Origin
Jefferson, GA
Late night in Jefferson on Sunday
Local time
12:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Jefferson, GA to Atlanta, GA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 12m
Distance
61.2 mi
98 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 7m
★
6 AM
1h 13m
8 AM
1h 24m
10 AM
1h 17m
12 PM
1h 15m
3 PM
1h 17m
5 PM
1h 23m
8 PM
1h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Jefferson, GA
Wikimedia Commons
Atlanta, GA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Jefferson to Atlanta covers 61.2 miles, making this an easy day trip that typically takes 1 hour and 12 minutes to complete. You will primarily navigate via I-85, supplemented by the Major Damon J. Gause Bypass and Old Pendergrass Road. With a fuel budget of approximately $10, this route is highly cost-effective and straightforward for anyone moving through the Southeast. Given the short duration, there is no need to split this journey into multiple days unless your schedule requires a leisurely pace. It is a functional, highway-focused drive that connects the smaller community of Jefferson directly to the major metropolitan hub of Atlanta.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 85 | 54.9 mi | 1h 1m |
| Major Damon J. Gause Bypass | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| Old Pendergrass Road | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Washington Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Capitol Square Southwest | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Gordon Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Capitol Avenue Southeast | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Southeast | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 85
— 54.9 mi, about 1h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jefferson, GA and Atlanta, GA.
1
Start on this road
191 ft
·
15 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto Gordon Street
338 ft
·
16 sec
·
Gordon Street
3
Continue on US 129 Business; GA 11 Business
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
Washington Street
4
Turn slight left onto Old Pendergrass Road
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Old Pendergrass Road
5
Turn right onto US 129; GA 11
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Major Damon J. Gause Bypass
6
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I-85 South: Atlanta
Use the left lane.
7
Merge onto I 85
30 mi
·
32 min
·
I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 85
25 mi
·
29 min
·
I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
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.
10
Turn slight right onto Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Southeast
288 ft
·
13 sec
·
Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Southeast
Use the right lane.
11
Turn left onto Capitol Square Southwest
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Capitol Square Southwest
Use the straight / left lanes.
12
Turn right onto Capitol Avenue Southeast
318 ft
·
6 sec
·
Capitol Avenue Southeast
Use the right lane.
13
Arrive at destination
Capitol Avenue Southeast
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
31 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 30.6 miles from Jefferson, 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 95 decision points cluster between mile 5.5 and 61.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
5.5 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Turn left toward I-85 South: Atlanta
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I-85 South: Atlanta
6
36.1 mi into trip
|
~41m in
|
I 85
Keep slight right at fork onto I 85
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
60.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m 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
61 mi into trip
|
~1h 12m in
|
Capitol Square Southwest
Turn left onto Capitol Square Southwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
61.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 12m in
|
Capitol Avenue Southeast
Turn right onto Capitol Avenue Southeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.57 one way
$19.14 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
21 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $10.46 | $20.93 |
| premium | $4.70 | $11.33 | $22.65 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.51 | $27.02 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.4 | 0 | $6.43 | $2.94 |
| Efficient EV | 15.3 | 0 | $5.35 | $2.45 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 24.5 | 0 | $8.57 | $3.92 |
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 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.
Destination
Atlanta, GA
Late night in Atlanta on Sunday
Local time
12:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
19 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 12m 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 commute dominated by high-speed transit, as 90% of this journey takes place on highways. The road's personality is defined by a significant, uninterrupted 54.9-mile stretch on I-85, which accounts for the vast majority of your time behind the wheel. You will start with transition roads like Old Pendergrass Road and the Major Damon J. Gause Bypass before merging into the heavier traffic flow associated with the approach to Atlanta. This is a practical, utilitarian drive designed for efficiency rather than winding, scenic exploration. You should be prepared for a consistent, steady pace that shifts from suburban outskirts to the dense infrastructure of the city.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.9 mi on I 85.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 85 and Major Damon J. Gause Bypass. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 61.2 miles you will encounter 9 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 5.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 36.1 miles (I 85): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 60.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
Arriving in Atlanta, GA
Full guide →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.
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 12m. Total distance: 61.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 54.9 miles on I 85. 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.
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 5.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 36.1 miles (I 85): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 60.7 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Atlanta, GA
More from Jefferson, GA
More trips to Atlanta, GA
Explore more options from Jefferson, GA or browse trips ending in Atlanta, GA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse GA road trips.