Drive Time
1h 43m
Distance
78.6 mi
126 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
The drive from California, GA to Jefferson, GA covers 78.6 miles and takes about 1h 43m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Macland Road, Windy Hill Road Southwest, Cobb Parkway South for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.26 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
39.3 miles from California, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .
Expect a 1h 43m drive with frequent turns across 78.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Macland Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Windy Hill Road Southwest | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Cobb Parkway South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 285 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 75 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 85 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Northeast Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between California, GA and Jefferson, GA.
Start on Hiram Acworth Highway
Turn left onto Macland Road
Continue on Windy Hill Road Southwest
Turn right onto Cobb Parkway South
Turn left onto I 285 East
Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North, I 285 East: Marietta, Chattanooga
Keep slight right to continue on I 285 East
Merge slight left onto Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
Take the exit slight right toward I 85 North: Greenville
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Greenville, Pleasantdale Road
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Greenville
Merge slight left onto Northeast Expressway
Continue on Interstate Highway 85
Keep slight right
Keep slight right to continue on I 85 North: Gainesville
Take the exit slight right toward US 129, GA 11: Gainesville, Jefferson
Merge slight left
Turn left onto Old Pendergrass Road
Turn slight right onto Washington Street
Continue on Gordon Street
Turn left
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 78.6 miles or 1h 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.3 miles or 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jefferson, GA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving California, 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 California, GA
This is one driving day of about 78.6 miles and 1h 43m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 39.3 mi from California, GA · 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
39 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 78.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 39.3 miles from California, 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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Jefferson, GA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$12.26 one way
$24.51 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $13.71 | $27.41 |
| premium | $4.78 | $14.79 | $29.57 |
| diesel | $5.62 | $17.40 | $34.81 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.5 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.6 | 0 | $8.25 | $3.77 |
| Efficient EV | 19.7 | 0 | $6.88 | $3.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.4 | 0 | $11.00 | $5.03 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in California on Saturday
Local time
9:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Jefferson on Saturday
Local time
9:07 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
87°F
Centre, AL
39 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
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.
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