Origin
Waynesboro, GA
Morning in Waynesboro on Tuesday
Local time
6:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Waynesboro, GA to Marietta, GA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 36m
Distance
175.9 mi
283 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 24m
★
6 AM
3h 37m
8 AM
4h 2m
10 AM
3h 46m
12 PM
3h 43m
3 PM
3h 47m
5 PM
4h 1m
8 PM
3h 29m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Waynesboro, GA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Waynesboro, GA to Marietta, GA is 175.9 miles and takes about 3h 36m via Purple Heart Highway, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Georgia, traversing the Southeast region. Expect a day of driving that leans more towards local roads than high-speed highways, making it a good choice if you prefer a less intense journey. With only one recommended stop and a drive time under four hours, this route offers a straightforward path from point A to point B.
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
88 miles from Waynesboro, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 55m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Highway | 46.9 mi | 50m |
| Carl Sanders Highway | 39.9 mi | 42m |
| George Massey Road | 22.7 mi | 31m |
| GA 80 | 19.5 mi | 26m |
| Ralph David Abernathy Freeway | 9.1 mi | 10m |
| Atlanta Highway | 7.2 mi | 10m |
| Horace E Tate Freeway | 7.2 mi | 8m |
| Larry McDonald Memorial Highway | 7 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Highway
— 46.9 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waynesboro, GA and Marietta, GA.
1
Start on US 25; GA 24; GA 121
77 ft
·
6 sec
·
Liberty Street
2
Turn left onto GA 24; GA 56; GA 80
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
West 6th Street
3
Enter roundabout onto GA 24; GA 80
107 ft
·
1 sec
·
GA 24; GA 80
4
Continue on GA 24; GA 80
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
GA 24; GA 80
5
Turn right onto GA 80
23 mi
·
31 min
·
George Massey Road
6
At end of road, turn left onto GA 80; GA 88
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Stapleton Highway
7
Turn right onto GA 17; GA 80
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Thomson Highway
Use the right lane.
8
Turn left onto GA 80
19 mi
·
26 min
·
GA 80
9
At end of road, turn left onto US 278 Truck; GA 12 Bypass
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Legion Road
10
Continue on US 278 Truck; GA 12 Bypass
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
Jones Circle
11
Continue on US 278; GA 12
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
12
Continue on US 278; GA 12
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Norwood Road
13
Continue on US 278; GA 12
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Jefferson Davis Memorial Highway
14
Continue on US 278; GA 12
7.2 mi
·
10 min
·
Atlanta Highway
15
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Toward I-20 West: Atlanta
16
Merge onto I 20
40 mi
·
42 min
·
Carl Sanders Highway
17
Continue on I 20
47 mi
·
50 min
·
Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 20
9.1 mi
·
10 min
·
Ralph David Abernathy Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 58B
Toward Hill Street, Turner Field
Use the slight right lane.
20
At end of road, turn right onto Hill Street Southeast
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
Hill Street Southeast
21
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Southeast
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Southeast
22
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I 75 North, I 85 North
23
Merge onto I 75; I 85
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Downtown Connector
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 75
7.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Horace E Tate Freeway
Toward I 75 North: Marietta, Chattanooga
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 75
7.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Larry McDonald Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 265
Toward GA 120 Alternate: North Marietta Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Turn left onto GA 120 ALT
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
North Marietta Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
28
Turn left onto Church Street
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Church Street
Use the left lane.
29
Arrive at destination
West Park Square
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 3h 36m duration, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time; leaving mid-morning should give you plenty of time to arrive in Marietta before evening. Plan for your single recommended stop strategically, perhaps around the halfway point, to break up the drive without feeling rushed. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the highway share is low, meaning you might encounter fewer large service plazas. A specific tip for this route: familiarize yourself with the Purple Heart Highway section, as it represents your longest continuous stretch and will likely set the pace for much of your journey.
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 88 miles from Waynesboro, GA, or about 1h 55m 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 39 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88 miles or 1h 55m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Marietta, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Waynesboro, 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 Waynesboro, GA
This is one driving day of about 175.9 miles and 3h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Waynesboro, 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
88 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 88 miles from Waynesboro, 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 185 decision points cluster between mile 25 and 173.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
25 mi into trip
|
~35m in
|
GA 17; GA 80 / Thomson Highway
Turn right onto GA 17; GA 80 / Thomson Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
155 mi into trip
|
~3h 8m in
Take the exit toward Hill Street, Turner Field
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 58B
Toward Hill Street, Turner Field
6
155.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 9m in
Take the ramp toward I 75 North, I 85 North
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 75 North, I 85 North
8
159 mi into trip
|
~3h 14m in
|
I 75 / Horace E Tate Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 75 / Horace E Tate Freeway toward I 75 North: Marietta, Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 75 North: Marietta, Chattanooga
7
173.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 31m in
Take the exit toward GA 120 Alternate: North Marietta Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 265
Toward GA 120 Alternate: North Marietta Parkway
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.51 one way
$55.01 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
62 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $30.08 | $60.15 |
| premium | $4.70 | $32.56 | $65.11 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.84 | $77.67 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.8 | 0 | $18.47 | $8.44 |
| Efficient EV | 44 | 0 | $15.39 | $7.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 70.4 | 0 | $24.63 | $11.26 |
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Destination
Marietta, GA
Morning in Marietta on Tuesday
Local time
6:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
82°F
Madison, GA
88 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
5 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
3h 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...
1 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 157.7
View on nps.gov
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,...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
$5
near mile 169.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as a 'Turn-heavy local drive,' with only 22% of the journey on highways. You'll spend most of your time on roads like Purple Heart Highway and Carl Sanders Highway, which means a more engaging driving experience with frequent turns. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 46.9 miles on Purple Heart Highway, so be prepared for a fairly continuous series of local road navigation rather than long, monotonous highway stretches. This type of drive can be more demanding but also offers a closer look at the communities you pass through.
Only 22% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
29 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?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 25 miles in near GA 17; GA 80 / Thomson Highway.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 175.9 miles you will encounter 18 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 25 miles (GA 17; GA 80 / Thomson Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 155 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 155.7 miles: 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Waynesboro, GA and Marietta, GA, road signs point toward Turner Field and Chattanooga.
Turner Field
155 mi in
|
~3h 8m
Chattanooga
159 mi in
|
~3h 14m
|
via I 75
About the Cities
Arriving in Marietta, GA
Full guide →Founded 1834
Marietta is a city of 61,000 people (2019) in Metro Atlanta. It is the fourth largest city in the state. Dobbins Air Reserve Base on the south side of town and a Lockheed Martin manufacturing plant are among the major industries in the city.
Top landmarks
- • Marietta National Cemetery — veterans cemetery in Cobb County, Georgia, United States
- • Aviation History & Technology Center — museum in Marietta, Georgia, USA
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 36m. Total distance: 175.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Marietta, 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 25 miles (GA 17; GA 80 / Thomson Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 155 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 155.7 miles: 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 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Marietta, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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