How far is California, GA from Thomson, GA?
The driving distance from California, GA to Thomson, GA is about 144.5 miles (232.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 132.5 miles (213.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 39m 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 02h 49m.
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 Newton and Walton Counties, Georgia, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between California and Thomson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between California and Thomson.
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1
Start on Hiram Acworth Highway
2 mi · 3 min · Hiram Acworth Highway
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2
Turn left onto Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway
1.4 km · 2 min · Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway
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3
Continue on Wendy Bagwell Parkway
1.6 km · 2 min · Wendy Bagwell Parkway
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4
Continue on C H James Parkway
7.4 mi · 10 min · C H James Parkway
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5
Continue on Thornton Road
3.5 mi · 6 min · Thornton Road
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 20 East: Atlanta
2634 ft · 1 min
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7
Merge slight left onto Tom Murphy Freeway
22.9 mi · 28 min · Tom Murphy Freeway
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8
Continue on Purple Heart Highway
46.9 mi · 50 min · Purple Heart Highway
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9
Continue on Carl Sanders Highway
54.5 mi · 58 min · Carl Sanders Highway
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10
Take the exit slight right
1961 ft · 48 sec
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11
Turn right
46 m · 4 sec
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12
Turn straight onto Three Points Road
2532 ft · 56 sec · Three Points Road
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13
Turn left onto Cedar Rock Road
3.6 mi · 6 min · Cedar Rock Road
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14
Continue on Hickory Hill Drive
1374 ft · 27 sec · Hickory Hill Drive
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15
Continue on Tom Watson Way
1606 ft · 34 sec · Tom Watson Way
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Gordon Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between California and Thomson.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Carl Sanders Highway
Continue on Carl Sanders Highway
54.5 mi · 00h 58m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving California and Chance Rain Showers near Thomson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from California to Thomson?
The road trip is about 144.5 miles (232.6 km) and usually takes 02h 49m 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?
Social Circle is a useful midpoint, sitting about 72.1 miles from California and 72.4 miles from Thomson.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 132.5 miles (213.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 12 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 12:50 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.20 one way or $40.40 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around California and Chance Rain Showers near Thomson.
Stop Ideas Near Social Circle
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 Social Circle.
Peachtree Station
Gainesville
Toccoa
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between California and Thomson. Straight-line distance: 132.51 mi (213.25 km).
#1 California
California is a place in Georgia, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 33.9189900, -84.7457700 |
| Altitude | 317 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Thomson
City in and the county seat of McDuffie County, Georgia, United States
| Population | 6,463 |
| Coordinates | 33.4706900, -82.5045700 |
| Altitude | 162 |
| Country | United States |
End: Thomson (-82.50457, 33.47069)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 233 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 48m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $20.20 | $40.40 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $22.59 | $45.18 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $24.37 | $48.74 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $28.68 | $57.36 |
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 14, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.