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Trip from Johns Creek, GA to Wrens, 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

2h 59m

Distance

145.9 mi

235 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 48m ★
6 AM
2h 59m
8 AM
3h 22m
10 AM
3h 7m
12 PM
3h 5m
3 PM
3h 8m
5 PM
3h 21m
8 PM
2h 53m

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

city in Fulton County, Georgia, United States

Johns Creek, GA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Wrens, GA, GA

Wrens, GA

Veronika Andrews

Trip Overview

Johns Creek to Wrens is 145.9 miles and takes about 2 hours 59 minutes via Purple Heart Highway, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Georgia, moving from the Southeast region to its southern part. Expect a local, turn-heavy experience rather than a highway cruise. With a drive time under three hours and only one recommended stop, this route is ideal for a straightforward, same-day trip. It's a practical option if you're looking for a direct connection between these two points without extensive highway time.

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

72.9 miles from Johns Creek, GA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Purple Heart Highway 45.2 mi 48m
Carl Sanders Highway 39.9 mi 42m
Quaker Road 19.5 mi 26m
Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter 11.8 mi 13m
Atlanta Highway 7 mi 9m
Peachtree Parkway 3.9 mi 6m
Peachtree Industrial Boulevard 3.7 mi 5m
Jefferson Davis Memorial Highway 2.3 mi 3m
Longest stretch: Purple Heart Highway — 45.2 mi, about 48m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Johns Creek, GA and Wrens, GA.

1

Start on Morgan Hill Court

270 ft · 17 sec · Morgan Hill Court
2

Turn left onto Groomsbridge Road

0.5 mi · 2 min · Groomsbridge Road
3

At end of road, turn right onto Grove Point Road

0.2 mi · 45 sec · Grove Point Road
4

Turn right onto GA 141

2.1 mi · 3 min · Medlock Bridge Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
5

Continue on GA 141

3.9 mi · 6 min · Peachtree Parkway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6

Take the exit onto GA 141

0.2 mi · 15 sec · GA 141
Toward GA 141 South: Doraville, Chamblee
7

Merge onto GA 141

3.7 mi · 5 min · Peachtree Industrial Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Toward I 285 East Use the left lane.
9

Merge onto I 285

12 mi · 13 min · Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
Use the straight lane.
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 43 Toward US 278: Covington Highway Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Turn left onto US 278; GA 12

1.8 mi · 2 min · Covington Highway
Use the straight lane.
12

Turn right onto Wesley Chapel Road

1.7 mi · 2 min · Wesley Chapel Road
Use the right lane.
13

Turn left

0.4 mi · 59 sec
Toward I 20 East Use the left lane.
14

Merge onto I 20

45 mi · 48 min · Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Continue on I 20

40 mi · 42 min · Carl Sanders Highway
16

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 55 sec
Toward US 278: Warrenton, Washington
17

Turn right onto US 278; GA 12

7.0 mi · 9 min · Atlanta Highway
18

Continue on US 278; GA 12

2.3 mi · 3 min · Jefferson Davis Memorial Highway
19

Continue on US 278; GA 12

0.9 mi · 1 min · Norwood Road
20

Continue on US 278; GA 12

0.6 mi · 1 min · Main Street
21

Turn straight onto US 278 Truck; GA 12 Bypass

0.4 mi · 41 sec · Jones Circle
22

Continue on US 278 Truck; GA 12 Bypass

0.8 mi · 1 min · Legion Road
23

Turn right onto GA 80

19 mi · 26 min · Quaker Road
24

At end of road, turn right onto GA 17; GA 80

1.9 mi · 2 min · GA 17; GA 80
Use the left lane.
25

Turn left onto GA 80

40 ft · 0 sec · Stapleton Highway
Use the left lane.
26

Arrive at destination

GA 80

Trip Plan

Given the 2 hour 59 minute duration, leaving Johns Creek in the morning allows ample time to reach Wrens without feeling rushed. Since this is a single-day trip with only one recommended stop, you can be flexible with your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move onto the local roads where services might be less frequent. The longest stretch without a major road change is 45.2 miles, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before embarking on that segment. A good time to depart would be mid-morning to avoid early rush hour and enjoy daylight for the entirety of your drive.

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 72.9 miles from Johns Creek, GA, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45.2 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 32 miles or 45m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 72.9 miles or 1h 29m 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 22m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Johns Creek, 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 Johns Creek, GA

This is one driving day of about 145.9 miles and 2h 59m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Johns Creek, 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 Purple Heart Highway for about 45.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Covington, GA, GA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Covington, GA

73 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

Lilburn, GA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Madison, GA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 72.9 miles from Johns Creek, 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 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 143.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.8 mi into trip | ~3m in | GA 141 / Medlock Bridge Road

Turn right onto GA 141 / Medlock Bridge Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
6
10.7 mi into trip | ~18m in

Take the exit toward I 285 East

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

Use the left lane. Toward I 285 East
7
22.9 mi into trip | ~32m in

Take the exit toward US 278: Covington Highway

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 43 Toward US 278: Covington Highway
6
26.6 mi into trip | ~39m in

Turn left toward I 20 East

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I 20 East
6
143.9 mi into trip | ~2h 56m in | GA 17; GA 80

At end of road, turn right onto GA 17; GA 80

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$22.82 one way

$45.63 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 51 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $24.95 $49.89
premium $4.70 $27.00 $54.01
diesel $5.61 $32.21 $64.43

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 51 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 43.8 0 $15.32 $7.00
Efficient EV 36.5 0 $12.77 $5.84
EV Truck/SUV 58.4 0 $20.43 $9.34

Gas CO2

51 kg

EV CO2

17 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 20, 2026

Origin

Johns Creek, GA

Morning in Johns Creek on Tuesday

Local time

6:37 AM

EDT

Current temp

81°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Wrens, GA

Morning in Wrens on Tuesday

Local time

6:37 AM

EDT

Current temp

85°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

82°F

Covington, GA

73 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 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 59m 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?

This route offers a turn-heavy local drive, with only 4% of the journey on highways. You'll spend most of your time navigating roads like Purple Heart Highway, Carl Sanders Highway, and Quaker Road. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 45.2 miles along Purple Heart Highway. Be prepared for frequent changes in direction and speed as you transition between different local roads. This isn't a high-speed interstate journey; rather, it's a more engaged driving experience that requires attention to navigation.

Only 4% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 45.2 mi on Purple Heart Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

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 0.8 miles in near GA 141 / Medlock Bridge Road.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 145.9 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 0.8 miles (GA 141 / Medlock Bridge Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.9 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 Johns Creek, GA to Wrens, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Washington along the way.

Washington

112.1 mi in | ~2h 11m

About the Cities

Starting in Johns Creek, 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 2h 59m. Total distance: 145.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 45.2 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 Wrens, 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 0.8 miles (GA 141 / Medlock Bridge Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Wrens, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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