Minnesota, GA to Ellijay, GA is 269.7 miles and takes about 5h 16m via I 75 and APD Highway, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Georgia, connecting two points in the Southeast region. The route balances interstate cruising with surface road travel, making it a manageable single-day drive. You'll encounter a mixed driving experience, so plan for varying conditions.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
134.8 miles from Minnesota, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
129.4 mi
2h 23m
Cordele Road
26.4 mi
36m
APD Highway
24.8 mi
30m
Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway
24.2 mi
25m
Larry Justice Highway
15.9 mi
17m
Larry McDonald Memorial Highway
10.5 mi
12m
GA 112
9.8 mi
13m
GA 133
8.8 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 129.4 mi, about 2h 23m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 175 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~5,342 veh/hr typical
· worst 6,272
Quietest
2 AM
~894 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 Ellijay, 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 left at fork onto I 75
23 mi·28 min·I 75
Toward I 75 North: Atlanta, BirminghamUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 75
7.2 mi·8 min·Horace E Tate Freeway
Toward I 75 North: Marietta, ChattanoogaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 75
11 mi·12 min·Larry McDonald Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 575; GA 5
24 mi·25 min·Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway
Exit 268Toward I 575 North, GA 5 North: CantonUse the slight right lane.
21
Continue on I 575; GA 5
6.7 mi·7 min·A P D Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on GA 5; GA 515
25 mi·30 min·APD Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
23
Turn left onto US 76; GA 2
0.1 mi·17 sec·1st Avenue
Use the left lane.
24
At end of road, turn left onto GA 2; GA 52
0.9 mi·2 min·River Street
25
Turn right onto North Church Street
43 ft·1 sec·North Church Street
26
Arrive at destination
North Church Street
Trip Plan
Leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Ellijay without feeling rushed. With a total drive time of just over 5 hours, this route is well-suited for a single-day trip, but you can easily break it up if you prefer a more leisurely pace. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially before heading onto the longer stretch of I 75, as services can be spaced out. The $42 fuel estimate is based on the total mileage, so factor that into your budget.
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 134.8 miles from Minnesota, GA, or about 2h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.4 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 59 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.8 miles or 2h 39m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ellijay, 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 269.7 miles and 5h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 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 129.4 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 47.6 and 213 — 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
8
172.4 mi into trip|~3h 20m 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
195.2 mi into trip|~3h 48m 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
9
213 mi into trip|~4h 9m in|I 575; GA 5 / Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 575; GA 5 / Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway toward I 575 North, GA 5 North: Canton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 268
Toward I 575 North, GA 5 North: Canton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.90 one way
$85.79 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$46.77
$93.55
premium
$4.78
$50.74
$101.49
diesel
$5.35
$56.81
$113.61
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.9
0
$28.32
$12.95
Efficient EV
67.4
0
$23.60
$10.79
EV Truck/SUV
107.9
1
$37.76
$17.26
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Minnesota, GA
Afternoon
in Minnesota on Wednesday
Local time
3:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Ellijay, GA
Afternoon
in Ellijay on Wednesday
Local time
3:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph3% chanceLive forecast
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
8 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
5h 16m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 195.3
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...
7 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 111.6
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 204.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 59% highway, featuring a longest stretch of 129.4 miles on I 75. You'll transition from interstate driving to surface roads, with the highway portion likely ending around the Cordele area. Expect a shift in traffic patterns and exit density as you move from the interstate to APD Highway.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 129.4 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 Effort9/10
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 18 significant decision points across 269.7 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 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,448 ft319 ft
Total Climb
1,345 ft
Total Descent
448 ft
Highest Point
1,448 ft
~250.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,130 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Minnesota, GA and Ellijay, GA, road signs point toward Birmingham and Chattanooga.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 16m. Total distance: 269.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 129.4 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 24 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 Ellijay, 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 24 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 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Ellijay, GA before the return drive.
