Milton, GA to Augusta, GA is 174.9 miles and takes about 3h 28m via Carl Sanders Highway, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Georgia, traversing the Southeast region on a route that involves frequent turns. With a drive time under four hours and a straightforward fuel cost, this journey is well-suited for a single day. It offers a practical way to get from your starting point to Augusta without requiring an overnight stay.
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
87.5 miles from Milton, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Carl Sanders Highway
84.9 mi
1h 30m
Purple Heart Highway
45.2 mi
48m
Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
15.1 mi
17m
Turner McDonald Parkway
9.1 mi
10m
Hopewell Road
2.7 mi
6m
Calhoun Expressway
2.7 mi
3m
Washington Road
2.4 mi
4m
Covington Highway
1.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Carl Sanders Highway
— 84.9 mi, about 1h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Milton, GA and Augusta, GA.
1
Start on Scotlandwell Place
0.4 mi·1 min·Scotlandwell Place
2
At end of road, turn left onto South Thompson Road
0.8 mi·3 min·South Thompson Road
3
At end of road, turn left onto Redd Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Redd Road
4
At end of road, turn right onto Hopewell Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Hopewell Road
5
Enter roundabout onto Hopewell Road
93 ft·2 sec·Hopewell Road
6
Continue on Hopewell Road
2.0 mi·4 min·Hopewell Road
7
Turn left onto Canton Street
399 ft·14 sec·Canton Street
8
Turn right onto GA 9
1.2 mi·2 min·North Main Street
9
Turn left onto GA 120
0.2 mi·24 sec·Old Milton Parkway
Use the left lane.
10
Turn right onto Haynes Bridge Road
1.1 mi·1 min·Haynes Bridge Road
11
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward US 19 South, GA 400 SouthUse the right lane.
12
Merge onto US 19; GA 400
9.1 mi·10 min·Turner McDonald Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 285: Chattanooga, GreenvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on US 19
0.7 mi·53 sec·US 19
Exit 4A; 4BToward I 285 East, I 285 West: Greenville, Augusta, Chattanooga, Birmingham
15
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi·2 min
Exit 4AToward I 285 East: Greenville, AugustaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 285 East: Greenville, AugustaUse the slight left lane.
17
Merge onto I 285
15 mi·17 min·Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 43Toward US 278: Covington HighwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn left onto US 278; GA 12
1.8 mi·2 min·Covington Highway
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn right onto Wesley Chapel Road
1.7 mi·2 min·Wesley Chapel Road
Use the right lane.
21
Turn left
0.4 mi·59 sec
Toward I 20 EastUse the left lane.
22
Merge onto I 20
45 mi·48 min·Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 20
85 mi·1 hr 30 min·Carl Sanders Highway
Use the straight lane.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 199Toward GA 28: Augusta
25
Keep slight right at fork
481 ft·11 sec
26
Turn straight onto GA 28
2.4 mi·4 min·Washington Road
27
Turn straight onto GA 28
2.7 mi·3 min·Calhoun Expressway
28
Continue on GA 28
0.1 mi·13 sec·Greene Street
29
Turn right onto 11th Street
0.4 mi·44 sec·11th Street
30
Turn right onto Walton Way
225 ft·3 sec·Walton Way
31
Arrive at destination
Walton Way
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 28m duration and a single recommended stop, this route is easily manageable in one day. Aim to depart Milton, GA in the morning to give yourself ample time for the 174.9 miles and any brief pauses. The fuel cost is estimated at $27, so ensure your tank is full before leaving, though you will likely have ample opportunity to refuel along the way. Pay close attention to navigation, as the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile means you'll be making frequent turns.
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 87.5 miles from Milton, GA, or about 1h 51m 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 38 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.5 miles or 1h 51m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Augusta, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Milton, 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 Milton, GA
This is one driving day of about 174.9 miles and 3h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Milton, 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 Carl Sanders Highway for about 84.9 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.1 and 34.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
7.1 mi into trip|~17m in
Take the ramp toward US 19 South, GA 400 South
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward US 19 South, GA 400 South
7
16.6 mi into trip|~29m in
Take the exit toward I 285: Chattanooga, Greenville
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.
Toward I 285: Chattanooga, Greenville
9
18 mi into trip|~31m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 285 East: Greenville, Augusta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 4A
Toward I 285 East: Greenville, Augusta
8
19.1 mi into trip|~33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 285 East: Greenville, Augusta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 285 East: Greenville, Augusta
7
34.8 mi into trip|~52m in
Take the exit toward US 278: Covington Highway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 43
Toward US 278: Covington Highway
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.35 one way
$54.70 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$29.91
$59.81
premium
$4.70
$32.37
$64.74
diesel
$5.61
$38.62
$77.23
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.5
0
$18.36
$8.40
Efficient EV
43.7
0
$15.30
$7.00
EV Truck/SUV
70
0
$24.49
$11.19
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Milton, GA
Late night
in Milton on Tuesday
Local time
4:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Augusta, GA
Late night
in Augusta on Tuesday
Local time
4:06 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
82°F
Covington, GA
87 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
6 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 28m 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.
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,...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
$5
near mile 12.2
Park Closure: Island Ford Trail Closures Winter 2025-2026
Park Closure: Restrooms and Water Fountains Unavailable at Powers Island and Akers Mill
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...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 30.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive presents a turn-heavy local feel for much of its 174.9 miles, with only about 7% of the journey on highways. You'll spend the majority of your time navigating local roads, so be prepared for frequent adjustments. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 84.9 miles along the Carl Sanders Highway. This profile suggests a route that moves at a more moderate pace, weaving through communities rather than offering a high-speed interstate experience.
Only 7% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84.9 mi on Carl Sanders Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 7.1 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 23 significant decision points across 174.9 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 7.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18 miles: 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.
Between Milton, GA and Augusta, GA, road signs point toward Greenville, Chattanooga and Birmingham.
Augusta is a city in Georgia's Classic Heartland. Due to its location inland on the Savannah River, Augusta was a city of major strategic importance by the end of the Civil War. It was spared most of the destruction of many other southern cities, so there are many old buildings and landmarks. Augusta is also home to the Augusta National Golf Club, one of the world's most prestigious and exclusive golf clubs, which plays host to the Masters golf tournament.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 28m. Total distance: 174.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 84.9 miles on Carl Sanders Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 15 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 Augusta, 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 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 7.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Augusta, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
