The drive from Minnesota, GA to Rydal, GA covers 245.5 miles and takes about 4h 48m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 75, Larry McDonald Memorial Highway, Cordele Road for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 129.4 miles on I 75.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $38.39 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
122.8 miles from Minnesota, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 26m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 48m. Total distance: 245.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 48m highway drive covering 245.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 75 and Larry McDonald Memorial Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 129.4 miles on I 75.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 75 is the longest continuous segment at about 129.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Larry McDonald Memorial Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 107 miles in near I 475 / Larry Justice Highway.
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 19 significant decision points across 245.5 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 107 miles (I 475 / Larry Justice Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 172.4 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 195.2 miles (I 75 / Horace E Tate Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
107 mi into trip|~2h 9m 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
172.4 mi into trip|~3h 20m 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
8
195.2 mi into trip|~3h 48m in|I 75 / Horace E Tate Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 75 / Horace E Tate Freeway toward I 75 North: Marietta, Chattanooga
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: Marietta, Chattanooga
8
213 mi into trip|~4h 9m 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...
8
238.1 mi into trip|~4h 37m in
Take the exit toward US 411: Chatsworth, White
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 293
Toward US 411: Chatsworth, White
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Minnesota, GA and Rydal, GA, road signs point toward Birmingham, Chattanooga and Kennesaw.
Birmingham
172.4 mi in|~3h 20m|via I 75
Chattanooga
195.2 mi in|~3h 48m|via I 75
Kennesaw
213 mi in|~4h 9m|via I 75
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
129.4 mi
2h 23m
Larry McDonald Memorial Highway
35.6 mi
40m
Cordele Road
26.4 mi
36m
Larry Justice Highway
15.9 mi
17m
GA 112
9.8 mi
13m
GA 133
8.8 mi
10m
Horace E Tate Freeway
7.2 mi
8m
US 411
7 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 129.4 mi, about 2h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Minnesota, GA and Rydal, GA.
1
Start on South Fain Street
26 ft·8 sec·South Fain Street
2
Turn sharp left onto CR 494
0.2 mi·23 sec·Funston Doerun Road
3
Merge onto GA 133
8.8 mi·10 min·GA 133
4
Turn right
192 ft·3 sec
5
Turn straight onto GA 112
9.8 mi·13 min·GA 112
6
Turn right onto East Pine Street
0.1 mi·25 sec·East Pine Street
7
Turn left onto GA 33
1.2 mi·2 min·South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on GA 33; GA 112
0.1 mi·14 sec·Ashburn Highway
9
Turn left onto GA 33
26 mi·36 min·Cordele Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
10
Turn left onto US 41; GA 7
0.9 mi·1 min·US 41; GA 7
Use the left lane.
11
Turn left
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward GA 300 NorthUse the left lane.
12
Merge onto GA 300
1.6 mi·2 min·GA 300
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn left
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I-75 North: MaconUse the left lane.
14
Merge onto I 75
57 mi·1 hr 1 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 475
16 mi·17 min·Larry Justice Highway
Exit 156Toward I 475 North: AtlantaUse the slight left lane.
16
Merge onto I 75
49 mi·53 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
23 mi·28 min·I 75
Toward I 75 North: Atlanta, BirminghamUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 75
7.2 mi·8 min·Horace E Tate Freeway
Toward I 75 North: Marietta, ChattanoogaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 75
11 mi·12 min·Larry McDonald Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
25 mi·27 min·Larry McDonald Memorial Highway
Toward I 75 North: Chattanooga, Barrett Parkway, KennesawUse the straight lane.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 293Toward US 411: Chatsworth, WhiteUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork
289 ft·7 sec
Toward US 411 North: ChatsworthUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto US 411; GA 61
1.6 mi·2 min·US 411; GA 61
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on US 411; GA 61
2.2 mi·3 min·US 411; GA 61
Use the straight lane.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto US 411; GA 61
3.3 mi·4 min·US 411; GA 61
Use the straight lane.
26
Arrive at destination
US 411; GA 61
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 122.8 miles from Minnesota, GA, or about 2h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 129.4 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 54 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.8 miles or 2h 26m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rydal, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Minnesota, 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 Minnesota, GA
This is one driving day of about 245.5 miles and 4h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Minnesota, 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 129.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 122.8 mi from Minnesota, GA
· 2h 26m into the drive
The midpoint is around 122.8 miles from Minnesota, 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 129.4 miles.
Arriving in Rydal, GA
The final approach into Rydal, 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 Rydal, GA.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 194.7
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...
7 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 110.1
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,...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
$5
near mile 203.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.39 one way
$76.78 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$41.98
$83.95
premium
$4.70
$45.44
$90.87
diesel
$5.61
$54.20
$108.41
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.6
0
$25.78
$11.78
Efficient EV
61.4
0
$21.48
$9.82
EV Truck/SUV
98.2
1
$34.37
$15.71
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% 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
Minnesota, GA
Afternoon
in Minnesota on Thursday
Local time
2:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Rydal, GA
Afternoon
in Rydal on Thursday
Local time
2:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Jackson, GA
123 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
23 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 48m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Minnesota, GA to Rydal, GA covers 245.5 miles and takes about 4h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, Larry McDonald Memorial Highway, Cordele Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 122.8 miles from Minnesota, GA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.39 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 245.5 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 107 miles (I 475 / Larry Justice Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 172.4 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 195.2 miles (I 75 / Horace E Tate Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Minnesota, GA and Rydal, GA, road signs point toward Birmingham, Chattanooga and Kennesaw.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park and Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.
