Origin
Atlanta, GA
Night in Atlanta on Sunday
Local time
9:24 PM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Atlanta, GA to Cordele, GA
Drive Time
2h 39m
Distance
142.4 mi
229 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 29m
★
6 AM
2h 39m
8 AM
3h 0m
10 AM
2h 47m
12 PM
2h 45m
3 PM
2h 48m
5 PM
2h 59m
8 PM
2h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Atlanta, GA
Kelly
Cordele, GA
ANTONI SHKRABA production
Trip Overview
Traveling from Atlanta to Cordele covers 142.4 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 39 minutes. This straightforward trip is best tackled as a single-day excursion, as it is easily manageable without an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize I-75, the Fall Line Freeway, and the Larry Justice Highway to reach your destination. Budgeting approximately $23 for fuel should keep you well-covered for the journey. Both cities sit within the Southeast, ensuring a consistent regional travel experience as you head south through Georgia. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick getaway, this route offers a reliable connection between the two hubs.
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
71.2 miles from Atlanta, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 20m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive that keeps you moving efficiently throughout the 142.4-mile journey. With 86% of the route consisting of highway travel, you can anticipate consistent speeds and a straightforward navigation experience. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs during the 64.8-mile segment on I-75, which serves as the primary backbone of your trip. As you transition onto the Fall Line Freeway and the Larry Justice Highway, the road maintains a practical, functional character designed for steady progress. It is a no-nonsense path that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 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 Martin Luther King Jr Drive Southwest.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 142.4 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 (Martin Luther King Jr Drive Southwest): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.1 miles (Washington Street Southwest): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.3 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 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
|
Martin Luther King Jr Drive Southwest
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Jr Drive Southwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Washington Street Southwest
Turn left onto Washington Street Southwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
4.3 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
69.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m 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
140.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 34m 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 |
| James Wendell George Parkway | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| 16th Avenue East | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Downtown Connector | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Pulliam Street Southwest | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Washington Street Southwest | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 64.8 mi, about 1h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Atlanta, GA and Cordele, GA.
1
Start on Capitol Avenue Southeast
195 ft
·
9 sec
·
Capitol Avenue Southeast
2
Turn left onto Martin Luther King Jr Drive Southwest
434 ft
·
16 sec
·
Martin Luther King Jr Drive Southwest
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto Washington Street Southwest
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
Washington Street Southwest
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Continue on Pulliam Street Southwest
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Pulliam Street Southwest
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 75 South, I 85 South
6
Merge onto I 75; I 85
0.6 mi
·
50 sec
·
Downtown Connector
7
Continue on I 75; I 85
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
James Wendell George Parkway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
65 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
I 75
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
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.
10
Merge onto I 75; GA 540
55 mi
·
59 min
·
Fall Line Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward US 280, GA 30, GA 90: Cordele, Abbeville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
this road
Exit 101
Toward US 280, GA 30, GA 90: Cordele, Abbeville
13
Keep slight right at fork
181 ft
·
4 sec
14
Merge onto US 280; GA 30; GA 90
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
16th Avenue East
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Arrive at destination
US 280; GA 30; GA 90
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule rather than worrying about mid-trip lodging. You should factor in at least one stop during the drive to stretch your legs and refresh, especially since the trip duration is just under three hours. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the initial I-75 portion, as your $23 budget is tailored to this specific distance. Since you will be navigating multiple road types, stay alert when transitioning from the interstate onto the Fall Line Freeway and the Larry Justice Highway. Aiming for an off-peak departure from Atlanta can help you bypass city congestion, ensuring a smoother start to your 142.4-mile trek.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 71.2 miles from Atlanta, GA, or about 1h 20m 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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.2 miles or 1h 20m 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 9m
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 Atlanta, 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 Atlanta, GA
This is one driving day of about 142.4 miles and 2h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Atlanta, 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 71.2 mi from Atlanta, GA · 1h 20m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
71 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 71.2 miles from Atlanta, 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
$22.79 one way
$45.58 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
50 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $24.83 | $49.66 |
| premium | $4.78 | $26.79 | $53.57 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $31.64 | $63.27 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42.7 | 0 | $14.95 | $6.84 |
| Efficient EV | 35.6 | 0 | $12.46 | $5.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57 | 0 | $19.94 | $9.11 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 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
Night in Cordele on Sunday
Local time
9:24 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
27 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
2h 39m 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 Atlanta, GA to Cordele, GA covers 142.4 miles and takes about 2h 39m 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 71.2 miles from Atlanta, GA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.79 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.
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 11 significant decision points across 142.4 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 (Martin Luther King Jr Drive Southwest): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.1 miles (Washington Street Southwest): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.3 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Atlanta, GA to Cordele, GA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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