Origin
Lawrenceville, GA
Afternoon in Lawrenceville on Thursday
Local time
3:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lawrenceville, GA to Atlanta, GA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
43m
Distance
32.3 mi
52 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 39m
★
6 AM
0h 43m
8 AM
0h 50m
10 AM
0h 46m
12 PM
0h 45m
3 PM
0h 46m
5 PM
0h 50m
8 PM
0h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lawrenceville, GA
Wikimedia Commons
Atlanta, GA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick excursion from Lawrenceville to Atlanta, expect a straightforward 32.3-mile trip that typically takes about 43 minutes. Since this is a short, localized route within the Southeast, you can easily complete the entire journey as a simple day trip without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via I-85, University Parkway, and East Pike Street, making it a highly efficient commute between these two Georgia cities. Budgeting just $5 for fuel makes this a very economical drive for your weekend plans or business travel. Because there are no mandatory stops required, you have the flexibility to reach your destination quickly and get straight to your itinerary.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 43m. Total distance: 32.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This 32.3-mile route is heavily highway-focused, with 88% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will find yourself settling into a steady pace for the majority of the trip, highlighted by a 23.8-mile stretch on I-85. While local roads like East Pike Street and University Parkway get you out of Lawrenceville, the drive quickly transitions into a standard interstate experience. It is not a winding scenic byway, but rather a functional, high-speed connection that prioritizes efficiency over leisure. Expect a consistent, fast-paced environment that requires your full attention as you merge into the heavier traffic patterns approaching the Atlanta metro area.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 85 is the longest continuous segment at about 23.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 85 and University Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near GA 20; GA 124 / Buford Drive.
Driving Effort
8/10
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 11 decision points packed into just 32.3 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 43m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (GA 20; GA 124 / Buford Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.2 miles (GA 20 / East Pike Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
GA 20; GA 124 / Buford Drive
Turn left onto GA 20; GA 124 / Buford Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
GA 20 / East Pike Street
Turn left onto GA 20 / East Pike Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
2.3 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the ramp toward GA 316: Atlanta
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward GA 316: Atlanta
8
31.8 mi into trip
|
~41m in
Take the exit toward Martin Luther King Junior Drive, State Capitol, Turner Field
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 248A
Toward Martin Luther King Junior Drive, State C...
7
32.3 mi into trip
|
~42m in
|
Capitol Avenue Southeast
Turn right onto Capitol Avenue Southeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 85 | 23.8 mi | 28m |
| University Parkway | 4.5 mi | 6m |
| East Pike Street | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| Duluth Highway | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| East Crogan Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Capitol Square Southwest | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Buford Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Capitol Avenue Southeast | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 85
— 23.8 mi, about 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lawrenceville, GA and Atlanta, GA.
1
Start on GA 20
0.1 mi
·
33 sec
·
East Crogan Street
Use the left lane.
2
Turn left onto GA 20; GA 124
368 ft
·
16 sec
·
Buford Drive
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto GA 20
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
East Pike Street
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on GA 120
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Duluth Highway
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward GA 316: Atlanta
Use the left lane.
6
Merge onto GA 316
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
University Parkway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 85 South: Atlanta
8
Merge onto I 85
24 mi
·
28 min
·
I 85
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 248A
Toward Martin Luther King Junior Drive, State Capitol, Turner Field
Use the slight right lane.
10
Turn slight right onto Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Southeast
288 ft
·
13 sec
·
Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Southeast
Use the right lane.
11
Turn left onto Capitol Square Southwest
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Capitol Square Southwest
Use the straight / left lanes.
12
Turn right onto Capitol Avenue Southeast
318 ft
·
6 sec
·
Capitol Avenue Southeast
Use the right lane.
13
Arrive at destination
Capitol Avenue Southeast
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.05 one way
$10.10 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
11 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $5.52 | $11.05 |
| premium | $4.70 | $5.98 | $11.96 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.13 | $14.26 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.7 | 0 | $3.39 | $1.55 |
| Efficient EV | 8.1 | 0 | $2.83 | $1.29 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.9 | 0 | $4.52 | $2.07 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% 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
Afternoon in Atlanta on Thursday
Local time
3:16 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
3 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
43m 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 Lawrenceville, GA to Atlanta, GA covers 32.3 miles and takes about 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 85, University Parkway, East Pike Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 16.2 miles from Lawrenceville, GA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.05 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 is a short but busy drive. With 11 decision points packed into just 32.3 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 43m.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (GA 20; GA 124 / Buford Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.2 miles (GA 20 / East Pike Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Lawrenceville, 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 and Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.
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