Origin
Clarkston, GA
Afternoon in Clarkston on Saturday
Local time
3:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clarkston, GA to Macon, GA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 42m
Distance
87.8 mi
141 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 35m
★
6 AM
1h 42m
8 AM
1h 58m
10 AM
1h 48m
12 PM
1h 46m
3 PM
1h 49m
5 PM
1h 57m
8 PM
1h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clarkston, GA
Vitaliy Mitrofanenko
Macon, GA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This efficient 87.8-mile drive from Clarkston, GA to Macon, GA is a straightforward journey perfect for a single day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 42 minutes. With 80% of the route on highways, including I-75 and the Atlanta Bypass, you'll find it a primarily highway-focused experience. The estimated fuel cost is around $14, making it an economical option for most travelers. Since there are no designated stops and the longest stretch is a continuous 59.8 miles on I-75, it's a drive that can be completed with minimal interruption. This trip keeps you within the Southeast region, specifically within Georgia, offering a consistent travel environment.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.9 miles from Clarkston, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 59.8 mi | 1h 4m |
| Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter | 11.7 mi | 13m |
| Terrell Starr Parkway | 10.2 mi | 11m |
| Riverside Drive | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| East Ponce de Leon Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Spring Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Mulberry Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Church Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 59.8 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clarkston, GA and Macon, GA.
1
Start on Market Street
54 ft
·
9 sec
·
Market Street
2
Turn left onto East Ponce de Leon Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Ponce de Leon Avenue
3
Turn left onto Mell Avenue
143 ft
·
7 sec
·
Mell Avenue
4
Turn right onto Church Street
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
Church Street
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 285 South
6
Merge onto I 285
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
1.1 mi
·
2 min
Exit 52
Toward I 675 South: Macon
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 675
10 mi
·
11 min
·
Terrell Starr Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 75
49 mi
·
53 min
·
I 75
Use the straight lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
11 mi
·
11 min
·
I 75
Toward Macon, Savannah
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 167
Toward US 23, GA 87: Riverside Drive
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn left onto US 23; GA 87
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Riverside Drive
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn right onto GA 19; Ga 49
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Spring Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on Spring Street
142 ft
·
4 sec
·
Spring Street
Use the left lane.
15
Turn left onto Mulberry Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Mulberry Street
16
Continue on Mulberry Street
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
Mulberry Street
17
Arrive at destination
Mulberry Street
Trip Plan
Given the 1 hour and 42-minute duration, this route is easily manageable as a single-day trip, offering flexibility in your departure time. Since there are no specific stops recommended and the longest stretch is nearly 60 miles, plan your own breaks as needed, perhaps around the halfway point or before merging onto I-75. The estimated fuel cost of $14 is quite reasonable, so ensure your tank is full before leaving Clarkston to maximize your time on the road. A practical tip: be aware of potential Atlanta traffic, especially if traveling during peak commute hours, as the Atlanta Bypass is a significant part of your journey.
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 43.9 miles from Clarkston, GA, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.8 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 19 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.9 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Macon, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clarkston, GA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Clarkston, GA
This is one driving day of about 87.8 miles and 1h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Clarkston, GA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 59.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
44 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 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 43.9 miles from Clarkston, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 87.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 285 South
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Toward I 285 South
7
12.7 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Take the exit toward I 675 South: Macon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 52
Toward I 675 South: Macon
8
73.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m in
|
I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward Macon, Savannah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Macon, Savannah
8
83.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m in
Take the exit toward US 23, GA 87: Riverside Drive
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 167
Toward US 23, GA 87: Riverside Drive
6
87.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 41m in
|
GA 19; Ga 49 / Spring Street
Turn right onto GA 19; Ga 49 / Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.73 one way
$27.46 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
31 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $15.01 | $30.02 |
| premium | $4.70 | $16.25 | $32.50 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $19.39 | $38.77 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26.3 | 0 | $9.22 | $4.21 |
| Efficient EV | 22 | 0 | $7.68 | $3.51 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 35.1 | 0 | $12.29 | $5.62 |
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Destination
Macon, GA
Afternoon in Macon on Saturday
Local time
3:20 PM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Sunny
SW 5 to 10 mph
0% chance
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
37 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 42m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Welcome to Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. This park is a prehistoric American Indian site, where many different American Indian cultures occupied this land for thousands of years. American...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 87.8
Caution: River Trail periodically closed under I-16
Park Closure: BOARDWALK CLOSED along the River Trail
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Welcome to Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park & Preservation District where a young boy grows up in a time of segregation. He was moved by destiny to lead the modern civil rights movemen...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 12.1
View on nps.gov
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Today the river valley attracts us for so many reasons. Take a solitary walk to enjoy nature’s display, raft leisurely through the rocky shoals with friends, fish the misty waters as the sun comes up,...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
$5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of your 87.8 miles, with about 80% of the journey utilizing major interstates like I-75 and the Atlanta Bypass. The longest uninterrupted stretch you’ll encounter is 59.8 miles on I-75, indicating a consistent pace for a significant portion of the trip. This profile suggests a driving experience that prioritizes efficiency over varied scenery. While primarily on the interstate, you'll also navigate segments of Terrell Starr Parkway. The roads are designed for steady travel, with ample opportunity to maintain highway speeds.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59.8 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 87.8 miles you will encounter 13 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 0.9 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 12.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 73.3 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Clarkston, GA to Macon, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Savannah along the way.
Savannah
73.3 mi in
|
~1h 23m
|
via I 75
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 42m. Total distance: 87.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 59.8 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Macon, GA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 12.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 73.3 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park and Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Macon, GA before heading back.
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Macon, GA
More trips to Macon, GA
Explore more options from Clarkston, GA or browse trips ending in Macon, GA.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse GA road trips.