Origin
North Atlanta, GA
Night in North Atlanta on Wednesday
Local time
10:41 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from North Atlanta, GA to Augusta, GA
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
2h 58m
Distance
156.5 mi
252 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 47m
★
6 AM
2h 58m
8 AM
3h 21m
10 AM
3h 6m
12 PM
3h 4m
3 PM
3h 7m
5 PM
3h 19m
8 PM
2h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
North Atlanta, GA
Kelly
Augusta, GA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Connecting North Atlanta to Augusta, this 156.5-mile journey is a straightforward trip that typically takes about 2 hours and 58 minutes. You will traverse the Southeast region entirely within Georgia, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion. With an estimated fuel cost of $25, the drive is budget-friendly and requires minimal logistical planning. You will navigate a combination of local roadways and bypasses, including the Atlanta Bypass, the Purple Heart Highway, and the Carl Sanders Highway. Whether you are heading east for business or a quick getaway, the route is designed for efficiency rather than sightseeing.
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
78.2 miles from North Atlanta, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your focus more than a standard interstate cruise would. With only 2% of the route consisting of highway travel, you will spend the vast majority of your time navigating regional connectors. The most significant portion of your journey involves an 84.9-mile stretch on the Carl Sanders Highway, which serves as the backbone of the trip. The road personality shifts from the busy Atlanta perimeter to more localized transit, requiring you to stay alert through various turns. It is a practical drive that avoids the monotony of long-haul highway travel by keeping you engaged with the changing local landscape.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Carl Sanders Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 84.9 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 4.3 miles in.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 156.5 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 4.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles (I 285 / Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
4.3 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the exit toward I 285 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 285 East
5
4.6 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
I 285 / Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
Merge onto I 285 / Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
16.4 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Take the exit toward US 278: Covington Highway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 43
Toward US 278: Covington Highway
5
18.4 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
Wesley Chapel Road
Turn right onto Wesley Chapel Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
20 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Turn left toward I 20 East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 20 East
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Carl Sanders Highway | 84.9 mi | 1h 30m |
| Purple Heart Highway | 45.2 mi | 48m |
| Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter | 11.8 mi | 13m |
| Calhoun Expressway | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| Peachtree Boulevard | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| Washington Road | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| Covington Highway | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Peachtree Road Northeast | 1.7 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Carl Sanders Highway
— 84.9 mi, about 1h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between North Atlanta, GA and Augusta, GA.
1
Start on GA 141
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Peachtree Road Northeast
Use the left lane.
2
Continue on GA 141
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Peachtree Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on GA 141
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
Peachtree Industrial Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 285 East
Use the right lane.
5
Merge onto I 285
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 43
Toward US 278: Covington Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Turn left onto US 278; GA 12
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Covington Highway
Use the straight lane.
8
Turn right onto Wesley Chapel Road
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Wesley Chapel Road
Use the right lane.
9
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
Toward I 20 East
Use the left lane.
10
Merge onto I 20
45 mi
·
48 min
·
Purple Heart Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 20
85 mi
·
1 hr 30 min
·
Carl Sanders Highway
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 199
Toward GA 28: Augusta
13
Keep slight right at fork
481 ft
·
11 sec
14
Turn straight onto GA 28
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Washington Road
15
Turn straight onto GA 28
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Calhoun Expressway
16
Continue on GA 28
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Greene Street
17
Turn right onto 11th Street
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
11th Street
18
Turn right onto Walton Way
225 ft
·
3 sec
·
Walton Way
19
Arrive at destination
Walton Way
Trip Plan
Since the total duration is under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around local traffic patterns. It is wise to budget for at least one planned stop during your trek to break up the 156.5-mile distance. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $25 estimate can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency and idling time in traffic. Because this is a turn-heavy route, ensure your GPS is updated before you leave North Atlanta to handle the transitions between the Purple Heart Highway and your other main roads. Use the relatively short travel time to your advantage by choosing a departure window that avoids peak congestion on the Atlanta Bypass.
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 78.2 miles from North Atlanta, GA, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.9 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 34 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.2 miles or 1h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Augusta, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving North Atlanta, 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 North Atlanta, GA
This is one driving day of about 156.5 miles and 2h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from North Atlanta, 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 Carl Sanders Highway for about 84.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 78.2 mi from North Atlanta, GA · 1h 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
78 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 78.2 miles from North Atlanta, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Carl Sanders Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 84.9 miles.
Arriving in Augusta, GA
The final approach into Augusta, 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 Augusta, 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
$24.47 one way
$48.95 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
55 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $26.76 | $53.52 |
| premium | $4.70 | $28.96 | $57.93 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.55 | $69.11 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.9 | 0 | $16.43 | $7.51 |
| Efficient EV | 39.1 | 0 | $13.69 | $6.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62.6 | 0 | $21.91 | $10.02 |
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Destination
Augusta, GA
Night in Augusta on Wednesday
Local time
10:41 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Madison, GA
78 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
12 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 58m 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 North Atlanta, GA to Augusta, GA covers 156.5 miles and takes about 2h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Carl Sanders Highway, Purple Heart Highway, Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 78.2 miles from North Atlanta, GA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.47 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 11 significant decision points across 156.5 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 4.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles (I 285 / Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from North Atlanta, GA to Augusta, GA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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