Origin
Cordele, GA
Night in Cordele on Sunday
Local time
10:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cordele, GA to Atlanta, GA
Drive Time
2h 39m
Distance
142.5 mi
229 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 29m
★
6 AM
2h 40m
8 AM
3h 1m
10 AM
2h 47m
12 PM
2h 45m
3 PM
2h 48m
5 PM
3h 0m
8 PM
2h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cordele, GA
ANTONI SHKRABA production
Atlanta, GA
Kelly
Trip Overview
Traveling from Cordele to Atlanta covers 142.5 miles through the heart of Georgia, making for a straightforward trek that fits easily into a single day. You can expect about 2 hours and 39 minutes of pure driving time, though this will fluctuate based on traffic as you approach the city. Budgeting roughly $23 for fuel should keep you covered for the trip. Since the journey stays entirely within the Southeast region, you won't face any major climate or landscape shifts. It is an ideal route for a quick getaway or a necessary commute, requiring no overnight stops to complete comfortably.
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
71.2 miles from Cordele, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 86 percent of your journey spent on high-speed roads. You will navigate via 16th Avenue East and the Larry Justice Highway before settling into the primary artery of the trip: I-75. The longest stretch of the drive consists of 123.1 miles on the interstate, providing a consistent, predictable experience behind the wheel. While the initial local segments offer a brief transition, the vast majority of your time is spent maintaining highway speeds on I-75. Expect a functional, direct transit rather than a winding scenic byway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 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 123.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Larry Justice Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 142.5 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 57.6 miles (I 475 / Larry Justice Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.9 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
1.9 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Turn left toward I-75 North: Macon
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I-75 North: Macon
8
57.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m in
|
I 475 / Larry Justice Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 475 / Larry Justice Highway toward I 475 North: Atlanta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 156
Toward I 475 North: Atlanta
8
122.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 15m in
|
I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward I 75 North: Atlanta, Birmingham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Toward I 75 North: Atlanta, Birmingham
8
141.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 37m in
Take the exit toward Fulton Street, Central Avenue, Georgia State University
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 246
Toward Fulton Street, Central Avenue, Georgia S...
8
141.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 37m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Fulton Street, Zoo Atlanta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Fulton Street, Zoo Atlanta
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Cordele, GA to Atlanta, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Birmingham along the way.
Birmingham
122.9 mi in
|
~2h 15m
|
via I 75
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 123.1 mi | 2h 14m |
| Larry Justice Highway | 15.9 mi | 17m |
| 16th Avenue East | 1.9 mi | 4m |
| Capitol Avenue Southeast | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Fulton Street Southwest | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 123.1 mi, about 2h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cordele, GA and Atlanta, GA.
1
Start on US 280; GA 30; GA 90
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
16th Avenue East
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I-75 North: Macon
Use the left lane.
3
Merge onto I 75
55 mi
·
59 min
·
I 75
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
4
Keep slight left at fork onto I 475
16 mi
·
17 min
·
Larry Justice Highway
Exit 156
Toward I 475 North: Atlanta
Use the slight left lane.
5
Merge onto I 75
49 mi
·
53 min
·
I 75
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
18 mi
·
21 min
·
I 75
Toward I 75 North: Atlanta, Birmingham
Use the none lane.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 246
Toward Fulton Street, Central Avenue, Georgia State University
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
Toward Fulton Street, Zoo Atlanta
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn right onto Fulton Street Southwest
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Fulton Street Southwest
Use the left / right lanes.
10
Turn left onto Capitol Avenue Southeast
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
Capitol Avenue Southeast
Use the none lane.
11
Arrive at destination
Capitol Avenue Southeast
Trip Plan
To ensure a smooth transition into the city, plan your departure to avoid peak Atlanta traffic hours, as this will significantly impact your arrival time. You have the flexibility to make one stop along the way, which is plenty for a drive of this length. Since the trip is relatively short, you can easily pace yourself without needing to worry about excessive fatigue. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Cordele, though $23 is a solid estimate for the total cost. Because the route relies so heavily on I-75, check for major construction or highway incidents before you pull out of the driveway to keep your transit time as close to that 2-hour and 39-minute mark as possible.
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 71.2 miles from Cordele, GA, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 123.1 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 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.2 miles or 1h 19m 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 8m
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 Cordele, 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 Cordele, GA
This is one driving day of about 142.5 miles and 2h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Cordele, 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 I 75 for about 123.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 71.2 mi from Cordele, GA · 1h 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
71 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 71.2 miles from Cordele, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 123.1 miles.
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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Atlanta, GA.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.81 one way
$45.61 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
50 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $24.85 | $49.70 |
| premium | $4.78 | $26.81 | $53.61 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $31.66 | $63.32 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42.8 | 0 | $14.96 | $6.84 |
| Efficient EV | 35.6 | 0 | $12.47 | $5.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57 | 0 | $19.95 | $9.12 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% 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 Sunday
Local time
10:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
90°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
27 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
2h 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 Cordele, GA to Atlanta, GA covers 142.5 miles and takes about 2h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, Larry Justice Highway, 16th Avenue East. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 71.2 miles from Cordele, GA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.81 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 is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 142.5 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 57.6 miles (I 475 / Larry Justice Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.9 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Cordele, GA to Atlanta, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Birmingham along the way.
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