The drive from Marietta, GA to Dade County, GA covers 119.8 miles and takes about 2h 19m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Larry McDonald Memorial Highway, I 24, I 59 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 88.5 miles on Larry McDonald Memorial Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.73 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.
Midpoint
59.9 miles from Marietta, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 7m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 19m. Total distance: 119.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 19m drive with frequent turns across 119.8 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Larry McDonald Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 88.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 119.8 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: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.2 miles (GA 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.5 miles (GA 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
1.9 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the exit toward I 75, GA 5: Atlanta, Chattanooga
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.
Toward I 75, GA 5: Atlanta, Chattanooga
8
2.2 mi into trip|~4m in|GA 5
Keep slight right at fork onto GA 5 toward I 75, GA 5: Atlanta, Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 75, GA 5: Atlanta, Chattanooga
7
2.5 mi into trip|~5m in|GA 5
Keep slight left at fork onto GA 5 toward I 75 North: Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 75 North: Chattanooga
8
3.9 mi into trip|~7m in|I 75 / Larry McDonald Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 / Larry McDonald Memorial Highway toward I 75 North: Chattanooga, Barrett Parkway, Kennesaw
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 75 North: Chattanooga, Barrett Parkway...
7
91.8 mi into trip|~1h 42m in
Take the exit toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, Nashville
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Marietta, GA and Dade County, GA, road signs point toward Nashville and Chattanooga.
Nashville
91.8 mi in|~1h 42m
Chattanooga
92.5 mi in|~1h 43m|via I 24
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Larry McDonald Memorial Highway
88.5 mi
1h 36m
I 24
16.7 mi
21m
I 59
7.6 mi
8m
Cherokee Street
1.2 mi
2m
GA 5
1.1 mi
1m
Sells Lane
0.8 mi
2m
Lafayette Street
0.7 mi
1m
Canton Road Connector
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Larry McDonald Memorial Highway
— 88.5 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Marietta, GA and Dade County, GA.
1
Start on West Park Square
117 ft·11 sec·West Park Square
2
Continue on South Park Square
343 ft·14 sec·South Park Square
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on East Park Square
334 ft·11 sec·East Park Square
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on Cherokee Street
1.2 mi·2 min·Cherokee Street
Use the straight lane.
5
Turn straight onto Church Street Northwest
0.2 mi·26 sec·Church Street Northwest
6
Continue on Canton Road Connector
0.3 mi·30 sec·Canton Road Connector
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·27 sec
Toward I 75, GA 5: Atlanta, ChattanoogaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto GA 5
0.2 mi·17 sec·GA 5
Toward I 75, GA 5: Atlanta, ChattanoogaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto GA 5
0.9 mi·1 min·GA 5
Toward I 75 North: ChattanoogaUse the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto I 75; GA 5
0.6 mi·43 sec·Larry McDonald Memorial Highway
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
88 mi·1 hr 35 min·Larry McDonald Memorial Highway
Toward I 75 North: Chattanooga, Barrett Parkway, KennesawUse the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 24 West: Chattanooga, NashvilleUse the slight right lane.
13
Continue on I 24
17 mi·21 min·I 24
Toward Chattanooga, NashvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.8 mi·48 sec
Exit 167Toward I 59 South: BirminghamUse the slight left / straight lanes.
15
Continue on I 59
7.6 mi·8 min·I 59
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·36 sec
Exit 11Toward GA 136: TrentonUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn left onto GA 136
0.3 mi·43 sec·White Oak Gap Road
18
Turn right onto US 11; GA 58; GA 136
0.1 mi·18 sec·South Main Street
19
Turn left onto GA 136
0.7 mi·1 min·Lafayette Street
20
Turn right onto Sells Lane
0.8 mi·2 min·Sells Lane
21
Arrive at destination
Sells Lane
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 59.9 miles from Marietta, GA, or about 1h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.5 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 26 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.9 miles or 1h 7m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dade County, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Marietta, 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 Marietta, GA
This is one driving day of about 119.8 miles and 2h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Marietta, GA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Larry McDonald Memorial Highway for about 88.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 59.9 mi from Marietta, GA
· 1h 7m into the drive
The midpoint is around 59.9 miles from Marietta, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Larry McDonald Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 88.5 miles.
Arriving in Dade County, GA
The final approach into Dade County, 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 Dade County, 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,...
15 mi from route
~38 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
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.73 one way
$37.47 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$20.48
$40.97
premium
$4.70
$22.17
$44.34
diesel
$5.61
$26.45
$52.90
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: 41.9 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
35.9
0
$12.58
$5.75
Efficient EV
30
0
$10.48
$4.79
EV Truck/SUV
47.9
0
$16.77
$7.67
Gas CO2
42 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
Marietta, GA
Night
in Marietta on Friday
Local time
9:42 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Dade County, GA
Night
in Dade County on Friday
Local time
9:42 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°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
23 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 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 Marietta, GA to Dade County, GA covers 119.8 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 Larry McDonald Memorial Highway, I 24, I 59. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 59.9 miles from Marietta, GA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.73 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 demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 119.8 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: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.2 miles (GA 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.5 miles (GA 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Marietta, GA and Dade County, GA, road signs point toward Nashville and Chattanooga.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and Martin Luther King, Jr. 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.
