Origin
Lake City, GA
Late night in Lake City on Sunday
Local time
3:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lake City, GA to Macon, 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 24m
Distance
72.2 mi
116 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 18m
★
6 AM
1h 24m
8 AM
1h 38m
10 AM
1h 29m
12 PM
1h 28m
3 PM
1h 30m
5 PM
1h 37m
8 PM
1h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lake City, GA
CHINA YU
Macon, GA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Lake City, GA to Macon, GA is 72.2 miles and takes about 1 hour 24 minutes via I 75, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, specifically traversing Georgia for its entirety. It's a straightforward, highway-focused drive, making it ideal for a quick transit between these two points. With a high percentage of highway driving, you can expect a relatively swift journey. Consider this route if you need to cover the distance efficiently without much fuss.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 59.8 mi | 1h 4m |
| Terrell Starr Parkway | 5.3 mi | 6m |
| Riverside Drive | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| Forest Parkway | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| North Lake Drive | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Spring Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Mulberry Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 59.8 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake City, GA and Macon, GA.
1
Start on this road
31 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto North Lake Drive
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
North Lake Drive
3
Turn sharp right onto Forest Parkway
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Forest Parkway
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
Toward I 675 South: Macon
5
Merge onto I 675
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
Terrell Starr Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 75
49 mi
·
53 min
·
I 75
Use the straight lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
11 mi
·
11 min
·
I 75
Toward Macon, Savannah
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 167
Toward US 23, GA 87: Riverside Drive
Use the slight right lane.
9
Turn left onto US 23; GA 87
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Riverside Drive
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn right onto GA 19; Ga 49
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Spring Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on Spring Street
142 ft
·
4 sec
·
Spring Street
Use the left lane.
12
Turn left onto Mulberry Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Mulberry Street
13
Continue on Mulberry Street
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
Mulberry Street
14
Arrive at destination
Mulberry Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
36 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 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 36.1 miles from Lake City, 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 115 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 71.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
3.1 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 675 / Terrell Starr Parkway
Merge onto I 675 / Terrell Starr Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
8.4 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
I 75
Merge onto I 75
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
57.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
|
I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward Macon, Savannah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Macon, Savannah
8
68.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m in
Take the exit toward US 23, GA 87: Riverside Drive
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 167
Toward US 23, GA 87: Riverside Drive
6
71.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m in
|
GA 19; Ga 49 / Spring Street
Turn right onto GA 19; Ga 49 / Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.29 one way
$22.58 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $12.35 | $24.69 |
| premium | $4.70 | $13.36 | $26.73 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.94 | $31.88 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$11
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.7 | 0 | $7.58 | $3.47 |
| Efficient EV | 18.1 | 0 | $6.32 | $2.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.9 | 0 | $10.11 | $4.62 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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
Macon, GA
Late night in Macon on Sunday
Local time
3:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Jackson, GA
36 mi in
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
1 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 24m 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 drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 93% of the journey taking place on major roads like I 75. You'll experience a longest stretch of 59.8 miles on I 75, meaning significant time spent on this interstate. The route is characterized by its high-speed potential, allowing for consistent travel. Expect a consistent driving experience for the majority of the trip, with minimal deviations from the main highway. This profile suggests a direct and efficient path rather than a winding, scenic adventure.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59.8 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Terrell Starr Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.1 miles in near I 675 / Terrell Starr Parkway.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 72.2 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 3.1 miles (I 675 / Terrell Starr Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.4 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 57.7 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.
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 Lake City, GA to Macon, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Savannah along the way.
Savannah
57.7 mi in
|
~1h 5m
|
via I 75
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 24m. Total distance: 72.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 59.8 miles on I 75. 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 Macon, 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 3.1 miles (I 675 / Terrell Starr Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.4 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 57.7 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, 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 Macon, 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.
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