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Trip from Thomson, GA to Alpharetta, 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

2h 39m

Distance

139 mi

224 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
2h 29m ★
6 AM
2h 39m
8 AM
3h 0m
10 AM
2h 46m
12 PM
2h 44m
3 PM
2h 48m
5 PM
2h 59m
8 PM
2h 33m

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 Thomson, GA, GA

Thomson, GA

Huynh Van

city in north Fulton County, Georgia, United States

Alpharetta, GA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 139-mile drive from Thomson, Georgia, to Alpharetta, Georgia, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 39 minutes. You'll navigate primarily on the Carl Sanders Highway and Purple Heart Highway, with a portion on the Atlanta Bypass/The Perimeter. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $22. Given its relatively short duration and the nature of the drive, it's a straightforward transit within the Southeast region. This route is well-suited for those looking for an efficient trip without the need for an overnight stay.

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

69.5 miles from Thomson, GA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Carl Sanders Highway 54.7 mi 58m
Purple Heart Highway 46.6 mi 50m
Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter 17.8 mi 20m
Turner McDonald Parkway 9.1 mi 11m
Cedar Rock Road 3.6 mi 6m
Haynes Bridge Road 1.3 mi 2m
Three Points Road 0.7 mi 1m
South Main Street 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Carl Sanders Highway — 54.7 mi, about 58m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Thomson, GA and Alpharetta, GA.

1

Start on GA 150

75 ft · 3 sec · Gordon Street
2

Continue on Tom Watson Way

0.3 mi · 30 sec · Tom Watson Way
3

Continue on Hickory Hill Drive

0.3 mi · 27 sec · Hickory Hill Drive
4

Continue on Cedar Rock Road

3.6 mi · 6 min · Cedar Rock Road
5

Turn right onto Three Points Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · Three Points Road
6

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 38 sec
7

Merge onto I 20

55 mi · 58 min · Carl Sanders Highway
8

Continue on I 20

47 mi · 50 min · Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 57 sec
Exit 67B Toward I 285 Bypass North: Greenville, Chattanooga Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Merge onto I 285

18 mi · 20 min · Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 48 sec
Toward GA 400 North, GA 400 South, Peachtree Dunwoody Road, US 19 North: Cumming, Dahlonega, Atlanta Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 47 sec
Toward US 19 North, GA 400 North, GA 400 South: Cumming, Dahlonega, Atlanta
13

Keep slight right at fork

2.0 mi · 2 min
Toward US 19 North, GA 400 North: Cumming, Dahlonega Use the slight right lane.
14

Merge onto US 19; GA 400

9.1 mi · 11 min · Turner McDonald Parkway
Use the straight lane.
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Exit 9 Toward Alpharetta, Haynes Bridge Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Turn left onto Haynes Bridge Road

1.3 mi · 2 min · Haynes Bridge Road
Use the left lane.
17

Turn left onto GA 120

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Old Milton Parkway
Use the left lane.
18

Turn right onto GA 9

0.3 mi · 52 sec · South Main Street
19

Turn right onto Academy Street

139 ft · 3 sec · Academy Street
20

Arrive at destination

Academy Street

Trip Plan

For this 2-hour and 39-minute drive, starting your journey in the morning will allow you to reach Alpharetta with ample time to spare. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of about $22, planning is minimal. The longest stretch without a significant change in direction is 54.7 miles on the Carl Sanders Highway, so keep an eye on your fuel level before embarking on this segment. Given the turn-heavy nature, staying alert to navigation is key to a smooth arrival.

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 69.5 miles from Thomson, GA, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.7 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 31 miles or 37m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 69.5 miles or 1h 18m 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 7m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Thomson, 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 Thomson, GA

This is one driving day of about 139 miles and 2h 39m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Thomson, 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 54.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Covington, GA, GA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Covington, GA

70 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

Covington, GA to Alpharetta, GA

57 mi · 1h 9m

Pacing Suggestions

Sparta, GA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Madison, GA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 69.5 miles from Thomson, 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.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 106.6 and 136.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
106.6 mi into trip | ~1h 58m in

Take the exit toward I 285 Bypass North: Greenville, Chattanooga

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 67B Toward I 285 Bypass North: Greenville, Chattano...
7
124.8 mi into trip | ~2h 19m in

Take the exit toward GA 400 North, GA 400 South, Peachtree Dunwoody Road, US 19 North: Cumming, Dahlonega, Atlanta

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. Toward GA 400 North, GA 400 South, Peachtree Du...
6
125.2 mi into trip | ~2h 20m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 19 North, GA 400 North, GA 400 South: Cumming, Dahlonega, Atlanta

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 19 North, GA 400 North, GA 400 South:...
8
125.9 mi into trip | ~2h 21m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 19 North, GA 400 North: Cumming, Dahlonega

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward US 19 North, GA 400 North: Cumming, Dahl...
8
136.9 mi into trip | ~2h 34m in

Take the exit toward Alpharetta, Haynes Bridge Road

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 9 Toward Alpharetta, Haynes Bridge Road

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.74 one way

$43.47 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 49 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $23.77 $47.53
premium $4.70 $25.73 $51.45
diesel $5.61 $30.69 $61.38

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$22

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 48.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 41.7 0 $14.59 $6.67
Efficient EV 34.8 0 $12.16 $5.56
EV Truck/SUV 55.6 0 $19.46 $8.90

Gas CO2

49 kg

EV CO2

16 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 16, 2026

Origin

Thomson, GA

Morning in Thomson on Tuesday

Local time

9:05 AM

EDT

Current temp

88°F

Sunny

W 2 to 6 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 5:50AM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 15 at 8:01PM EDT by NWS Peachtree City GA

Destination

Alpharetta, GA

Morning in Alpharetta on Tuesday

Local time

9:05 AM

EDT

Current temp

86°F

Sunny

W 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 5:50AM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 15 at 8:01PM EDT by NWS Peachtree City GA

82°F

Covington, GA

70 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

2 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 39m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive for much of this 139-mile journey. While 7% of the route utilizes highway travel, the majority involves navigating local roads and highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 54.7 miles on the Carl Sanders Highway. This means you'll experience a more varied driving experience, with frequent changes in speed and direction, rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Be prepared for a dynamic road experience as you transition between different types of thoroughfares.

Only 7% 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: 54.7 mi on Carl Sanders 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 106.6 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 139 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 106.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 124.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 125.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Thomson, GA and Alpharetta, GA, road signs point toward Chattanooga, Dahlonega and Atlanta.

Chattanooga

106.6 mi in | ~1h 58m

Dahlonega

124.8 mi in | ~2h 19m

Atlanta

124.8 mi in | ~2h 19m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 39m. Total distance: 139 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 54.7 miles on Carl Sanders 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 Alpharetta, 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: at 106.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 124.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 125.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Alpharetta, 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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