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Trip from Newnan, GA to Athens, GA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 18m

Distance

110.5 mi

178 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$17

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
2h 9m ★
6 AM
2h 18m
8 AM
2h 38m
10 AM
2h 25m
12 PM
2h 23m
3 PM
2h 26m
5 PM
2h 37m
8 PM
2h 13m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in Coweta County, Georgia, United States of America

Newnan, GA

Wikimedia Commons

consolidated city-county and county seat of Clarke County, Georgia, United States

Athens, GA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

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 ft 754 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 Effort 10/10

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: Atlanta Use 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 251B Toward 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 106 Toward 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 14 Toward US 129 North: Prince Avenue, Jefferson Use 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

Downtown North Atlanta, GA, GA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

North Atlanta, GA

55 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

College Park, GA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Peachtree Corners, GA

Meal break

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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$17.28 one way

$34.56 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 39 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.

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

Morning in Newnan on Friday

Local time

7:55 AM

EDT

Current temp

75°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Athens, GA

Morning in Athens on Friday

Local time

7:55 AM

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 and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Elevation is sampled from USGS 3DEP. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.

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