This 76.6-mile drive from Lithonia, GA to Macon, GA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 39 minutes. The main arteries for this journey are I-75 and Highway 155 North, with a significant 82% of the route utilizing highway driving. With an estimated fuel cost of $12, this is an economical option for those looking to travel within the Southeast region. The overall feel of this drive is practical and efficient, making it a straightforward option for getting between these two Georgia cities without extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
38.3 miles from Lithonia, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
49.1 mi
52m
Highway 155 North
9.7 mi
13m
Klondike Road
5.9 mi
11m
Riverside Drive
3.1 mi
5m
South Zack Hinton Parkway
2.8 mi
4m
Union Church Road
2.7 mi
4m
Steam Mill Expressway
0.9 mi
1m
McDonough Road
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 49.1 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lithonia, GA and Macon, GA.
1
Start on Rock Chapel Road
57 ft·2 sec·Rock Chapel Road
2
Continue on Main Street
0.4 mi·53 sec·Main Street
3
Turn left onto Klondike Road
2.4 mi·5 min·Klondike Road
4
Enter roundabout onto Klondike Road
126 ft·2 sec·Klondike Road
5
Continue on Klondike Road
3.5 mi·6 min·Klondike Road
6
Turn left onto Union Church Road
2.7 mi·4 min·Union Church Road
7
Enter roundabout onto GA 138
31 ft·0 sec·Steam Mill Expressway
8
Continue on GA 138
0.8 mi·1 min·Steam Mill Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
9
Turn left onto GA 155
9.7 mi·13 min·Highway 155 North
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on GA 155
0.3 mi·49 sec·Sims Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
At end of road, turn left onto GA 20; GA 81; GA 155
0.2 mi·25 sec·Keys Ferry Street
12
Turn right onto GA 155
2.8 mi·4 min·South Zack Hinton Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Continue on GA 155
0.4 mi·41 sec·McDonough Road
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 75 SouthUse the right lane.
15
Merge onto I 75
39 mi·41 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
11 mi·11 min·I 75
Toward Macon, SavannahUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 167Toward US 23, GA 87: Riverside DriveUse the slight right lane.
18
Turn left onto US 23; GA 87
3.1 mi·5 min·Riverside Drive
Use the straight lane.
19
Turn right onto GA 19; Ga 49
0.2 mi·30 sec·Spring Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Continue on Spring Street
142 ft·4 sec·Spring Street
Use the left lane.
21
Turn left onto Mulberry Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·Mulberry Street
22
Continue on Mulberry Street
0.1 mi·27 sec·Mulberry Street
23
Arrive at destination
Mulberry Street
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 39 minute duration, this route offers plenty of flexibility for departure times. You can easily leave Lithonia in the morning and arrive in Macon with ample time for activities. With no recommended stops and a modest fuel cost of $12, focus on ensuring your vehicle is fueled before you depart. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 49.1 miles on I-75, so plan for any necessary breaks before or after this segment. Keep an eye on traffic conditions as you approach the Macon area, especially if traveling during peak hours.
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 38.3 miles from Lithonia, GA, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.1 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 17 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38.3 miles or 55m 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 23m
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 Lithonia, GA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lithonia, GA
This is one driving day of about 76.6 miles and 1h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Lithonia, GA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 49.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.8 and 76.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.8 mi into trip|~6m in|Klondike Road
Enter roundabout onto Klondike Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
20 mi into trip|~33m in|GA 155 / South Zack Hinton Parkway
Turn right onto GA 155 / South Zack Hinton Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
62.1 mi into trip|~1h 20m 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
72.6 mi into trip|~1h 31m 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
76.1 mi into trip|~1h 38m 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
$11.98 one way
$23.96 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$13.10
$26.19
premium
$4.70
$14.18
$28.35
diesel
$5.61
$16.91
$33.82
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23
0
$8.04
$3.68
Efficient EV
19.2
0
$6.70
$3.06
EV Truck/SUV
30.6
0
$10.72
$4.90
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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 16, 2026
Origin
Lithonia, GA
Late night
in Lithonia on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Macon, GA
Late night
in Macon on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Sunny
SW 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 5:50AM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 15 at 8:01PM EDT by NWS Peachtree City GA
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
38 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 39m 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.
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 76.6
Caution: River Trail periodically closed under I-16
Park Closure: BOARDWALK CLOSED along the River Trail
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...
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,...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 76.6-mile stretch, with I-75 forming the backbone for a considerable 49.1-mile segment. While Highway 155 North and Klondike Road offer some variation, the overall character leans towards efficient travel rather than scenic exploration. The high highway share means you'll experience sustained speeds for large portions of the journey. This route is designed for making good time, with its primary focus on connecting Lithonia and Macon with minimal detours.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 49.1 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Highway 155 North. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.8 miles in near Klondike Road.
Driving Effort6/10
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 76.6 miles you will encounter 16 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 2.8 miles (Klondike Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 20 miles (GA 155 / South Zack Hinton Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 62.1 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.
On the drive from Lithonia, GA to Macon, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Savannah along the way.
Savannah
62.1 mi in|~1h 20m|via I 75
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 39m. Total distance: 76.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 49.1 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 2.8 miles (Klondike Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 20 miles (GA 155 / South Zack Hinton Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 62.1 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.
