Connecting North Atlanta to Augusta, this 156.5-mile journey is a straightforward trip that typically takes about 2 hours and 58 minutes. You will traverse the Southeast region entirely within Georgia, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion. With an estimated fuel cost of $25, the drive is budget-friendly and requires minimal logistical planning. You will navigate a combination of local roadways and bypasses, including the Atlanta Bypass, the Purple Heart Highway, and the Carl Sanders Highway. Whether you are heading east for business or a quick getaway, the route is designed for efficiency rather than sightseeing.
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
78.2 miles from North Atlanta, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Carl Sanders Highway
84.9 mi
1h 30m
Purple Heart Highway
45.2 mi
48m
Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
11.8 mi
13m
Calhoun Expressway
2.7 mi
3m
Peachtree Boulevard
2.5 mi
4m
Washington Road
2.4 mi
4m
Covington Highway
1.8 mi
2m
Peachtree Road Northeast
1.7 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Carl Sanders Highway
— 84.9 mi, about 1h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Atlanta, GA and Augusta, GA.
1
Start on GA 141
1.7 mi·2 min·Peachtree Road Northeast
Use the left lane.
2
Continue on GA 141
2.5 mi·4 min·Peachtree Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on GA 141
0.1 mi·10 sec·Peachtree Industrial Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 285 EastUse the right lane.
5
Merge onto I 285
12 mi·13 min·Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 43Toward US 278: Covington HighwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Turn left onto US 278; GA 12
1.8 mi·2 min·Covington Highway
Use the straight lane.
8
Turn right onto Wesley Chapel Road
1.7 mi·2 min·Wesley Chapel Road
Use the right lane.
9
Turn left
0.4 mi·59 sec
Toward I 20 EastUse the left lane.
10
Merge onto I 20
45 mi·48 min·Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 20
85 mi·1 hr 30 min·Carl Sanders Highway
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 199Toward GA 28: Augusta
13
Keep slight right at fork
481 ft·11 sec
14
Turn straight onto GA 28
2.4 mi·4 min·Washington Road
15
Turn straight onto GA 28
2.7 mi·3 min·Calhoun Expressway
16
Continue on GA 28
0.1 mi·13 sec·Greene Street
17
Turn right onto 11th Street
0.4 mi·44 sec·11th Street
18
Turn right onto Walton Way
225 ft·3 sec·Walton Way
19
Arrive at destination
Walton Way
Trip Plan
Since the total duration is under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around local traffic patterns. It is wise to budget for at least one planned stop during your trek to break up the 156.5-mile distance. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $25 estimate can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency and idling time in traffic. Because this is a turn-heavy route, ensure your GPS is updated before you leave North Atlanta to handle the transitions between the Purple Heart Highway and your other main roads. Use the relatively short travel time to your advantage by choosing a departure window that avoids peak congestion on the Atlanta Bypass.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 78.2 miles from North Atlanta, GA, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.9 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 34 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.2 miles or 1h 31m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Augusta, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving North Atlanta, 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 North Atlanta, GA
This is one driving day of about 156.5 miles and 2h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from North Atlanta, 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 Carl Sanders Highway for about 84.9 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.3 and 20 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
4.3 mi into trip|~7m in
Take the exit toward I 285 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 285 East
5
4.6 mi into trip|~8m in|I 285 / Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
Merge onto I 285 / Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
16.4 mi into trip|~21m in
Take the exit toward US 278: Covington Highway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 43
Toward US 278: Covington Highway
5
18.4 mi into trip|~25m in|Wesley Chapel Road
Turn right onto Wesley Chapel Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
20 mi into trip|~28m in
Turn left toward I 20 East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 20 East
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.47 one way
$48.95 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg55 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$26.76
$53.52
premium
$4.70
$28.96
$57.93
diesel
$5.61
$34.55
$69.11
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
46.9
0
$16.43
$7.51
Efficient EV
39.1
0
$13.69
$6.26
EV Truck/SUV
62.6
0
$21.91
$10.02
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
North Atlanta, GA
Late night
in North Atlanta on Sunday
Local time
4:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Augusta, GA
Late night
in Augusta on Sunday
Local time
4:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
93°F
Sunny
NW 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
52°F
Madison, GA
78 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
41 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 58m 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.
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
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,...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
$5
near mile 5.4
Park Closure: Island Ford Trail Closures Winter 2025-2026
Park Closure: Restrooms and Water Fountains Unavailable at Powers Island and Akers Mill
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...
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 that demands your focus more than a standard interstate cruise would. With only 2% of the route consisting of highway travel, you will spend the vast majority of your time navigating regional connectors. The most significant portion of your journey involves an 84.9-mile stretch on the Carl Sanders Highway, which serves as the backbone of the trip. The road personality shifts from the busy Atlanta perimeter to more localized transit, requiring you to stay alert through various turns. It is a practical drive that avoids the monotony of long-haul highway travel by keeping you engaged with the changing local landscape.
Only 2% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84.9 mi on Carl Sanders Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 4.3 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 156.5 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 4.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles (I 285 / Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 58m. Total distance: 156.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 84.9 miles on Carl Sanders Highway. 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 Augusta, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles (I 285 / Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — 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 Augusta, GA before heading back.
