Origin
Palmetto, GA
Night in Palmetto on Wednesday
Local time
11:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Palmetto, GA to Atlanta, GA
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
36m
Distance
27.3 mi
44 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 34m
★
6 AM
0h 37m
8 AM
0h 43m
10 AM
0h 39m
12 PM
0h 38m
3 PM
0h 39m
5 PM
0h 42m
8 PM
0h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Palmetto, GA
Airam Dato-on
Atlanta, GA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This quick 27.3-mile journey from Palmetto, GA, to Atlanta, GA, is easily manageable in about 36 minutes, making it an ideal day trip. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 85% of the drive on major roads, and you can expect a fuel cost of around $4. Given the short distance and duration, there's no need to split this trip or plan for an overnight stay. The drive keeps you within the Southeast region, moving from one point in Georgia to another. This straightforward route is perfect for a quick commute or a short leg of a larger road trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
13.6 miles from Palmetto, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 19m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway experience on this 27.3-mile drive, with 85% of your travel time spent on major roadways like I-85. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 23.3 miles on I-85, offering a consistent pace. While the profile is 'Highway-focused,' the route also incorporates local roads like Collinsworth Road and Fayetteville Road, which will likely offer a change of pace as you approach your destination. The transition between these road types should be smooth, maintaining a generally efficient travel experience.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 85 is the longest continuous segment at about 23.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 85 and Collinsworth Road. You will hit about 7 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.4 miles in.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 27.3 miles you will encounter 7 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.7 miles (I 85): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 25.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
2.4 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the ramp toward I 85 North
Navigation decision point
Toward I 85 North
5
2.7 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 85
Merge onto I 85
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
25.9 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Take the exit toward Fulton Street, Central Avenue, Georgia State University
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 246
Toward Fulton Street, Central Avenue, Georgia S...
8
26.2 mi into trip
|
~34m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Fulton Street, Zoo Atlanta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Fulton Street, Zoo Atlanta
6
26.6 mi into trip
|
~35m in
|
Fulton Street Southwest
Turn right onto Fulton Street Southwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 85 | 23.3 mi | 27m |
| Collinsworth Road | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| Fayetteville Road | 1 mi | 2m |
| Capitol Avenue Southeast | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Fulton Street Southwest | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Toombs Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 85
— 23.3 mi, about 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palmetto, GA and Atlanta, GA.
1
Start on Toombs Street
280 ft
·
7 sec
·
Toombs Street
2
Continue on Fayetteville Road
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Fayetteville Road
3
Continue on Collinsworth Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Collinsworth Road
4
At end of road, turn left onto Collinsworth Road
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
·
Collinsworth Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward I 85 North
6
Merge onto I 85
23 mi
·
27 min
·
I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 246
Toward Fulton Street, Central Avenue, Georgia State University
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
Toward Fulton Street, Zoo Atlanta
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn right onto Fulton Street Southwest
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Fulton Street Southwest
Use the left / right lanes.
10
Turn left onto Capitol Avenue Southeast
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
Capitol Avenue Southeast
11
Arrive at destination
Capitol Avenue Southeast
Trip Plan
For this short 36-minute drive covering 27.3 miles, flexibility is your best friend. Since the estimated fuel cost is only $4 and there are no specific stops recommended, you can depart whenever is most convenient. Consider leaving outside of peak commute times to ensure the quickest journey into Atlanta. The longest stretch is a solid 23.3 miles on I-85, so be mindful of traffic conditions on that section, especially during busy periods. There's no need to pack snacks or plan for extensive breaks on this brief trip.
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 13.6 miles from Palmetto, GA, or about 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 23.3 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 27 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 13.6 miles or 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Atlanta, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Palmetto, GA.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Palmetto, GA
This is one driving day of about 27.3 miles and 36m.
At 27.3 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on I 85 for about 23.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 13.6 mi from Palmetto, GA · 19m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 13.6 miles from Palmetto, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Atlanta, GA
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Atlanta, GA if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.27 one way
$8.54 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
10 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $4.67 | $9.34 |
| premium | $4.70 | $5.05 | $10.11 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $6.03 | $12.05 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.2 | 0 | $2.87 | $1.31 |
| Efficient EV | 6.8 | 0 | $2.39 | $1.09 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 10.9 | 0 | $3.82 | $1.75 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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
Atlanta, GA
Night in Atlanta on Wednesday
Local time
11:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
22 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
36m 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 Palmetto, GA to Atlanta, GA covers 27.3 miles and takes about 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 85, Collinsworth Road, Fayetteville 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 13.6 miles from Palmetto, GA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.27 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 27.3 miles you will encounter 7 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.7 miles (I 85): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 25.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Palmetto, GA to Atlanta, GA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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