Traveling from Washington to Alpharetta covers 102.8 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 16 minutes. This route is a straightforward mixed drive that connects two parts of the Southeast region within Georgia. Because the total duration is quite manageable, you can easily complete this trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $16 on fuel for the journey, making it a very affordable option for a quick transit. Whether you are heading to the city for business or visiting family, this drive offers a practical balance between rural landscapes and reaching a major suburban hub.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
51.4 miles from Washington, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
University Parkway
34.6 mi
42m
Lexington Road
21.8 mi
27m
Washington Road
9.3 mi
10m
US 29
8.7 mi
13m
Athens Road
8.4 mi
9m
Inner Loop 10
5.9 mi
6m
State Bridge Road
4.8 mi
8m
Old Milton Parkway
3.7 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
University Parkway
— 34.6 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Washington, GA and Alpharetta, GA.
1
Start on US 78 BUS; GA 10 BUS; GA 47
0.5 mi·1 min·East Robert Toombs Avenue
2
Turn right onto GA 44
0.6 mi·1 min·North Mercer Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto US 78; GA 10
15 mi·16 min·Lexington Road
4
Continue on US 78; GA 10
9.3 mi·10 min·Washington Road
5
Continue on US 78; GA 10; GA 22
0.9 mi·58 sec·Main Street
6
Continue on US 78; GA 10; GA 22
8.4 mi·9 min·Athens Road
7
Continue on US 78; GA 10
5.8 mi·8 min·Lexington Road
8
Continue on US 78; GA 10
0.2 mi·24 sec·Lexington Highway
9
Continue on US 78; GA 10
1.4 mi·2 min·Lexington Road
10
Continue on US 78; GA 10
0.1 mi·19 sec·Oconee Street
11
Turn left onto US 78
0.4 mi·29 sec·US 78
Toward US 129 South, US 441 South, US 29 South, GA 10 Loop South, US 78 West, GA 10 West
12
Merge onto US 29; US 78; US 129; US 441; GA 8; GA 10 Loop; GA 15
5.9 mi·6 min·Inner Loop 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit onto US 29; US 78; GA 8
0.3 mi·40 sec·US 29; US 78; GA 8
Exit 1Toward US 29 South, US 78 West, GA 316 West: Atlanta, MonroeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
At end of road, turn left onto University Parkway
35 mi·42 min·University Parkway
Use the left lane.
15
Take the exit onto US 29; GA 8
8.4 mi·13 min·US 29; GA 8
Toward GA 120, US 29 South, GA 8 South: DuluthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on 120
0.5 mi·1 min·West Lawrenceville Street
Use the straight lane.
17
Enter roundabout onto McClure Bridge Road
222 ft·6 sec·McClure Bridge Road
18
Continue on McClure Bridge Road
0.5 mi·1 min·McClure Bridge Road
19
Continue on Howell Ferry Road
0.2 mi·40 sec·Howell Ferry Road
20
Turn right onto Pleasant Hill Road
1.1 mi·1 min·Pleasant Hill Road
Use the right lane.
21
Continue on State Bridge Road
4.8 mi·8 min·State Bridge Road
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on GA 120
3.7 mi·6 min·Old Milton Parkway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
23
Turn right onto GA 9
0.3 mi·52 sec·South Main Street
24
Turn right onto Academy Street
139 ft·3 sec·Academy Street
25
Arrive at destination
Academy Street
Trip Plan
Since the trip is only 2 hours and 16 minutes long, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. You likely won't need any formal stops, but keeping the $16 fuel estimate in mind will help you plan your budget accordingly. Given the nature of the roads, try to avoid peak commuting hours when navigating the final stretch toward Alpharetta to ensure a smoother arrival. A helpful tip for this specific route is to prioritize filling up your tank before leaving Washington, as the varied road types may result in different fuel consumption rates compared to pure highway driving. Use the 102.8-mile distance to your advantage by enjoying the lack of required rest stops.
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 51.4 miles from Washington, GA, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 34.6 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 23 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51.4 miles or 1h 3m 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 44m
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 Washington, 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 Washington, GA
This is one driving day of about 102.8 miles and 2h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Washington, GA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on University Parkway for about 34.6 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 41.9 and 83.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
41.9 mi into trip|~51m in|US 78
Turn left onto US 78 toward US 129 South, US 441 South, US 29 South, GA 10 Loop South, US 78 West, GA 10 West
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 129 South, US 441 South, US 29 South,...
5
42.3 mi into trip|~52m in|US 29; US 78; US 129; US 441; GA 8; GA 10 Loop; GA 15 / Inner Loop 10
Merge onto US 29; US 78; US 129; US 441; GA 8; GA 10 Loop; GA 15 / Inner Loop 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
48.2 mi into trip|~59m in|US 29; US 78; GA 8
Take the exit onto US 29; US 78; GA 8 toward US 29 South, US 78 West, GA 316 West: Atlanta, Monroe
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 1
Toward US 29 South, US 78 West, GA 316 West: At...
5
48.5 mi into trip|~59m in|University Parkway
At end of road, turn left onto University Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
83.1 mi into trip|~1h 42m in|US 29; GA 8
Take the exit onto US 29; GA 8 toward GA 120, US 29 South, GA 8 South: Duluth
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 120, US 29 South, GA 8 South: Duluth
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.08 one way
$32.15 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg36 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$17.58
$35.15
premium
$4.70
$19.03
$38.05
diesel
$5.61
$22.70
$45.39
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30.8
0
$10.79
$4.93
Efficient EV
25.7
0
$9.00
$4.11
EV Truck/SUV
41.1
0
$14.39
$6.58
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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
Washington, GA
Late night
in Washington on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Alpharetta, GA
Late night
in Alpharetta on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Sunny
W 10 mph0% chanceLive 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
49°F
Arcade, GA
51 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
11 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
2h 16m 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.
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
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,...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
$5
near mile 99.2
Park Closure: Island Ford Trail Closures Winter 2025-2026
Park Closure: Restrooms and Water Fountains Unavailable at Powers Island and Akers Mill
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...
21 mi from route
~53 min detour
Free
near mile 95.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features a varied driving experience, with about 46% of the route spent on highways. You will navigate via University Parkway, Lexington Road, and Washington Road, moving through different road types as you head toward Alpharetta. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is 34.6 miles along University Parkway, which provides a steady rhythm before the road character shifts. The transition from the smaller roads to the more developed highway segments keeps the drive from feeling like a monotonous interstate grind. Expect a mix of open stretches and local driving that keeps you engaged behind the wheel.
46% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 34.6 mi on University Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 41.9 miles in near US 78.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 16m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 41.9 miles (US 78): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.3 miles (US 29; US 78; US 129; US 441; GA 8; GA 10 Loop; GA 15 / Inner Loop 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 48.2 miles (US 29; US 78; GA 8): 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.
On the drive from Washington, GA to Alpharetta, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Monroe along the way.
Monroe
48.2 mi in|~59m|via US 29; US 78; GA 8
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 16m. Total distance: 102.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 34.6 miles on University Parkway. 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 41.9 miles (US 78): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.3 miles (US 29; US 78; US 129; US 441; GA 8; GA 10 Loop; GA 15 / Inner Loop 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 48.2 miles (US 29; US 78; GA 8): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park. 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 Alpharetta, GA before heading back.
