This 67.7-mile drive from Roswell, GA to Athens, GA is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 32 minutes. You'll be spending about 67% of your time on highways, making it a relatively straightforward journey through the Southeast region. With an estimated fuel cost of $11, this route is budget-friendly for a quick excursion. The drive is primarily focused on highway travel, offering a practical and 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.
Midpoint
33.9 miles from Roswell, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
University Parkway
38.4 mi
47m
Holcomb Bridge Road
8 mi
14m
Interstate Highway 85
6.7 mi
7m
GA Inner Loop 10
3.7 mi
4m
Jimmy Carter Boulevard
3.6 mi
5m
Prince Avenue
1.8 mi
3m
Inner Loop 10
1.7 mi
1m
Norcross Street
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
University Parkway
— 38.4 mi, about 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Roswell, GA and Athens, GA.
1
Start on GA 9; GA 120
19 ft·4 sec·North Atlanta Street
2
Turn right onto GA 9; GA 120
0.2 mi·26 sec·Alpharetta Highway
3
Turn right onto Norcross Street
0.9 mi·1 min·Norcross Street
4
Enter roundabout onto Warsaw Road
125 ft·3 sec·Warsaw Road
5
Continue on Warsaw Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Warsaw Road
6
Turn right onto GA 140
8.0 mi·14 min·Holcomb Bridge Road
Use the left / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Turn straight onto GA 140
3.5 mi·5 min·Jimmy Carter Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on GA 140
0.1 mi·11 sec·Jimmy Carter Boulevard
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward I 85 NorthUse the left / straight lanes.
10
Merge onto I 85
6.7 mi·7 min·Interstate Highway 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·37 sec
Exit 106Toward GA 316 East: Lawrenceville, Athens
12
Continue on GA 316
38 mi·47 min·University Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
380 ft·12 sec
Use the left lane.
14
Turn left onto Oconee Connector
0.6 mi·1 min·Oconee Connector
Use the left lane.
15
Turn left
0.2 mi·25 sec
Use the left lane.
16
Merge onto GA 10 Loop
1.3 mi·1 min·Inner Loop 10
17
Continue on GA 10 Loop
3.7 mi·4 min·GA Inner Loop 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on GA 10 Loop
0.4 mi·25 sec·Inner Loop 10
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 14Toward US 129 North: Prince Avenue, JeffersonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto US 129
195 ft·12 sec·US 129
21
Turn left onto GA 15 Alternate
1.8 mi·3 min·Prince Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Continue on West Dougherty Street
0.2 mi·34 sec·West Dougherty Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
23
Turn left onto North Lumpkin Street
101 ft·2 sec·North Lumpkin Street
Use the left lane.
24
Arrive at destination
North Lumpkin Street
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of just over 1.5 hours and 67.7 miles, you have a lot of flexibility with departure times. Leaving in the morning or early afternoon will help you avoid potential traffic on University Parkway and Interstate 85. With a fuel cost estimated at $11, you won't need frequent refueling stops, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. Since there are no designated stops mentioned, plan your own breaks as needed to stay comfortable during the drive.
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 33.9 miles from Roswell, GA, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.4 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 15 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 33.9 miles or 48m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Athens, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Roswell, GA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Roswell, GA
This is one driving day of about 67.7 miles and 1h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Roswell, GA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on University Parkway for about 38.4 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 13.3 and 67.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
13.3 mi into trip|~23m in
Take the ramp toward I 85 North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Toward I 85 North
6
20.2 mi into trip|~31m in
Take the exit toward GA 316 East: Lawrenceville, Athens
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 106
Toward GA 316 East: Lawrenceville, Athens
8
65.4 mi into trip|~1h 27m in
Take the exit toward US 129 North: Prince Avenue, Jefferson
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 14
Toward US 129 North: Prince Avenue, Jefferson
6
65.8 mi into trip|~1h 28m in|GA 15 Alternate / Prince Avenue
Turn left onto GA 15 Alternate / Prince Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
67.7 mi into trip|~1h 32m in|North Lumpkin Street
Turn left onto North Lumpkin Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.59 one way
$21.17 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg24 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$11.58
$23.15
premium
$4.70
$12.53
$25.06
diesel
$5.61
$14.95
$29.89
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
20.3
0
$7.11
$3.25
Efficient EV
16.9
0
$5.92
$2.71
EV Truck/SUV
27.1
0
$9.48
$4.33
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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 13, 2026
Origin
Roswell, GA
Late night
in Roswell on Tuesday
Local time
4:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Athens, GA
Late night
in Athens on Tuesday
Local time
4:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live 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
2 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 32m 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,...
1 mi from route
~1 min detour
$5
near mile 4.7
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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 11.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for this 1-hour and 32-minute trip. Sixty-seven percent of your journey will be on major roadways, including Interstate 85, University Parkway, and Holcomb Bridge Road. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 38.4 miles on University Parkway, providing a consistent pace for a significant portion of the drive. This route offers a blend of speed and directness, minimizing complexities and maximizing travel efficiency.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 38.4 mi on University Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on University Parkway and Holcomb Bridge Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.3 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 67.7 miles you will encounter 16 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 13.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 20.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,105 ft682 ft
Total Climb
243 ft
Total Descent
574 ft
Highest Point
1,105 ft
~4.8 mi in
Elevation Range
423 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Athens is a vibrant college town of 127,000 people (2020) in the Classic Heartland region of Georgia. Athens is most popular in the late summer and fall when students, families of students or college football fans visit the University of Georgia.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 32m. Total distance: 67.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (67%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 38.4 miles on University Parkway. 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 Athens, 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 13.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 20.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Athens, GA before heading back.
