Origin
Riverdale, GA
Night in Riverdale on Sunday
Local time
10:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Riverdale, GA to Marietta, GA
Drive Time
46m
Distance
35.3 mi
57 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 43m
★
6 AM
0h 46m
8 AM
0h 54m
10 AM
0h 49m
12 PM
0h 48m
3 PM
0h 49m
5 PM
0h 54m
8 PM
0h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Trip Overview
Traveling from Riverdale to Marietta covers 35.3 miles across the Southeast, typically taking about 46 minutes to complete. Because of the short duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stays. You can expect to spend approximately $6 on fuel for the entire journey. You will primarily navigate via Riverdale Road, the Larry McDonald Memorial Highway, and the Atlanta Bypass, also known as The Perimeter. Since the trip is quick and straightforward, it serves as an efficient connection between these two Georgia cities.
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
17.6 miles from Riverdale, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 23m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention as you transition between various road types. Only about 5% of this 35.3-mile journey consists of highway driving, meaning you will spend the vast majority of your time on local streets. Your longest uninterrupted segment is a 22-mile stretch on the Atlanta Bypass, which provides a brief respite from the frequent turns found elsewhere. The character of the road shifts significantly as you move away from the local infrastructure of Riverdale and navigate toward Marietta. It is a functional commute that requires constant navigation rather than a monotonous interstate grind.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter is the longest continuous segment at about 22 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 26.1 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 35.3 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 26.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
26.1 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Take the exit toward I 75: Atlanta, Chattanooga
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 20
Toward I 75: Atlanta, Chattanooga
8
26.4 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 75 North, I 285 East: Marietta, Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 75 North, I 285 East: Marietta, Chatta...
8
26.7 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 75 North: Marietta, Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 75 North: Marietta, Chattanooga
8
27.6 mi into trip
|
~35m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 75 North: Marietta, Chattanooga
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 75 North: Marietta, Chattanooga
7
32.6 mi into trip
|
~41m in
Take the exit toward GA 120 Alternate: North Marietta Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 265
Toward GA 120 Alternate: North Marietta Parkway
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Riverdale, GA to Marietta, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Chattanooga along the way.
Chattanooga
26.1 mi in
|
~33m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter | 22 mi | 25m |
| Larry McDonald Memorial Highway | 4.8 mi | 5m |
| Riverdale Road | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| North Marietta Parkway | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Church Street | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| Main Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| West Park Square | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
— 22 mi, about 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Riverdale, GA and Marietta, GA.
1
Start on this road
39 ft
·
8 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto GA 139
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Main Street
3
Turn right onto GA 139
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Church Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Continue on GA 139
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Riverdale Road
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Toward I 285 West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 285
22 mi
·
25 min
·
Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 20
Toward I 75: Atlanta, Chattanooga
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 75 North, I 285 East: Marietta, Chattanooga
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 75 North: Marietta, Chattanooga
Use the slight left lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
Toward I 75 North: Marietta, Chattanooga
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 75
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Larry McDonald Memorial Highway
Use the none lane.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 265
Toward GA 120 Alternate: North Marietta Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn left onto GA 120 ALT
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
North Marietta Parkway
Use the none lane.
14
Turn left onto Church Street
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
Church Street
Use the left lane.
15
Arrive at destination
West Park Square
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 46-minute excursion, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule to leave whenever it suits your plans. There are no planned stops along the route, so ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you depart to keep your $6 estimated cost on track. Pay close attention to the navigation, especially given the turn-heavy nature of the local roads that make up the bulk of your drive. Because you spend such a small percentage of time on the highway, keep an eye on local traffic patterns that might affect your arrival time in Marietta. Use the 22-mile stretch on the Atlanta Bypass to settle into a steady pace before returning to local roads for the final leg.
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 17.6 miles from Riverdale, GA, or about 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 22 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 35.3 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 17.6 miles or 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Marietta, 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.
+
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 Riverdale, GA
This is one driving day of about 35.3 miles and 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Riverdale, GA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter for about 22 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 17.6 mi from Riverdale, GA · 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
18 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 35.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 17.6 miles from Riverdale, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Marietta, GA
The final approach into Marietta, 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 Marietta, 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
$5.65 one way
$11.30 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $6.16 | $12.31 |
| premium | $4.78 | $6.64 | $13.28 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $7.84 | $15.68 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.6 | 0 | $3.71 | $1.69 |
| Efficient EV | 8.8 | 0 | $3.09 | $1.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.1 | 0 | $4.94 | $2.26 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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
Marietta, GA
Night in Marietta on Sunday
Local time
10:36 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°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
46m 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 Marietta, GA covers 35.3 miles and takes about 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter, Larry McDonald Memorial Highway, Riverdale Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 17.6 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 $5.65 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 is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 35.3 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 26.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Riverdale, GA to Marietta, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Chattanooga along the way.
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