Varnell to Augusta is 247.2 miles and takes about 4h 38m via I 75 and Carl Sanders Highway, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Georgia, connecting two points in the Southeast region. You'll encounter a mix of interstate driving and surface roads. It's a straightforward drive that's easy to complete in a single day, making it a convenient option for moving between these two areas.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
123.6 miles from Varnell, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
93.4 mi
1h 43m
Carl Sanders Highway
84.9 mi
1h 30m
Purple Heart Highway
46.9 mi
50m
Ralph David Abernathy Freeway
9.7 mi
11m
Tunnel Hill Varnell Road Northwest
4.4 mi
7m
Calhoun Expressway
2.7 mi
3m
Washington Road
2.4 mi
4m
South Spring Street
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 93.4 mi, about 1h 43m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 83 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
1 PM
~4,435 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,259
Quietest
2 AM
~768 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Varnell, GA and Augusta, GA.
1
Start on Railroad Street
118 ft·6 sec·Railroad Street
2
Turn right onto Main Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·Main Street
3
Turn left onto GA 2
0.5 mi·52 sec·South Spring Street
4
Continue on GA 201
4.4 mi·7 min·Tunnel Hill Varnell Road Northwest
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the ramp
116 ft·4 sec
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Turn left
0.4 mi·57 sec
7
Merge onto I 75
93 mi·1 hr 43 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 247Toward I 20: Augusta, BirminghamUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 East: AugustaUse the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto I 20
9.7 mi·11 min·Ralph David Abernathy Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 20
47 mi·50 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 4h 38m estimated drive time, starting your trip in the morning is ideal to allow for flexibility. With only one recommended stop, you can plan your break strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or when you transition from highway to surface roads. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $38, and it's always wise to top off before embarking on longer stretches. This route's manageable length means you can easily adjust your pace without feeling rushed.
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 123.6 miles from Varnell, GA, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93.4 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 54 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.6 miles or 2h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 47m
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 Varnell, 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 Varnell, GA
This is one driving day of about 247.2 miles and 4h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Varnell, 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 I 75 for about 93.4 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 5 and 99.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
5 mi into trip|~9m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
5
5.5 mi into trip|~10m in|I 75
Merge onto I 75
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
98.9 mi into trip|~1h 53m in
Take the exit toward I 20: Augusta, Birmingham
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 247
Toward I 20: Augusta, Birmingham
7
99.1 mi into trip|~1h 54m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 20 East: Augusta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 20 East: Augusta
5
99.8 mi into trip|~1h 55m in|I 20 / Ralph David Abernathy Freeway
Merge onto I 20 / Ralph David Abernathy Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.50 one way
$72.99 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$40.11
$80.21
premium
$4.49
$43.72
$87.43
diesel
$4.80
$46.68
$93.35
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.2
0
$25.96
$11.87
Efficient EV
61.8
0
$21.63
$9.89
EV Truck/SUV
98.9
1
$34.61
$15.82
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Varnell, GA
Late night
in Varnell on Sunday
Local time
5:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NW 0 to 5 mph41% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:16AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Charleston SC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:14AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Columbia SC
Destination
Augusta, GA
Late night
in Augusta on Sunday
Local time
5:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
96°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 1 to 7 mph29% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:16AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Charleston SC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:14AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Columbia SC
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
7 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
4h 38m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 102.3
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?
About 43% of this 247.2-mile drive is on highways. You'll experience a longest stretch of 93.4 miles on I 75. Expect to transition from highway cruising to surface roads as you progress. The prevalence of highway driving suggests a relatively consistent speed for much of the trip, with fewer interruptions than a route solely on local roads.
43% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 93.4 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5 miles in.
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 12 significant decision points across 247.2 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 5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 5.5 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 98.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
924 ft140 ft
Total Climb
376 ft
Total Descent
1,039 ft
Highest Point
924 ft
~70.6 mi in
Elevation Range
784 ft
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 Varnell, GA to Augusta, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Birmingham along the way.
Augusta is a city in Georgia's Classic Heartland. Due to its location inland on the Savannah River, Augusta was a city of major strategic importance by the end of the Civil War. It was spared most of the destruction of many other southern cities, so there are many old buildings and landmarks. Augusta is also home to the Augusta National Golf Club, one of the world's most prestigious and exclusive golf clubs, which plays host to the Masters golf tournament.
Top landmarks
•Augusta National Golf Club — golf course in Georgia, United States
•Augusta Canal — canal in Augusta, Georgia, United States of America
•Morris Museum of Art — museum in Augusta, Georgia, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 38m. Total distance: 247.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 93.4 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 31 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 5.5 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 98.9 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Augusta, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
