Embark on a straightforward 79-mile journey from Madison, GA, to Marietta, GA, that typically takes about 1 hour and 35 minutes to complete. This drive is easily manageable as a day trip, requiring just one day of travel. You can expect a fuel cost of approximately $12 for this excursion. The route primarily utilizes local roads, with a 23% share of highway driving, offering a connected feel between these two Southeast Georgia locales. With no planned stops, this trip is ideal for those who prefer a direct approach to their travel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.5 miles from Madison, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Purple Heart Highway
45.4 mi
48m
Ralph David Abernathy Freeway
9.1 mi
10m
Horace E Tate Freeway
7.2 mi
8m
Larry McDonald Memorial Highway
7 mi
8m
Downtown Connector
3.1 mi
4m
North Marietta Parkway
1.8 mi
3m
Monticello Highway
1.4 mi
2m
North Main Street
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Highway
— 45.4 mi, about 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Madison, GA and Marietta, 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 right at fork onto US 278; GA 12; GA 83
0.5 mi·1 min·South Main Street
3
Continue on US 278; GA 12; GA 83
0.4 mi·39 sec·Atlanta Highway
4
Turn left onto GA 83
1.4 mi·2 min·Monticello Highway
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward I-20 West: Atlanta
6
Merge onto I 20
45 mi·48 min·Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 20
9.1 mi·10 min·Ralph David Abernathy Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 58BToward Hill Street, Turner FieldUse the slight right lane.
9
At end of road, turn right onto Hill Street Southeast
0.2 mi·41 sec·Hill Street Southeast
10
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Southeast
0.3 mi·29 sec·Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Southeast
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 75 North, I 85 North
12
Merge onto I 75; I 85
3.1 mi·4 min·Downtown Connector
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 75
7.2 mi·8 min·Horace E Tate Freeway
Toward I 75 North: Marietta, ChattanoogaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 75
7.0 mi·8 min·Larry McDonald Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·30 sec
Exit 265Toward GA 120 Alternate: North Marietta ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn left onto GA 120 ALT
1.8 mi·3 min·North Marietta Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
17
Turn left onto Church Street
0.4 mi·59 sec·Church Street
Use the left lane.
18
Arrive at destination
West Park Square
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 35 minutes, this trip offers flexibility in departure times. Leaving Madison, GA, in the morning or early afternoon will allow you to arrive in Marietta, GA, with ample daylight. Since there are no designated stops, consider planning your own brief breaks if needed, especially during the 45.4-mile stretch on Purple Heart Highway. Keep an eye on local traffic patterns, as turn-heavy routes can sometimes experience unexpected delays. The estimated fuel cost is around $12, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you set off.
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 39.5 miles from Madison, GA, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45.4 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 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.5 miles or 45m 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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Marietta, 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 79 miles and 1h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Madison, GA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Purple Heart Highway for about 45.4 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.5 and 76.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
3.5 mi into trip|~6m in|I 20 / Purple Heart Highway
Merge onto I 20 / Purple Heart Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
58 mi into trip|~1h 6m in
Take the exit toward Hill Street, Turner Field
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 58B
Toward Hill Street, Turner Field
6
58.8 mi into trip|~1h 8m in
Take the ramp toward I 75 North, I 85 North
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 75 North, I 85 North
8
62.1 mi into trip|~1h 13m in|I 75 / Horace E Tate Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 75 / Horace E Tate Freeway toward I 75 North: Marietta, Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 75 North: Marietta, Chattanooga
7
76.3 mi into trip|~1h 29m in
Take the exit toward GA 120 Alternate: North Marietta Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 265
Toward GA 120 Alternate: North Marietta Parkway
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.35 one way
$24.71 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$13.51
$27.02
premium
$4.70
$14.62
$29.24
diesel
$5.61
$17.44
$34.88
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: 27.6 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
23.7
0
$8.30
$3.79
Efficient EV
19.8
0
$6.91
$3.16
EV Truck/SUV
31.6
0
$11.06
$5.06
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Madison, GA
Late night
in Madison on Sunday
Local time
2:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 18 at 2:27AM EDT until April 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 18 at 2:27AM EDT until April 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Marietta, GA
Late night
in Marietta on Sunday
Local time
2:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 18 at 2:27AM EDT until April 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 18 at 2:27AM EDT until April 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
52°F
Decatur, GA
40 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
2 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 35m 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
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...
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?
This route is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, meaning you'll be navigating a series of turns and potentially experiencing more varied road conditions. While 23% of the journey involves highway driving, the majority is on local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 45.4 miles on the Purple Heart Highway. Expect a driving experience that requires attention to navigation and may feel more like traversing through communities rather than a continuous high-speed transit.
Only 23% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 45.4 mi on Purple Heart Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 3.5 miles in near I 20 / Purple Heart Highway.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 79 miles you will encounter 13 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 3.5 miles (I 20 / Purple Heart Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 58 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.8 miles: 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.
Between Madison, GA and Marietta, GA, road signs point toward Turner Field and Chattanooga.
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.
Marietta is a city of 61,000 people (2019) in Metro Atlanta. It is the fourth largest city in the state. Dobbins Air Reserve Base on the south side of town and a Lockheed Martin manufacturing plant are among the major industries in the city.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 35m. Total distance: 79 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 45.4 miles on Purple Heart Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 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.
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 Marietta, 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 3.5 miles (I 20 / Purple Heart Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 58 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — 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 Marietta, GA before heading back.
