How far is Macon, GA from Ellijay, GA?

The driving distance from Macon, GA to Ellijay, GA is about 161.2 miles (259.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 07m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 137.1 miles (220.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 14m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
161.27 mi
03h 07m
Flight
137.09 mi
220.62 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Macon.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
137.09 mi
Kilometers
220.62 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
161.27 mi
Kilometers
259.54 km
Drive Time
03h 07m

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 07m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ellijay
Fri, Apr 17, 2:37 PM EDT
Return by in Macon
Fri, Apr 17, 5:44 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Macon
2026-04-17T11:30
Arrive Ellijay
Fri, Apr 17, 2:37 PM EDT
Route Timing
03h 07m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:07 AM to 11:07 AM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:46 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Macon
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Atlanta
GA

The most populous city in Georgia and the center of the Atlanta metropolitan area.

From Macon
80.7 mi
01h 33m
To Ellijay
80.5 mi
01h 33m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
91°F
Friday

Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph W
Destination
86°F
Friday

Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Macon and Ellijay.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Macon and Ellijay.

  1. 1

    Start on Mulberry Street

    23 m · 3 sec · Mulberry Street

  2. 2

    Continue on Spring Street

    2780 ft · 1 min · Spring Street

  3. 3

    Continue on North Avenue

    160 m · 22 sec · North Avenue

  4. 4

    Take the exit left toward Fall Line Freeway

    1.3 km · 1 min · Fall Line Freeway

  5. 5

    Keep slight right to continue on I 75 North: Atlanta

    2746 ft · 43 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    62.1 mi · 1 hr 7 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North: Atlanta, Birmingham

    22.8 mi · 28 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on Horace E Tate Freeway

    7.2 mi · 9 min · Horace E Tate Freeway

  9. 9

    Continue on Larry McDonald Memorial Highway

    10.5 mi · 12 min · Larry McDonald Memorial Highway

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway

    24.2 mi · 26 min · Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway

  11. 11

    Continue on A P D Highway

    6.7 mi · 7 min · A P D Highway

  12. 12

    Continue on APD Highway

    24.8 mi · 31 min · APD Highway

  13. 13

    Turn left onto 1st Avenue

    545 ft · 17 sec · 1st Avenue

  14. 14

    At the end of the road, turn left onto River Street

    1.4 km · 2 min · River Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto North Church Street

    13 m · 2 sec · North Church Street

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Church Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Macon and Ellijay.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
16 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 75 North
85.4 mi · 53%
APD Highway
24.8 mi · 15%
Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway
24.2 mi · 15%
Larry McDonald Memorial Highway
10.5 mi · 7%
Horace E Tate Freeway
7.23 mi · 4%
A P D Highway
6.67 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

I 75 North

Merge slight left

62.1 mi · 01h 07m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 07m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+24.1 mi
137.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Atlanta
01h 33m from Macon
Leave By
10:46 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Macon and Sunny near Ellijay.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Macon to Ellijay?

The road trip is about 161.2 miles (259.5 km) and usually takes 03h 07m 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?

Atlanta is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.7 miles from Macon and 80.5 miles from Ellijay.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 137.1 miles (220.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.1 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:46 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.54 one way or $45.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Macon and Sunny near Ellijay.

Stop Ideas Near Atlanta

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Atlanta and the surrounding midpoint area.
Cafe 55
Coffee break 2.6 mi away

Cafe 55

Atlanta , GA
55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
Rating 3.8/5 10 reviews Cafeteria
Atlanta City Hall
Meeting point 2.6 mi away

Atlanta City Hall

Atlanta , GA
55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
Rating 3.9/5 58 reviews City Hall,City government office
College Park Recycling Drop off Center
Nearby stop 5 mi away

College Park Recycling Drop off Center

Atlanta , GA
1904 Harvard Ave, Atlanta, GA 30337
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews Recycling drop-off location

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Atlanta.

RAIL

Peachtree Station

6 mi away
1688 Peachtree Street, NW
RAIL

Gainesville

79 mi away
116 Industrial Boulevard

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Macon and Ellijay. Straight-line distance: 137.09 mi (220.62 km).

Macon

#1 Macon

The second most populous city in Georgia.

Population152,663
Coordinates32.8406900, -83.6324000
Altitude112
CountryUnited States
Ellijay

#2 Ellijay

City in Gilmer County, Georgia, United States of America

Population1,724
Coordinates34.6948100, -84.4821500
Altitude390
CountryUnited States
Start: Macon (-83.6324, 32.84069)
End: Ellijay (-84.48215, 34.69481)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 260 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 22m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 01m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 13m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 41m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 18m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 00m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.69 gal
21.54 L · about $22.54
Round trip
$45.08
11.38 gal · 43.08 L
Estimated CO2
50.6 kg one way
Round trip: 101.1 kg / 223 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $22.54 $45.08
Mid-grade $4.43 $25.20 $50.40
Premium $4.78 $27.19 $54.37
Diesel $5.62 $32.00 $64.00

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Macon and Ellijay. The current time is 11:30:16.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.