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Trip from Lithia Springs, GA to Macon, 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

1h 59m

Distance

100.6 mi

162 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 51m ★
6 AM
1h 59m
8 AM
2h 16m
10 AM
2h 5m
12 PM
2h 4m
3 PM
2h 6m
5 PM
2h 16m
8 PM
1h 54m

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

Downtown Lithia Springs, GA, GA

Lithia Springs, GA

aboodi vesakaran

Downtown Macon, GA, GA

Macon, GA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Lithia Springs, GA to Macon, GA is 100.6 miles and takes about 1 hour 59 minutes via I 75, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This straightforward drive primarily stays on Interstate 75, making it a convenient and efficient option for traveling between these two Georgia cities. You'll remain within the Southeast region for the entire journey, experiencing a consistent landscape. Given its relatively short distance and focused highway profile, this trip is ideal for a same-day excursion, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. Plan for a smooth and predictable drive, perfect for when you need to get from point A to point B without much fuss.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

50.3 miles from Lithia Springs, GA

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

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 75 75.3 mi 1h 22m
Tom Murphy Freeway 14.7 mi 17m
Riverside Drive 3.1 mi 5m
James Wendell George Parkway 2.3 mi 3m
South Sweetwater Road 1.3 mi 2m
Downtown Connector 1 mi 1m
Lee Road 0.7 mi 1m
Spring Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 75 — 75.3 mi, about 1h 22m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lithia Springs, GA and Macon, GA.

1

Start on US 78; GA 5; GA 8

90 ft · 9 sec · Veterans Memorial Highway
2

Turn left onto South Sweetwater Road

1.3 mi · 2 min · South Sweetwater Road
Use the left lane.
3

Turn right onto Lee Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · Lee Road
4

Take the ramp

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 20 East
5

Merge onto I 20

15 mi · 17 min · Tom Murphy Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Exit 57 Toward I 75 North, I 85 North, I 75 South, I 85 South: Chattanooga, Greenville, Macon, Montgomery Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 75 South, I 85 South: Macon, Montgomery Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8

Merge onto I 75; I 85

1.0 mi · 1 min · Downtown Connector
9

Continue on I 75; I 85

2.3 mi · 3 min · James Wendell George Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

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

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

11 mi · 11 min · I 75
Toward Macon, Savannah Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 55 sec
Exit 167 Toward US 23, GA 87: Riverside Drive Use the slight right lane.
13

Turn left onto US 23; GA 87

3.1 mi · 5 min · Riverside Drive
Use the straight lane.
14

Turn right onto GA 19; Ga 49

0.2 mi · 30 sec · Spring Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
15

Continue on Spring Street

142 ft · 4 sec · Spring Street
Use the left lane.
16

Turn left onto Mulberry Street

0.1 mi · 23 sec · Mulberry Street
17

Continue on Mulberry Street

0.1 mi · 27 sec · Mulberry Street
18

Arrive at destination

Mulberry Street

Trip Plan

Since this 100.6-mile drive takes just under 2 hours, it's perfectly suited for a single day, offering flexibility on when you depart. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize daylight hours and avoid any potential afternoon traffic. With a fuel cost estimated at $16, it's a budget-friendly trip, but it’s always wise to ensure you have enough gas before embarking on the longest stretch of 75.3 miles on I 75. There are no specified stops in the data, so plan your own breaks as needed, perhaps at a rest area along I 75. Given the short duration, you likely won't need to split the drive, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Macon.

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 50.3 miles from Lithia Springs, GA, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75.3 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 22 miles or 29m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 50.3 miles or 1h in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 36m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Lithia Springs, GA so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Lithia Springs, GA

This is one driving day of about 100.6 miles and 1h 59m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Lithia Springs, GA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 75.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Lake City, GA, GA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lake City, GA

50 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

Lake City, GA to Macon, GA

72.2 mi · 1h 24m

Pacing Suggestions

Thomasville, GA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

McDonough, GA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 50.3 miles from Lithia Springs, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 75.3 miles.

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

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · final third

Starbucks

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Forsyth, Georgia

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third · 26min to go 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 4:30 am–9 pm

+14787582001

Visit website

Starbucks

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Forsyth, Georgia

Hours: 4:30 am–9 pm

+14787582001

Visit website

Starbucks Coffee Company

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

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

Atlanta, Georgia

Hours: 5 am–8 pm

+14046850287

Visit website

Dunkin'

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

First break 4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour Inexpensiv

Atlanta, Georgia

Hours: 5 am–12 pm

+14048100010

Visit website

Brash Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10

Atlanta, Georgia

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Illy Coffee Bar at Rowdy Tiger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Atlanta, Georgia

Hours: 6:30 am–3 pm

+16784122402

Visit website

Cannonball House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route

Macon, Georgia

Hours: 10 am–3:30 pm

+14787455982

Visit website

Tubman Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Macon, Georgia

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+14787438544

Visit website

Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour

Macon, Georgia

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+14787528257

Visit website

Ocmulgee National Monument Visitors Center

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Macon, Georgia

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+14787528257

Visit website

Pemberton Place

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Atlanta, Georgia

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

Cascade Springs Nature Preserve

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Atlanta, Georgia

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+14045466744

Visit website

Children's Museum of Atlanta

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour

Atlanta, Georgia

Hours: Closed

+14046595437

Visit website

Zoo Atlanta

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

Early stretch 3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

Atlanta, Georgia

Hours: 9 am–3:30 pm

+14046245600

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 17.2 and 96.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
17.2 mi into trip | ~22m in

Take the exit toward I 75 North, I 85 North, I 75 South, I 85 South: Chattanooga, Greenville, Macon, Montgomery

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 57 Toward I 75 North, I 85 North, I 75 South, I 85...
8
17.4 mi into trip | ~22m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 75 South, I 85 South: Macon, Montgomery

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

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 75 South, I 85 South: Macon, Montgomer...
6
21.3 mi into trip | ~28m in | I 75

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
86.1 mi into trip | ~1h 40m 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
96.6 mi into trip | ~1h 51m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.73 one way

$31.46 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 35 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $17.20 $34.40
premium $4.70 $18.62 $37.24
diesel $5.61 $22.21 $44.42

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 35.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 30.2 0 $10.56 $4.83
Efficient EV 25.2 0 $8.80 $4.02
EV Truck/SUV 40.2 0 $14.08 $6.44

Gas CO2

35 kg

EV CO2

12 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 17, 2026

Origin

Lithia Springs, GA

Late night in Lithia Springs on Tuesday

Local time

4:58 AM

EDT

Current temp

79°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Macon, GA

Late night in Macon on Tuesday

Local time

4:58 AM

EDT

Current temp

92°F

Sunny

0 mph 0% chance Live forecast

61°F

Lake City, GA

50 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

13 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

1h 59m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park

Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Welcome to Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park & Preservation District where a young boy grows up in a time of segregation. He was moved by destiny to lead the modern civil rights movemen...

2 mi from route ~4 min detour Free near mile 17.3
View on nps.gov
Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park

Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Welcome to Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. This park is a prehistoric American Indian site, where many different American Indian cultures occupied this land for thousands of years. American...

2 mi from route ~4 min detour Free near mile 100.6
View on nps.gov
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

Today the river valley attracts us for so many reasons. Take a solitary walk to enjoy nature’s display, raft leisurely through the rocky shoals with friends, fish the misty waters as the sun comes up,...

18 mi from route ~46 min detour $5 near mile 17.3
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This is a highway-focused drive, with 92% of the 100.6 miles spent on major interstates. You'll experience a consistent and predictable journey, primarily utilizing I 75 for the bulk of the trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 75.3 miles on I 75, so be prepared for extended periods of highway cruising. While the route is predominantly interstate, the transition to Riverside Drive as you approach Macon offers a slight change in pace. Overall, expect a fast-paced drive that prioritizes direct travel over scenic detours.

92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 75.3 mi on I 75.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Tom Murphy Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17.2 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 100.6 miles you will encounter 14 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 17.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.3 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.

Between Lithia Springs, GA and Macon, GA, road signs point toward Greenville, Montgomery and Savannah.

Greenville

17.2 mi in | ~22m

Montgomery

17.2 mi in | ~22m

Savannah

86.1 mi in | ~1h 40m | via I 75

About the Cities

Starting in Lithia Springs, GA

Full guide →

Lithia Springs is a city in Douglas County in Georgia (state), with a population of 15,000 people in 2010.

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 59m. Total distance: 100.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 75.3 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 17.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.3 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, Ocmulgee Mounds 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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