Origin
Cave Spring, GA
Afternoon in Cave Spring on Friday
Local time
4:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cave Spring, GA to Atlanta, GA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 39m
Distance
69.4 mi
112 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 32m
★
6 AM
1h 39m
8 AM
1h 54m
10 AM
1h 45m
12 PM
1h 43m
3 PM
1h 45m
5 PM
1h 54m
8 PM
1h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cave Spring, GA
Eren Sever
Atlanta, GA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 69.4-mile drive from Cave Spring, GA, to Atlanta, GA, is easily manageable in about 1 hour and 39 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll navigate primarily using the Tom Murphy Freeway, Rockmart Highway, and Nathan Dean Parkway. With a projected fuel cost of around $11, this trip is quite budget-friendly. The route offers a mixed driving experience as you travel within the Southeast region. Given the short duration and distance, you won't need to worry about overnight stays; it's a straightforward journey from one point to another.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
34.7 miles from Cave Spring, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 39m. Total distance: 69.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (57%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a mixed drive on this 69.4-mile route, with 57% of it being highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 11.9 miles on the Tom Murphy Freeway, offering a good opportunity for consistent speed. As you transition between the Tom Murphy Freeway, Rockmart Highway, and Nathan Dean Parkway, you'll notice the road's character evolve. It's not a monotonous interstate grind, but rather a blend of faster-paced sections and potentially more local road segments, keeping the drive engaging without being overly demanding.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 25 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 route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 9.6 miles in near East Avenue.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 69.4 miles you will encounter 9 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 9.6 miles (East Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 55.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.2 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
9.6 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
East Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto East Avenue
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
55.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m 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
68.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 36m 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
68.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 37m 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
69 mi into trip
|
~1h 38m in
|
Memorial Drive Southwest
Turn right onto Memorial Drive Southwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Tom Murphy Freeway | 11.9 mi | 14m |
| Rockmart Highway | 10.8 mi | 13m |
| Nathan Dean Parkway | 10.1 mi | 12m |
| C H James Parkway | 7.4 mi | 10m |
| Jimmy Campbell Parkway | 5.9 mi | 8m |
| Cave Spring Road | 4.7 mi | 8m |
| Thornton Road | 3.5 mi | 5m |
| Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway | 3.4 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Tom Murphy Freeway
— 11.9 mi, about 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cave Spring, GA and Atlanta, GA.
1
Start on Old Cedartown Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Old Cedartown Road
2
Continue on Cave Spring Cedartown Road Southwest
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Cave Spring Cedartown Road Southwest
3
Continue on Old Cave Spring Road
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Old Cave Spring Road
4
Continue on Cave Spring Road
4.7 mi
·
8 min
·
Cave Spring Road
5
Continue on North Cave Spring Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Cave Spring Street
6
At end of road, turn left onto Wissahickon Avenue
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Wissahickon Avenue
7
At end of road, turn right onto East Avenue
68 ft
·
6 sec
·
East Avenue
8
Continue on East Avenue
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East Avenue
9
Continue on Rockmart Highway
6.5 mi
·
8 min
·
Rockmart Highway
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 278; GA 6
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Cedartown Highway
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 278; GA 6
10 mi
·
12 min
·
Nathan Dean Parkway
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 278; GA 6
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Rockmart Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Continue on US 278; GA 6
5.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Jimmy Campbell Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Continue on US 278; GA 6; GA 120
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 278; GA 6
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Wendy Bagwell Parkway
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 278; GA 6
7.4 mi
·
10 min
·
C H James Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
17
Continue on US 278; GA 6
3.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Thornton Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 20 East: Atlanta
Use the right lane.
19
Merge onto I 20
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Tom Murphy Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
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.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto Rawson Street Southwest
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
Rawson Street Southwest
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Turn left onto Central Avenue Southwest
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Central Avenue Southwest
23
Turn right onto Memorial Drive Southwest
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Memorial Drive Southwest
Use the right lane.
24
Turn left onto Capitol Avenue Southeast
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Capitol Avenue Southeast
Use the left lane.
25
Arrive at destination
Capitol Avenue Southeast
Trip Plan
For this 1 hour and 39 minute trip, flexibility is your best friend. Since it's a short drive from Cave Spring to Atlanta, you can depart at your leisure, though avoiding peak Atlanta traffic is always a good idea. With a fuel cost estimated at $11, you likely won't need to worry about frequent refueling stops, but it's wise to start with a full tank. Keep an eye on road conditions as you approach Atlanta, as traffic can change rapidly. A specific tip: consider the longest stretch of 11.9 miles on the Tom Murphy Freeway as a good point to check your navigation and ensure you're on track for your arrival in Atlanta.
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 34.7 miles from Cave Spring, GA, or about 49m 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 15 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.7 miles or 49m 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 25m
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 Cave Spring, GA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cave Spring, GA
This is one driving day of about 69.4 miles and 1h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 15 miles from Cave Spring, GA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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 34.7 mi from Cave Spring, GA · 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
35 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 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 34.7 miles from Cave Spring, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.85 one way
$21.71 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $11.87 | $23.73 |
| premium | $4.70 | $12.84 | $25.69 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.32 | $30.65 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.8 | 0 | $7.29 | $3.33 |
| Efficient EV | 17.4 | 0 | $6.07 | $2.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.8 | 0 | $9.72 | $4.44 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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
Afternoon in Atlanta on Friday
Local time
4:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
53°F
Dallas, GA
35 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
6 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 39m 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 Cave Spring, GA to Atlanta, GA covers 69.4 miles and takes about 1h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Tom Murphy Freeway, Rockmart Highway, Nathan Dean Parkway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 34.7 miles from Cave Spring, GA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.85 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 69.4 miles you will encounter 9 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 9.6 miles (East Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 55.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Cave Spring, GA to Atlanta, GA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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