Trip from Smyrna, GA to Cedartown, GA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 35m

Distance

124.5 mi

200 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Fair

4 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min

4 AM

2h 25m ★

6 AM

2h 35m

8 AM

2h 56m

10 AM

2h 43m

12 PM

2h 41m

3 PM

2h 44m

5 PM

2h 55m

8 PM

2h 29m

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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Smyrna, GA

Wikimedia Commons

county seat of Polk County, Georgia, United States

Cedartown, GA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Smyrna to Cedartown, expect a straightforward journey covering 124.5 miles. Clocking in at approximately 2 hours and 35 minutes, this trek is easily manageable as a single-day excursion. You will navigate a mix of thoroughfares, including the Purple Heart Highway, the Ralph David Abernathy Freeway, and the Rockmart Highway. Budgeting around $20 for fuel should cover your needs for the trip. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region of Georgia, the transition between them is seamless and familiar. This route offers a balanced travel experience that avoids the need for an overnight stay, making it a perfect choice for those who prefer a quick, efficient drive.

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

62.3 miles from Smyrna, GA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 11m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Purple Heart Highway	46.9 mi	50m
Ralph David Abernathy Freeway	22.8 mi	27m
Rockmart Highway	10.7 mi	13m
Nathan Dean Parkway	10.2 mi	12m
C H James Parkway	7.4 mi	10m
Jimmy Campbell Parkway	5.9 mi	8m
Madison Bypass	4.2 mi	6m
Thornton Road	3.4 mi	5m

Longest stretch: Purple Heart Highway — 46.9 mi, about 50m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Smyrna, GA and Cedartown, GA.

Start on Buckhead Road

103 ft · 6 sec · Buckhead Road

Turn left onto US 278; GA 12

3.0 mi · 4 min · Greensboro Road

Turn left onto US 129 Bypass; US 441 Bypass; GA 24 Bypass

4.2 mi · 6 min · Madison Bypass

Continue on US 129; US 441; GA 24

0.6 mi · 1 min · Eatonton Road

Use the left lane.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 25 sec

Toward I 20 West: Atlanta

Continue on I 20

47 mi · 50 min · Purple Heart Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 20

23 mi · 27 min · Ralph David Abernathy Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec

Exit 44 Toward GA 6: Thornton Road, Austell Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

175 ft · 4 sec

Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto GA 6

3.4 mi · 5 min · Thornton Road

Use the right lane.

Continue on US 278; GA 6

7.4 mi · 10 min · C H James Parkway

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 278; GA 6

1.0 mi · 1 min · Wendy Bagwell Parkway

Use the left / straight lanes.

Continue on US 278; GA 6

3.3 mi · 5 min · Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway

Use the straight / slight left / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 278; GA 6; GA 120

5.9 mi · 8 min · Jimmy Campbell Parkway

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Continue on US 278; GA 6

4.3 mi · 4 min · Rockmart Highway

Use the left lane.

Continue on US 278; GA 6

10 mi · 12 min · Nathan Dean Parkway

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Continue on US 278; GA 6

2.8 mi · 3 min · Cedartown Highway

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Continue on US 278; GA 6

6.4 mi · 8 min · Rockmart Highway

Use the left / straight lanes.

Continue on East Avenue

1.2 mi · 2 min · East Avenue

At end of road, turn left onto South College Street

0.2 mi · 28 sec · South College Street

Turn left onto West Avenue

238 ft · 5 sec · West Avenue

Arrive at destination

West Avenue

Trip Plan

Because this drive takes roughly 2 hours and 35 minutes, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around local traffic patterns. You only need to account for one planned stop, which is perfect for stretching your legs or grabbing a quick snack along the way. Since the route utilizes the Rockmart Highway and the Ralph David Abernathy Freeway, keep an eye on signage to ensure you navigate the transitions smoothly. With a fuel budget of $20, it is wise to fill up before you leave Smyrna to avoid worrying about gas prices during the trip. Use the moderate duration to your advantage by choosing a departure time that avoids peak rush hour congestion, ensuring a smoother ride to your destination.

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 62.3 miles from Smyrna, GA, or about 1h 11m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.9 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 27 miles or 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 62.3 miles or 1h 11m 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 5m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cedartown, GA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Smyrna, 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 Smyrna, GA

This is one driving day of about 124.5 miles and 2h 35m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Smyrna, 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 Purple Heart Highway for about 46.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Douglas County, Georgia, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Douglasville, GA

62 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Covington, GA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 71.2

Atlanta, Georgia

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route mile 124.5

Cedartown, Georgia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+16789010245

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 124.5

Cedartown, Georgia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

1.5 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 88.9

Hiram, Georgia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 88.9

Hiram, Georgia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 62.3

Atlanta, Georgia

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

Children's Museum of Atlanta

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 62.3

Atlanta, Georgia

Hours: Closed

+14046595437

Visit website

Museum of Illusions

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 62.3

Atlanta, Georgia

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+14044584717

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 9

5 decision points cluster between mile 7.8 and 124.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7.8 mi into trip | ~11m in

Take the exit toward I 20 West: Atlanta

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward I 20 West: Atlanta

78 mi into trip | ~1h 30m in

Take the exit toward GA 6: Thornton Road, Austell

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 44 Toward GA 6: Thornton Road, Austell

78.2 mi into trip | ~1h 30m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.

78.3 mi into trip | ~1h 31m in | GA 6 / Thornton Road

Merge onto GA 6 / Thornton Road

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

124.2 mi into trip | ~2h 34m in | South College Street

At end of road, turn left onto South College Street

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$19.47 one way

$38.94 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 44 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$21.29	$42.58
premium	$4.70	$23.04	$46.08
diesel	$5.61	$27.49	$54.98

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 43.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	37.4	$13.07	$5.98
Efficient EV	31.1	$10.89	$4.98
EV Truck/SUV	49.8	$17.43	$7.97

Gas CO2

44 kg

EV CO2

15 kg (66% 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 14, 2026

Origin

Smyrna, GA

Late night in Smyrna on Sunday

Local time

12:39 AM

EDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Cedartown, GA

Late night in Cedartown on Sunday

Local time

12:39 AM

EDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

53°F

Douglasville, GA

62 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

2h 35m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

This 124.5-mile journey offers a mixed driving profile that keeps the experience varied behind the wheel. You will spend about 41% of your time on highways, providing a nice balance between steady cruising and local road navigation. The longest uninterrupted portion of your trip occurs on the Purple Heart Highway, where you can settle into a 46.9-mile stretch. As you progress from the more populated Smyrna area toward Cedartown, the road character shifts, requiring you to remain alert as you transition between major freeways and regional highways. It is a functional drive that moves you efficiently through the landscape without feeling like a monotonous interstate grind.

41% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.

22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 46.9 mi on Purple Heart Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 7.8 miles in.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 124.5 miles you will encounter 9 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 7.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 78 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 78.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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 Smyrna, GA to Cedartown, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Austell along the way.

Austell

78 mi in | ~1h 30m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 35m. Total distance: 124.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (41%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 46.9 miles on Purple Heart Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Cedartown, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Smyrna, GA or browse trips ending in Cedartown, GA.

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Trip from Smyrna, GA to Cedartown, GA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Dunkin'

Dunkin'

Starbucks Coffee Company

Illy Coffee Bar at Rowdy Tiger

Brash Coffee

Tesla Destination Charger

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Georgia Safari Conservation Park

Krog Street Tunnel

Zoo Atlanta

Cascade Springs Nature Preserve

Pemberton Place

Children's Museum of Atlanta

Museum of Illusions

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Smyrna, GA

Cedartown, GA

Same local time

Very similar conditions

2h 35m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Cedartown, GA

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