Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 11m
Distance
51.8 mi
83 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
McDonough, GA
Wikimedia Commons
Roswell, GA
Wikimedia Commons
If you are planning a trip from McDonough to Roswell, you are looking at a straightforward 51.8-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 11 minutes. Because this drive is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. You should budget approximately $8 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Southeast Georgia locations. Staying entirely within the state, you will rely primarily on I-75, the T Harvey Mathis Parkway, and the Turner McDonald Parkway to reach your destination. It is a highly practical transit route that prioritizes efficiency over sightseeing, making it an ideal choice if you need to get from point A to point B without unnecessary delays.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 28.8 mi | 35m |
| T Harvey Mathis Parkway | 7.1 mi | 8m |
| Turner McDonald Parkway | 5 mi | 6m |
| Jonesboro Road | 3.2 mi | 5m |
| Northeast Expressway | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| Roswell Road | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Dunwoody Place | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| North Atlanta Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between McDonough, GA and Roswell, GA.
Start on US 23; GA 20; GA 42; GA 81
Turn left onto GA 20; GA 81
Turn left onto US 23; GA 42
Turn left onto GA 20; GA 81
Continue on GA 20; GA 81
Enter roundabout onto Jonesboro Road
Continue on Jonesboro Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85
Keep slight right at fork onto GA 400
Continue on GA 400
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn right onto Dunwoody Place
Turn right onto GA 9
Continue on GA 9; GA 120
Keep slight left at fork onto GA 9; GA 120
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
26 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.
A short stop after about 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 25.9 miles from McDonough, 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 48.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto GA 20; GA 81 / Keys Ferry Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto GA 20; GA 81 / John Frank Ward Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward I 75 North: Atlanta, Birmingham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto GA 400 / T Harvey Mathis Parkway toward GA 400 North: Buckhead, Cumming
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward Dunwoody Place
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$8.10 one way
$16.20 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $8.86 | $17.71 |
| premium | $4.70 | $9.59 | $19.17 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.44 | $22.87 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.5 | 0 | $5.44 | $2.49 |
| Efficient EV | 13 | 0 | $4.53 | $2.07 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 20.7 | 0 | $7.25 | $3.32 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in McDonough on Tuesday
Local time
6:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Morning in Roswell on Tuesday
Local time
6:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a very highway-focused experience, as 84% of this 51.8-mile route consists of high-speed transit. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating major arteries, with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 28.8 miles specifically on I-75. The road personality here is functional and fast-paced, shifting from interstate travel onto the T Harvey Mathis and Turner McDonald Parkways as you approach Roswell. While you won't find winding backroads here, the transition between these major thoroughfares keeps the drive moving steadily. Prepare for a consistent, monotonous grind that demands steady attention to highway traffic rather than technical maneuvering.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and T Harvey Mathis Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near GA 20; GA 81 / Keys Ferry Street.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 51.8 miles you will encounter 15 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: near the start (GA 20; GA 81 / Keys Ferry Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.1 miles (GA 20; GA 81 / John Frank Ward Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.3 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between McDonough, GA and Roswell, GA, road signs point toward Birmingham and Cumming.
Birmingham
Cumming
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 11m. Total distance: 51.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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