Minnesota, GA to Lithonia, GA is 185.1 miles and takes about 3h 47m via I 75, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, traveling entirely within Georgia. It's primarily a highway-focused drive, making it a straightforward journey for a single day. Given the relatively short duration and predictable route, this is a practical option if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without significant detours or overnight stays.
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
92.5 miles from Minnesota, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
95.8 mi
1h 42m
Cordele Road
26.4 mi
36m
Larry Justice Highway
15.9 mi
17m
GA 112
9.8 mi
13m
Highway 155 North
9.7 mi
13m
GA 133
8.8 mi
10m
Klondike Road
5.9 mi
11m
GA 155
2.9 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 95.8 mi, about 1h 42m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 30 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~2,622 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,579
Quietest
2 AM
~443 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
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 Lithonia, 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
39 mi·41 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 216Toward GA 155: McDonough, GriffinUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
162 ft·10 sec
Toward GA 155 North: McDonough, Southern Belle FarmUse the left lane.
19
Turn left onto GA 155
0.3 mi·24 sec·McDonough Road
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on GA 155
2.9 mi·4 min·GA 155
Use the left lane.
21
Turn left onto GA 20; GA 81; GA 155
0.2 mi·25 sec·John Frank Ward Boulevard
Use the left lane.
22
Turn right onto GA 155
0.3 mi·35 sec·Sims Street
23
Continue on GA 155
9.7 mi·13 min·Highway 155 North
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Turn right onto GA 138
0.8 mi·1 min·Steam Mill Expressway
Use the right lane.
25
Enter roundabout onto Union Church Road
210 ft·2 sec·Union Church Road
26
Continue on Union Church Road
2.7 mi·4 min·Union Church Road
27
At end of road, turn right onto Flat Bridge Road Southwest
212 ft·4 sec·Flat Bridge Road Southwest
28
Continue on Klondike Road
3.5 mi·6 min·Klondike Road
29
Enter roundabout onto Klondike Road
121 ft·3 sec·Klondike Road
30
Continue on Klondike Road
2.4 mi·5 min·Klondike Road
31
At end of road, turn right onto Main Street
0.4 mi·51 sec·Main Street
32
Arrive at destination
Rock Chapel Road
Trip Plan
For this 1-day trip covering 185.1 miles, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Aiming to leave after morning rush hour, perhaps around 9:30 AM, should allow you to comfortably reach Lithonia, GA within the estimated 3h 47m drive time. With a fuel cost estimated at $29, it's wise to ensure you have a full tank before departing Minnesota, GA, as the longest stretch without a significant change in road type is nearly 96 miles. The single stop suggested is likely a good point to take a break or refuel, especially before transitioning off the main highway.
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 92.5 miles from Minnesota, GA, or about 1h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 95.8 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 41 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.5 miles or 1h 54m 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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lithonia, 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 185.1 miles and 3h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 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 95.8 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 161.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|CR 494 / Funston Doerun Road
Turn sharp left onto CR 494 / Funston Doerun Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
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
161.6 mi into trip|~3h 8m in
Take the exit toward GA 155: McDonough, Griffin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 216
Toward GA 155: McDonough, Griffin
9
161.9 mi into trip|~3h 8m in
Keep slight left at fork toward GA 155 North: McDonough, Southern Belle Farm
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward GA 155 North: McDonough, Southern Belle...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.44 one way
$58.88 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg65 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$32.10
$64.20
premium
$4.78
$34.83
$69.65
diesel
$5.35
$38.99
$77.98
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: 64.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
55.5
0
$19.44
$8.88
Efficient EV
46.3
0
$16.20
$7.40
EV Truck/SUV
74
0
$25.91
$11.85
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 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 Jun 2, 2026
Origin
Minnesota, GA
Afternoon
in Minnesota on Wednesday
Local time
3:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Lithonia, GA
Afternoon
in Lithonia on Wednesday
Local time
3:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers
NW 0 to 5 mph44% 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
3 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 47m 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.
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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 108.5
Caution: River Trail periodically closed under I-16
Park Closure: BOARDWALK CLOSED along the River Trail
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...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 185.1
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,...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
$5
near mile 185.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive leans heavily towards highway travel, with 70% of the route on major roads like I 75. You'll experience a significant stretch of uninterrupted driving, with the longest segment covering 95.8 miles on I 75. While the profile is highway-focused, expect some transitions onto local roads like Cordele Road and Larry Justice Highway as you approach your destination. This mix means you'll encounter both faster-paced interstate driving and potentially slower sections on the latter part of the journey.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 95.8 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 early in the drive near CR 494 / Funston Doerun Road.
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 22 significant decision points across 185.1 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: near the start (CR 494 / Funston Doerun Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
930 ft295 ft
Total Climb
731 ft
Total Descent
187 ft
Highest Point
930 ft
~185.1 mi in
Elevation Range
635 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 Lithonia, GA, road signs point toward Griffin and Southern Belle Farm.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 47m. Total distance: 185.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 47m 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 95.8 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 22 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 Lithonia, 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 22 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CR 494 / Funston Doerun Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; 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.
Yes — Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, Martin Luther King, Jr. 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 Lithonia, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
