Origin
McRae, GA
Late night in McRae on Sunday
Local time
2:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from McRae, GA to Marietta, GA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 35m
Distance
183.2 mi
295 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 23m
★
6 AM
3h 36m
8 AM
4h 1m
10 AM
3h 45m
12 PM
3h 42m
3 PM
3h 46m
5 PM
3h 59m
8 PM
3h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
McRae, GA
𝓢𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓮 𝓦𝓮𝓼𝓽 ™
Trip Overview
McRae to Marietta is 183.2 miles and takes about 3h 35m via I 75 and Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Georgia, connecting the Southeast region from one point to another. It's a straightforward, mostly highway journey, making it ideal for a single-day trip without much fuss. Plan for a quick and efficient drive that gets you to your destination with minimal detours.
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
91.6 miles from McRae, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 49m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 84.9 mi | 1h 35m |
| Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway | 49.7 mi | 53m |
| US 319 | 28.7 mi | 39m |
| Horace E Tate Freeway | 7.2 mi | 8m |
| Larry McDonald Memorial Highway | 7 mi | 8m |
| North Marietta Parkway | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| South 3rd Avenue | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Fall Line Freeway | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 84.9 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between McRae, GA and Marietta, GA.
1
Start on US 23; US 341; GA 27
336 ft
·
13 sec
·
East Oak Street
2
Turn left onto South 2nd Avenue
273 ft
·
17 sec
·
South 2nd Avenue
3
Turn left onto US 23; US 341; GA 27
430 ft
·
14 sec
·
Railroad Street
4
Turn right onto US 280; US 319; US 441; GA 30; GA 31
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
South 3rd Avenue
Use the right lane.
5
Turn left onto US 319; US 441; GA 31
28 mi
·
38 min
·
US 319; US 441; GA 31
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on US 319; US 441; GA 31; GA 117
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
US 319; US 441; GA 31; GA 117
Use the straight lane.
7
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward I-16 West: Macon
8
Merge onto I 16
50 mi
·
53 min
·
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
9
Continue on I 16; GA 540
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
·
Fall Line Freeway
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
42 sec
Toward I 75 North: Atlanta
Use the straight / left lanes.
11
Merge onto I 75
62 mi
·
1 hr 7 min
·
I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
23 mi
·
28 min
·
I 75
Toward I 75 North: Atlanta, Birmingham
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, Chattanooga
Use 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 265
Toward GA 120 Alternate: North Marietta Parkway
Use 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 short 3h 35m duration, this trip is easily completed in one day. Leaving in the morning will give you plenty of time to reach Marietta before evening. You'll encounter only one recommended stop, so you can decide on the fly if you need to stretch your legs or refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before entering longer stretches; the $29 fuel cost is an estimate, and prices can vary. Since the drive is brief, you have the flexibility to depart later if needed.
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 91.6 miles from McRae, GA, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.9 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 40 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 91.6 miles or 1h 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 53m
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 McRae, 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 McRae, GA
This is one driving day of about 183.2 miles and 3h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from McRae, 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 75 for about 84.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
92 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 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 91.6 miles from McRae, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 84.9 miles.
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 135 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 180.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 280; US 319; US 441; GA 30; GA 31 / South 3rd Avenue
Turn right onto US 280; US 319; US 441; GA 30; GA 31 / South 3rd Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
81 mi into trip
|
~1h 37m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 75 North: Atlanta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward I 75 North: Atlanta
8
143.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m in
|
I 75
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 75 North: Atlanta, Birmingham
8
166.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 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
180.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 30m 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
$28.65 one way
$57.30 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
64 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $31.32 | $62.65 |
| premium | $4.70 | $33.91 | $67.81 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $40.45 | $80.90 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55 | 0 | $19.24 | $8.79 |
| Efficient EV | 45.8 | 0 | $16.03 | $7.33 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 73.3 | 0 | $25.65 | $11.72 |
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
21 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
Marietta, GA
Late night in Marietta on Sunday
Local time
2:01 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Jackson, GA
92 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
27 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
3h 35m 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.
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...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 164.3
View on nps.gov
Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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 75.8
View on nps.gov
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
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,...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
$5
near mile 176.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is heavily highway-focused, with 94% of the drive on major roads. Expect long stretches of consistent speed, including an uninterrupted 84.9 miles on I 75. The character of the drive is predominantly that of a fast-paced interstate journey, with brief transitions onto local roads. It’s designed for efficiency, so you'll likely experience more of a straightforward travel feel than winding scenic byways.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84.9 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 280; US 319; US 441; GA 30; GA 31 / South 3rd Avenue.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 183.2 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 0.2 miles (US 280; US 319; US 441; GA 30; GA 31 / South 3rd Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 81 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 143.5 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between McRae, GA and Marietta, GA, road signs point toward Birmingham and Chattanooga.
Birmingham
143.5 mi in
|
~2h 45m
|
via I 75
Chattanooga
166.4 mi in
|
~3h 13m
|
via I 75
About the Cities
Arriving in Marietta, GA
Full guide →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.
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 3h 35m. Total distance: 183.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 84.9 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 280; US 319; US 441; GA 30; GA 31 / South 3rd Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 81 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 143.5 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 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Marietta, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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