How far is McDonough, GA from Gainesville, GA?
The driving distance from McDonough, GA to Gainesville, GA is about 79.3 miles (127.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 61.6 miles (99.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 54m 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 27m.
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 Gwinnett County, Georgia, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between McDonough and Gainesville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between McDonough and Gainesville.
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1
Start on Atlanta Street
39 m · 11 sec · Atlanta Street
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2
Turn left onto Keys Ferry Street
1726 ft · 51 sec · Keys Ferry Street
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3
Turn left onto Sims Street
1659 ft · 44 sec · Sims Street
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4
Continue on Highway 155 North
11.7 mi · 17 min · Highway 155 North
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Snapfinger Road
36 m · 5 sec · Snapfinger Road
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6
Exit the roundabout onto Snapfinger Road
2.8 mi · 4 min · Snapfinger Road
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7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Snapfinger Road
29 m · 2 sec · Snapfinger Road
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8
Exit the roundabout onto Snapfinger Road
5 mi · 8 min · Snapfinger Road
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9
Turn slight right
55 m · 7 sec
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10
Turn straight onto Wesley Chapel Road
1874 ft · 44 sec · Wesley Chapel Road
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11
Turn left onto I 20 West
2851 ft · 1 min
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12
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Highway
2850 ft · 37 sec · Purple Heart Highway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 285 Bypass North: Greenville, Chattanooga
2355 ft · 57 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
11.5 mi · 13 min · Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 85: Greenville, Atlanta
1.2 km · 52 sec
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16
Keep slight right to continue on I 85 North: Greenville
158 m · 7 sec
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17
Keep slight left to continue on I 85 North: Greenville
1872 ft · 40 sec
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18
Merge slight left onto Northeast Expressway
1.2 mi · 1 min · Northeast Expressway
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19
Continue on Interstate Highway 85
15.4 mi · 16 min · Interstate Highway 85
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20
Keep slight right
2718 ft · 33 sec
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21
Keep slight left to continue on Lanier Parkway
19.7 mi · 21 min · Lanier Parkway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward GA 60, GA 53: Candler Road, Gainesville
1532 ft · 37 sec
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23
At the end of the road, turn left onto Queen City Parkway
2.1 mi · 3 min · Queen City Parkway
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24
Turn right onto Jesse Jewell Parkway Southwest
2260 ft · 49 sec · Jesse Jewell Parkway Southwest
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25
Turn right onto Green Street
11 m · 2 sec · Green Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Green Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between McDonough and Gainesville.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Lanier Parkway
Keep slight left to continue on Lanier Parkway
19.7 mi · 00h 21m
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 McDonough and Mostly Sunny near Gainesville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from McDonough to Gainesville?
The road trip is about 79.3 miles (127.7 km) and usually takes 01h 27m 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?
Norcross is a useful midpoint, sitting about 37.3 miles from McDonough and 42.1 miles from Gainesville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 61.6 miles (99.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.7 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 3:36 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.09 one way or $22.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around McDonough and Mostly Sunny near Gainesville.
Stop Ideas Near Norcross
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 Norcross.
Peachtree Station
Gainesville
Toccoa
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between McDonough and Gainesville. Straight-line distance: 61.62 mi (99.16 km).
#1 McDonough
City in and the county seat of Henry County, Georgia, United States
| Population | 27,582 |
| Coordinates | 33.4473400, -84.1468600 |
| Altitude | 264 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Gainesville
The most populous city in Hall County, Georgia.
| Population | 44,213 |
| Coordinates | 34.2978800, -83.8240700 |
| Altitude | 381 |
| Country | United States |
End: Green Street (-83.824068, 34.297881)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 128 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 19m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $11.09 | $22.18 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $12.40 | $24.80 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $13.38 | $26.76 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $15.75 | $31.49 |
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.