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Trip from North Atlanta, GA to Smyrna, GA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

1h 30m

Distance

72.2 mi

116 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$11

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 21 min
4 AM
1h 23m ★
6 AM
1h 30m
8 AM
1h 44m
10 AM
1h 35m
12 PM
1h 34m
3 PM
1h 36m
5 PM
1h 43m
8 PM
1h 26m

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

Downtown North Atlanta, GA, GA

North Atlanta, GA

Kelly

Downtown Smyrna, GA, GA

Smyrna, GA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Spanning 72.2 miles between North Atlanta and Smyrna, this straightforward journey typically takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete. Because the entire route is within the Southeast region of Georgia, you won't experience major climate or time zone shifts along the way. Expect to budget roughly $12 for fuel, making this an economical excursion for a quick getaway. Since the drive is designed as a single-day trip, there is no need to worry about overnight accommodations. It serves as a practical connection for those looking to navigate between these two points efficiently.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

36.1 miles from North Atlanta, GA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 45m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. You will spend 100% of your time on highways, utilizing a mix of the Purple Heart Highway, the Atlanta Bypass, and Greensboro Road. The longest uninterrupted segment occurs on the Purple Heart Highway, where you will cover 43.7 miles. Transitioning between these major thoroughfares requires frequent adjustments, as the route functions as a technical loop rather than a straight interstate shot. Be prepared for a high-intensity experience that relies heavily on navigating arterial road systems.

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.
Peachtree Boulevard is one of the defining roads on this drive.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.

Route Complexity 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from North Atlanta, GA to Smyrna, GA is easy. At 1h 30m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from North Atlanta, GA to Smyrna, GA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Peachtree Boulevard
Peachtree Industrial Boulevard
I 285 East
Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
US 278
Covington Highway
Wesley Chapel Road
I 20 East

Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.

Longest stretch: Peachtree Boulevard — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between North Atlanta, GA and Smyrna, GA.

1

Start on Peachtree Road Northeast

1.7 mi · 2 min · Peachtree Road Northeast
2

Continue on Peachtree Boulevard

2.5 mi · 4 min · Peachtree Boulevard
3

Continue on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Peachtree Industrial Boulevard
4

Take the exit slight right toward I 285 East

0.3 mi · 41 sec · I 285 East
5

Merge slight left onto Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter

12 mi · 13 min · Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
6

Take the exit slight right toward US 278: Covington Highway

0.2 mi · 31 sec · US 278: Covington Highway
7

Turn left onto Covington Highway

1.8 mi · 2 min · Covington Highway
8

Turn right onto Wesley Chapel Road

1.7 mi · 3 min · Wesley Chapel Road
9

Turn left onto I 20 East

0.4 mi · 59 sec · I 20 East
10

Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Highway

44 mi · 46 min · Purple Heart Highway
11

Take the exit slight right toward GA 83: Madison, Monticello

0.4 mi · 54 sec · GA 83: Madison, Monticello
12

Turn left onto Monticello Highway

1.5 mi · 2 min · Monticello Highway
13

Turn slight right

0.4 mi · 38 sec
14

Keep slight left to continue on South Main Street

0.5 mi · 59 sec · South Main Street
15

Turn left onto Eatonton Road

157 ft · 4 sec · Eatonton Road
16

Turn straight onto South Main Street

2.2 mi · 4 min · South Main Street
17

Continue on Greensboro Road

3.0 mi · 4 min · Greensboro Road
18

Turn right onto Buckhead Road

102 ft · 3 sec · Buckhead Road
19

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

Since this is a 1.5-hour trip with no planned stops, you have maximum flexibility in your departure schedule. However, given the turn-heavy nature of the route, try to avoid peak rush hour traffic to keep your travel time closer to the estimated duration. You should ensure your tank is topped off before heading out, as the $12 fuel estimate assumes steady driving conditions. Keep a close eye on your GPS when switching between the Atlanta Bypass and the other arterial roads to avoid missing critical junctions. Because there are no mandatory stops, feel free to use the entire 72.2-mile stretch as a direct transit window.

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 36.1 miles from North Atlanta, GA, or about 45m into the drive.

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 16 miles or 19m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 36.1 miles or 45m 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 16m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Smyrna, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from North Atlanta, GA

This is one driving day of about 72.2 miles and 1h 30m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from North Atlanta, GA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 36.1 mi from North Atlanta, GA · 45m into the drive

Downtown Stone Mountain, GA, GA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Stone Mountain, GA

36 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

Decatur, GA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Stone Mountain, GA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 36.1 miles from North Atlanta, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Smyrna, GA

The final approach into Smyrna, GA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$11.29 one way

$22.58 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 25 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $12.35 $24.69
premium $4.70 $13.36 $26.73
diesel $5.61 $15.94 $31.88

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$11

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$36–$61

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 25.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 21.7 0 $7.58 $3.47
Efficient EV 18.1 0 $6.32 $2.89
EV Truck/SUV 28.9 0 $10.11 $4.62

Gas CO2

25 kg

EV CO2

8 kg (68% 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

North Atlanta, GA

Night in North Atlanta on Wednesday

Local time

10:41 PM

EDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Smyrna, GA

Night in Smyrna on Wednesday

Local time

10:41 PM

EDT

Current temp

47°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

5 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

1h 30m 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 Smyrna, GA covers 72.2 miles and takes about 1h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Peachtree Boulevard, Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, I 285 East. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 36.1 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 $11.29 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.
The drive from North Atlanta, GA to Smyrna, GA is easy. At 1h 30m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from North Atlanta, GA to Smyrna, GA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from North Atlanta, GA to Smyrna, GA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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