Marietta to Metter is 205.9 miles and takes about 3h 52m via I-75 and I-16, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Georgia, connecting the Southeast region from its northwestern edge to its central part. Expect a predominantly highway experience, making it a straightforward drive for a single day. It's a practical route for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
102.9 miles from Marietta, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 16
102.3 mi
1h 49m
I 75
77.1 mi
1h 25m
Horace E Tate Freeway
7.3 mi
8m
Larry McDonald Memorial Highway
5.2 mi
5m
Downtown Connector
5 mi
6m
James Wendell George Parkway
2.3 mi
3m
GA 23
1.8 mi
3m
Roswell Street
1.7 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 16
— 102.3 mi, about 1h 49m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 165 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,725 veh/hr typical
· worst 6,618
Quietest
2 AM
~939 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Marietta, GA and Metter, 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: AtlantaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 75
5.2 mi·5 min·Larry McDonald Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 75
7.3 mi·8 min·Horace E Tate Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 75; I 85
5.0 mi·6 min·Downtown Connector
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 75; I 85
2.3 mi·3 min·James Wendell George Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
65 mi·1 hr 11 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
12 mi·13 min·I 75
Toward Macon, SavannahUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
1.1 mi·1 min
Exit 165Toward I 16 East: Jim Gillis Highway, SavannahUse the slight right lane.
14
Continue on I 16
102 mi·1 hr 49 min·I 16
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 104Toward GA 23, GA 121: Metter, Reidsville
16
Turn left onto GA 23; GA 121
1.8 mi·3 min·GA 23; GA 121
17
Arrive at destination
GA 23; GA 121
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 52m estimated drive time, leaving Marietta in the morning allows ample time to reach Metter before evening. With only one recommended stop, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch on I-16 is over 100 miles. Plan for the majority of your driving to be on the interstate, so take advantage of the easy on-and-off ramps before you get too far into the longer highway segments.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 102.9 miles from Marietta, GA, or about 2h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.3 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 45 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.9 miles or 2h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Metter, 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 205.9 miles and 3h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Marietta, GA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 16 for about 102.3 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 203.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
3.1 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the exit toward I 75 South: Atlanta
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 75 South: Atlanta
6
23.4 mi into trip|~32m 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
88.2 mi into trip|~1h 43m 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
100.4 mi into trip|~1h 57m in
Take the exit toward I 16 East: Jim Gillis Highway, Savannah
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 165
Toward I 16 East: Jim Gillis Highway, Savannah
6
203.8 mi into trip|~3h 48m in
Take the exit toward GA 23, GA 121: Metter, Reidsville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 104
Toward GA 23, GA 121: Metter, Reidsville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.40 one way
$60.80 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$33.41
$66.81
premium
$4.49
$36.41
$72.83
diesel
$4.80
$38.88
$77.76
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.8
0
$21.62
$9.88
Efficient EV
51.5
0
$18.02
$8.24
EV Truck/SUV
82.4
1
$28.83
$13.18
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Marietta, GA
Late night
in Marietta on Sunday
Local time
4:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Partly Cloudy
NW 0 to 5 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 9:23PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 9:22PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Destination
Metter, GA
Late night
in Metter on Sunday
Local time
4:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 5 mph22% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 9:23PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 9:22PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
89°F
Jackson, GA
103 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
1 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
3h 52m 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...
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 106.5
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?
You'll be on highways for about 93% of this 205.9-mile trip. The longest continuous stretch without a significant change in road type is 102.3 miles on I-16. Expect to navigate the urban merging around Atlanta early on, transitioning to more open highway cruising as you head southeast. The final leg into Metter will likely involve fewer exits.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 102.3 mi on I 16.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 16 and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.1 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 205.9 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 3.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.4 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.2 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,124 ft212 ft
Total Climb
145 ft
Total Descent
1,053 ft
Highest Point
1,124 ft
Elevation Range
912 ft
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 Metter, GA, road signs point toward Macon and Savannah.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 52m. Total distance: 205.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 102.3 miles on I 16. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 18 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 Metter, 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.4 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.2 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Metter, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
