The drive from Alpharetta, GA to Alma, GA covers 238.2 miles and takes about 4h 53m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 75, I 16, US 319 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 77.1 miles on I 75.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $37.25 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
119.1 miles from Alpharetta, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 18m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 53m. Total distance: 238.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 53m highway drive covering 238.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 75 and I 16. The longest continuous stretch is about 77.1 miles on I 75.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 75 is the longest continuous segment at about 77.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and I 16. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near GA 9 / South Main Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 238.2 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: near the start (GA 9 / South Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.2 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|GA 9 / South Main Street
Turn left onto GA 9 / South Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
1.6 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the ramp toward US 19 South, GA 400 South
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward US 19 South, GA 400 South
6
30.2 mi into trip|~39m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
95 mi into trip|~1h 51m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward Macon, Savannah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Macon, Savannah
8
107.2 mi into trip|~2h 4m in
Take the exit toward I 16 East: Jim Gillis Highway, Savannah
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 165
Toward I 16 East: Jim Gillis Highway, Savannah
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Alpharetta, GA and Alma, GA, road signs point toward Macon, Savannah and Mcrae.
Macon
95 mi in|~1h 51m|via I 75
Savannah
95 mi in|~1h 51m|via I 75
Mcrae
158.3 mi in|~3h
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
77.1 mi
1h 25m
I 16
50 mi
53m
US 319
28.6 mi
39m
Alma Highway
17.6 mi
26m
East Golden Isles Highway
16 mi
22m
Turner McDonald Parkway
11 mi
13m
T Harvey Mathis Parkway
6.8 mi
8m
US 1
6.3 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 77.1 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alpharetta, GA and Alma, GA.
1
Start on Academy Street
139 ft·11 sec·Academy Street
2
Turn left onto GA 9
0.3 mi·31 sec·South Main Street
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto GA 120
0.2 mi·24 sec·Old Milton Parkway
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto Haynes Bridge Road
1.1 mi·1 min·Haynes Bridge Road
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward US 19 South, GA 400 SouthUse the right lane.
6
Merge onto US 19; GA 400
11 mi·13 min·Turner McDonald Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on GA 400
6.8 mi·8 min·T Harvey Mathis Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 85
2.9 mi·4 min·Northeast Expressway
9
Continue on I 75; I 85
5.0 mi·6 min·Downtown Connector
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 75; I 85
2.3 mi·3 min·James Wendell George Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
65 mi·1 hr 11 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
12 mi·13 min·I 75
Toward Macon, SavannahUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
1.1 mi·1 min
Exit 165Toward I 16 East: Jim Gillis Highway, SavannahUse the slight right lane.
14
Continue on I 16
50 mi·53 min·I 16
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 51Toward US 319, US 441: Dublin, McRae
16
Turn right onto US 319; US 441; GA 31; GA 117
29 mi·39 min·US 319; US 441; GA 31; GA 117
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit onto US 319; US 441; GA 31
328 ft·9 sec·US 319; US 441; GA 31
18
Merge onto US 280; US 319; US 441; GA 30; GA 31
1.6 mi·2 min·US 280; US 319; US 441; GA 30; GA 31
19
Turn left onto US 23; US 341; GA 27
1.6 mi·3 min·East Oak Street
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on US 23; US 341; GA 27
16 mi·22 min·East Golden Isles Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on US 23; US 341; GA 19; GA 27
5.3 mi·7 min·Lumber City Highway
22
Continue on US 23; US 341; GA 19; GA 27
0.9 mi·1 min·West Coffee Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Turn slight right onto US 221; 135
246 ft·4 sec·Hazlehurst Denton Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Continue on US 221; GA 135
0.8 mi·1 min·North Tallahassee Street
25
Turn left onto US 221; 135; 135 Connector
0.8 mi·1 min·East Jefferson Street
26
Continue on GA 135 Connector
424 ft·7 sec·Alma Road
27
Continue on US 23; GA 19
18 mi·26 min·Alma Highway
28
Turn right onto US 1; US 23; GA 4
6.3 mi·7 min·US 1; US 23; GA 4
29
Turn left onto GA 32
89 ft·1 sec·East 16th Street
30
Arrive at destination
GA 32
Trip Plan
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 119.1 miles from Alpharetta, GA, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.1 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 52 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.1 miles or 2h 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 3h 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alma, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Alpharetta, 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 Alpharetta, GA
This is one driving day of about 238.2 miles and 4h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Alpharetta, 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 77.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 119.1 mi from Alpharetta, GA
· 2h 18m into the drive
The midpoint is around 119.1 miles from Alpharetta, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 77.1 miles.
Arriving in Alma, GA
The final approach into Alma, GA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Alma, GA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
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...
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,...
Welcome to Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. This park is a prehistoric American Indian site, where many different American Indian cultures occupied this land for thousands of years. American...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 106.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.25 one way
$74.50 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$40.73
$81.46
premium
$4.70
$44.09
$88.17
diesel
$5.61
$52.59
$105.18
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: 83.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.5
0
$25.01
$11.43
Efficient EV
59.6
0
$20.84
$9.53
EV Truck/SUV
95.3
1
$33.35
$15.24
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Alpharetta, GA
Afternoon
in Alpharetta on Friday
Local time
2:15 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Alma, GA
Afternoon
in Alma on Friday
Local time
2:15 PM
EDT
Current temp
83°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
31 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 53m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Alpharetta, GA to Alma, GA covers 238.2 miles and takes about 4h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, I 16, US 319. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 119.1 miles from Alpharetta, GA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $37.25 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 238.2 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.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (GA 9 / South Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.2 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Alpharetta, GA and Alma, GA, road signs point toward Macon, Savannah and Mcrae.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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.
