Origin
Austell, GA
Evening in Austell on Sunday
Local time
8:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Austell, GA to Atlanta, GA
Drive Time
26m
Distance
17.6 mi
28 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 24m
★
6 AM
0h 26m
8 AM
0h 30m
10 AM
0h 28m
12 PM
0h 27m
3 PM
0h 28m
5 PM
0h 30m
8 PM
0h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Austell, GA
ANTONI SHKRABA production
Atlanta, GA
Kelly
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel from Austell to Atlanta, you are looking at a quick 17.6-mile commute across Georgia. Expect this drive to take roughly 26 minutes under normal conditions, making it an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. With a fuel cost estimate of just $3, this is a highly economical route for your schedule. You will primarily navigate via the Tom Murphy Freeway, Thornton Road, and Veterans Memorial Highway Southwest. Since both cities are located within the Southeast region, the transition between them is seamless and straightforward. It serves as a practical, no-fuss connection between these two Georgia locations.
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
8.8 miles from Austell, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 13m into the drive .
Drive Character
This 17.6-mile trip is a highway-focused drive, with about 68% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will find that the longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on the Tom Murphy Freeway, which spans 11.9 miles of the journey. The experience is largely defined by this interstate pace, offering a direct path rather than a winding scenic tour. As you progress from Austell toward the heart of Atlanta, the road character remains consistent and efficient. Do not expect technical local roads, as the route is engineered for speed and direct transit between these two points.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Tom Murphy Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 11.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Tom Murphy Freeway and Thornton Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 78; US 278; GA 5; GA 8 / Veterans Memorial Highway Southwest.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 17.6 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: near the start (US 78; US 278; GA 5; GA 8 / Veterans Memorial Highway Southwest): Lane positioning matters here; at 4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 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
|
US 78; US 278; GA 5; GA 8 / Veterans Memorial Highway Southwest
Turn left onto US 78; US 278; GA 5; GA 8 / Veterans Memorial Highway Southwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
4 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the exit toward I 20 East: Atlanta
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 20 East: Atlanta
8
16.4 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Take the exit toward Windsor Street, Ted Turner Drive, State Farm Arena
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 56B
Toward Windsor Street, Ted Turner Drive, State...
6
16.7 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
Rawson Street Southwest
Keep slight left at fork onto Rawson Street Southwest
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
17.2 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
Memorial Drive Southwest
Turn right onto Memorial Drive Southwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Austell, GA to Atlanta, GA, road signs begin pointing toward State Farm Arena along the way.
State Farm Arena
16.4 mi in
|
~23m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Tom Murphy Freeway | 11.9 mi | 14m |
| Thornton Road | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| Veterans Memorial Highway Southwest | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Rawson Street Southwest | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Memorial Drive Southwest | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Central Avenue Southwest | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Capitol Avenue Southeast | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Love Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Tom Murphy Freeway
— 11.9 mi, about 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Austell, GA and Atlanta, GA.
1
Start on Love Street
111 ft
·
10 sec
·
Love Street
2
Turn left onto US 78; US 278; GA 5; GA 8
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Veterans Memorial Highway Southwest
Use the none lane.
3
Turn left onto GA 6
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Thornton Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 20 East: Atlanta
Use the right lane.
5
Merge onto I 20
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Tom Murphy Freeway
Use the none lane.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 56B
Toward Windsor Street, Ted Turner Drive, State Farm Arena
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto Rawson Street Southwest
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
Rawson Street Southwest
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
Turn left onto Central Avenue Southwest
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Central Avenue Southwest
9
Turn right onto Memorial Drive Southwest
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Memorial Drive Southwest
Use the right lane.
10
Turn left onto Capitol Avenue Southeast
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Capitol Avenue Southeast
Use the left lane.
11
Arrive at destination
Capitol Avenue Southeast
Trip Plan
Because this is a short 26-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, given the reliance on major highways like the Tom Murphy Freeway, try to avoid peak rush hour traffic to ensure you maintain that estimated duration. Since the trip covers less than 20 miles, you will not need to plan for any stops along the way. Your fuel budget is minimal at $3, so you can easily complete the entire trek on a single tank. My best advice for this specific route is to monitor real-time traffic reports before you leave Austell, as the highway-heavy nature of the drive means that even minor congestion can noticeably impact your travel time.
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 8.8 miles from Austell, GA, or about 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 11.9 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 17.6 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 8.8 miles or 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Atlanta, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Austell, 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 Austell, GA
This is one driving day of about 17.6 miles and 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Austell, 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 Tom Murphy Freeway for about 11.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 8.8 mi from Austell, GA · 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
9 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 17.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 8.8 miles from Austell, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Atlanta, GA
The final approach into Atlanta, 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 Atlanta, 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
$2.82 one way
$5.63 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
6 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $3.07 | $6.14 |
| premium | $4.78 | $3.31 | $6.62 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $3.91 | $7.82 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 6.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.3 | 0 | $1.85 | $0.84 |
| Efficient EV | 4.4 | 0 | $1.54 | $0.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 7 | 0 | $2.46 | $1.13 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 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.
Destination
Atlanta, GA
Evening in Atlanta on Sunday
Local time
8:11 PM
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
27 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
26m 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 Austell, GA to Atlanta, GA covers 17.6 miles and takes about 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Tom Murphy Freeway, Thornton Road, Veterans Memorial Highway Southwest. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 8.8 miles from Austell, GA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.82 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 9 significant decision points across 17.6 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: near the start (US 78; US 278; GA 5; GA 8 / Veterans Memorial Highway Southwest): Lane positioning matters here; at 4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Austell, GA to Atlanta, GA, road signs begin pointing toward State Farm Arena along the way.
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