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Trip from Scottdale, GA to Macon, GA

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 43m

Distance

87 mi

140 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min
4 AM
1h 35m ★
6 AM
1h 43m
8 AM
1h 58m
10 AM
1h 48m
12 PM
1h 47m
3 PM
1h 49m
5 PM
1h 58m
8 PM
1h 38m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Scottdale, GA, GA

Scottdale, GA

Gera Cejas

Downtown Macon, GA, GA

Macon, GA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This straightforward 87-mile drive from Scottdale, GA, to Macon, GA, is easily accomplished in about 1 hour and 43 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. The route primarily utilizes I-75, with a portion on Terrell Starr Parkway and the Atlanta Bypass, meaning you'll spend about 80% of your time on highways. With an estimated fuel cost of $14, this journey is quite budget-friendly. Given its relatively short length and highway-focused profile, you won't need to split this drive, allowing for maximum flexibility in your schedule as you travel within the Southeast region.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

43.5 miles from Scottdale, GA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 75 59.8 mi 1h 4m
Terrell Starr Parkway 10.2 mi 11m
Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter 7.9 mi 9m
Riverside Drive 3.1 mi 5m
Covington Highway 2.3 mi 3m
North Clarendon Avenue 1 mi 2m
Covington Road 0.3 mi <1m
Spring Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 75 — 59.8 mi, about 1h 4m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Scottdale, GA and Macon, GA.

1

Start on Church Street

85 ft · 2 sec · Church Street
2

Turn straight onto North Clarendon Avenue

1.0 mi · 2 min · North Clarendon Avenue
Use the left lane.
3

Turn left onto US 278; GA 10

0.1 mi · 9 sec · North Avondale Plaza
Use the left lane.
4

Continue on US 278; GA 10

0.3 mi · 30 sec · Covington Road
5

Continue on US 278; GA 10

2.3 mi · 3 min · Covington Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
6

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Toward I 285 South: Augusta Use the right lane.
7

Merge onto I 285

7.9 mi · 9 min · Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

1.1 mi · 2 min
Exit 52 Toward I 675 South: Macon Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Continue on I 675

10 mi · 11 min · Terrell Starr Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Merge onto I 75

49 mi · 53 min · I 75
Use the straight lane.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

11 mi · 11 min · I 75
Toward Macon, Savannah Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 55 sec
Exit 167 Toward US 23, GA 87: Riverside Drive Use the slight right lane.
13

Turn left onto US 23; GA 87

3.1 mi · 5 min · Riverside Drive
Use the straight lane.
14

Turn right onto GA 19; Ga 49

0.2 mi · 30 sec · Spring Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
15

Continue on Spring Street

142 ft · 4 sec · Spring Street
Use the left lane.
16

Turn left onto Mulberry Street

0.1 mi · 23 sec · Mulberry Street
17

Continue on Mulberry Street

0.1 mi · 27 sec · Mulberry Street
18

Arrive at destination

Mulberry Street

Trip Plan

For this 1 hour and 43-minute drive, consider leaving Scottdale mid-morning to avoid the worst of Atlanta's commuter traffic. Since it's a short trip with no recommended stops and a fuel cost of only around $14, you have the flexibility to depart whenever it suits you. The longest uninterrupted stretch is nearly 60 miles on I-75, so plan your fuel and restroom breaks accordingly before you begin or when you see services ahead. Keep an eye on traffic reports, especially around the Atlanta Bypass, as congestion can impact your travel time.

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 43.5 miles from Scottdale, GA, or about 52m 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 19 miles or 25m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 43.5 miles or 52m 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 25m

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 Scottdale, GA so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Scottdale, GA

This is one driving day of about 87 miles and 1h 43m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Scottdale, 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.

city in and the county seat of Henry County, Georgia, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

McDonough, GA

44 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Popular next leg

McDonough, GA to Macon, GA

56.4 mi · 1h 6m

Pacing Suggestions

Stockbridge, GA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Locust Grove, GA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 43.5 miles from Scottdale, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · final third

Starbucks

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Forsyth, Georgia

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third · 29min to go 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 4:30 am–9 pm

+14787582001

Visit website

Best coffee break · early in the drive

Mojo Coffee Company

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ellenwood, Georgia

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch · 22min in 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+16784892929

Visit website

Starbucks

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Forsyth, Georgia

Hours: 4:30 am–9 pm

+14787582001

Visit website

Mojo Coffee Company

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Ellenwood, Georgia

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+16784892929

Visit website

Cannonball House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route

Macon, Georgia

Hours: 10 am–3:30 pm

+14787455982

Visit website

Tubman Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Macon, Georgia

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+14787438544

Visit website

Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour

Macon, Georgia

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+14787528257

Visit website

Ocmulgee National Monument Visitors Center

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Macon, Georgia

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+14787528257

Visit website

Museum of Arts and Sciences

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Macon, Georgia

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+14784773232

Visit website

Zoo Atlanta

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

First break 4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour

Atlanta, Georgia

Hours: 9 am–3:30 pm

+14046245600

Visit website

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 1 and 86.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
1 mi into trip | ~2m in | US 278; GA 10 / North Avondale Plaza

Turn left onto US 278; GA 10 / North Avondale Plaza

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
7
11.9 mi into trip | ~16m 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
72.5 mi into trip | ~1h 24m 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
83 mi into trip | ~1h 35m 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
6
86.5 mi into trip | ~1h 41m in | GA 19; Ga 49 / Spring Street

Turn right onto GA 19; Ga 49 / Spring Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$13.60 one way

$27.21 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 30 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $14.88 $29.75
premium $4.70 $16.10 $32.20
diesel $5.61 $19.21 $38.42

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$14

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 30.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 26.1 0 $9.13 $4.18
Efficient EV 21.8 0 $7.61 $3.48
EV Truck/SUV 34.8 0 $12.18 $5.57

Gas CO2

30 kg

EV CO2

10 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 18, 2026

Origin

Scottdale, GA

Morning in Scottdale on Tuesday

Local time

11:30 AM

EDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Macon, GA

Morning in Macon on Tuesday

Local time

11:30 AM

EDT

Current temp

90°F

Sunny

SW 0 to 10 mph 0% chance Live 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

34 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 43m 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

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 87
Caution: River Trail periodically closed under I-16
Park Closure: BOARDWALK CLOSED along the River Trail
View on nps.gov
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park

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...

6 mi from route ~16 min detour Free near mile 12
View on nps.gov
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

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,...

14 mi from route ~36 min detour $5
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 87-mile trip between Scottdale and Macon. You'll be on I-75 for a significant portion, including a continuous stretch of nearly 60 miles. While the Atlanta Bypass and Terrell Starr Parkway offer some variation, the overall character leans towards efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways. The 80% highway share means you'll likely experience consistent speeds, ideal for covering ground quickly. This route is designed for getting from point A to point B with minimal fuss.

80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 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?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Terrell Starr Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near US 278; GA 10 / North Avondale Plaza.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 87 miles you will encounter 12 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 1 miles (US 278; GA 10 / North Avondale Plaza): Lane positioning matters here; at 11.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 72.5 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 Scottdale, GA to Macon, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Savannah along the way.

Savannah

72.5 mi in | ~1h 24m | via I 75

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 43m. Total distance: 87 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (80%). 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 1 miles (US 278; GA 10 / North Avondale Plaza): Lane positioning matters here; at 11.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 72.5 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park and Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. 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.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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