Origin
Thomson, GA
Late night in Thomson on Wednesday
Local time
2:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Thomson, GA to Atlanta, GA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
2h 11m
Distance
117 mi
188 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 2m
★
6 AM
2h 12m
8 AM
2h 30m
10 AM
2h 18m
12 PM
2h 16m
3 PM
2h 19m
5 PM
2h 29m
8 PM
2h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Thomson, GA
Huynh Van
Atlanta, GA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Thomson to Atlanta, you are looking at a 117-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 11 minutes to complete. This Southeast route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Budgeting approximately $19 for fuel should cover your travel costs between these two Georgia cities. Since the drive is relatively short and direct, it offers a straightforward way to transition from the smaller-town feel of Thomson to the bustling metropolitan environment of Atlanta. You will spend your time navigating via the Carl Sanders Highway, the Purple Heart Highway, and the Ralph David Abernathy Freeway.
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
58.5 miles from Thomson, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 5m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. With only 8% of the route consisting of major highway travel, you will spend most of your time on local roads that provide a more hands-on driving experience. Your longest uninterrupted segment is a 54.7-mile stretch on the Carl Sanders Highway, which serves as the primary backbone of your trip. The road dynamics shift as you transition from local thoroughfares onto the Ralph David Abernathy Freeway near your destination. Be prepared for a varied pace behind the wheel as you navigate these different road types.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Tom Watson Way is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Thomson, GA to Atlanta, GA is easy. At 2h 11m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Thomson, GA to Atlanta, GA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Tom Watson Way | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Hickory Hill Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Cedar Rock Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Three Points Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Carl Sanders Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Purple Heart Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Ralph David Abernathy Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Capital Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Tom Watson Way
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thomson, GA and Atlanta, GA.
1
Start on Gordon Street
75 ft
·
4 sec
·
Gordon Street
2
Continue on Tom Watson Way
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
Tom Watson Way
3
Continue on Hickory Hill Drive
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Hickory Hill Drive
4
Continue on Cedar Rock Road
3.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Cedar Rock Road
5
Turn right onto Three Points Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Three Points Road
6
Take the ramp left
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
7
Merge slight left onto Carl Sanders Highway
55 mi
·
58 min
·
Carl Sanders Highway
8
Continue on Purple Heart Highway
47 mi
·
50 min
·
Purple Heart Highway
9
Continue on Ralph David Abernathy Freeway
9.3 mi
·
11 min
·
Ralph David Abernathy Freeway
10
Take the exit slight right toward Capital Avenue, Downtown
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Capital Avenue, Downtown
11
Turn right onto Capitol Avenue Southeast
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
Capitol Avenue Southeast
12
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Because this is a manageable 2-hour and 11-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility when it comes to your departure time. Aim to hit the road early to avoid the heaviest traffic patterns as you approach the Atlanta metro area. Since there are no mandatory stops scheduled, you can easily tackle the entire 117 miles in one go, though keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is wise given the $19 estimated cost. Use the 54.7-mile stretch on the Carl Sanders Highway to establish a steady rhythm before you encounter the more frequent turns later in the route. Staying alert during those local road segments will make your arrival in Atlanta much more relaxed.
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 58.5 miles from Thomson, GA, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
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 80 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.5 miles or 1h 5m 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 47m
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 Thomson, 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 Thomson, GA
This is one driving day of about 117 miles and 2h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Thomson, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 58.5 mi from Thomson, GA · 1h 5m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
59 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 58.5 miles from Thomson, 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
$18.30 one way
$36.59 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $20.01 | $40.01 |
| premium | $4.70 | $21.65 | $43.31 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.83 | $51.66 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.1 | 0 | $12.29 | $5.62 |
| Efficient EV | 29.3 | 0 | $10.24 | $4.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.8 | 0 | $16.38 | $7.49 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Destination
Atlanta, GA
Late night in Atlanta on Wednesday
Local time
2:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
63°F
Greenville, SC
59 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
28 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 11m 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 Thomson, GA to Atlanta, GA covers 117 miles and takes about 2h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Tom Watson Way, Hickory Hill Drive, Cedar Rock Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 58.5 miles from Thomson, GA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.30 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.
The drive from Thomson, GA to Atlanta, GA is easy. At 2h 11m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Thomson, GA to Atlanta, GA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Thomson, GA to Atlanta, GA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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