Madison, GA to Augusta, GA is 93.6 miles and takes about 1h 46m via Carl Sanders Highway, Calhoun Expressway, and Washington Road, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Georgia, moving from the Southeast region towards the Southeast. Expect a local drive with frequent turns rather than a straight shot. The relatively short distance and manageable duration make this a straightforward day trip, ideal for those looking for a quick journey between these two Georgia towns without a major time commitment.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.8 miles from Madison, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Carl Sanders Highway
84.1 mi
1h 30m
Calhoun Expressway
2.7 mi
3m
Washington Road
2.4 mi
4m
Eatonton Road
2.3 mi
4m
North Main Street
0.8 mi
1m
11th Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Greene Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Walton Way
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Carl Sanders Highway
— 84.1 mi, about 1h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Madison, GA and Augusta, GA.
1
Start on US 129; US 278; US 441; GA 12; GA 24
0.8 mi·1 min·North Main Street
2
Keep slight left at fork onto US 129; US 278; US 441; GA 12; GA 24; GA 83
2.3 mi·4 min·Eatonton Road
3
Take the exit
0.5 mi·29 sec
Toward AugustaUse the left lane.
4
Merge onto I 20
84 mi·1 hr 30 min·Carl Sanders Highway
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 199Toward GA 28: Augusta
6
Keep slight right at fork
481 ft·11 sec
7
Turn straight onto GA 28
2.4 mi·4 min·Washington Road
8
Turn straight onto GA 28
2.7 mi·3 min·Calhoun Expressway
9
Continue on GA 28
0.1 mi·13 sec·Greene Street
10
Turn right onto 11th Street
0.4 mi·44 sec·11th Street
11
Turn right onto Walton Way
225 ft·3 sec·Walton Way
12
Arrive at destination
Walton Way
Trip Plan
Given the 1h 46m estimated drive time and 93.6 miles, this is easily a same-day trip. Leaving Madison, GA in the morning allows ample time to reach Augusta, GA by midday. With a fuel cost estimated around $15, it's wise to ensure you have a full tank before departing, especially since the longest stretch is over 84 miles and you'll want to avoid unnecessary stops. Keep an eye on local traffic, particularly as you approach Augusta, as the 'turn-heavy' nature of the drive can mean unpredictable delays.
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 46.8 miles from Madison, GA, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.1 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 21 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.8 miles or 52m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Augusta, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Madison, GA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Madison, GA
This is one driving day of about 93.6 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Madison, GA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Carl Sanders Highway for about 84.1 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 7
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 88 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.8 mi into trip|~1m in|US 129; US 278; US 441; GA 12; GA 24; GA 83 / Eatonton Road
Keep slight left at fork onto US 129; US 278; US 441; GA 12; GA 24; GA 83 / Eatonton Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
7
3.1 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the exit toward Augusta
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward Augusta
5
3.6 mi into trip|~6m in|I 20 / Carl Sanders Highway
Merge onto I 20 / Carl Sanders Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
87.7 mi into trip|~1h 36m in
Take the exit toward GA 28: Augusta
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 199
Toward GA 28: Augusta
5
88 mi into trip|~1h 37m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.64 one way
$29.27 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$16.00
$32.01
premium
$4.70
$17.32
$34.65
diesel
$5.61
$20.67
$41.33
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.1
0
$9.83
$4.49
Efficient EV
23.4
0
$8.19
$3.74
EV Truck/SUV
37.4
0
$13.10
$5.99
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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
Madison, GA
Late night
in Madison on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Augusta, GA
Late night
in Augusta on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Warrenton, GA
47 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
31 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 46m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll encounter numerous changes in direction. With only a 30% highway share, much of your time will be spent on local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 84.1 miles, primarily on the Carl Sanders Highway, suggesting a significant portion of the drive involves navigating through towns and potentially dealing with local traffic patterns before transitioning to more urban arteries like Calhoun Expressway and Washington Road into Augusta.
Only 3% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84.1 mi on Carl Sanders Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near US 129; US 278; US 441; GA 12; GA 24; GA 83 / Eatonton Road.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 46m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (US 129; US 278; US 441; GA 12; GA 24; GA 83 / Eatonton Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 3.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles (I 20 / Carl Sanders Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Madison, the capital of Wisconsin, is situated on an isthmus between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona. As the anchor of the Greater Madison Area, it is home to the University of Wisconsin — Madison, one of the premier universities in the United States. It is a vibrant city known for its natural beauty, vibrant cultural scene, and academic excellence. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities such as hiking, biking, and exploring the city's many museums and art galleries. The city is also known for its diverse and delicious food options.
The longest stretch is about 84.1 miles on Carl Sanders Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 12 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 0.8 miles (US 129; US 278; US 441; GA 12; GA 24; GA 83 / Eatonton Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 3.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles (I 20 / Carl Sanders Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Augusta, GA before heading back.
