The drive from Marietta, GA to Hardwick, GA covers 118.8 miles and takes about 2h 31m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Purple Heart Highway, Milledgeville Road, Ralph David Abernathy Freeway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 46.9 miles on Purple Heart Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.58 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
59.4 miles from Marietta, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 12m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 31m. Total distance: 118.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 31m drive with frequent turns across 118.8 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Purple Heart Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 46.9 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 3.1 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 118.8 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 3.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
3.1 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the exit toward I 75 South: Atlanta
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 75 South: Atlanta
8
19.2 mi into trip|~26m in
Take the exit toward I 20: Augusta, Birmingham
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 247
Toward I 20: Augusta, Birmingham
7
19.4 mi into trip|~27m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 20 East: Augusta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 20 East: Augusta
8
76.7 mi into trip|~1h 30m in
Take the exit toward US 129, US 441: Madison, Eatonton
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 114
Toward US 129, US 441: Madison, Eatonton
6
117.4 mi into trip|~2h 28m in|US 441 Business; GA 29 Business / North Clarke Street
Turn right onto US 441 Business; GA 29 Business / North Clarke Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
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 Hardwick, GA, road signs point toward Birmingham and Eatonton.
Birmingham
19.2 mi in|~26m
Eatonton
76.7 mi in|~1h 30m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Purple Heart Highway
46.9 mi
50m
Milledgeville Road
18.2 mi
25m
Ralph David Abernathy Freeway
9.7 mi
11m
Eatonton Road
8.9 mi
12m
Horace E Tate Freeway
7.3 mi
8m
Madison Road
7.1 mi
9m
Larry McDonald Memorial Highway
5.2 mi
5m
James Marshall Bypass
4.5 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Highway
— 46.9 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Marietta, GA and Hardwick, GA.
1
Start on West Park Square
117 ft·11 sec·West Park Square
2
Continue on South Park Square
343 ft·8 sec·South Park Square
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on Roswell Street
1.7 mi·3 min·Roswell Street
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn right onto US 41; GA 3
0.7 mi·1 min·Cobb Parkway South
Use the straight lane.
5
Turn left onto GA 120
0.6 mi·1 min·South Marietta Parkway
Use the left lane.
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi·52 sec
Toward I 75 South: AtlantaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 75
5.2 mi·5 min·Larry McDonald Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 75
7.3 mi·8 min·Horace E Tate Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 75; I 85
3.2 mi·4 min·Downtown Connector
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Exit 247Toward I 20: Augusta, BirminghamUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 East: AugustaUse the slight left lane.
12
Merge onto I 20
9.7 mi·11 min·Ralph David Abernathy Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 20
47 mi·50 min·Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·50 sec
Exit 114Toward US 129, US 441: Madison, EatontonUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn right onto US 129; US 441; GA 24
8.9 mi·12 min·Eatonton Road
16
Continue on US 129; US 441; GA 24
3.4 mi·4 min·Madison Road
17
Continue on US 129; US 441; GA 24
1.5 mi·2 min·Madison Highway
18
Continue on US 129; US 441; GA 24
3.8 mi·5 min·Madison Road
19
Continue on US 129; US 441; GA 24
4.5 mi·6 min·James Marshall Bypass
20
Merge onto US 441; GA 24
18 mi·25 min·Milledgeville Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
21
Turn left onto US 441 Business; GA 29 Business; GA 22; GA 24
522 ft·16 sec·West Montgomery Street
Use the left lane.
22
Turn right onto US 441 Business; GA 29 Business
0.4 mi·1 min·North Clarke Street
Use the right lane.
23
Turn left onto West Washington Street
0.2 mi·36 sec·West Washington Street
24
Turn right onto South Wilkinson Street
0.6 mi·1 min·South Wilkinson Street
25
Turn left onto West Andrews Street
503 ft·17 sec·West Andrews Street
26
Turn right onto US 441 Business; GA 29 Business
0.1 mi·17 sec·South Wayne Street
27
Turn left onto Vinson Highway
87 ft·1 sec·Vinson Highway
28
Arrive at destination
Vinson Highway
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 59.4 miles from Marietta, GA, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.9 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 26 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.4 miles or 1h 12m 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hardwick, 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 118.8 miles and 2h 31m.
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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Purple Heart Highway for about 46.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 59.4 mi from Marietta, GA
· 1h 12m into the drive
The midpoint is around 59.4 miles from Marietta, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Hardwick, GA
The final approach into Hardwick, 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 Hardwick, 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.
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...
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,...
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...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 118.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.58 one way
$37.16 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$20.31
$40.63
premium
$4.70
$21.99
$43.97
diesel
$5.61
$26.23
$52.46
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: 41.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.6
0
$12.47
$5.70
Efficient EV
29.7
0
$10.40
$4.75
EV Truck/SUV
47.5
0
$16.63
$7.60
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
Late night
in Marietta on Friday
Local time
12:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Hardwick, GA
Late night
in Hardwick on Friday
Local time
12:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
74°F
Covington, GA
59 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
2 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 31m 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 Hardwick, GA covers 118.8 miles and takes about 2h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Purple Heart Highway, Milledgeville Road, Ralph David Abernathy Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 59.4 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 $18.58 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 17 significant decision points across 118.8 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 3.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 19.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Marietta, GA and Hardwick, GA, road signs point toward Birmingham and Eatonton.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park.
