How far is Macon, GA from Nelson, GA?

The driving distance from Macon, GA to Nelson, GA is about 136.1 miles (219 km), with a travel time of about 02h 37m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 114.6 miles (184.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 15m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
136.08 mi
02h 37m
Flight
114.66 mi
184.53 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Macon.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
114.66 mi
Kilometers
184.53 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
136.08 mi
Kilometers
219 km
Drive Time
02h 37m

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 37m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Nelson
Thu, Apr 23, 10:16 AM EDT
Return by in Macon
Thu, Apr 23, 12:54 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Macon
2026-04-23T07:39
Arrive Nelson
Thu, Apr 23, 10:16 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 37m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:38 AM to 12:38 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:14 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Macon
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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
Morrow
GA

City in Clayton County, Georgia, United States

From Macon
68.1 mi
01h 18m
To Nelson
68 mi
01h 18m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
86°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph SW
Destination
83°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    2.5 mi · 3 min · A P D Highway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward GA 5 Business: Howell Bridge Road, Ball Ground

    2698 ft · 1 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight right

    1100 ft · 29 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Ball Ground Highway

    1.3 km · 1 min · Ball Ground Highway

  15. 15

    Continue on Canton Highway

    1.3 km · 1 min · Canton Highway

  16. 16

    Continue on Ball Ground Highway

    2 mi · 3 min · Ball Ground Highway

  17. 17

    Continue on Canton Road

    1339 ft · 27 sec · Canton Road

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Kennesaw Avenue

    1073 ft · 40 sec · Kennesaw Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Blue Ridge Avenue

    158 m · 22 sec · Blue Ridge Avenue

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Dogwood Pass

    5 m · 1 sec · Dogwood Pass

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Dogwood Pass

Car Route Details

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

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
21 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 75 North
85.4 mi · 63%
Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway
24.2 mi · 18%
Larry McDonald Memorial Highway
10.5 mi · 8%
Horace E Tate Freeway
7.23 mi · 5%
Ball Ground Highway
2.77 mi · 2%
A P D Highway
2.46 mi · 2%
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 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.

Drive Time
02h 37m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+21.5 mi
114.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Morrow
01h 18m from Macon
Leave By
1:14 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Macon and Sunny near Nelson.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 136.1 miles (219 km) and usually takes 02h 37m 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?

Morrow is a useful midpoint, sitting about 68.1 miles from Macon and 68 miles from Nelson.

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

The direct path is about 114.6 miles (184.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.5 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 1:14 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.01 one way or $38.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Morrow

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 Morrow and the surrounding midpoint area.
Cafe 55
Coffee break 13 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 13 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 9.3 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 Morrow.

RAIL

Peachtree Station

25 mi away
1688 Peachtree Street, NW
RAIL

Gainesville

91 mi away
116 Industrial Boulevard

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Macon and Nelson. Straight-line distance: 114.66 mi (184.53 km).

Macon

#1 Macon

The second most populous city in Georgia.

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

#2 Nelson

City in Pickens and Cherokee counties, Georgia, United States of America

Population1,395
Coordinates34.3820400, -84.3710300
Altitude377
CountryUnited States
Start: Macon (-83.6324, 32.84069)
End: Nelson (-84.37103, 34.38204)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 219 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 32m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 24m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 43m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 16m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 56m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 41m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.8 gal
18.18 L · about $19.01
Round trip
$38.03
9.6 gal · 36.36 L
Estimated CO2
42.7 kg one way
Round trip: 85.3 kg / 188 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $19.01 $38.03
Mid-grade $4.43 $21.26 $42.52
Premium $4.78 $22.93 $45.87
Diesel $5.62 $27.00 $53.99

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

There is no time difference between Macon and Nelson. The current time is 07:39:07.

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.