Origin
Russell, GA
Late night in Russell on Wednesday
Local time
5:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Russell, GA to Atlanta, GA
Data updated 3 hours ago
Drive Time
1h 6m
Distance
52.2 mi
84 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 1m
★
6 AM
1h 6m
8 AM
1h 17m
10 AM
1h 10m
12 PM
1h 9m
3 PM
1h 11m
5 PM
1h 16m
8 PM
1h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Russell, GA
Piotr Kowalonek
Atlanta, GA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 52.2-mile drive from Russell, Georgia, to Atlanta, Georgia, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 6 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-85, University Parkway, and Monroe Highway, this route is heavily highway-focused, making it ideal as a day trip with no need for an overnight stay. The estimated fuel cost is around $8, reflecting the efficiency of the primarily interstate travel. Given that both your origin and destination are within the Southeast region, you'll experience a consistent regional feel throughout the journey. This drive is a practical choice for getting from point A to point B 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
26.1 miles from Russell, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 34m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of this 52.2-mile journey, with 89% of the drive being on major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 23.8 miles on I-85, offering a chance to settle into a steady pace. While the profile is predominantly highway, the inclusion of University Parkway and Monroe Highway suggests brief transitions away from the interstate system. This mix means you'll primarily be dealing with faster speeds and higher traffic volumes on the interstate, with potentially more local road characteristics appearing on the other main roads as you approach your destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 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 23.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 85 and University Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Midland Avenue.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 52.2 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: near the start (East Midland Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (GA 11 / Monroe Highway): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 51.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Midland Avenue
Turn right onto East Midland Avenue
Navigation decision point
7
0.8 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
GA 11 / Monroe Highway
Turn sharp left onto GA 11 / Monroe Highway
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
51.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
Take the exit toward Martin Luther King Junior Drive, State Capitol, Turner Field
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 248A
Toward Martin Luther King Junior Drive, State C...
6
52 mi into trip
|
~1h 5m in
|
Capitol Square Southwest
Turn left onto Capitol Square Southwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
52.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
|
Capitol Avenue Southeast
Turn right onto Capitol Avenue Southeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 85 | 23.8 mi | 28m |
| University Parkway | 22.6 mi | 28m |
| Monroe Highway | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| Atlanta Highway Southeast | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Christmas Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East Midland Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| May Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Capitol Square Southwest | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 85
— 23.8 mi, about 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Russell, GA and Atlanta, GA.
1
Start on this road
236 ft
·
19 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto East Midland Avenue
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
East Midland Avenue
3
Turn left onto Russell Cemetery Road
414 ft
·
20 sec
·
Russell Cemetery Road
4
Turn right onto GA 8; GA 53
0.4 mi
·
28 sec
·
Atlanta Highway Southeast
5
Continue on GA 8; GA 53
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
May Street
Use the left lane.
6
Turn sharp left onto GA 11
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Monroe Highway
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on GA 11
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
Christmas Avenue
8
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
38 sec
9
Merge onto US 29; GA 316
23 mi
·
28 min
·
University Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 85 South: Atlanta
11
Merge onto I 85
24 mi
·
28 min
·
I 85
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 248A
Toward Martin Luther King Junior Drive, State Capitol, Turner Field
Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn slight right onto Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Southeast
288 ft
·
13 sec
·
Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Southeast
Use the right lane.
14
Turn left onto Capitol Square Southwest
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Capitol Square Southwest
Use the straight / left lanes.
15
Turn right onto Capitol Avenue Southeast
318 ft
·
6 sec
·
Capitol Avenue Southeast
Use the right lane.
16
Arrive at destination
Capitol Avenue Southeast
Trip Plan
With a total duration of just over an hour, this trip offers great flexibility. You can depart Russell, GA, at your convenience, as there's no need to break up the 52.2-mile journey. Consider leaving mid-morning or early afternoon to potentially avoid the heaviest commuter traffic heading into Atlanta on I-85. The estimated fuel cost is a budget-friendly $8, so a single fill-up before you leave should be more than sufficient. Keep an eye on traffic conditions as you approach Atlanta, especially if you're arriving during peak hours.
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 26.1 miles from Russell, GA, or about 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 23.8 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 52.2 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 26.1 miles or 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Atlanta, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Russell, 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 Russell, GA
This is one driving day of about 52.2 miles and 1h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Russell, 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 I 85 for about 23.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 26.1 mi from Russell, GA · 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
26 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 52.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 26.1 miles from Russell, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Atlanta, GA
The final approach into Atlanta, 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 Atlanta, 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
$8.16 one way
$16.33 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
18 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $8.93 | $17.85 |
| premium | $4.70 | $9.66 | $19.32 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.53 | $23.05 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.7 | 0 | $5.48 | $2.51 |
| Efficient EV | 13.1 | 0 | $4.57 | $2.09 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 20.9 | 0 | $7.31 | $3.34 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 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
Atlanta, GA
Late night in Atlanta on Wednesday
Local time
5:44 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Cleveland, TN
26 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
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 6m 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 Russell, GA to Atlanta, GA covers 52.2 miles and takes about 1h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 85, University Parkway, Monroe Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 26.1 miles from Russell, GA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.16 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 52.2 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: near the start (East Midland Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (GA 11 / Monroe Highway): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 51.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Russell, GA to Atlanta, GA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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