This 105.5-mile drive from Nicholson, GA to Macon, GA is a manageable 2-hour and 26-minute journey, making it an excellent candidate for a single-day trip. The route primarily utilizes local roads like Gray Road Southwest and Macon Highway, with a 16% share of highway driving, suggesting a less intensive travel experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $17, this trip is budget-friendly. Given its relatively short duration and turn-heavy profile, you can expect a local feel as you traverse through the Southeast region of Georgia, arriving in Macon without needing an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.7 miles from Nicholson, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Gray Road Southwest
21.2 mi
29m
US 129
16.6 mi
22m
Macon Highway
13.4 mi
19m
Gray Highway
10.5 mi
13m
Commerce Road
9.5 mi
11m
Athens Highway
7.8 mi
10m
Inner Loop 10
5.1 mi
6m
Gray Bypass
5.1 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Gray Road Southwest
— 21.2 mi, about 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nicholson, GA and Macon, GA.
1
Start on Church Street
34 ft·8 sec·Church Street
2
Turn left onto Sanford Drive
77 ft·5 sec·Sanford Drive
3
Turn left onto Broad Street
0.1 mi·17 sec·Broad Street
4
Turn right onto Mulberry Street
393 ft·18 sec·Mulberry Street
5
Turn left onto US 441; GA 15
1.1 mi·1 min·Main Street
6
Continue on US 441; GA 15
9.5 mi·11 min·Commerce Road
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward US 129, US 441, GA 10 Loop, GA 15Use the left lane.
8
Continue on US 129; US 441; GA 10 Loop; GA 15
0.2 mi·11 sec·GA Inner Loop 10
9
Continue on US 129; US 441; GA 10 Loop; GA 15
0.9 mi·1 min·Inner Loop 10
10
Take the exit onto US 129; US 441; 10 Loop; 15
4.3 mi·5 min·Inner Loop 10
Exit 10CToward US 129 South, US 441 South, GA 10 Loop Inner: Watkinsville, LexingtonUse the slight right lane.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 6Toward GA 15 Alternate North: Milledge AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
156 ft·5 sec
13
Continue on Macon Highway
1.7 mi·2 min·Macon Highway
14
Continue on White Oak Drive
0.2 mi·24 sec·White Oak Drive
Use the straight / left lanes.
15
Turn left onto US 129; US 441; GA 15
2.1 mi·3 min·Macon Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Continue on US 129; US 441; GA 24
2.6 mi·3 min·Watkinsville Bypass
17
Continue on US 129; US 441; GA 24
9.6 mi·13 min·Macon Highway
18
Continue on US 129; US 441; GA 24
7.8 mi·10 min·Athens Highway
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on US 129 Bypass; US 441 Bypass; GA 24 Bypass
2.6 mi·3 min·Madison Bypass
20
Turn left onto Bethany Road
3.7 mi·5 min·Bethany Road
21
Keep slight right at fork onto Bethany Church Road
2.6 mi·3 min·Bethany Church Road
22
Turn right onto Seven Islands Road
1.1 mi·1 min·Seven Islands Road
23
Turn left onto US 129; US 441; GA 24
17 mi·22 min·US 129; US 441; GA 24
24
Take the exit onto US 129
247 ft·7 sec·US 129
Toward US 129 South, GA 44 South: Gray, MaconUse the right lane.
25
Merge onto US 129; GA 44
0.2 mi·15 sec·Gray Highway
26
Continue on US 129; GA 44
21 mi·29 min·Gray Road Southwest
27
Enter roundabout onto US 129; GA 22
50 ft·0 sec·Gray Bypass
28
Continue on US 129; GA 22
5.1 mi·6 min·Gray Bypass
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Turn right onto US 129; GA 11; GA 22
10 mi·13 min·Gray Highway
Use the right lane.
30
Turn slight left onto US 129 Alternate; GA 22
1.0 mi·2 min·2nd Street
Use the left lane.
31
Turn right onto Mulberry Street
0.3 mi·58 sec·Mulberry Street
32
Arrive at destination
Mulberry Street
Trip Plan
With a total duration of just under 2.5 hours, this 105.5-mile trip offers plenty of flexibility. You can easily depart Nicholson, GA at your leisure, perhaps in the mid-morning, to arrive in Macon, GA by early afternoon. Since there are no specified stops, consider pacing yourself with a brief break around the halfway point, especially given the turn-heavy nature of the drive. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, with an estimated cost of $17, and be prepared for frequent turns as you navigate Gray Road Southwest and US 129.
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 52.7 miles from Nicholson, GA, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.2 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 23 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.7 miles or 1h 13m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Macon, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Nicholson, 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 Nicholson, GA
This is one driving day of about 105.5 miles and 2h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Nicholson, GA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Gray Road Southwest for about 21.2 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 10.8 and 93.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
10.8 mi into trip|~14m in
Take the exit toward US 129, US 441, GA 10 Loop, GA 15
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 129, US 441, GA 10 Loop, GA 15
8
12 mi into trip|~16m in|US 129; US 441; 10 Loop; 15 / Inner Loop 10
Take the exit onto US 129; US 441; 10 Loop; 15 / Inner Loop 10 toward US 129 South, US 441 South, GA 10 Loop Inner: Watkinsville, Lexington
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 10C
Toward US 129 South, US 441 South, GA 10 Loop I...
7
16.3 mi into trip|~21m in
Take the exit toward GA 15 Alternate North: Milledge Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 6
Toward GA 15 Alternate North: Milledge Avenue
7
67.2 mi into trip|~1h 33m in|US 129
Take the exit onto US 129 toward US 129 South, GA 44 South: Gray, Macon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward US 129 South, GA 44 South: Gray, Macon
6
93.8 mi into trip|~2h 9m in|US 129; GA 11; GA 22 / Gray Highway
Turn right onto US 129; GA 11; GA 22 / Gray Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.50 one way
$33.00 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg37 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$18.04
$36.08
premium
$4.70
$19.53
$39.05
diesel
$5.61
$23.29
$46.59
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
31.7
0
$11.08
$5.06
Efficient EV
26.4
0
$9.23
$4.22
EV Truck/SUV
42.2
0
$14.77
$6.75
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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
Nicholson, GA
Late night
in Nicholson on Sunday
Local time
12:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Macon, GA
Late night
in Macon on Sunday
Local time
12:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Sunny
SW 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
52°F
Madison, GA
53 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
14 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
2h 26m 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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 105.5
Caution: River Trail periodically closed under I-16
Park Closure: BOARDWALK CLOSED along the River Trail
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for most of this 105.5-mile route. While 16% of the journey involves highway driving, the bulk of your time will be spent on roads like Gray Road Southwest and Macon Highway, interspersed with other local connectors. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 21.2 miles on Gray Road Southwest, offering a brief period of more consistent travel before the route becomes more varied. This profile means you'll be actively navigating, making it less of a monotonous highway cruise and more of an engaging local exploration.
Only 16% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 21.2 mi on Gray Road Southwest.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 10.8 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 105.5 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 10.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12 miles (US 129; US 441; 10 Loop; 15 / Inner Loop 10): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Nicholson, GA to Macon, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Lexington along the way.
Lexington
12 mi in|~16m|via US 129; US 441; 10 Loop; 15
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 26m. Total distance: 105.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 21.2 miles on Gray Road Southwest. 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 Macon, 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 10.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12 miles (US 129; US 441; 10 Loop; 15 / Inner Loop 10): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Ocmulgee Mounds 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 Macon, GA before heading back.
