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Trip from Lakeland, GA to Alpharetta, GA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 49m

Distance

251.1 mi

404 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$39

one way

EV Charging

Sparse

1 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 36m ★
6 AM
4h 50m
8 AM
5h 17m
10 AM
4h 59m
12 PM
4h 56m
3 PM
5h 0m
5 PM
5h 15m
8 PM
4h 42m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in north Fulton County, Georgia, United States

Alpharetta, GA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Lakeland, GA to Alpharetta, GA covers 251.1 miles and takes about 4h 49m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 75, West Thigpen Avenue, Larry Justice Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 188.9 miles on I 75. At current regular gas prices, budget about $39.27 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

125.6 miles from Lakeland, GA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 24m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 75 188.9 mi 3h 26m
West Thigpen Avenue 20.2 mi 28m
Larry Justice Highway 15.9 mi 17m
Turner McDonald Parkway 11 mi 13m
T Harvey Mathis Parkway 7.1 mi 8m
GA 76 2.8 mi 5m
Northeast Expressway 2.7 mi 3m
Haynes Bridge Road 1.3 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 75 — 188.9 mi, about 3h 26m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lakeland, GA and Alpharetta, GA.

1

Start on US 129; US 221; GA 11; GA 31; GA 37; GA 122; GA 135

413 ft · 10 sec · West Main Street
2

Continue on US 129; GA 11; GA 37

20 mi · 28 min · West Thigpen Avenue
3

Turn left onto GA 76

2.8 mi · 5 min · GA 76
4

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Toward I-75 North: Macon
5

Merge onto I 75

117 mi · 2 hr 5 min · I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

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.
7

Merge onto I 75

49 mi · 53 min · I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

23 mi · 28 min · I 75
Toward I 75 North: Atlanta, Birmingham Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 85

2.7 mi · 3 min · Northeast Expressway
Exit 251B Toward I 85 North: Greenville
10

Keep slight right at fork onto GA 400

7.1 mi · 8 min · T Harvey Mathis Parkway
Exit 87 Toward GA 400 North: Buckhead, Cumming Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on GA 400

11 mi · 13 min · Turner McDonald Parkway
Use the right lane.
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Exit 9 Toward Alpharetta, Haynes Bridge Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Turn left onto Haynes Bridge Road

1.3 mi · 2 min · Haynes Bridge Road
Use the left lane.
14

Turn left onto GA 120

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Old Milton Parkway
Use the left lane.
15

Turn right onto GA 9

0.3 mi · 52 sec · South Main Street
16

Turn right onto Academy Street

139 ft · 3 sec · Academy Street
17

Arrive at destination

Academy Street

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 125.6 miles from Lakeland, GA, or about 2h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 188.9 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 55 miles or 1h 9m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 125.6 miles or 2h 24m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 51m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Lakeland, 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 Lakeland, GA

This is one driving day of about 251.1 miles and 4h 49m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Lakeland, 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 188.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

county seat of Butts County, Georgia, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Jackson, GA

126 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

Ashburn, GA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Fort Valley, GA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 125.6 miles from Lakeland, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 188.9 miles.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Starbucks Coffee Company

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Atlanta, Georgia

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 233.2

Hours: 5 am–8 pm

+14043649099

Visit website

Starbucks Coffee Company

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 233.2

Atlanta, Georgia

Hours: 5 am–8 pm

+14043649099

Visit website

Starbucks

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 161.4

Forsyth, Georgia

Hours: 4:30 am–9 pm

+14787582001

Visit website

Starbucks Coffee Company

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 233.2

Atlanta, Georgia

Hours: 5 am–8 pm

+14046850287

Visit website

Dunkin'

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour Inexpensiv mile 233.2

Atlanta, Georgia

Hours: 5 am–12 pm

+14048100010

Visit website

Between Friends Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 125.6

Warner Robins, Georgia

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+14789516172

Visit website

Choice Coffee Co

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 233.2

Chamblee, Georgia

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+16784045434

Visit website

Cafe 41

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 89.7

Vienna, Georgia

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+12294173434

Brash Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 233.2

Atlanta, Georgia

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Illy Coffee Bar at Rowdy Tiger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 233.2

Atlanta, Georgia

Hours: 6:30 am–3 pm

+16784122402

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

Lakeland, Georgia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Sloomoo Institute - Atlanta

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 233.2

Atlanta, Georgia

Hours: 11 am–5 pm

+18779175463

Visit website

Museum of Illusions

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 233.2

Atlanta, Georgia

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+14044584717

Visit website

Ellis Brothers Pecans Inc

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 89.7

Vienna, Georgia

Hours: 8 am–7 pm

+18006350616

Visit website

Cotton Museum

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 89.7

Vienna, Georgia

+12292682045

Visit website

Mastermind Escape Games Atlanta

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 233.2

Atlanta, Georgia

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+14044803852

Visit website

Museum of Arts and Sciences

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 143.5

Macon, Georgia

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+14784773232

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 140.2 and 249.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
140.2 mi into trip | ~2h 40m 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
205.5 mi into trip | ~3h 50m 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 straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 75 North: Atlanta, Birmingham
6
228.3 mi into trip | ~4h 19m in | I 85 / Northeast Expressway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 85 / Northeast Expressway toward I 85 North: Greenville

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 251B Toward I 85 North: Greenville
9
231 mi into trip | ~4h 22m in | GA 400 / T Harvey Mathis Parkway

Keep slight right at fork onto GA 400 / T Harvey Mathis Parkway toward GA 400 North: Buckhead, Cumming

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 87 Toward GA 400 North: Buckhead, Cumming
8
249.1 mi into trip | ~4h 45m in

Take the exit toward Alpharetta, Haynes Bridge Road

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 9 Toward Alpharetta, Haynes Bridge Road

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$39.27 one way

$78.53 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 88 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $42.93 $85.87
premium $4.70 $46.47 $92.95
diesel $5.61 $55.44 $110.88

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$39

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$64–$89

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 87.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 75.3 0 $26.37 $12.05
Efficient EV 62.8 0 $21.97 $10.04
EV Truck/SUV 100.4 1 $35.15 $16.07

Gas CO2

88 kg

EV CO2

29 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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

Lakeland, GA

Afternoon in Lakeland on Saturday

Local time

2:33 PM

EDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Alpharetta, GA

Afternoon in Alpharetta on Saturday

Local time

2:33 PM

EDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

49°F

Jackson, GA

126 mi in

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

1 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

4h 49m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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.

Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park

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 225.2
View on nps.gov
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

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,...

4 mi from route ~9 min detour $5 near mile 242.5
View on nps.gov
Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park

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...

8 mi from route ~20 min detour Free near mile 147.2
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

251.1 mi in 4h 49m, mostly highway — 188.9 mi of that is on I 75.

85% 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: 188.9 mi on I 75.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and West Thigpen Avenue. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 140.2 miles in near I 475 / Larry Justice Highway.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 251.1 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 140.2 miles (I 475 / Larry Justice Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 205.5 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 228.3 miles (I 85 / Northeast Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Lakeland, GA and Alpharetta, GA, road signs point toward Birmingham and Cumming.

Birmingham

205.5 mi in | ~3h 50m | via I 75

Cumming

231 mi in | ~4h 22m | via GA 400

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 49m. Total distance: 251.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 188.9 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 Alpharetta, GA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 140.2 miles (I 475 / Larry Justice Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 205.5 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 228.3 miles (I 85 / Northeast Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Yes — Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Alpharetta, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.

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.

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