How far is Columbus, GA from Athens, GA?
The driving distance from Columbus, GA to Athens, GA is about 180.1 miles (289.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 139.3 miles (224.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 04m 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 32m.
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 Columbus and Athens.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbus and Athens.
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1
Start on Veterans Parkway
4 m · 6 sec · Veterans Parkway
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2
Continue on Veterans Parkway
1426 ft · 47 sec · Veterans Parkway
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3
Turn right onto 10th Street
2431 ft · 1 min · 10th Street
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4
Turn left onto 10th Avenue
123 m · 16 sec · 10th Avenue
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5
Turn sharp right onto Wynnton Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · Wynnton Road
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6
Continue on Macon Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Macon Road
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7
Take the ramp slight left toward I 185 North
1372 ft · 34 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Chet Atkins Parkway
43.7 mi · 47 min · Chet Atkins Parkway
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9
Merge slight left onto Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
58.8 mi · 1 hr 5 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
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10
Continue on Downtown Connector
5.1 mi · 7 min · Downtown Connector
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Northeast Expressway
2.7 mi · 4 min · Northeast Expressway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Northeast Expressway
9.7 mi · 12 min · Northeast Expressway
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13
Continue on Interstate Highway 85
8.8 mi · 9 min · Interstate Highway 85
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14
Take the exit slight right toward GA 316 East: Lawrenceville, Athens
2806 ft · 37 sec
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15
Continue on University Parkway
38.4 mi · 47 min · University Parkway
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16
Take the exit slight left
116 m · 12 sec
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17
Turn left onto Oconee Connector
3008 ft · 1 min · Oconee Connector
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18
Turn left
1038 ft · 25 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto Inner Loop 10
1.3 mi · 1 min · Inner Loop 10
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20
Continue on GA Inner Loop 10
3.7 mi · 4 min · GA Inner Loop 10
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21
Continue on Inner Loop 10
1969 ft · 26 sec · Inner Loop 10
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22
Take the exit slight right toward US 129 North: Prince Avenue, Jefferson
1737 ft · 42 sec
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23
Keep slight left
59 m · 12 sec
-
24
Turn left onto Prince Avenue
1.8 mi · 4 min · Prince Avenue
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25
Continue on West Dougherty Street
953 ft · 34 sec · West Dougherty Street
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26
Turn left onto North Lumpkin Street
31 m · 3 sec · North Lumpkin Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Lumpkin Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbus 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.
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Merge slight left onto Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
58.8 mi · 01h 05m
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.
Clear leaving Columbus and Sunny near Athens.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Columbus to Athens?
The road trip is about 180.1 miles (289.8 km) and usually takes 03h 32m 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 90.1 miles from Columbus and 90 miles from Athens.
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 40.8 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 9:56 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.15 one way or $50.30 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Clear around Columbus and Sunny near Athens.
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 Columbus and Athens. Straight-line distance: 139.28 mi (224.15 km).
#1 Columbus
The second most populous city in Georgia.
| Population | 196,442 |
| Coordinates | 32.4609800, -84.9877100 |
| Altitude | 82 |
| 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: 290 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $25.15 | $50.30 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $28.12 | $56.25 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $30.34 | $60.68 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $35.71 | $71.42 |
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.