This 165.8-mile journey from Shannon to Augusta, Georgia, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes. You'll primarily travel on the Carl Sanders Highway, Purple Heart Highway, and GA 85, with only about 11% of the drive on highways, suggesting a more local road feel. With an estimated fuel cost of $26, this drive through the Southeast region of Georgia offers a straightforward route. It's a practical option for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
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
82.9 miles from Shannon, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Carl Sanders Highway
84.9 mi
1h 30m
Purple Heart Highway
45.5 mi
48m
GA 85
15 mi
23m
Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
9.5 mi
10m
Calhoun Expressway
2.7 mi
3m
Washington Road
2.4 mi
4m
Forest Parkway
1.2 mi
2m
Old Dixie Road
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Carl Sanders Highway
— 84.9 mi, about 1h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shannon, GA and Augusta, GA.
1
Start on this road
196 ft·20 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto Perry Creek Drive
0.2 mi·53 sec·Perry Creek Drive
3
Turn right onto Applewood Way
0.1 mi·37 sec·Applewood Way
4
Turn left onto GA 85
15 mi·23 min·GA 85
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Turn right onto GA 331
1.2 mi·2 min·Forest Parkway
Use the straight lane.
6
Turn left onto US 19; US 41; GA 3
0.8 mi·1 min·Old Dixie Road
7
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 285 EastUse the right lane.
8
Merge onto I 285
9.5 mi·10 min·Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
1.5 mi·3 min
Exit 46BToward I 20 East: AugustaUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 20 East: AugustaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 20
46 mi·48 min·Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 20
85 mi·1 hr 30 min·Carl Sanders Highway
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 199Toward GA 28: Augusta
14
Keep slight right at fork
481 ft·11 sec
15
Turn straight onto GA 28
2.4 mi·4 min·Washington Road
16
Turn straight onto GA 28
2.7 mi·3 min·Calhoun Expressway
17
Continue on GA 28
0.1 mi·13 sec·Greene Street
18
Turn right onto 11th Street
0.4 mi·44 sec·11th Street
19
Turn right onto Walton Way
225 ft·3 sec·Walton Way
20
Arrive at destination
Walton Way
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 15-minute duration for this 165.8-mile trip, you can comfortably complete it in one day. Starting earlier in the morning will give you ample time to reach Augusta without feeling rushed, and it also allows you to take advantage of the flexibility this shorter drive offers. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $26, planning is straightforward. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as local roads can sometimes have fewer services than major highways, especially on the longest stretch of 84.9 miles on the Carl Sanders Highway.
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 82.9 miles from Shannon, GA, or about 1h 43m 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 36 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.9 miles or 1h 43m 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 40m
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 Shannon, 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 Shannon, GA
This is one driving day of about 165.8 miles and 3h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Shannon, 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 29.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Perry Creek Drive
Turn left onto Perry Creek Drive
Navigation decision point
6
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|GA 85
Turn left onto GA 85
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
17.4 mi into trip|~29m in
Take the ramp toward I 285 East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 285 East
7
27.7 mi into trip|~42m in
Take the exit toward I 20 East: Augusta
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 46B
Toward I 20 East: Augusta
7
29.2 mi into trip|~45m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 20 East: Augusta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 20 East: Augusta
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.93 one way
$51.85 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg58 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$28.35
$56.70
premium
$4.70
$30.69
$61.37
diesel
$5.61
$36.61
$73.21
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
49.7
0
$17.41
$7.96
Efficient EV
41.5
0
$14.51
$6.63
EV Truck/SUV
66.3
0
$23.21
$10.61
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 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
Shannon, GA
Late night
in Shannon on Sunday
Local time
12:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Augusta, GA
Late night
in Augusta on Sunday
Local time
12:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
74°F
Covington, GA
83 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
10 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
3h 15m 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.
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 22.9
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,...
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' for much of this route, as indicated by its profile. While there's a 70.7-mile stretch on the Carl Sanders Highway, the overall experience is less about high-speed interstate travel and more about navigating through local roads. The relatively low highway share (11%) means you'll likely encounter more varied scenery and potentially slower speeds as you make your way across Georgia. This drive is characterized by frequent changes in direction rather than long, uninterrupted highway stretches.
Only 11% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 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 early in the drive near Perry Creek Drive.
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 14 significant decision points across 165.8 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: near the start (Perry Creek Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (GA 85): Lane positioning matters here; at 17.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 15m. Total distance: 165.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 15m 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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: near the start (Perry Creek Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (GA 85): Lane positioning matters here; at 17.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Augusta, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
