How far is Atlanta, GA from Athens, GA?
The driving distance from Atlanta, GA to Athens, GA is about 72.3 miles (116.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 59.8 miles (96.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 02m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 31m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Gwinnett 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 Atlanta and Athens.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Atlanta and Athens.
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1
Start on Capitol Avenue Southeast
21 m · 1 sec · Capitol Avenue Southeast
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2
Turn slight right
47 m · 7 sec
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3
Turn slight right onto Martin Luther King Jr Drive Southeast
78 m · 7 sec · Martin Luther King Jr Drive Southeast
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4
Continue on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Southeast
631 ft · 14 sec · Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Southeast
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5
Take the ramp left toward I 75 North, I 85 North
1203 ft · 29 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Downtown Connector
3.1 mi · 4 min · Downtown Connector
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Northeast Expressway
2.7 mi · 4 min · Northeast Expressway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Northeast Expressway
9.7 mi · 12 min · Northeast Expressway
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9
Continue on Interstate Highway 85
8.8 mi · 9 min · Interstate Highway 85
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10
Take the exit slight right toward GA 316 East: Lawrenceville, Athens
2806 ft · 37 sec
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11
Continue on University Parkway
38.4 mi · 47 min · University Parkway
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12
Take the exit slight left
116 m · 12 sec
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13
Turn left onto Oconee Connector
3008 ft · 1 min · Oconee Connector
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14
Turn left
1038 ft · 25 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Inner Loop 10
1.3 mi · 1 min · Inner Loop 10
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16
Continue on GA Inner Loop 10
3.7 mi · 4 min · GA Inner Loop 10
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17
Continue on Inner Loop 10
1969 ft · 26 sec · Inner Loop 10
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18
Take the exit slight right toward US 129 North: Prince Avenue, Jefferson
1737 ft · 42 sec
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19
Keep slight left
59 m · 12 sec
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20
Turn left onto Prince Avenue
1.8 mi · 4 min · Prince Avenue
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21
Continue on West Dougherty Street
953 ft · 34 sec · West Dougherty Street
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22
Turn left onto North Lumpkin Street
31 m · 3 sec · North Lumpkin Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Lumpkin Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Atlanta and Athens.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
University Parkway
Continue on University Parkway
38.4 mi · 00h 47m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Atlanta and Sunny near Athens.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Atlanta to Athens?
The road trip is about 72.3 miles (116.3 km) and usually takes 01h 31m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Dacula is a useful midpoint, sitting about 36.1 miles from Atlanta and 36.2 miles from Athens.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 59.8 miles (96.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:28 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.10 one way or $20.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Atlanta and Sunny near Athens.
Stop Ideas Near Dacula
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 Dacula.
Gainesville
Peachtree Station
Toccoa
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Atlanta and Athens. Straight-line distance: 59.78 mi (96.2 km).
#1 Atlanta
The most populous city in Georgia and the center of the Atlanta metropolitan area.
| Population | 512,550 |
| Coordinates | 33.7490000, -84.3879800 |
| Altitude | 320 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: Athens (-83.37794, 33.96095)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 116 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 48m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $10.10 | $20.20 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $11.29 | $22.59 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $12.18 | $24.37 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $14.34 | $28.68 |
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 · Apr 11, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.