Origin
Alpharetta, GA
Afternoon in Alpharetta on Monday
Local time
4:42 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Alpharetta, GA to Cordele, GA
Drive Time
3h 12m
Distance
168.2 mi
271 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 1m
★
6 AM
3h 12m
8 AM
3h 36m
10 AM
3h 21m
12 PM
3h 18m
3 PM
3h 22m
5 PM
3h 35m
8 PM
3h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Alpharetta, GA
Ramaz Bluashvili
Cordele, GA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Alpharetta, GA to Cordele, GA covers 168.2 miles and takes about 3h 12m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 75, Fall Line Freeway, Larry Justice Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 64.8 miles on I 75. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.92 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
84.1 miles from Alpharetta, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 39m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 3h 12m highway drive covering 168.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 75 and Fall Line Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 64.8 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 18 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 64.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Fall Line Freeway. 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.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 168.2 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 12 key pointsThese 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 475 / Larry Justice Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 475 / Larry Justice Highway toward I 475 South: Valdosta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 177
Toward I 475 South: Valdosta
7
166.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 7m in
Take the exit toward US 280, GA 30, GA 90: Cordele, Abbeville
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 US 280, GA 30, GA 90: Cordele, Abbeville
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 64.8 mi | 1h 11m |
| Fall Line Freeway | 55.1 mi | 59m |
| Larry Justice Highway | 16.1 mi | 17m |
| Turner McDonald Parkway | 11 mi | 13m |
| T Harvey Mathis Parkway | 6.8 mi | 8m |
| Downtown Connector | 5 mi | 6m |
| Northeast Expressway | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| James Wendell George Parkway | 2.3 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 64.8 mi, about 1h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alpharetta, GA and Cordele, 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 South
Use 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 right at fork onto I 475
16 mi
·
17 min
·
Larry Justice Highway
Exit 177
Toward I 475 South: Valdosta
Use the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 75; GA 540
55 mi
·
59 min
·
Fall Line Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward US 280, GA 30, GA 90: Cordele, Abbeville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
this road
Exit 101
Toward US 280, GA 30, GA 90: Cordele, Abbeville
16
Keep slight right at fork
181 ft
·
4 sec
17
Merge onto US 280; GA 30; GA 90
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
16th Avenue East
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Arrive at destination
US 280; GA 30; GA 90
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 84.1 miles from Alpharetta, GA, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.8 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 80 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.1 miles or 1h 39m 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cordele, 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 168.2 miles and 3h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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 64.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 84.1 mi from Alpharetta, GA · 1h 39m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 84.1 miles from Alpharetta, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 64.8 miles.
Arriving in Cordele, GA
The final approach into Cordele, 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 Cordele, GA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.92 one way
$53.84 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
59 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $29.33 | $58.66 |
| premium | $4.78 | $31.64 | $63.28 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $37.37 | $74.74 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.5 | 0 | $17.66 | $8.07 |
| Efficient EV | 42.1 | 0 | $14.72 | $6.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67.3 | 0 | $23.55 | $10.76 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Cordele, GA
Afternoon in Cordele on Monday
Local time
4:42 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°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
1 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 12m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Alpharetta, GA to Cordele, GA covers 168.2 miles and takes about 3h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, Fall Line Freeway, Larry Justice Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 84.1 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 $26.92 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 168.2 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.
The route from Alpharetta, GA to Cordele, GA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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