Origin
Alpharetta, GA
Afternoon in Alpharetta on Saturday
Local time
2:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Alpharetta, GA to Lakeland, GA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 48m
Distance
251 mi
404 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 35m
★
6 AM
4h 49m
8 AM
5h 16m
10 AM
4h 58m
12 PM
4h 56m
3 PM
5h 0m
5 PM
5h 14m
8 PM
4h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Alpharetta, GA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Alpharetta, GA to Lakeland, GA covers 251 miles and takes about 4h 48m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Fall Line Freeway, I 75, West 4th Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 116.3 miles on Fall Line Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $39.25 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
125.5 miles from Alpharetta, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 24m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Line Freeway | 116.3 mi | 2h 4m |
| I 75 | 64.8 mi | 1h 11m |
| West 4th Street | 23.1 mi | 34m |
| 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 |
Longest stretch:
Fall Line Freeway
— 116.3 mi, about 2h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alpharetta, GA and Lakeland, 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
116 mi
·
2 hr 4 min
·
Fall Line Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 39
Toward GA 37: Adel, Moultrie, Nashville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
217 ft
·
7 sec
Toward GA 37 East: Adel, Nashville
Use the left lane.
16
Turn slight left onto GA 37
23 mi
·
34 min
·
West 4th Street
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn straight onto US 129; GA 11; GA 37; GA 122
413 ft
·
10 sec
·
West Main Street
18
Arrive at destination
US 129; US 221; GA 11; GA 31; GA 37; GA 122; GA 135
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 125.5 miles from Alpharetta, GA, or about 2h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 116.3 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 55 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.5 miles or 2h 24m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lakeland, 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 251 miles and 4h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 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 Fall Line Freeway for about 116.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
126 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 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 125.5 miles from Alpharetta, 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 115 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 227.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
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
8
227.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 13m in
Take the exit toward GA 37: Adel, Moultrie, Nashville
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 39
Toward GA 37: Adel, Moultrie, Nashville
8
227.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 14m in
Keep slight left at fork toward GA 37 East: Adel, Nashville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward GA 37 East: Adel, Nashville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.25 one way
$78.50 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
88 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $42.92 | $85.83 |
| premium | $4.70 | $46.45 | $92.91 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $55.42 | $110.84 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 75.3 | 0 | $26.35 | $12.05 |
| Efficient EV | 62.8 | 0 | $21.96 | $10.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 100.4 | 1 | $35.14 | $16.06 |
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Lakeland, GA
Afternoon in Lakeland on Saturday
Local time
2:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Jackson, GA
126 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
1 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 48m 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.
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
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 26
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,...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
$5
near mile 8.7
View on nps.gov
Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 103.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a 4h 48m highway drive covering 251 miles, with most of the trip on Fall Line Freeway and I 75. The longest continuous stretch is about 116.3 miles on Fall Line Freeway.
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.
Fall Line Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 116.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Fall Line Freeway and I 75. 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 Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 251 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 95 miles (I 475 / Larry Justice Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Alpharetta, GA and Lakeland, GA, road signs point toward Moultrie and Nashville.
Moultrie
227.4 mi in
|
~4h 13m
Nashville
227.4 mi in
|
~4h 13m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 48m. Total distance: 251 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Alpharetta, GA to Lakeland, GA covers 251 miles and takes about 4h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Fall Line Freeway, I 75, West 4th Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 125.5 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 $39.25 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 11 significant decision points across 251 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 95 miles (I 475 / Larry Justice Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Alpharetta, GA and Lakeland, GA, road signs point toward Moultrie and Nashville.
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
More trips to Lakeland, GA
Explore more options from Alpharetta, GA or browse trips ending in Lakeland, GA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse GA road trips.