Winding GA 283 cuts across the northeast foothills of Hall County north of Gainesville. Extending 16.1 miles, the highway consists of three sections joined by overlapping routes. The westernmost section, Mt. Vernon Road, runs mostly north-south from GA 60 to GA 52, extending 9.6 miles. The middle section, known as Clermont Highway, extends east-west from GA 52 to GA 284 (Old U.S. 129) in Clermont over a 3.4 mile stretch. Those two sections are joined by an 0.3 overlap along GA 52.

In Clermont, GA 283 and 284 combine into one route for a block, resulting in an extremely short overlap that is less than 0.1 miles. The remainder of the route, locally known as Holly Springs Road, extends eastward over 2.8 miles to rejoin and end at GA 52. This section north of GA 52 roughly makes a business route for GA 52 through the tiny town, but is actually shorter than GA 52.

Over the length of GA 283, the route is rather scenic farming and hill country, though the suburbs of Atlanta are beginning to creep in on the hilly pastures. This is especially apparent on the Mt. Vernon Road portion of the highway.

Two major points of interest along the route are Lake Lanier and Clermont. The highway also crosses Lake Lanier near the intersection with GA 60 where the lake backs up along Wahoo Creek. Clermont itself is a historic town with a turn of the century hotel, Clermont Hotel, right where the western leg of GA 283 joins GA 284. Skitts Mountain, one of several area ridges that make up the southernmost part of the Appalachian chain, is also visible near the eastern end.

First established around 1950 during the same time GA 52 was extended east of U.S. 129, GA 283 originally consisted of an unpaved route through Clermont, consisting only of the route north of present-day GA 52 along Holly Springs Road and Clermont Highway.

GA 283 and 284 in Clermont in 1956. Note that the original route of GA 283 was less than half the length of the highway today. Also note U.S. 129 along what are presently parts of GA 254, 284 and Old GA 75.

Work began to improve the route when grading was completed in 1955. By 1960, the Holly Springs Road portion east of U.S. 129 (present-day GA 284) was complete and by 1961, not only was the highway fully paved, but joined by the extension along Mt. Vernon Road, which remains part of the route today.

Since the road was completed, other than a bridge widening in 1988 over Wahoo Creek and an intersection improvement at Hubert Stephens and Britt Roads for the North Hall High School, GA 283 remains mostly the same as it did in 1961.

All photos below by J.T. Legg. The first two photos were taken August 14, 2004. The last was taken August 16, 2004.

	In Clermont, GA 283 joins GA 284 (Old U.S. 129) for about a block, as seen here. At the Clermont Hotel in the Background, the routes part again with GA 283 turning right in front of the hotel.
	This faded route sign and guide sign combo on a wood post represent the few remaining relics of the old way GDOT did signs on state routes. This was taken just west of the Clermont Hotel.
	Approaching the west end at GA 52, GA 283 makes a right turn at Skitts Mountain Road. GA 365 here refers to the expressway extending northeast of Gainesville that also includes I-985.

Georgia 283 Termini Gallery

All photos below by J.T. Legg

Western Terminus: GA 60 (Thompson Bridge Rd) between Murrayville and Gainesville
These signs represent typical contractor installations done from the 70's-90's that used to be reasonably uniform in design. All featured larger digits and expanded shields for the three-digit routes. These were installed when GA 60 was widened up to just past this intersection at GA 136. The first and third photos are the directional assembly and junction assembly on northbound GA 60. The second photo is of the first reassurance shield. No end signage existed when these photos were taken. All photos here were taken on August 14, 2004.
Eastern Terminus: GA 52 east of Clermont
The first photos here is of the ends assembly. The second and last photos are both taken on GA 52 westbound of the directional and junction assemblies. The third photo is the first reassurance shield westbound.

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