Cusseta, GA to Atlanta, GA is 121.8 miles and takes about 2h 19m via Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, Chet Atkins Parkway, and Martha Berry Highway, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you from the Southeast region of Georgia to the same region, making it a straightforward journey. With a mixed drive profile and no recommended overnight stops, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion. Prepare for a drive that balances highway speeds with some more local road sections as you approach your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
60.9 miles from Cusseta, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 10m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 19m. Total distance: 121.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (40%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This route offers a mixed drive experience, with approximately 40% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 58.8 miles on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, providing a good opportunity to settle into a steady pace. As you progress, the road character shifts, incorporating Chet Atkins Parkway and Martha Berry Highway, which may introduce more varied driving conditions and potentially lower speeds closer to Atlanta. Expect a blend of efficient travel and more local road segments.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 58.8 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 Old Georgia Highway 137.
Driving Effort6/10
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 121.8 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 (Old Georgia Highway 137): Navigation decision point; at 11.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.5 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 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|Old Georgia Highway 137
Turn right onto Old Georgia Highway 137
Navigation decision point
6
11.5 mi into trip|~16m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 185 North: LaGrange, Atlanta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 185 North: LaGrange, Atlanta
8
120.5 mi into trip|~2h 16m 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
120.7 mi into trip|~2h 17m 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
6
121.2 mi into trip|~2h 18m in|Fulton Street Southwest
Turn right onto Fulton Street Southwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
58.8 mi
1h 5m
Chet Atkins Parkway
49.2 mi
53m
Martha Berry Highway
9.9 mi
13m
Broad Street
1.2 mi
2m
Downtown Connector
0.5 mi
<1m
Capitol Avenue Southeast
0.5 mi
<1m
Fulton Street Southwest
0.2 mi
<1m
Old Georgia Highway 137
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
— 58.8 mi, about 1h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cusseta, GA and Atlanta, GA.
1
Start on McNaughton Street
153 ft·8 sec·McNaughton Street
2
Turn right onto Old Georgia Highway 137
169 ft·4 sec·Old Georgia Highway 137
3
Turn straight onto Broad Street
1.2 mi·2 min·Broad Street
4
Turn right onto US 27; US 280; GA 1; GA 520
9.9 mi·13 min·Martha Berry Highway
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward I 185 North: LaGrange, Atlanta
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·47 sec
Toward I 185 North: LaGrange, Atlanta
7
Continue on I 185
49 mi·53 min·Chet Atkins Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 85
59 mi·1 hr 5 min·Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 75; I 85
0.5 mi·40 sec·Downtown Connector
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 246Toward Fulton Street, Central Avenue, Georgia State UniversityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·59 sec
Toward Fulton Street, Zoo AtlantaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn right onto Fulton Street Southwest
0.2 mi·27 sec·Fulton Street Southwest
Use the left / right lanes.
13
Turn left onto Capitol Avenue Southeast
0.5 mi·56 sec·Capitol Avenue Southeast
14
Arrive at destination
Capitol Avenue Southeast
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of about 2 hours and 19 minutes, this drive is easily manageable in a single day, offering flexibility in your departure time. The estimated fuel cost of $19 suggests you won't need to worry excessively about refueling stops, though it's always wise to top off before leaving Cusseta. Keep an eye out for changing speed limits as you transition between the main roads, particularly on Martha Berry Highway as you get closer to Atlanta. Plan to take advantage of the drive's brevity by leaving mid-morning to avoid peak rush hour traffic into the city.
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 60.9 miles from Cusseta, GA, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.8 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 27 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.9 miles or 1h 10m 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 53m
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 Cusseta, 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 Cusseta, GA
This is one driving day of about 121.8 miles and 2h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Cusseta, GA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway for about 58.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 60.9 mi from Cusseta, GA
· 1h 10m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 121.8
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,...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
$5
near mile 121.8
Few U.S. Presidents have had such close ties with where they were born and raised. The rural southern culture of Plains, Georgia revolves around farming, church, and school, which had a large influenc...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.05 one way
$38.09 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg43 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$20.83
$41.65
premium
$4.70
$22.54
$45.09
diesel
$5.61
$26.89
$53.78
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36.5
0
$12.79
$5.85
Efficient EV
30.5
0
$10.66
$4.87
EV Truck/SUV
48.7
0
$17.05
$7.80
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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Cusseta, GA
Afternoon
in Cusseta on Friday
Local time
4:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Atlanta, GA
Afternoon
in Atlanta on Friday
Local time
4:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°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
21 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 19m 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 Cusseta, GA to Atlanta, GA covers 121.8 miles and takes about 2h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, Chet Atkins Parkway, Martha Berry Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 60.9 miles from Cusseta, GA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.05 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 121.8 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 (Old Georgia Highway 137): Navigation decision point; at 11.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 120.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Cusseta, 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, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and Jimmy Carter National Historical Park.
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.
