Origin
Brookhaven, GA
Late night in Brookhaven on Friday
Local time
5:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 5m
Distance
53 mi
85 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brookhaven, GA
Wikimedia Commons
Jefferson, GA
Wikimedia Commons
This straightforward 53-mile drive from Brookhaven, GA to Jefferson, GA is a quick trip, averaging just over an hour to complete. Primarily utilizing I-85 and US-129, this route is almost entirely focused on highway travel, making it an ideal day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of around $8, it’s an economical option for a short getaway or errand. Given the short distance and efficient highway access, you won't need to break this journey up with an overnight stay. The drive stays within the Southeast region, offering a familiar landscape as you travel.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 5m. Total distance: 53 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 85% of the journey on high-speed interstates like I-85. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of 24.1 miles on I-85, allowing for consistent progress. While the main roads are interstate highways, the transition to US-129 may offer a slight change of pace, though still maintaining a generally efficient driving profile. This isn't a winding scenic byway; it's a direct path designed for getting from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 85 and Interstate Highway 85. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 53 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (GA 141 / Peachtree Road Northeast): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles (Chamblee Tucker Road): Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto GA 141 / Peachtree Road Northeast
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Chamblee Tucker Road
Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp toward I 85 North: Greenville
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 85 toward I 85 North: Gainesville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 85 | 24.1 mi | 25m |
| Interstate Highway 85 | 15.4 mi | 16m |
| US 129 | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| Northeast Expressway | 2.5 mi | 2m |
| Chamblee Tucker Road | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Peachtree Road Northeast | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Old Pendergrass Road | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Peachtree Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Brookhaven, GA and Jefferson, GA.
Start on this road
Turn left
Turn left
Turn right onto GA 141
Continue on Peachtree Road
Turn right onto Chamblee Tucker Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 85
Continue on I 85
Keep slight right at fork onto I 85
Keep slight right at fork onto I 85
Take the exit
Merge onto US 129; GA 11
Turn left onto Old Pendergrass Road
Turn slight right onto US 129 Business; GA 11 Business
Continue on Gordon Street
Turn left
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 26.5 mi from Brookhaven, GA · 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
27 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.
A short stop after about 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 26.5 miles from Brookhaven, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Jefferson, GA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$8.29 one way
$16.58 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $9.06 | $18.12 |
| premium | $4.70 | $9.81 | $19.62 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.70 | $23.40 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.9 | 0 | $5.56 | $2.54 |
| Efficient EV | 13.3 | 0 | $4.64 | $2.12 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.2 | 0 | $7.42 | $3.39 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (68% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Brookhaven on Friday
Local time
5:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Jefferson on Friday
Local time
5:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. National park proximity is from the NPS API. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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