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Trip from Brookhaven, GA to Jefferson, GA

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

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 16 min
4 AM
1h 0m ★
6 AM
1h 6m
8 AM
1h 16m
10 AM
1h 9m
12 PM
1h 8m
3 PM
1h 10m
5 PM
1h 16m
8 PM
1h 3m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in western DeKalb County, Georgia, United States

Brookhaven, GA

Wikimedia Commons

city in Jackson County, Georgia, United States

Jefferson, GA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

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.

Who Is This Route For?

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.

Drive Character

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.

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.
I 85 is the longest continuous segment at about 24.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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.

Driving Effort 9/10

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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in

Turn left

Navigation decision point

6
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | GA 141 / Peachtree Road Northeast

Turn right onto GA 141 / Peachtree Road Northeast

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
2.8 mi into trip | ~6m in | Chamblee Tucker Road

Turn right onto Chamblee Tucker Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
7
5.1 mi into trip | ~10m in

Take the ramp toward I 85 North: Greenville

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I 85 North: Greenville
7
23.7 mi into trip | ~30m in | I 85

Keep slight right at fork onto I 85 toward I 85 North: Gainesville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Toward I 85 North: Gainesville

Main Roads

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
Longest stretch: I 85 — 24.1 mi, about 25m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Brookhaven, GA and Jefferson, GA.

1

Start on this road

397 ft · 34 sec · this road
2

Turn left

63 ft · 9 sec
3

Turn left

139 ft · 12 sec
4

Turn right onto GA 141

2.1 mi · 3 min · Peachtree Road Northeast
Use the left lane.
5

Continue on Peachtree Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · Peachtree Road
6

Turn right onto Chamblee Tucker Road

2.3 mi · 4 min · Chamblee Tucker Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
7

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Toward I 85 North: Greenville Use the left lane.
8

Merge onto I 85

2.5 mi · 2 min · Northeast Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Continue on I 85

15 mi · 16 min · Interstate Highway 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 85

0.5 mi · 33 sec · I 85
11

Keep slight right at fork onto I 85

24 mi · 25 min · I 85
Toward I 85 North: Gainesville Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward US 129, GA 11: Gainesville, Jefferson
13

Merge onto US 129; GA 11

3.3 mi · 4 min · US 129; GA 11
14

Turn left onto Old Pendergrass Road

1.6 mi · 2 min · Old Pendergrass Road
15

Turn slight right onto US 129 Business; GA 11 Business

0.4 mi · 44 sec · Washington Street
16

Continue on Gordon Street

414 ft · 23 sec · Gordon Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
17

Turn left

431 ft · 31 sec
18

Arrive at destination

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 26.5 mi from Brookhaven, GA · 33m into the drive

city in and county seat of Gwinnett County, Georgia, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lawrenceville, GA

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.

Pacing Suggestions

Norcross, GA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Buford, GA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 26.5 miles from Brookhaven, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Jefferson, GA

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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$8.29 one way

$16.58 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 19 kg CO2
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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Brookhaven, GA

Late night in Brookhaven on Friday

Local time

5:24 AM

EDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Jefferson, GA

Late night in Jefferson on Friday

Local time

5:24 AM

EDT

Current temp

75°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

23 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

1h 5m 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 Brookhaven, GA to Jefferson, GA covers 53 miles and takes about 1h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 85, Interstate Highway 85, US 129. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 26.5 miles from Brookhaven, GA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.29 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 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.

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.

The route from Brookhaven, GA to Jefferson, GA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Yes. Nearby national parks include Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park.

How this page is built

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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