The drive from Newnan, GA to Athens, GA covers 110.5 miles and takes about 2h 18m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on University Parkway, I 85, Northeast Expressway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 38.4 miles on University Parkway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $17.28 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
55.3 miles from Newnan, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 8m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 18m. Total distance: 110.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 2h 18m highway drive covering 110.5 miles, with most of the trip on University Parkway and I 85. The longest continuous stretch is about 38.4 miles on University Parkway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
University Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 38.4 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,041 ft754 ft
Total Climb
389 ft
Total Descent
615 ft
Highest Point
1,041 ft
~71.1 mi in
Elevation Range
287 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on University Parkway and I 85. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.7 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 110.5 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 3.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 41.8 miles (I 85 / Northeast Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 44.5 miles (I 85 / Northeast Expressway): 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.
6
3.7 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the ramp toward I 85 North: Atlanta
Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 85 North: Atlanta
6
41.8 mi into trip|~52m 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
6
44.5 mi into trip|~55m in|I 85 / Northeast Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85 / Northeast Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
108.2 mi into trip|~2h 12m in
Take the exit toward US 129 North: Prince Avenue, Jefferson
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 14
Toward US 129 North: Prince Avenue, Jefferson
7
110.5 mi into trip|~2h 18m in|North Lumpkin Street
Turn left onto North Lumpkin Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
University Parkway
38.4 mi
47m
I 85
37 mi
43m
Northeast Expressway
12.4 mi
15m
Interstate Highway 85
8.8 mi
9m
GA Inner Loop 10
3.7 mi
4m
Bullsboro Drive
2.9 mi
4m
Prince Avenue
1.8 mi
3m
Inner Loop 10
1.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
University Parkway
— 38.4 mi, about 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Newnan, GA and Athens, GA.
1
Start on US 29; GA 14
0.2 mi·31 sec·Jackson Street
2
Turn left onto GA 34
281 ft·14 sec·Posey Place
3
Turn left onto US 29; US 27 Alternate; GA 14; GA 16; GA 34
0.6 mi·1 min·Jefferson Street
4
Continue on GA 34
2.9 mi·4 min·Bullsboro Drive
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the ramp
1.1 mi·2 min
Toward I 85 North: AtlantaUse the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto I 85
37 mi·43 min·I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85
2.7 mi·3 min·Northeast Expressway
Exit 251BToward I 85 North: Greenville
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85
9.7 mi·11 min·Northeast Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 85
8.8 mi·9 min·Interstate Highway 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·37 sec
Exit 106Toward GA 316 East: Lawrenceville, Athens
11
Continue on GA 316
38 mi·47 min·University Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
380 ft·12 sec
Use the left lane.
13
Turn left onto Oconee Connector
0.6 mi·1 min·Oconee Connector
Use the left lane.
14
Turn left
0.2 mi·25 sec
Use the left lane.
15
Merge onto GA 10 Loop
1.3 mi·1 min·Inner Loop 10
16
Continue on GA 10 Loop
3.7 mi·4 min·GA Inner Loop 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on GA 10 Loop
0.4 mi·25 sec·Inner Loop 10
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 14Toward US 129 North: Prince Avenue, JeffersonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto US 129
195 ft·12 sec·US 129
20
Turn left onto GA 15 Alternate
1.8 mi·3 min·Prince Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on West Dougherty Street
0.2 mi·34 sec·West Dougherty Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
22
Turn left onto North Lumpkin Street
101 ft·2 sec·North Lumpkin Street
Use the left lane.
23
Arrive at destination
North Lumpkin Street
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 55.3 miles from Newnan, GA, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.4 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 24 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.3 miles or 1h 8m 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 Athens, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Newnan, 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 Newnan, GA
This is one driving day of about 110.5 miles and 2h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Newnan, GA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on University Parkway for about 38.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 55.3 mi from Newnan, GA
· 1h 8m into the drive
The midpoint is around 55.3 miles from Newnan, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Athens, GA
The final approach into Athens, 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 Athens, 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,...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.28 one way
$34.56 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg39 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$18.89
$37.79
premium
$4.70
$20.45
$40.90
diesel
$5.61
$24.40
$48.79
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
6 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Tesla Supercharger
Newnan, Georgia
Tesla
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Newnan, Georgia
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Newnan, Georgia
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Newnan, Georgia
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Nissan Charging Station
Newnan, Georgia
Other
1 DCFC
Blink Charging Station
Newnan, Georgia
Blink
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 3
Tesla: 1
Other: 1
Blink: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.2
0
$11.60
$5.30
Efficient EV
27.6
0
$9.67
$4.42
EV Truck/SUV
44.2
0
$15.47
$7.07
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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
Newnan, GA
Afternoon
in Newnan on Friday
Local time
1:41 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Athens, GA
Afternoon
in Athens on Friday
Local time
1:41 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°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
26 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 18m 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 Newnan, GA to Athens, GA covers 110.5 miles and takes about 2h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are University Parkway, I 85, Northeast Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 55.3 miles from Newnan, GA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.28 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 110.5 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 3.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 41.8 miles (I 85 / Northeast Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 44.5 miles (I 85 / Northeast Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Newnan, GA to Athens, GA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 754 ft to 1,041 ft elevation with about 389 ft of total climbing.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
