit website

Krog Street Tunnel

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 248.6

Atlanta, Georgia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+14044920847

Visit website

Zoo Atlanta

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 248.6

Atlanta, Georgia

Hours: 9 am–3:30 pm

+14046245600

Visit website

Six Flags White Water

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 267.7

Marietta, Georgia

Hours: Closed

+17705904067

Visit website

Museum of Illusions

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 248.6

Atlanta, Georgia

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+14044584717

Visit website

The Savannah Underground

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour

Savannah, Georgia

Hours: 7–11:30 pm

+19122145310

Visit website

Savannah Visitor Information Center

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour

Savannah, Georgia

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+19129440455

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 265 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.3 mi into trip | ~0m in | GA 25 / Main Street

At end of road, turn right onto GA 25 / Main Street

Navigation decision point

7
165.4 mi into trip | ~3h in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 75 North: Atlanta

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes. Toward I 75 North: Atlanta
8
228 mi into trip | ~4h 8m in | I 75

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward I 75 North: Atlanta, Birmingham

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 75 North: Atlanta, Birmingham
8
250.8 mi into trip | ~4h 37m in | I 75 / Horace E Tate Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 75 / Horace E Tate Freeway toward I 75 North: Marietta, Chattanooga

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 75 North: Marietta, Chattanooga
7
265 mi into trip | ~4h 54m in

Take the exit toward GA 120 Alternate: North Marietta Parkway

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 265 Toward GA 120 Alternate: North Marietta Parkway

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$41.86 one way

$83.72 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 94 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $45.77 $91.54
premium $4.70 $49.55 $99.09
diesel $5.61 $59.10 $118.21

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$42

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$67–$92

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 93.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 80.3 0 $28.11 $12.85
Efficient EV 66.9 0 $23.42 $10.71
EV Truck/SUV 107.1 1 $37.48 $17.13

Gas CO2

94 kg

EV CO2

31 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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

Garden City, GA

Morning in Garden City on Sunday

Local time

6:20 AM

EDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Marietta, GA

Morning in Marietta on Sunday

Local time

6:20 AM

EDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

49°F

Jackson, GA

134 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

4 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 59m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this entire 269.1-mile route, with no highway stretches to speak of. You'll be navigating through various local roads, including Main Street, Burnsed Boulevard, and Chatham Parkway, which suggests a journey that winds through communities rather than bypassing them. The absence of a longest uninterrupted stretch metric, combined with the 'turn-heavy' profile, implies you'll be making frequent adjustments to your direction. This type of driving requires constant attention and can be more engaging than a steady interstate cruise.

96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 160.5 mi on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near GA 25 / Main Street.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 267.7 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 0.3 miles (GA 25 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 165.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 228 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Garden City, GA and Marietta, GA, road signs point toward Birmingham and Chattanooga.

Birmingham

228 mi in | ~4h 8m | via I 75

Chattanooga

250.8 mi in | ~4h 37m | via I 75

About the Cities

Arriving in Marietta, GA

Full guide →

Marietta is a city of 61,000 people (2019) in Metro Atlanta. It is the fourth largest city in the state. Dobbins Air Reserve Base on the south side of town and a Lockheed Martin manufacturing plant are among the major industries in the city.

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 4h 59m. Total distance: 267.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 160.5 miles on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 Marietta, 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: at 0.3 miles (GA 25 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 165.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 228 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 10.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Marietta, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Marietta, GA

Brunswick, GA 326.1 mi · 6h 4m Baxley, GA 222.2 mi · 4h 29m Albany, GA 201.1 mi · 3h 54m Sugar Hill, GA 143.9 mi · 2h 49m

More from Garden City, GA

Atlanta, GA 247.5 mi · 4h 33m

More trips to Marietta, GA

Rincon, GA 261.5 mi Blackshear, GA 258.8 mi Nicholls, GA 237.9 mi Pelham, GA 232.9 mi Statesboro, GA 228.9 mi Blakely, GA 208 mi
Escape planner: Garden City, GA Scenic drives in GA

Explore more options from Garden City, GA or browse trips ending in Marietta, GA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse GA road trips.