The drive from Dacula, GA to Augusta, GA covers 131.7 miles and takes about 2h 39m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Carl Sanders Highway, University Parkway, Lexington Road for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 26.6 miles on Carl Sanders Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.59 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
65.9 miles from Dacula, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 21m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 39m. Total distance: 131.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (39%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Dacula, GA to Augusta, GA covers 131.7 miles and takes about 2h 39m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
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.
Carl Sanders Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 26.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 131.7 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 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.7 miles (US 29; GA 316 / University Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.9 miles (US 29; US 78; GA 8): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
1.4 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the ramp toward GA 316 East, US 29 North: Athens
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward GA 316 East, US 29 North: Athens
5
1.7 mi into trip|~3m in|US 29; GA 316 / University Parkway
Merge onto US 29; GA 316 / University Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
27.9 mi into trip|~34m in|US 29; US 78; GA 8
Take the exit onto US 29; US 78; GA 8 toward US 29 North, US 78 East, GA 10 Loop Outer: University of Georgia, Lexington, Hartwell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward US 29 North, US 78 East, GA 10 Loop Oute...
8
34.6 mi into trip|~41m in|US 78
Take the exit onto US 78 toward US 78, GA 10: Oconee Street, Lexington Road
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 8
Toward US 78, GA 10: Oconee Street, Lexington R...
7
98.9 mi into trip|~2h in
Take the ramp toward I-20 East: Augusta
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I-20 East: Augusta
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Dacula, GA and Augusta, GA, road signs point toward Lexington and Hartwell.
Lexington
27.9 mi in|~34m|via US 29; US 78; GA 8
Hartwell
27.9 mi in|~34m|via US 29; US 78; GA 8
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Carl Sanders Highway
26.6 mi
28m
University Parkway
26.2 mi
31m
Lexington Road
23.2 mi
29m
US 78
22.3 mi
28m
Washington Road
11.7 mi
14m
Athens Road
8.4 mi
9m
Outer Loop 10
6.2 mi
7m
Calhoun Expressway
2.7 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Carl Sanders Highway
— 26.6 mi, about 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dacula, GA and Augusta, GA.
1
Start on US 29 Business; GA 8
0.2 mi·21 sec·Winder Highway
2
Turn right onto Harbins Road
1.1 mi·2 min·Harbins Road
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward GA 316 East, US 29 North: AthensUse the left lane.
4
Merge onto US 29; GA 316
26 mi·31 min·University Parkway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
5
Take the exit onto US 29; US 78; GA 8
0.4 mi·29 sec·US 29; US 78; GA 8
Toward US 29 North, US 78 East, GA 10 Loop Outer: University of Georgia, Lexington, HartwellUse the right lane.
6
Merge onto US 29; US 78; GA 8; GA 10 Loop
6.2 mi·7 min·Outer Loop 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit onto US 78
0.4 mi·49 sec·US 78
Exit 8Toward US 78, GA 10: Oconee Street, Lexington RoadUse the slight right lane.
8
Continue on US 78; GA 10
1.4 mi·2 min·Lexington Road
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 78; GA 10
0.2 mi·24 sec·Lexington Highway
10
Continue on US 78; GA 10
5.8 mi·8 min·Lexington Road
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on US 78; GA 10
8.4 mi·9 min·Athens Road
12
Continue on US 78; GA 10; GA 22
0.9 mi·58 sec·Main Street
13
Continue on US 78; GA 10; GA 22
9.3 mi·10 min·Washington Road
14
Continue on US 78; GA 10
16 mi·18 min·Lexington Road
15
Turn right onto US 78; GA 10; GA 17
22 mi·27 min·US 78; GA 10; GA 17
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I-20 East: AugustaUse the left lane.
17
Merge onto I 20
27 mi·28 min·Carl Sanders Highway
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 199Toward GA 28: Augusta
19
Keep slight right at fork
481 ft·11 sec
20
Turn straight onto GA 28
2.4 mi·4 min·Washington Road
21
Turn straight onto GA 28
2.7 mi·3 min·Calhoun Expressway
22
Continue on GA 28
0.1 mi·13 sec·Greene Street
23
Turn right onto 11th Street
0.4 mi·44 sec·11th Street
24
Turn right onto Walton Way
225 ft·3 sec·Walton Way
25
Arrive at destination
Walton Way
Trip Plan
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 65.9 miles from Dacula, GA, or about 1h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 26.6 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 29 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 65.9 miles or 1h 21m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Augusta, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Dacula, 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 Dacula, GA
This is one driving day of about 131.7 miles and 2h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Dacula, 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 Carl Sanders Highway for about 26.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 65.9 mi from Dacula, GA
· 1h 21m into the drive
The midpoint is around 65.9 miles from Dacula, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Augusta, GA
The final approach into Augusta, 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 Augusta, GA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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,...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
$5
Park Closure: Island Ford Trail Closures Winter 2025-2026
Park Closure: Restrooms and Water Fountains Unavailable at Powers Island and Akers Mill
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.59 one way
$41.19 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg46 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$22.52
$45.04
premium
$4.70
$24.37
$48.75
diesel
$5.61
$29.08
$58.16
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
39.5
0
$13.83
$6.32
Efficient EV
32.9
0
$11.52
$5.27
EV Truck/SUV
52.7
0
$18.44
$8.43
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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
Dacula, GA
Late night
in Dacula on Friday
Local time
5:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Augusta, GA
Late night
in Augusta on Friday
Local time
5:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°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
9 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 Dacula, GA to Augusta, GA covers 131.7 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 Carl Sanders Highway, University Parkway, Lexington Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 65.9 miles from Dacula, GA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.59 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 13 significant decision points across 131.7 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 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.7 miles (US 29; GA 316 / University Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.9 miles (US 29; US 78; GA 8): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Dacula, GA and Augusta, GA, road signs point toward Lexington and Hartwell.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
