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Trip from Milton, GA to Smyrna, GA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h

Distance

90.6 mi

146 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min
4 AM
1h 52m ★
6 AM
2h 1m
8 AM
2h 18m
10 AM
2h 7m
12 PM
2h 5m
3 PM
2h 7m
5 PM
2h 17m
8 PM
1h 55m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Milton, GA, GA

Milton, GA

Michael Hall

Downtown Smyrna, GA, GA

Smyrna, GA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 90.6-mile trip from Milton, Georgia, to Smyrna, Georgia, is a manageable 2-hour drive, perfect for a single-day excursion. You'll navigate a mix of roads, including the Purple Heart Highway and the Atlanta Bypass, with about 11% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this local drive is around $14, and with no designated stops, you have the flexibility to take breaks as needed. Given its relatively short duration and straightforward nature, this route is well-suited for a single-day adventure within the Southeast region.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

45.3 miles from Milton, GA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 6m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Purple Heart Highway 43.7 mi 46m
Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter 15.1 mi 17m
Turner McDonald Parkway 9.1 mi 10m
Greensboro Road 3 mi 4m
Hopewell Road 2.7 mi 6m
South Main Street 2.7 mi 5m
Covington Highway 1.8 mi 2m
Wesley Chapel Road 1.7 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Purple Heart Highway — 43.7 mi, about 46m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Milton, GA and Smyrna, 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 South Use 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, Greenville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Continue on US 19

0.7 mi · 53 sec · US 19
Exit 4A; 4B Toward I 285 East, I 285 West: Greenville, Augusta, Chattanooga, Birmingham
15

Keep slight left at fork

1.1 mi · 2 min
Exit 4A Toward I 285 East: Greenville, Augusta Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 285 East: Greenville, Augusta Use 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 43 Toward US 278: Covington Highway Use 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 East Use the left lane.
22

Merge onto I 20

44 mi · 46 min · Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 54 sec
Exit 113 Toward GA 83: Madison, Monticello Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Turn left onto GA 83

1.5 mi · 2 min · Monticello Highway
25

Turn slight right onto GA 83

0.4 mi · 37 sec · GA 83
26

Keep slight left at fork onto US 278; GA 12; GA 83

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Main Street
27

Turn left onto US 129; US 278; US 441; GA 12; GA 24; GA 83

157 ft · 3 sec · Eatonton Road
28

Turn straight onto US 129; US 278; US 441; GA 12; GA 24; GA 83

2.2 mi · 4 min · South Main Street
29

Continue on US 278; GA 12

3.0 mi · 4 min · Greensboro Road
30

Turn right onto Buckhead Road

103 ft · 2 sec · Buckhead Road
31

Arrive at destination

Buckhead Road

Trip Plan

For this 2-hour drive, starting early can help you avoid potential local traffic, especially as you approach the Atlanta area. Since there are no mandatory stops, you can easily build in short breaks for fuel or refreshments as you see fit. The $14 fuel cost estimate is a good baseline, but it's always wise to have a little extra. Keep an eye out for the transitions between the Purple Heart Highway and the Atlanta Bypass, as these can be points where you'll need to adjust your navigation and driving style.

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 45.3 miles from Milton, GA, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.7 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 20 miles or 35m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 45.3 miles or 1h 6m 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 37m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Smyrna, 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 90.6 miles and 2h.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Milton, GA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Purple Heart Highway for about 43.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in and county seat of DeKalb County, Georgia, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Decatur, GA

45 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

Dunwoody, GA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lilburn, GA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 45.3 miles from Milton, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Coffee Stop

Mozart Bakery

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Atlanta, Georgia

Early in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 25.9

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+17709868802

Visit website

Choice Coffee Co

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Chamblee, Georgia

2.5 mi

Starbucks

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour Moderately mile 25.9

Norcross, Georgia

Hours: 5 am–6 pm

+17707340364

Visit website

Mozart Bakery

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 25.9

Atlanta, Georgia

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+17709868802

Visit website

Choice Coffee Co

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 19.4

Chamblee, Georgia

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+16784045434

Visit website

The Creek Café + Gelato

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 6.5

Alpharetta, Georgia

Hours: 12–10 pm

+17705593635

Visit website

Georgia Safari Conservation Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 84.1

Madison, Georgia

+17063424296

Visit website

Mastermind Escape Games Atlanta

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 19.4

Atlanta, Georgia

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+14044803852

Visit website

Sloomoo Institute - Atlanta

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 19.4

Atlanta, Georgia

Hours: 11 am–5 pm

+18779175463

Visit website

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 16.6 and 82.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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
8
82.6 mi into trip | ~1h 46m in

Take the exit toward GA 83: Madison, Monticello

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 113 Toward GA 83: Madison, Monticello

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$14.17 one way

$28.34 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 32 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $15.49 $30.98
premium $4.70 $16.77 $33.54
diesel $5.61 $20.00 $40.01

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$14

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 31.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 27.2 0 $9.51 $4.35
Efficient EV 22.7 0 $7.93 $3.62
EV Truck/SUV 36.2 0 $12.68 $5.80

Gas CO2

32 kg

EV CO2

11 kg (66% 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 16, 2026

Origin

Milton, GA

Late night in Milton on Sunday

Local time

3:48 AM

EDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Smyrna, GA

Late night in Smyrna on Sunday

Local time

3:48 AM

EDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

52°F

Decatur, GA

45 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

7 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 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

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 12.5
Park Closure: Island Ford Trail Closures Winter 2025-2026
Park Closure: Restrooms and Water Fountains Unavailable at Powers Island and Akers Mill
View on nps.gov
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park

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...

8 mi from route ~19 min detour Free near mile 31.2
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' with a "turn-heavy local drive" profile. While 11% of the route utilizes highway segments, the majority of your time will be spent on local roads. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 43.7 miles along the Purple Heart Highway, offering a more uninterrupted experience before you transition back to more varied road conditions. This suggests a driving experience that requires consistent attention to turns and speed adjustments rather than a monotonous interstate cruise.

Only 11% 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: 43.7 mi on Purple Heart 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 16.6 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 23 significant decision points across 90.6 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 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; at 19.1 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 Smyrna, GA, road signs point toward Greenville, Augusta, Chattanooga, Birmingham and Monticello.

Greenville

16.6 mi in | ~29m

Augusta

17.4 mi in | ~30m | via US 19

Chattanooga

17.4 mi in | ~30m | via US 19

Birmingham

17.4 mi in | ~30m | via US 19

Monticello

82.6 mi in | ~1h 46m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h. Total distance: 90.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 43.7 miles on Purple Heart Highway. 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 Smyrna, 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 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; at 19.1 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.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Smyrna, 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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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