This 25.6-mile drive from Alpharetta, GA to Fair Oaks, GA is a short hop that can easily be completed in about 38 minutes, making it perfect for a single-day excursion. With a modest fuel cost estimated at $4, it's an economical option for exploring the Southeast region. The journey primarily utilizes Turner McDonald Parkway, Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter, and Windy Hill Road Southeast, offering a mixed driving experience. Since it's such a brief trip, you won't need an overnight stay, allowing for maximum flexibility in your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
12.8 miles from Alpharetta, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 17m into the drive
.
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Drive Character
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with 44% of it on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 9.1 miles on Turner McDonald Parkway. As you progress, the road character will shift, transitioning from highway segments to more local road conditions. This blend means you'll experience both faster-paced travel and more varied traffic patterns as you navigate through the Georgia landscape.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Turner McDonald Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 9.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 11.1 miles in.
Route Complexity10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 25.6 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 11.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.6 miles (US 19): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
11.1 mi into trip|~14m in
Take the exit toward I 285: Chattanooga, Greenville
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 I 285: Chattanooga, Greenville
9
12.6 mi into trip|~16m in|US 19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 19 toward I 285 West: Chattanooga, Birmingham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 4B
Toward I 285 West: Chattanooga, Birmingham
8
18.8 mi into trip|~25m in
Take the exit toward I 75: Atlanta, Marietta, Chattanooga
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 20
Toward I 75: Atlanta, Marietta, Chattanooga
8
19.1 mi into trip|~25m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 75 North: Marietta, Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 75 North: Marietta, Chattanooga
8
20 mi into trip|~27m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Windy Hill Road, Smyrna
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Windy Hill Road, Smyrna
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 Fair Oaks, GA, road signs point toward Greenville, Augusta, Chattanooga, Birmingham, Marietta and Smyrna.
Greenville
11.1 mi in|~14m
Augusta
11.9 mi in|~15m|via US 19
Chattanooga
11.9 mi in|~15m|via US 19
Birmingham
11.9 mi in|~15m|via US 19
Marietta
18.8 mi in|~25m
Smyrna
20 mi in|~27m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Turner McDonald Parkway
9.1 mi
10m
Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
4.4 mi
5m
Windy Hill Road Southeast
3 mi
5m
US 19
2.1 mi
3m
Atlanta Road Southeast
1.9 mi
3m
Haynes Bridge Road
1.1 mi
1m
South Main Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Barber Road
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Turner McDonald Parkway
— 9.1 mi, about 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alpharetta, GA and Fair Oaks, 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
9.1 mi·10 min·Turner McDonald Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 285: Chattanooga, GreenvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on US 19
0.7 mi·53 sec·US 19
Exit 4A; 4BToward I 285 East, I 285 West: Greenville, Augusta, Chattanooga, Birmingham
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 19
1.5 mi·2 min·US 19
Exit 4BToward I 285 West: Chattanooga, BirminghamUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 285 West: Chattanooga, Birmingham
11
Merge onto I 285
4.4 mi·5 min·Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
Toward I 285 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·27 sec
Exit 20Toward I 75: Atlanta, Marietta, ChattanoogaUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 North: Marietta, ChattanoogaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward Windy Hill Road, SmyrnaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn left onto Windy Hill Road Southeast
3.0 mi·5 min·Windy Hill Road Southeast
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
16
Turn right onto Atlanta Road Southeast
1.9 mi·3 min·Atlanta Road Southeast
17
Turn left onto Old Concord Road Southeast
129 ft·4 sec·Old Concord Road Southeast
18
Turn right onto Barber Road
0.3 mi·54 sec·Barber Road
19
Turn right onto Joyner Avenue
55 ft·1 sec·Joyner Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
Joyner Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the short 38-minute duration of this 25.6-mile trip, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. There are no recommended stops, so you can make the journey in one go. Keep an eye on traffic, especially as you approach and travel on Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter. The estimated fuel cost is around $4, so plan accordingly. A helpful tip for this route is to be aware of the transitions between the highway sections and local roads; they can sometimes be abrupt.
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 12.8 miles from Alpharetta, GA, or about 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 9.1 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 25.6 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 12.8 miles or 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fair Oaks, 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 25.6 miles and 38m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Turner McDonald Parkway for about 9.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 12.8 mi from Alpharetta, GA
· 17m into the drive
The midpoint is around 12.8 miles from Alpharetta, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Fair Oaks, GA
The final approach into Fair Oaks, 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 Fair Oaks, 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.
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,...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
$5
near mile 5.3
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...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 13.3
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
7.7
0
$2.69
$1.23
Efficient EV
6.4
0
$2.24
$1.02
EV Truck/SUV
10.2
0
$3.58
$1.64
Gas CO2
9 kg
EV CO2
3 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 data refreshed 5 days ago
Origin
Alpharetta, GA
Late night
in Alpharetta on Wednesday
Local time
2:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fair Oaks, GA
Late night
in Fair Oaks on Wednesday
Local time
2:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°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
26 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
38m 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 Fair Oaks, GA covers 25.6 miles and takes about 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Turner McDonald Parkway, Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter, Windy Hill Road Southeast. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 12.8 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 $4.00 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 25.6 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: at 11.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.6 miles (US 19): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Alpharetta, GA and Fair Oaks, GA, road signs point toward Greenville, Augusta, Chattanooga, Birmingham, Marietta and Smyrna.
