Trip from Cedartown, GA to Smyrna, GA

Drive Time

2h 36m

Distance

123.1 mi

198 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
2h 26m ★
6 AM
2h 36m
8 AM
2h 57m
10 AM
2h 43m
12 PM
2h 41m
3 PM
2h 44m
5 PM
2h 56m
8 PM
2h 30m

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

Downtown Cedartown, GA, GA

Cedartown, GA

Martin Ferreira

Downtown Smyrna, GA, GA

Smyrna, GA

Jan van der Wolf

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Cedartown to Smyrna, expect a straightforward journey covering 123.1 miles across the Southeast. You should budget approximately 2 hours and 36 minutes for the drive, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. With fuel costs estimated at around $20, this trip remains an affordable transit between the two Georgia locations. The route relies on a combination of the Purple Heart Highway, Tom Murphy Freeway, and Rockmart Highway to get you to your destination. Since this is a relatively short trip, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a weekend change of pace, the drive offers a practical connection between these two points.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

61.6 miles from Cedartown, GA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 23m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a mixed driving experience as you navigate this 123.1-mile stretch. With a highway share of 41 percent, the route transitions between faster freeway speeds and more localized driving conditions. You will spend your longest uninterrupted time on the road during the 45.3-mile segment along the Purple Heart Highway. This variety keeps the drive engaging, shifting from the open flow of the Tom Murphy Freeway to the specific demands of the Rockmart Highway. Because the road character changes as you transition through the different segments, you will experience a balanced mix of high-speed cruising and standard road travel.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Purple Heart Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 45.3 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 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South College Street.

Route Complexity 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 123.1 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: near the start (South College Street): Navigation decision point; at 46.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.9 miles (I 20 / Tom Murphy Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 8 key points

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

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | South College Street

Turn right onto South College Street

Navigation decision point

6
46.4 mi into trip | ~1h 4m 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
5
46.9 mi into trip | ~1h 5m in | I 20 / Tom Murphy Freeway

Merge onto I 20 / Tom Murphy Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
8
115.1 mi into trip | ~2h 22m in

Take the exit toward GA 83: Madison, Monticello

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 113 Toward GA 83: Madison, Monticello
6
115.5 mi into trip | ~2h 22m in | GA 83 / Monticello Highway

Turn left onto GA 83 / Monticello Highway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Cedartown, GA to Smyrna, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Monticello along the way.

Monticello

115.1 mi in | ~2h 22m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Purple Heart Highway 45.3 mi 48m
Tom Murphy Freeway 22.9 mi 27m
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
Thornton Road 3.5 mi 5m
Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway 3.4 mi 5m
Longest stretch: Purple Heart Highway — 45.3 mi, about 48m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cedartown, GA and Smyrna, GA.

1

Start on West Avenue

238 ft · 7 sec · West Avenue
2

Turn right onto South College Street

0.2 mi · 25 sec · South College Street
3

Turn right onto East Avenue

1.2 mi · 2 min · East Avenue
4

Continue on Rockmart Highway

6.5 mi · 8 min · Rockmart Highway
Use the straight lane.
5

Continue on US 278; GA 6

2.8 mi · 3 min · Cedartown Highway
Use the straight lane.
6

Continue on US 278; GA 6

10 mi · 12 min · Nathan Dean Parkway
Use the straight lane.
7

Continue on US 278; GA 6

4.4 mi · 5 min · Rockmart Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8

Continue on US 278; GA 6

5.9 mi · 8 min · Jimmy Campbell Parkway
Use the none lane.
9

Continue on US 278; GA 6; GA 120

3.4 mi · 5 min · Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway
Use the straight lane.
10

Continue on US 278; GA 6

1.0 mi · 1 min · Wendy Bagwell Parkway
Use the none lane.
11

Continue on US 278; GA 6

7.4 mi · 10 min · C H James Parkway
Use the none lane.
12

Continue on US 278; GA 6

3.5 mi · 5 min · Thornton Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 20 East: Atlanta Use the right lane.
14

Merge onto I 20

23 mi · 27 min · Tom Murphy Freeway
Use the none lane.
15

Continue on I 20

45 mi · 48 min · Purple Heart Highway
Use the none lane.
16

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 54 sec
Exit 113 Toward GA 83: Madison, Monticello Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Turn left onto GA 83

1.5 mi · 2 min · Monticello Highway
Use the none lane.
18

Turn slight right onto GA 83

0.4 mi · 37 sec · GA 83
19

Keep slight left at fork onto US 278; GA 12; GA 83

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Main Street
20

Turn left onto US 129; US 278; US 441; GA 12; GA 24; GA 83

157 ft · 3 sec · Eatonton Road
21

Turn straight onto US 129; US 278; US 441; GA 12; GA 24; GA 83

2.2 mi · 4 min · South Main Street
22

Continue on US 278; GA 12

3.0 mi · 4 min · Greensboro Road
23

Turn right onto Buckhead Road

103 ft · 2 sec · Buckhead Road
24

Arrive at destination

Buckhead Road

Trip Plan

Planning your departure is simple given the 2-hour and 36-minute duration, but keep the 123.1-mile total distance in mind when scheduling your day. Since the trip includes one recommended stop, use that break to stretch your legs and refuel if needed, keeping your $20 fuel budget on track. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, as the short travel time allows you to depart whenever suits your schedule best. Focus on the transition points between the Purple Heart Highway and the Tom Murphy Freeway, as these areas may require more attention during peak traffic. By pacing your single stop to fall around the midpoint of the journey, you can ensure a comfortable and efficient arrival in Smyrna.

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 61.6 miles from Cedartown, GA, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45.3 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 80 miles or 1h 44m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 61.6 miles or 1h 23m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 6m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Smyrna, GA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Cedartown, 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 Cedartown, GA

This is one driving day of about 123.1 miles and 2h 36m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Cedartown, GA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Purple Heart Highway for about 45.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 61.6 mi from Cedartown, GA · 1h 23m into the drive

Downtown Centre, AL, AL

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Centre, AL

62 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

Centre, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Centre, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 61.6 miles from Cedartown, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Smyrna, GA

The final approach into Smyrna, 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 Smyrna, GA.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$19.70 one way

$39.40 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 43 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $21.46 $42.93
premium $4.78 $23.16 $46.31
diesel $5.64 $27.35 $54.70

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 43.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 36.9 0 $12.93 $5.91
Efficient EV 30.8 0 $10.77 $4.92
EV Truck/SUV 49.2 0 $17.23 $7.88

Gas CO2

43 kg

EV CO2

14 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Cedartown, GA

Night in Cedartown on Sunday

Local time

10:32 PM

EDT

Current temp

89°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Smyrna, GA

Night in Smyrna on Sunday

Local time

10:32 PM

EDT

Current temp

89°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

2h 36m 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 Cedartown, GA to Smyrna, GA covers 123.1 miles and takes about 2h 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Purple Heart Highway, Tom Murphy Freeway, Rockmart Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 61.6 miles from Cedartown, GA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.70 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 123.1 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: near the start (South College Street): Navigation decision point; at 46.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.9 miles (I 20 / Tom Murphy Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Cedartown, GA to Smyrna, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Monticello along the way.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Smyrna, GA to Cedartown, GA

Plan the drive back the other way.

124.5 mi 2h 35m

Explore more options from Cedartown, GA or browse trips ending in Smyrna, GA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse GA road trips.

Explore maps for Cedartown, GA or Smyrna, GA on MapSof.net.