Skip to main content
Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Riverdale, GA to Columbus, GA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

1h 54m

Distance

100.1 mi

161 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 46m ★
6 AM
1h 55m
8 AM
2h 11m
10 AM
2h 0m
12 PM
1h 59m
3 PM
2h 1m
5 PM
2h 10m
8 PM
1h 50m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Riverdale, GA, GA

Riverdale, GA

Enam Sape

Trip Overview

The drive from Riverdale, GA to Columbus, GA covers 100.1 miles and takes about 1h 54m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Chet Atkins Parkway, I 85, GA 138 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 44.7 miles on Chet Atkins Parkway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $15.65 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

50 miles from Riverdale, GA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 58m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 54m. Total distance: 100.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 1h 54m highway drive covering 100.1 miles, with most of the trip on Chet Atkins Parkway and I 85. The longest continuous stretch is about 44.7 miles on Chet Atkins Parkway.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Chet Atkins Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 44.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Chet Atkins Parkway and I 85. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near GA 139 / Main Street.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 100.1 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start (GA 139 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (GA 85 / State Route 85): Lane positioning matters here; at 51.7 miles (I 185 / Chet Atkins Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | GA 139 / Main Street

Turn right onto GA 139 / Main Street

Navigation decision point

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | GA 85 / State Route 85

Turn right onto GA 85 / State Route 85

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
8
51.7 mi into trip | ~59m in | I 185 / Chet Atkins Parkway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 185 / Chet Atkins Parkway toward I 185 South: Columbus

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 21 Toward I 185 South: Columbus
7
96.4 mi into trip | ~1h 47m in

Take the exit toward GA 22 Spur: Macon Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 6 Toward GA 22 Spur: Macon Road
8
96.5 mi into trip | ~1h 48m in

Keep slight right at fork toward GA 22 Spur West

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward GA 22 Spur West

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Chet Atkins Parkway 44.7 mi 47m
I 85 42.3 mi 45m
GA 138 7.3 mi 10m
Wynnton Road 1.6 mi 2m
State Route 85 1.6 mi 2m
Macon Road 1.1 mi 1m
10th Street 0.5 mi <1m
Veterans Parkway 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Chet Atkins Parkway — 44.7 mi, about 47m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Riverdale, GA and Columbus, GA.

1

Start on this road

39 ft · 4 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto GA 139

186 ft · 7 sec · Main Street
3

Turn right onto GA 85

1.6 mi · 2 min · State Route 85
Use the right lane.
4

Take the ramp

225 ft · 6 sec
5

Merge onto GA 138

1.8 mi · 2 min · GA 138
6

Continue on GA 138

1.0 mi · 1 min · GA 138
Use the straight / right lanes.
7

Continue on GA 138

4.5 mi · 6 min · GA 138
8

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 49 sec
Toward I 85 South: Montgomery
9

Merge onto I 85

42 mi · 45 min · I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 185

45 mi · 47 min · Chet Atkins Parkway
Exit 21 Toward I 185 South: Columbus Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Exit 6 Toward GA 22 Spur: Macon Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight right at fork

376 ft · 9 sec
Toward GA 22 Spur West Use the right lane.
13

Turn slight right onto GA 22 Spur

1.1 mi · 1 min · Macon Road
Use the right lane.
14

Continue on GA 22 Spur

1.6 mi · 2 min · Wynnton Road
Use the straight lane.
15

Turn sharp left onto 10th Avenue

404 ft · 12 sec · 10th Avenue
16

Turn right onto 10th Street

0.5 mi · 54 sec · 10th Street
17

Turn left onto US 27; GA 1

0.3 mi · 43 sec · Veterans Parkway
18

Arrive at destination

US 27; GA 1

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 50 miles from Riverdale, GA, or about 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.7 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 22 miles or 28m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 50 miles or 58m 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 32m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Columbus, GA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Riverdale, GA so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Riverdale, GA

This is one driving day of about 100.1 miles and 1h 54m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Riverdale, GA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Chet Atkins Parkway for about 44.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 50 mi from Riverdale, GA · 58m into the drive

city in Troup County, Georgia, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

LaGrange, GA

50 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.

Popular next leg

LaGrange, GA to Columbus, GA

47.7 mi · 58m

Pacing Suggestions

Dadeville, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Dadeville, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 49.6 miles from Riverdale, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Columbus, GA

The final approach into Columbus, 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park

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...

13 mi from route ~32 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.65 one way

$31.31 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 35 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $17.12 $34.23
premium $4.70 $18.53 $37.05
diesel $5.61 $22.10 $44.20

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 35 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 30 0 $10.51 $4.80
Efficient EV 25 0 $8.76 $4.00
EV Truck/SUV 40 0 $14.01 $6.41

Gas CO2

35 kg

EV CO2

12 kg (66% 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 16, 2026

Origin

Riverdale, GA

Evening in Riverdale on Thursday

Local time

6:32 PM

EDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Columbus, GA

Evening in Columbus on Thursday

Local time

6:32 PM

EDT

Current temp

54°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

1 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 54m 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 Riverdale, GA to Columbus, GA covers 100.1 miles and takes about 1h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Chet Atkins Parkway, I 85, GA 138. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 50 miles from Riverdale, GA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.65 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 100.1 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start (GA 139 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (GA 85 / State Route 85): Lane positioning matters here; at 51.7 miles (I 185 / Chet Atkins Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Riverdale, GA to Columbus, GA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Columbus, GA

Darien, GA 288.3 mi · 5h 39m Country Club Estates, GA 258.3 mi · 5h 41m Lookout Mountain, GA 223.4 mi · 4h 15m Thomson, GA 218.8 mi · 4h 5m

More from Riverdale, GA

Albany, GA 172 mi · 3h 17m Augusta, GA 153.5 mi · 2h 55m Marietta, GA 35.3 mi · 46m Dunwoody, GA 29.5 mi · 36m

More trips to Columbus, GA

Darien, GA 288.9 mi Montgomery, GA 255.2 mi Kingsland, GA 252.6 mi Augusta, GA 250.8 mi Pooler, GA 239.9 mi Rincon, GA 239.5 mi
Weekend drives from Riverdale, GA Scenic drives in GA

Explore more options from Riverdale, GA or browse trips ending in Columbus, GA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse GA road trips.

Explore maps for Riverdale, GA or Columbus, GA on MapSof.net.