Minnesota, GA to Clarkston, GA is 195.9 miles and takes about 3h 49m via I 75 and Cordele Road, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, making it a straightforward drive within Georgia. With a highway share of 70%, you'll spend most of your time on major roadways, which usually means fewer traffic lights and more consistent speeds. This route is designed for a single day of travel, so you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations.
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
97.9 miles from Minnesota, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
106.6 mi
1h 54m
Cordele Road
26.4 mi
36m
Larry Justice Highway
15.9 mi
17m
Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
11.8 mi
13m
Terrell Starr Parkway
10.1 mi
11m
GA 112
9.8 mi
13m
GA 133
8.8 mi
10m
GA 300
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 106.6 mi, about 1h 54m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 42 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~3,427 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,339
Quietest
2 AM
~569 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6×
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 Minnesota, GA and Clarkston, GA.
1
Start on South Fain Street
26 ft·8 sec·South Fain Street
2
Turn sharp left onto CR 494
0.2 mi·23 sec·Funston Doerun Road
3
Merge onto GA 133
8.8 mi·10 min·GA 133
4
Turn right
192 ft·3 sec
5
Turn straight onto GA 112
9.8 mi·13 min·GA 112
6
Turn right onto East Pine Street
0.1 mi·25 sec·East Pine Street
7
Turn left onto GA 33
1.2 mi·2 min·South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on GA 33; GA 112
0.1 mi·14 sec·Ashburn Highway
9
Turn left onto GA 33
26 mi·36 min·Cordele Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
10
Turn left onto US 41; GA 7
0.9 mi·1 min·US 41; GA 7
Use the left lane.
11
Turn left
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward GA 300 NorthUse the left lane.
12
Merge onto GA 300
1.6 mi·2 min·GA 300
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn left
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I-75 North: MaconUse the left lane.
14
Merge onto I 75
57 mi·1 hr 1 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 475
16 mi·17 min·Larry Justice Highway
Exit 156Toward I 475 North: AtlantaUse the slight left lane.
16
Merge onto I 75
49 mi·53 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 675
10 mi·11 min·Terrell Starr Parkway
Exit 227Toward I 675 North: Augusta, GreenvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 285 East: Augusta, GreenvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 285
12 mi·13 min·Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 40Toward Church Street, ClarkstonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn right onto Church Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·Church Street
Use the left / right lanes.
22
Turn left onto Mell Avenue
143 ft·7 sec·Mell Avenue
23
Turn right onto East Ponce de Leon Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·East Ponce de Leon Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Turn right onto Market Street
54 ft·2 sec·Market Street
25
Arrive at destination
Market Street
Trip Plan
For this 195.9-mile drive, leaving in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and take advantage of the 3h 49m estimated duration. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $30, you have flexibility in your pacing. Pay attention as you approach the end of the 106.6-mile stretch on I 75, as this is where the character of the drive changes to surface roads. Consider topping off your fuel tank before departing Minnesota, GA, as highway services can sometimes be spaced further apart than you might expect.
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 97.9 miles from Minnesota, GA, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106.6 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 43 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97.9 miles or 1h 59m 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clarkston, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Minnesota, 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 Minnesota, GA
This is one driving day of about 195.9 miles and 3h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Minnesota, 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 106.6 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 47.6 and 194.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
47.6 mi into trip|~1h 4m in
Turn left toward GA 300 North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward GA 300 North
8
107 mi into trip|~2h 9m in|I 475 / Larry Justice Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 475 / Larry Justice Highway toward I 475 North: Atlanta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 156
Toward I 475 North: Atlanta
9
172.4 mi into trip|~3h 20m in|I 675 / Terrell Starr Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 675 / Terrell Starr Parkway toward I 675 North: Augusta, Greenville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 227
Toward I 675 North: Augusta, Greenville
8
182.5 mi into trip|~3h 32m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 285 East: Augusta, Greenville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 285 East: Augusta, Greenville
8
194.9 mi into trip|~3h 46m in
Take the exit toward Church Street, Clarkston
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 40
Toward Church Street, Clarkston
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.16 one way
$62.32 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg69 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$33.97
$67.95
premium
$4.78
$36.86
$73.72
diesel
$5.35
$41.26
$82.52
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
58.8
0
$20.57
$9.40
Efficient EV
49
0
$17.14
$7.84
EV Truck/SUV
78.4
0
$27.43
$12.54
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 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 May 31, 2026
Origin
Minnesota, GA
Afternoon
in Minnesota on Wednesday
Local time
3:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 0 to 5 mph77% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 31 at 6:24PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Clarkston, GA
Afternoon
in Clarkston on Wednesday
Local time
3:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
E 0 to 10 mph39% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 31 at 6:24PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
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 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 49m 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...
7 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 182.4
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...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 108.1
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,...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
$5
near mile 195.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll encounter 70% highway driving on this route, with the longest stretch of continuous highway covering 106.6 miles on I 75. After this main highway section, expect to transition to surface roads like Cordele Road and Larry Justice Highway. The prevalence of I 75 means you'll likely experience a good number of exits in certain stretches, indicating areas with more services and activity.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 106.6 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Cordele Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 47.6 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 20 significant decision points across 195.9 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 47.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 107 miles (I 475 / Larry Justice Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 172.4 miles (I 675 / Terrell Starr Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,014 ft326 ft
Total Climb
776 ft
Total Descent
147 ft
Highest Point
1,014 ft
~195.9 mi in
Elevation Range
688 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Minnesota, GA to Clarkston, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Greenville along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 49m. Total distance: 195.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 106.6 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 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 Clarkston, 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 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 47.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 107 miles (I 475 / Larry Justice Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 172.4 miles (I 675 / Terrell Starr Parkway): 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 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Clarkston, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
