Origin
Cartersville, GA
Night in Cartersville on Friday
Local time
10:24 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cartersville, GA to Atlanta, GA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
53m
Distance
43.5 mi
70 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 49m
★
6 AM
0h 54m
8 AM
1h 3m
10 AM
0h 57m
12 PM
0h 56m
3 PM
0h 57m
5 PM
1h 2m
8 PM
0h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cartersville, GA
Wikimedia Commons
Atlanta, GA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 43.5-mile drive from Cartersville, GA to Atlanta, GA is a straightforward journey perfect for a single day trip, taking approximately 53 minutes. The route primarily utilizes I-75, making it a highway-focused experience with a projected fuel cost of around $7. Given its short duration and the fact that both locations are within the Southeast region of Georgia, this drive is best suited for a quick transition rather than an overnight stay. You'll find this route efficient for getting you from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 53m. Total distance: 43.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-dominant experience on this route, with 92% of the drive on high-speed roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 40 miles on I-75, so be prepared for consistent highway travel. While the initial part may involve local roads like East Main Street and West Cherokee Avenue, the vast majority of your time will be spent on the interstate, offering a fast-paced journey. This profile means you'll be on a well-maintained, high-speed road for most of the trip.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 10 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 40 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and East Main Street. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near GA 61; GA 113; GA 293 / East Main Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 43.5 miles you will encounter 8 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 0.5 miles (GA 61; GA 113; GA 293 / East Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 43 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
GA 61; GA 113; GA 293 / East Main Street
Turn left onto GA 61; GA 113; GA 293 / East Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
3 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 75
Merge onto I 75
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
43 mi into trip
|
~52m in
Take the exit toward Martin Luther King Junior Drive, State Capitol, Turner Field
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 248A
Toward Martin Luther King Junior Drive, State C...
6
43.4 mi into trip
|
~53m in
|
Capitol Square Southwest
Turn left onto Capitol Square Southwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
43.5 mi into trip
|
~53m in
|
Capitol Avenue Southeast
Turn right onto Capitol Avenue Southeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 40 mi | 46m |
| East Main Street | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| West Cherokee Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Capitol Square Southwest | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| North Gilmer Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Capitol Avenue Southeast | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Southeast | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 40 mi, about 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cartersville, GA and Atlanta, GA.
1
Start on GA 293
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Cherokee Avenue
2
Turn right onto North Gilmer Street
331 ft
·
14 sec
·
North Gilmer Street
3
Turn left onto GA 61; GA 113; GA 293
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
East Main Street
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 75 South: Atlanta
5
Merge onto I 75
40 mi
·
46 min
·
I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 248A
Toward Martin Luther King Junior Drive, State Capitol, Turner Field
Use the slight right lane.
7
Turn slight right onto Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Southeast
288 ft
·
13 sec
·
Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Southeast
Use the right lane.
8
Turn left onto Capitol Square Southwest
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Capitol Square Southwest
Use the straight / left lanes.
9
Turn right onto Capitol Avenue Southeast
318 ft
·
6 sec
·
Capitol Avenue Southeast
Use the right lane.
10
Arrive at destination
Capitol Avenue Southeast
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 21.8 mi from Cartersville, GA · 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
22 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 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 21.8 miles from Cartersville, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Atlanta, GA
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Atlanta, GA if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.80 one way
$13.60 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
15 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $7.44 | $14.88 |
| premium | $4.70 | $8.05 | $16.10 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.60 | $19.21 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13 | 0 | $4.57 | $2.09 |
| Efficient EV | 10.9 | 0 | $3.81 | $1.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17.4 | 0 | $6.09 | $2.78 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 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
Night in Atlanta on Friday
Local time
10:24 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°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
3 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
53m 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 Cartersville, GA to Atlanta, GA covers 43.5 miles and takes about 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, East Main Street, West Cherokee Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 21.8 miles from Cartersville, GA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.80 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 43.5 miles you will encounter 8 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 0.5 miles (GA 61; GA 113; GA 293 / East Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 3 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 43 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Cartersville, GA to Atlanta, GA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park and Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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