Roswell, GA to Ray City, GA is 238.9 miles and takes about 4h 34m via Fall Line Freeway and I-75, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Georgia, moving you from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. With 83% highway driving, expect a fairly direct path for most of the 238.9 miles. This route is a good option if you're looking for a straightforward drive between two points in the state, covering a significant distance without requiring an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
119.5 miles from Roswell, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Fall Line Freeway
116.3 mi
2h 4m
I 75
64.8 mi
1h 11m
Larry Justice Highway
16.1 mi
17m
West 4th Street
15.4 mi
22m
T Harvey Mathis Parkway
6.8 mi
8m
Downtown Connector
5 mi
6m
Turner McDonald Parkway
4.6 mi
5m
North Atlanta Street
3.4 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Fall Line Freeway
— 116.3 mi, about 2h 4m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 147 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~4,931 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,874
Quietest
2 AM
~829 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 Roswell, GA and Ray City, GA.
1
Start on GA 9; GA 120
3.4 mi·6 min·North Atlanta Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
2
Turn left onto Northridge Road
0.4 mi·53 sec·Northridge Road
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right
156 ft·8 sec
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·27 sec
Toward US 19 South, GA 400 South
5
Merge onto US 19; GA 400
4.6 mi·5 min·Turner McDonald Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on GA 400
6.8 mi·8 min·T Harvey Mathis Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 85
2.9 mi·4 min·Northeast Expressway
8
Continue on I 75; I 85
5.0 mi·6 min·Downtown Connector
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 75; I 85
2.3 mi·3 min·James Wendell George Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
65 mi·1 hr 11 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 475
16 mi·17 min·Larry Justice Highway
Exit 177Toward I 475 South: ValdostaUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 75; GA 540
116 mi·2 hr 4 min·Fall Line Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Exit 39Toward GA 37: Adel, Moultrie, NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
217 ft·7 sec
Toward GA 37 East: Adel, NashvilleUse the left lane.
15
Turn slight left onto GA 37
15 mi·22 min·West 4th Street
Use the straight lane.
16
Arrive at destination
US 129; GA 11; GA 37
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 34m estimated drive time, leaving Roswell in the morning allows ample time to reach Ray City before evening. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in planning your breaks; consider stopping around the halfway mark to stretch your legs. Pay attention to the highway share, as the majority of your travel will be on high-speed roads. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you might encounter fewer services on the latter portion of the route after leaving the main interstates, and aim to fill up before the final 116.3-mile stretch on the Fall Line Freeway if needed.
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 119.5 miles from Roswell, GA, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 116.3 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 53 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.5 miles or 2h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ray City, 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.
+
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 Roswell, GA
This is one driving day of about 238.9 miles and 4h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Roswell, 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 Fall Line Freeway for about 116.3 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.4 and 223.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
3.4 mi into trip|~6m in|Northridge Road
Turn left onto Northridge Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
26 mi into trip|~36m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
90.8 mi into trip|~1h 48m in|I 475 / Larry Justice Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 475 / Larry Justice Highway toward I 475 South: Valdosta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 177
Toward I 475 South: Valdosta
8
223.2 mi into trip|~4h 10m in
Take the exit toward GA 37: Adel, Moultrie, Nashville
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 39
Toward GA 37: Adel, Moultrie, Nashville
8
223.6 mi into trip|~4h 11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward GA 37 East: Adel, Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward GA 37 East: Adel, Nashville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.00 one way
$76.00 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$41.43
$82.86
premium
$4.78
$44.95
$89.90
diesel
$5.35
$50.32
$100.64
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.7
0
$25.08
$11.47
Efficient EV
59.7
0
$20.90
$9.56
EV Truck/SUV
95.6
1
$33.45
$15.29
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 3, 2026
Origin
Roswell, GA
Afternoon
in Roswell on Wednesday
Local time
3:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Sunny
E 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued June 3 at 7:13AM EDT until June 3 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Charleston SC
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued June 3 at 1:08AM EDT until June 5 at 5:00PM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Destination
Ray City, GA
Afternoon
in Ray City on Wednesday
Local time
3:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Sunny
ENE 10 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued June 3 at 7:13AM EDT until June 3 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Charleston SC
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued June 3 at 1:08AM EDT until June 5 at 5:00PM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
66°F
Monticello, GA
119 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
5 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
4h 34m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
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 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...
9 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 98.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway, with 83% of the drive taking place on major roads like the Fall Line Freeway and I-75. You'll experience a long stretch of 116.3 miles on the Fall Line Freeway, which means you can settle in for a good amount of cruising. The transition to surface roads, indicated by Larry Justice Highway, will likely introduce more local traffic and frequent intersections as you approach your destination.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 116.3 mi on Fall Line Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Fall Line Freeway and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.4 miles in near Northridge Road.
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 12 significant decision points across 238.9 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 3.4 miles (Northridge Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 26 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 90.8 miles (I 475 / Larry Justice Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,082 ft189 ft
Total Climb
87 ft
Total Descent
979 ft
Highest Point
1,082 ft
Elevation Range
893 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Roswell, GA and Ray City, GA, road signs point toward Moultrie and Nashville.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 34m. Total distance: 238.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 116.3 miles on Fall Line Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 30 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 Ray City, 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 30 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.4 miles (Northridge Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 26 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 90.8 miles (I 475 / Larry Justice Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Ray City, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
