Smyrna to Fairburn is 80.1 miles and takes about 1h 36m via Purple Heart Highway, Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter, and I 85, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Georgia, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. Expect a drive that involves frequent turns, making it feel more like navigating local roads than a simple highway cruise. With a recommended one-day duration and a modest fuel cost, this route is a straightforward option for a short hop between these two Georgia locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40 miles from Smyrna, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Purple Heart Highway
46.9 mi
50m
Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
13.9 mi
16m
I 85
5.3 mi
5m
Madison Bypass
4.2 mi
6m
Greensboro Road
3 mi
4m
Jonesboro Road
2 mi
3m
West Broad Street
1.1 mi
2m
Eatonton Road
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Highway
— 46.9 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Smyrna, GA and Fairburn, GA.
1
Start on Buckhead Road
103 ft·6 sec·Buckhead Road
2
Turn left onto US 278; GA 12
3.0 mi·4 min·Greensboro Road
3
Turn left onto US 129 Bypass; US 441 Bypass; GA 24 Bypass
4.2 mi·6 min·Madison Bypass
4
Continue on US 129; US 441; GA 24
0.6 mi·1 min·Eatonton Road
Use the left lane.
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi·25 sec
Toward I 20 West: Atlanta
6
Continue on I 20
47 mi·50 min·Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 20
0.1 mi·7 sec·Ralph David Abernathy Freeway
8
Take the exit
0.9 mi·2 min
Exit 67AToward I 285 South Bypass: Atlanta Airport, MaconUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 285
14 mi·16 min·Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 61Toward I 85 South, I 85 North: Columbus, Montgomery, Atlanta, Domestic AirportUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward I 85 South: Columbus, MontgomeryUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 85
5.3 mi·5 min·I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 64Toward GA 138: Union City, JonesboroUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn slight right
292 ft·7 sec
Toward GA 138: Union CityUse the straight / right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto GA 138
2.0 mi·3 min·Jonesboro Road
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn left onto US 29; GA 14; GA 92
1.0 mi·2 min·West Broad Street
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on US 29; GA 14; GA 92
196 ft·10 sec·West Broad Street
Use the left lane.
18
Arrive at destination
US 29; GA 14; GA 92
Trip Plan
Given this is a one-day trip covering just over 80 miles and taking under two hours, you have considerable flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave Smyrna in the morning to avoid the heaviest local traffic, especially if your route includes navigating the Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter during peak hours. The fuel cost is estimated at $13, so you should have ample range on a full tank, but it's always wise to refuel before heading out. Keep an eye on your navigation, as the 'turn-heavy' profile means you'll be making frequent adjustments.
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 40 miles from Smyrna, GA, or about 46m 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 18 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40 miles or 46m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fairburn, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Smyrna, GA
This is one driving day of about 80.1 miles and 1h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Smyrna, GA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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.
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 7.8 and 76.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
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
8
55.3 mi into trip|~1h 2m in
Take the exit toward I 285 South Bypass: Atlanta Airport, Macon
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 67A
Toward I 285 South Bypass: Atlanta Airport, Mac...
8
70.1 mi into trip|~1h 20m in
Take the exit toward I 85 South, I 85 North: Columbus, Montgomery, Atlanta, Domestic Airport
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 61
Toward I 85 South, I 85 North: Columbus, Montgo...
8
70.3 mi into trip|~1h 21m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 85 South: Columbus, Montgomery
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 85 South: Columbus, Montgomery
8
76.6 mi into trip|~1h 29m in
Take the exit toward GA 138: Union City, Jonesboro
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 64
Toward GA 138: Union City, Jonesboro
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.53 one way
$25.05 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$13.70
$27.39
premium
$4.70
$14.82
$29.65
diesel
$5.61
$17.69
$35.37
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24
0
$8.41
$3.84
Efficient EV
20
0
$7.01
$3.20
EV Truck/SUV
32
0
$11.21
$5.13
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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
12:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fairburn, GA
Late night
in Fairburn on Sunday
Local time
12:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°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
27 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 36m 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.
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 60.8
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?
This route is characterized as 'turn-heavy,' suggesting a dynamic driving experience rather than a long, monotonous stretch. While the highway share is only 7%, you'll encounter a significant portion on the Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter and I 85. The longest uninterrupted stretch measures 46.9 miles on Purple Heart Highway, which might offer a brief period of consistent driving before you transition back to more varied road conditions. This profile indicates a journey that weaves through different types of roadways, requiring your attention to navigation.
Only 7% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
18 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?
8/10
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 around 7.8 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 80.1 miles you will encounter 14 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 55.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Between Smyrna, GA and Fairburn, GA, road signs point toward Macon, Montgomery, Atlanta and Domestic Airport.
Macon
55.3 mi in|~1h 2m
Montgomery
70.1 mi in|~1h 20m
Atlanta
70.1 mi in|~1h 20m
Domestic Airport
70.1 mi in|~1h 20m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 36m. Total distance: 80.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
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.
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 Fairburn, 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 7.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 55.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 70.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Fairburn, GA before heading back.
