This straightforward 87-mile drive from Scottdale, GA, to Macon, GA, is easily accomplished in about 1 hour and 43 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. The route primarily utilizes I-75, with a portion on Terrell Starr Parkway and the Atlanta Bypass, meaning you'll spend about 80% of your time on highways. With an estimated fuel cost of $14, this journey is quite budget-friendly. Given its relatively short length and highway-focused profile, you won't need to split this drive, allowing for maximum flexibility in your schedule as you travel within the Southeast region.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.5 miles from Scottdale, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 52m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 43m. Total distance: 87 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 87-mile trip between Scottdale and Macon. You'll be on I-75 for a significant portion, including a continuous stretch of nearly 60 miles. While the Atlanta Bypass and Terrell Starr Parkway offer some variation, the overall character leans towards efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways. The 80% highway share means you'll likely experience consistent speeds, ideal for covering ground quickly. This route is designed for getting from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
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.
I 75 is the longest continuous segment at about 59.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Terrell Starr Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near US 278; GA 10 / North Avondale Plaza.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 87 miles you will encounter 12 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 1 miles (US 278; GA 10 / North Avondale Plaza): Lane positioning matters here; at 11.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 72.5 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
1 mi into trip|~2m in|US 278; GA 10 / North Avondale Plaza
Turn left onto US 278; GA 10 / North Avondale Plaza
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
11.9 mi into trip|~16m in
Take the exit toward I 675 South: Macon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 52
Toward I 675 South: Macon
8
72.5 mi into trip|~1h 24m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward Macon, Savannah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Macon, Savannah
8
83 mi into trip|~1h 35m in
Take the exit toward US 23, GA 87: Riverside Drive
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 167
Toward US 23, GA 87: Riverside Drive
6
86.5 mi into trip|~1h 41m in|GA 19; Ga 49 / Spring Street
Turn right onto GA 19; Ga 49 / Spring Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Scottdale, GA to Macon, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Savannah along the way.
Savannah
72.5 mi in|~1h 24m|via I 75
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
59.8 mi
1h 4m
Terrell Starr Parkway
10.2 mi
11m
Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
7.9 mi
9m
Riverside Drive
3.1 mi
5m
Covington Highway
2.3 mi
3m
North Clarendon Avenue
1 mi
2m
Covington Road
0.3 mi
<1m
Spring Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 59.8 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Scottdale, GA and Macon, GA.
1
Start on Church Street
85 ft·2 sec·Church Street
2
Turn straight onto North Clarendon Avenue
1.0 mi·2 min·North Clarendon Avenue
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto US 278; GA 10
0.1 mi·9 sec·North Avondale Plaza
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on US 278; GA 10
0.3 mi·30 sec·Covington Road
5
Continue on US 278; GA 10
2.3 mi·3 min·Covington Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward I 285 South: AugustaUse the right lane.
7
Merge onto I 285
7.9 mi·9 min·Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
1.1 mi·2 min
Exit 52Toward I 675 South: MaconUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 675
10 mi·11 min·Terrell Starr Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 75
49 mi·53 min·I 75
Use the straight lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
11 mi·11 min·I 75
Toward Macon, SavannahUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 167Toward US 23, GA 87: Riverside DriveUse the slight right lane.
13
Turn left onto US 23; GA 87
3.1 mi·5 min·Riverside Drive
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn right onto GA 19; Ga 49
0.2 mi·30 sec·Spring Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Continue on Spring Street
142 ft·4 sec·Spring Street
Use the left lane.
16
Turn left onto Mulberry Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·Mulberry Street
17
Continue on Mulberry Street
0.1 mi·27 sec·Mulberry Street
18
Arrive at destination
Mulberry Street
Trip Plan
For this 1 hour and 43-minute drive, consider leaving Scottdale mid-morning to avoid the worst of Atlanta's commuter traffic. Since it's a short trip with no recommended stops and a fuel cost of only around $14, you have the flexibility to depart whenever it suits you. The longest uninterrupted stretch is nearly 60 miles on I-75, so plan your fuel and restroom breaks accordingly before you begin or when you see services ahead. Keep an eye on traffic reports, especially around the Atlanta Bypass, as congestion can impact your travel time.
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 43.5 miles from Scottdale, GA, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.8 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 19 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.5 miles or 52m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Macon, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Scottdale, GA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Scottdale, GA
This is one driving day of about 87 miles and 1h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Scottdale, GA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 59.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 43.5 mi from Scottdale, GA
· 52m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Welcome to Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. This park is a prehistoric American Indian site, where many different American Indian cultures occupied this land for thousands of years. American...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 87
Caution: River Trail periodically closed under I-16
Park Closure: BOARDWALK CLOSED along the River Trail
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...
Today the river valley attracts us for so many reasons. Take a solitary walk to enjoy nature’s display, raft leisurely through the rocky shoals with friends, fish the misty waters as the sun comes up,...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.60 one way
$27.21 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$14.88
$29.75
premium
$4.70
$16.10
$32.20
diesel
$5.61
$19.21
$38.42
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.1
0
$9.13
$4.18
Efficient EV
21.8
0
$7.61
$3.48
EV Truck/SUV
34.8
0
$12.18
$5.57
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Scottdale, GA
Late night
in Scottdale on Friday
Local time
12:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Macon, GA
Late night
in Macon on Friday
Local time
12:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°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 43m 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 Scottdale, GA to Macon, GA covers 87 miles and takes about 1h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, Terrell Starr Parkway, Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 43.5 miles from Scottdale, GA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.60 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 87 miles you will encounter 12 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 1 miles (US 278; GA 10 / North Avondale Plaza): Lane positioning matters here; at 11.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 72.5 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Scottdale, GA to Macon, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Savannah along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park and Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.
