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Trip from Hephzibah, GA to Alpharetta, GA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 22m

Distance

177.8 mi

286 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 11m ★
6 AM
3h 23m
8 AM
3h 47m
10 AM
3h 31m
12 PM
3h 29m
3 PM
3h 32m
5 PM
3h 46m
8 PM
3h 15m

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

Downtown Hephzibah, GA, GA

Hephzibah, GA

Joshua Brown

city in north Fulton County, Georgia, United States

Alpharetta, GA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 177.8-mile drive from Hephzibah, GA to Alpharetta, GA is a manageable 3-hour and 22-minute journey, making it an ideal one-day trip. You'll navigate primarily via the Carl Sanders Highway and Purple Heart Highway, with a portion on the Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter. With a fuel cost estimated at $28, this route offers an economical way to travel within the Southeast region. The drive is characterized by its frequent turns, suggesting a more local feel rather than a constant interstate cruise. Given its duration and profile, it's perfectly suited for a single-day excursion without the need for an overnight stay.

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

88.9 miles from Hephzibah, GA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 41m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Carl Sanders Highway 82.2 mi 1h 28m
Purple Heart Highway 46.6 mi 50m
Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter 17.8 mi 20m
Turner McDonald Parkway 9.1 mi 11m
Bobby Jones Expressway 6.8 mi 7m
Peach Orchard Road 6.1 mi 9m
Georgia 88 2.2 mi 3m
Haynes Bridge Road 1.3 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Carl Sanders Highway — 82.2 mi, about 1h 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hephzibah, GA and Alpharetta, GA.

1

Start on GA 88

2.2 mi · 3 min · Georgia 88
2

Turn left onto US 25; GA 121; I 3 FUT

1.7 mi · 2 min · Peach Orchard Road
3

Continue on US 25; GA 121; I 3 FUT

0.3 mi · 21 sec · Nellie Drive
4

Continue on US 25; GA 121; I 3 FUT

4.3 mi · 6 min · Peach Orchard Road
5

Turn left

0.2 mi · 22 sec
6

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min
7

Merge onto I 520

6.1 mi · 7 min · Bobby Jones Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 520

0.7 mi · 53 sec · Bobby Jones Expressway
Toward I 20: Atlanta, Lexington Use the straight lane.
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 20 West: Atlanta Use the straight / slight left lanes.
10

Merge onto I 20

82 mi · 1 hr 28 min · Carl Sanders Highway
Use the straight lane.
11

Continue on I 20

47 mi · 50 min · Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 57 sec
Exit 67B Toward I 285 Bypass North: Greenville, Chattanooga Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Merge onto I 285

18 mi · 20 min · Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 48 sec
Toward GA 400 North, GA 400 South, Peachtree Dunwoody Road, US 19 North: Cumming, Dahlonega, Atlanta Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 47 sec
Toward US 19 North, GA 400 North, GA 400 South: Cumming, Dahlonega, Atlanta
16

Keep slight right at fork

2.0 mi · 2 min
Toward US 19 North, GA 400 North: Cumming, Dahlonega Use the slight right lane.
17

Merge onto US 19; GA 400

9.1 mi · 11 min · Turner McDonald Parkway
Use the straight lane.
18

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Exit 9 Toward Alpharetta, Haynes Bridge Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Turn left onto Haynes Bridge Road

1.3 mi · 2 min · Haynes Bridge Road
Use the left lane.
20

Turn left onto GA 120

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Old Milton Parkway
Use the left lane.
21

Turn right onto GA 9

0.3 mi · 52 sec · South Main Street
22

Turn right onto Academy Street

139 ft · 3 sec · Academy Street
23

Arrive at destination

Academy Street

Trip Plan

For this 3-hour and 22-minute drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic, especially as you approach Alpharetta. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to break up the 177.8 miles. Consider a brief pause around the 82.2-mile mark on the Carl Sanders Highway for a stretch. The estimated fuel cost of $28 is quite reasonable, so plan to fuel up before you leave Hephzibah to ensure you have a full tank for the entire trip. Keep an eye out for the transitions between the main roads like the Carl Sanders Highway and Purple Heart Highway, as these often signal changes in the driving environment.

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 88.9 miles from Hephzibah, GA, or about 1h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 82.2 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 39 miles or 47m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 88.9 miles or 1h 41m 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 42m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Hephzibah, 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 Hephzibah, GA

This is one driving day of about 177.8 miles and 3h 22m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Hephzibah, 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 82.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city and County Seat of Morgan County, Georgia, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Madison, GA

89 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.

Popular next leg

Madison, GA to Alpharetta, GA

81.1 mi · 1h 36m

Pacing Suggestions

Harlem, GA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Smyrna, GA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 88.9 miles from Hephzibah, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Carl Sanders Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 82.2 miles.

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 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 15.3 and 175.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
15.3 mi into trip | ~21m in | I 520 / Bobby Jones Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 520 / Bobby Jones Expressway toward I 20: Atlanta, Lexington

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

Use the straight lane. Toward I 20: Atlanta, Lexington
7
16 mi into trip | ~22m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 20 West: Atlanta

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Toward I 20 West: Atlanta
8
145.3 mi into trip | ~2h 41m in

Take the exit toward I 285 Bypass North: Greenville, Chattanooga

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 67B Toward I 285 Bypass North: Greenville, Chattano...
8
164.6 mi into trip | ~3h 4m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 19 North, GA 400 North: Cumming, Dahlonega

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

Use the slight right lane. Toward US 19 North, GA 400 North: Cumming, Dahl...
8
175.7 mi into trip | ~3h 18m in

Take the exit toward Alpharetta, Haynes Bridge Road

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 9 Toward Alpharetta, Haynes Bridge Road

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$27.80 one way

$55.61 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 62 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $30.40 $60.80
premium $4.70 $32.91 $65.81
diesel $5.61 $39.26 $78.51

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$28

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 62.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 53.3 0 $18.67 $8.53
Efficient EV 44.5 0 $15.56 $7.11
EV Truck/SUV 71.1 0 $24.89 $11.38

Gas CO2

62 kg

EV CO2

21 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 20, 2026

Origin

Hephzibah, GA

Morning in Hephzibah on Tuesday

Local time

8:22 AM

EDT

Current temp

84°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Alpharetta, GA

Morning in Alpharetta on Tuesday

Local time

8:22 AM

EDT

Current temp

80°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

82°F

Madison, GA

89 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

3h 22m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this 177.8-mile trip, as indicated by the route's profile. While 9% of your journey will be on highways, the majority involves navigating local roads and managing frequent turns. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 82.2 miles on the Carl Sanders Highway, offering a period of more consistent travel before transitioning back to more varied road conditions. This isn't a monotonous interstate grind; rather, it's a route that requires your attention as you transition between different road types and manage more frequent directional changes.

Only 9% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 82.2 mi on Carl Sanders Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

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 15.3 miles in near I 520 / Bobby Jones Expressway.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 15 significant decision points across 177.8 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: at 15.3 miles (I 520 / Bobby Jones Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 145.3 miles: 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 Hephzibah, GA and Alpharetta, GA, road signs point toward Lexington, Chattanooga, Dahlonega and Atlanta.

Lexington

15.3 mi in | ~21m | via I 520

Chattanooga

145.3 mi in | ~2h 41m

Dahlonega

163.6 mi in | ~3h 3m

Atlanta

163.6 mi in | ~3h 3m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 22m. Total distance: 177.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 82.2 miles on Carl Sanders Highway. 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 Alpharetta, 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 15.3 miles (I 520 / Bobby Jones Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 145.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Alpharetta, 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.

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