How far is Atlanta, GA from Nelson, GA?
The driving distance from Atlanta, GA to Nelson, GA is about 52.8 miles (85 km), with a travel time of about 01h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 43.7 miles (70.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 06m 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 03m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Effingham County, Georgia, United States
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 Nelson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Atlanta and Nelson.
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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 right to continue on Horace E Tate Freeway
7.2 mi · 9 min · Horace E Tate Freeway
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8
Continue on Larry McDonald Memorial Highway
10.5 mi · 12 min · Larry McDonald Memorial Highway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway
24.2 mi · 26 min · Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway
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10
Continue on A P D Highway
2.5 mi · 3 min · A P D Highway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward GA 5 Business: Howell Bridge Road, Ball Ground
2698 ft · 1 min
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12
Keep slight right
1100 ft · 29 sec
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13
Turn left onto Ball Ground Highway
1.3 km · 1 min · Ball Ground Highway
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14
Continue on Canton Highway
1.3 km · 1 min · Canton Highway
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15
Continue on Ball Ground Highway
2 mi · 3 min · Ball Ground Highway
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16
Continue on Canton Road
1339 ft · 27 sec · Canton Road
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17
Turn right onto Kennesaw Avenue
1073 ft · 40 sec · Kennesaw Avenue
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18
Turn right onto Blue Ridge Avenue
158 m · 22 sec · Blue Ridge Avenue
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19
Turn right onto Dogwood Pass
5 m · 1 sec · Dogwood Pass
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Dogwood Pass
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Atlanta and Nelson.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway
Keep slight right to continue on Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway
24.2 mi · 00h 26m
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 Nelson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Atlanta to Nelson?
The road trip is about 52.8 miles (85 km) and usually takes 01h 03m 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?
Springfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 26.4 miles from Atlanta and 26.3 miles from Nelson.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 43.7 miles (70.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.1 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 4:24 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.37 one way or $14.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Atlanta and Sunny near Nelson.
Stop Ideas Near Springfield
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City Hall Parking Deck
Sandy Springs City Hall
Finance Department of Smyrna
Parking near City Hall and Cultural Arts Center
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Springfield.
Peachtree Station
Gainesville
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Atlanta and Nelson. Straight-line distance: 43.75 mi (70.41 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 Nelson
City in Pickens and Cherokee counties, Georgia, United States of America
| Population | 1,395 |
| Coordinates | 34.3820400, -84.3710300 |
| Altitude | 377 |
| Country | United States |
End: Nelson (-84.37103, 34.38204)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 85 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $7.37 | $14.73 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $8.24 | $16.48 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $8.89 | $17.77 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $10.46 | $20.92 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.