Origin
Marietta, GA
Morning in Marietta on Tuesday
Local time
6:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Marietta, GA to Columbus, GA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 21m
Distance
123.2 mi
198 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 12m
★
6 AM
2h 21m
8 AM
2h 41m
10 AM
2h 28m
12 PM
2h 26m
3 PM
2h 29m
5 PM
2h 40m
8 PM
2h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Trip Overview
Marietta, GA to Columbus, GA is 123.2 miles and takes about 2h 21m via I 85, Chet Atkins Parkway, and Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Georgia, connecting two points in the Southeast region. With over three-quarters of the drive on highways, expect a fairly straightforward and efficient trip. It’s a good option if you need to get from the northern part of the Atlanta metro area down to Columbus without a lot of fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
61.6 miles from Marietta, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 85 | 46.9 mi | 50m |
| Chet Atkins Parkway | 44.7 mi | 47m |
| Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter | 19.1 mi | 22m |
| Larry McDonald Memorial Highway | 3.2 mi | 3m |
| Roswell Street | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Wynnton Road | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Macon Road | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Cobb Parkway South | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 85
— 46.9 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Marietta, GA and Columbus, GA.
1
Start on West Park Square
117 ft
·
11 sec
·
West Park Square
2
Continue on South Park Square
343 ft
·
8 sec
·
South Park Square
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on Roswell Street
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Roswell Street
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn right onto US 41; GA 3
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Cobb Parkway South
Use the straight lane.
5
Turn left onto GA 120
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Marietta Parkway
Use the left lane.
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
Toward I 75 South: Atlanta
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 75
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Larry McDonald Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 259
Toward I 285 Bypass West, I 285 Bypass East: Birmingham, Tampa, Greenville, Augusta
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
Toward I 285 Bypass West: Birmingham, Tampa
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 285 Bypass West: Birmingham, Tampa
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 285
19 mi
·
22 min
·
Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
Exit 61
Toward I 85 North, I 85 South: Airport Domestic, Atlanta, Columbus, Montgomery
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 85 South: Columbus, Montgomery
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Merge onto I 85
47 mi
·
50 min
·
I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 185
45 mi
·
47 min
·
Chet Atkins Parkway
Exit 21
Toward I 185 South: Columbus
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Exit 6
Toward GA 22 Spur: Macon Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork
376 ft
·
9 sec
Toward GA 22 Spur West
Use the right lane.
18
Turn slight right onto GA 22 Spur
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Macon Road
Use the right lane.
19
Continue on GA 22 Spur
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Wynnton Road
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn sharp left onto 10th Avenue
404 ft
·
12 sec
·
10th Avenue
21
Turn right onto 10th Street
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
10th Street
22
Turn left onto US 27; GA 1
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Veterans Parkway
23
Arrive at destination
US 27; GA 1
Trip Plan
Given this is a 2h 21m drive, you can easily complete it in one day. Aim to depart Marietta in the morning to take advantage of daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic congestion, especially around the Atlanta Bypass. You'll spend around $19 on fuel, so ensure your tank is full before leaving. With only a couple of hours of driving, you likely won't need many stops, but if you do, look for service areas along I 85. Keep an eye on your GPS as you approach Columbus, as the transition from highway to city streets can be busy.
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 61.6 miles from Marietta, GA, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.9 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 27 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.6 miles or 1h 12m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Columbus, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Marietta, GA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Marietta, GA
This is one driving day of about 123.2 miles and 2h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Marietta, GA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 85 for about 46.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
62 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 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 61.6 miles from Marietta, 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 185 decision points cluster between mile 6.7 and 74.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
6.7 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Take the exit toward I 285 Bypass West, I 285 Bypass East: Birmingham, Tampa, Greenville, Augusta
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 259
Toward I 285 Bypass West, I 285 Bypass East: Bi...
8
7.1 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 285 Bypass West: Birmingham, Tampa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 285 Bypass West: Birmingham, Tampa
8
7.3 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 285 Bypass West: Birmingham, Tampa
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 285 Bypass West: Birmingham, Tampa
8
27.1 mi into trip
|
~34m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 85 South: Columbus, Montgomery
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 85 South: Columbus, Montgomery
8
74.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m in
|
I 185 / Chet Atkins Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 185 / Chet Atkins Parkway toward I 185 South: Columbus
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 21
Toward I 185 South: Columbus
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.27 one way
$38.53 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
43 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $21.07 | $42.13 |
| premium | $4.70 | $22.80 | $45.60 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.20 | $54.40 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37 | 0 | $12.94 | $5.91 |
| Efficient EV | 30.8 | 0 | $10.78 | $4.93 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 49.3 | 0 | $17.25 | $7.88 |
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Destination
Columbus, GA
Morning in Columbus on Tuesday
Local time
6:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
19 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
2h 21m 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 route is 76% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on high-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 46.9 miles on I 85. You'll transition from highway to surface roads as you approach Columbus. Expect to encounter numerous exits along the highway portions of this drive.
76% 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: 46.9 mi on I 85.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 85 and Chet Atkins Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 123.2 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 6.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,124 ft
239 ft
Total Climb
217 ft
Total Descent
1,102 ft
Highest Point
1,124 ft
Elevation Range
884 ft
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.
Between Marietta, GA and Columbus, GA, road signs point toward Tampa, Greenville, Augusta, Atlanta and Montgomery.
Tampa
6.7 mi in
|
~11m
Greenville
6.7 mi in
|
~11m
Augusta
6.7 mi in
|
~11m
Atlanta
26.9 mi in
|
~34m
Montgomery
26.9 mi in
|
~34m
About the Cities
Starting in Marietta, GA
Full guide →Founded 1834
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.
Top landmarks
- • Marietta National Cemetery — veterans cemetery in Cobb County, Georgia, United States
- • Aviation History & Technology Center — museum in Marietta, Georgia, USA
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 2h 21m. Total distance: 123.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 46.9 miles on I 85. 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 Columbus, GA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Columbus, 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 USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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