Traveling from Norcross to Macon covers 101.3 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 42 minutes. Because this is a relatively short distance, you can easily complete the entire trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $16 on fuel for the journey through this corner of the Southeast. Since the route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, you should prepare for a drive that prioritizes navigation over speed. It is a straightforward trip that serves as a practical connection between two distinct Georgia hubs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.6 miles from Norcross, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
59.8 mi
1h 4m
Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
17.5 mi
20m
Terrell Starr Parkway
10.2 mi
11m
Riverside Drive
3.1 mi
5m
Jimmy Carter Boulevard
1.6 mi
2m
Interstate Highway 85
1.4 mi
1m
Northeast Expressway
1.1 mi
1m
Buford Highway
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 59.8 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Norcross, GA and Macon, GA.
1
Start on South Peachtree Street
0.3 mi·50 sec·South Peachtree Street
2
Continue on North Norcross Tucker Road
0.1 mi·21 sec·North Norcross Tucker Road
3
Turn right onto US 23; GA 13
0.4 mi·34 sec·Buford Highway
4
Turn left onto GA 140
1.6 mi·2 min·Jimmy Carter Boulevard
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward I 85 SouthUse the right lane.
6
Merge onto I 85
1.4 mi·1 min·Interstate Highway 85
7
Continue on I 85
1.1 mi·1 min·Northeast Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 95AToward I 285 Bypass East: Augusta, MaconUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·27 sec
Toward I 285 South: Augusta, MaconUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 285
18 mi·20 min·Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
1.1 mi·2 min
Exit 52Toward I 675 South: MaconUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 675
10 mi·11 min·Terrell Starr Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 75
49 mi·53 min·I 75
Use the straight lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
11 mi·11 min·I 75
Toward Macon, SavannahUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 167Toward US 23, GA 87: Riverside DriveUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn left onto US 23; GA 87
3.1 mi·5 min·Riverside Drive
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn right onto GA 19; Ga 49
0.2 mi·30 sec·Spring Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Continue on Spring Street
142 ft·4 sec·Spring Street
Use the left lane.
19
Turn left onto Mulberry Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·Mulberry Street
20
Continue on Mulberry Street
0.1 mi·27 sec·Mulberry Street
21
Arrive at destination
Mulberry Street
Trip Plan
Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, plan your departure for a time when you feel comfortable navigating busy local roads. Since there are no designated stops on this 101.3-mile path, make sure your vehicle is fueled up and ready to go before you head out to avoid mid-trip errands. The flexibility of a short drive allows you to depart whenever suits your schedule best, but stay alert for the constant changes in road names. Pay close attention to your GPS or map throughout the drive, as the lack of highway stretches means you will be making frequent turns to stay on course.
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 49.6 miles from Norcross, GA, or about 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.8 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 22 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.6 miles or 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 1h 33m
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 Norcross, GA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Norcross, GA
This is one driving day of about 99.2 miles and 1h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Norcross, GA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 59.8 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.4 and 95.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
5.4 mi into trip|~7m in
Take the exit toward I 285 Bypass East: Augusta, Macon
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 95A
Toward I 285 Bypass East: Augusta, Macon
8
6.2 mi into trip|~9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 285 South: Augusta, Macon
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 285 South: Augusta, Macon
7
24.1 mi into trip|~30m in
Take the exit toward I 675 South: Macon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 52
Toward I 675 South: Macon
8
84.7 mi into trip|~1h 37m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward Macon, Savannah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Macon, Savannah
8
95.2 mi into trip|~1h 48m in
Take the exit toward US 23, GA 87: Riverside Drive
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 167
Toward US 23, GA 87: Riverside Drive
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.51 one way
$31.03 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg35 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$16.96
$33.92
premium
$4.70
$18.36
$36.72
diesel
$5.61
$21.90
$43.80
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.7 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
29.8
0
$10.42
$4.76
Efficient EV
24.8
0
$8.68
$3.97
EV Truck/SUV
39.7
0
$13.89
$6.35
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 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 18, 2026
Origin
Norcross, GA
Late night
in Norcross on Tuesday
Local time
5:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Macon, GA
Late night
in Macon on Tuesday
Local time
5:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Sunny
SW 0 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 18 at 2:27AM EDT until April 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 18 at 2:27AM EDT until April 18 at 8:00PM 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
9 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
1h 56m 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 99.2
Caution: River Trail periodically closed under I-16
Park Closure: BOARDWALK CLOSED along the River Trail
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,...
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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 23.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This journey is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, meaning you will spend your time navigating surface streets rather than cruising on a highway. You will rely on roads like North Norcross Tucker Road, Buford Highway, and Jimmy Carter Boulevard to reach your destination. With a highway share of 0%, this route lacks the monotony of interstate travel but requires more active attention to your surroundings. Because the longest stretch on any single road is 0 miles on North Norcross Tucker Road, you will find yourself frequently transitioning between different local thoroughfares.
73% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59.8 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.4 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 99.2 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 5.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,056 ft370 ft
Total Climb
116 ft
Total Descent
802 ft
Highest Point
1,056 ft
Elevation Range
686 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 Norcross, GA to Macon, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Savannah along the way.
Savannah
84.7 mi in|~1h 37m|via I 75
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 56m. Total distance: 99.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 59.8 miles on I 75. 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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, 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 Macon, GA before heading back.
