How far is Athens, GA from Columbus, GA?
The driving distance from Athens, GA to Columbus, GA is about 173.5 miles (279.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 139.3 miles (224.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 01m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 03h 00m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Fulton County, Georgia, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Athens and Columbus.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Athens and Columbus.
-
1
Start on North Lumpkin Street
31 m · 7 sec · North Lumpkin Street
-
2
Turn right onto West Dougherty Street
953 ft · 29 sec · West Dougherty Street
-
3
Continue on Prince Avenue
2.1 mi · 5 min · Prince Avenue
-
4
Turn left onto GA 10 Loop South
1056 ft · 26 sec
-
5
Merge slight left onto Outer Loop 10
3.2 mi · 4 min · Outer Loop 10
-
6
Take the exit slight right toward US 78 Business, GA 10: Atlanta Highway, Monroe
1323 ft · 32 sec
-
7
Keep slight left to continue on GA 10, US 78 Bus
82 m · 7 sec
-
8
Turn right onto Atlanta Highway
2.3 mi · 4 min · Atlanta Highway
-
9
Turn slight left onto Monroe Highway
8.1 mi · 11 min · Monroe Highway
-
10
Continue straight
9.2 mi · 13 min
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward GA 138: Conyers
2008 ft · 56 sec
-
12
Turn left onto Martin Luther King, Junior Boulevard
8.2 mi · 12 min · Martin Luther King, Junior Boulevard
-
13
Continue straight
1.4 mi · 2 min
-
14
Continue straight
1.6 mi · 2 min
-
15
Continue straight
8.3 mi · 12 min
-
16
Take the exit right toward I 20 West, US 278 West, GA 12 West: Atlanta
885 ft · 22 sec
-
17
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Highway
14.7 mi · 16 min · Purple Heart Highway
-
18
Continue on Ralph David Abernathy Freeway
565 ft · 7 sec · Ralph David Abernathy Freeway
-
19
Take the exit slight right toward I 285 South Bypass: Atlanta Airport, Macon
1.5 km · 2 min
-
20
Merge slight left onto Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
13.9 mi · 16 min · Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
-
21
Take the exit slight right toward I 85 South, I 85 North: Columbus, Montgomery, Atlanta, Domestic Airport
1026 ft · 25 sec
-
22
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 South: Columbus, Montgomery
1.6 km · 2 min
-
23
Merge slight left
48.4 mi · 52 min
-
24
Keep slight right to continue on Chet Atkins Parkway
44.7 mi · 48 min · Chet Atkins Parkway
-
25
Take the exit slight right toward GA 22 Spur: Macon Road
930 ft · 23 sec
-
26
Keep slight right to continue on GA 22 Spur West
115 m · 9 sec
-
27
Turn slight right onto Macon Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Macon Road
-
28
Continue on Wynnton Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · Wynnton Road
-
29
Turn sharp left onto 10th Avenue
123 m · 12 sec · 10th Avenue
-
30
Turn right onto 10th Street
2431 ft · 54 sec · 10th Street
-
31
Turn left onto Veterans Parkway
1406 ft · 43 sec · Veterans Parkway
-
32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Veterans Parkway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Athens and Columbus.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 85 South
Merge slight left
48.4 mi · 00h 52m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Athens and Clear near Columbus.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Athens to Columbus?
The road trip is about 173.5 miles (279.2 km) and usually takes 03h 00m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Fairburn is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.6 miles from Athens and 86.9 miles from Columbus.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 139.3 miles (224.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.2 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:58 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.24 one way or $48.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Athens and Clear near Columbus.
Stop Ideas Near Fairburn
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Fairburn.
Peachtree Station
Gainesville
Anniston
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Athens and Columbus. Straight-line distance: 139.28 mi (224.15 km).
#1 Athens
Consolidated city-county and county seat of Clarke County, Georgia, United States
| Population | 116,714 |
| Coordinates | 33.9609500, -83.3779400 |
| Altitude | 228 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Columbus
The second most populous city in Georgia.
| Population | 196,442 |
| Coordinates | 32.4609800, -84.9877100 |
| Altitude | 82 |
| Country | United States |
End: Veterans Parkway (-84.987719, 32.460947)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 279 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $24.24 | $48.48 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $27.11 | $54.21 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $29.24 | $58.48 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $34.42 | $68.84 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Georgia · May 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.