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Trip from Buford, GA to Albany, GA

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 8m

Distance

215.6 mi

347 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$34

one way

EV Charging

Fair

4 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
3h 55m ★
6 AM
4h 9m
8 AM
4h 35m
10 AM
4h 18m
12 PM
4h 15m
3 PM
4h 19m
5 PM
4h 33m
8 PM
4h 1m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in Gwinnett and Hall counties, Georgia, United States

Buford, GA

Wikimedia Commons

city in and county seat of Dougherty County, Georgia, United States

Albany, GA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Buford, GA to Albany, GA covers 215.6 miles and takes about 4h 8m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Fall Line Freeway, I 75, Georgia-Florida Parkway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 56.9 miles on Fall Line Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.72 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

107.8 miles from Buford, GA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 3m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Fall Line Freeway 56.9 mi 1h
I 75 49.3 mi 53m
Georgia-Florida Parkway 35.1 mi 43m
Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter 17.5 mi 20m
I 85 16.8 mi 18m
Larry Justice Highway 16.1 mi 17m
Terrell Starr Parkway 10.2 mi 11m
Lanier Parkway 3.5 mi 3m
Longest stretch: Fall Line Freeway — 56.9 mi, about 1h

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Buford, GA and Albany, GA.

1

Start on this road

26 ft · 7 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto South Harris Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · South Harris Street
3

Turn left onto Garnett Street

408 ft · 13 sec · Garnett Street
4

Turn right onto GA 13

0.5 mi · 53 sec · Buford Highway Northeast
5

Turn left onto South Lee Street

1.1 mi · 2 min · South Lee Street
6

Turn left onto US 23; GA 20

0.4 mi · 51 sec · Buford Drive
7

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Toward I 985 South Use the right lane.
8

Merge onto I 985

3.5 mi · 3 min · Lanier Parkway
9

Merge onto I 85

6.6 mi · 7 min · I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 85

10 mi · 10 min · I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min
Exit 95A Toward I 285 Bypass East: Augusta, Macon Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 27 sec
Toward I 285 South: Augusta, Macon Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Merge onto I 285

18 mi · 20 min · Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

1.1 mi · 2 min
Exit 52 Toward I 675 South: Macon Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Continue on I 675

10 mi · 11 min · Terrell Starr Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Merge onto I 75

49 mi · 53 min · I 75
Use the straight lane.
17

Keep slight right at fork onto I 475

16 mi · 17 min · Larry Justice Highway
Exit 177 Toward I 475 South: Valdosta Use the slight right lane.
18

Merge onto I 75; GA 540

57 mi · 1 hr · Fall Line Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Exit 99 Toward GA 300 South: Georgia-Florida Parkway, Albany Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Turn right onto GA 300

35 mi · 43 min · Georgia-Florida Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
21

Continue on Cordele Road

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Cordele Road
Use the straight lane.
22

Turn right onto Old Cordele Road

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Old Cordele Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
23

Turn straight onto US 82 Business; GA 520 Business

449 ft · 10 sec · Sylvester Highway
24

Continue on US 82 Business; GA 520 Business

2.9 mi · 4 min · East Oglethorpe Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
25

Turn right onto South Broadway Street

365 ft · 16 sec · South Broadway Street
Use the right lane.
26

Turn left onto East Broad Avenue

0.4 mi · 46 sec · East Broad Avenue
Use the left lane.
27

Turn right onto North Front Street

510 ft · 12 sec · North Front Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
28

Enter roundabout onto Pine Avenue

110 ft · 2 sec · Pine Avenue
29

Continue on Pine Avenue

0.4 mi · 44 sec · Pine Avenue
30

Arrive at destination

Pine Avenue

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 107.8 miles from Buford, GA, or about 2h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.9 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 47 miles or 57m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 107.8 miles or 2h 3m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 18m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Albany, GA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Buford, GA so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Buford, GA

This is one driving day of about 215.6 miles and 4h 8m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Buford, GA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Fall Line Freeway for about 56.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Macon, GA, GA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Macon, GA

108 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Stockbridge, GA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Macon, GA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 107.8 miles from Buford, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Bodega Brew

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Perry, Georgia

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 138.6

Hours: 9 am–10 pm

+14782243499

Visit website

Starbucks

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Forsyth, Georgia

1 mi

Starbucks Coffee Company

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Perry, Georgia

2.4 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Cornerstone Coffee + Co

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Albany, Georgia

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 215.6

Hours: Closed

Visit website

Paris Baguette

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Duluth, Georgia

0.7 mi

7 Leaves Cafe (Georgia)

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Duluth, Georgia

0.8 mi

Bodega Brew

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 138.6

Perry, Georgia

Hours: 9 am–10 pm

+14782243499

Visit website

Starbucks

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 92.4

Forsyth, Georgia

Hours: 4:30 am–9 pm

+14787582001

Visit website

Starbucks Coffee Company

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 138.6

Perry, Georgia

Hours: 5 am–9 pm

+14788322471

Visit website

Elements Coffee Co

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 215.6

Albany, Georgia

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+12294351163

Visit website

Starbucks Coffee Company

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 169.4

Cordele, Georgia

Hours: 5 am–8 pm

+12295134414

Visit website

Cornerstone Coffee + Co

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 215.6

Albany, Georgia

Hours: Closed

Visit website

Paris Baguette

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately mile 15.4

Duluth, Georgia

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+14707678695

Visit website

7 Leaves Cafe (Georgia)

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour Inexpensiv mile 15.4

Duluth, Georgia

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+16786910704

Visit website

Morning By Morning Coffee Company

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 138.6

Perry, Georgia

Hours: 6:30 am–3 pm

+14782243880

Visit website

Mojo Coffee Company

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 46.2

Ellenwood, Georgia

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+16784892929

Visit website

The Source: Bookstore And Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 215.6

Albany, Georgia

Hours: 10 am–2 pm

+12298831910

Wonderfully Made

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 215.6

Albany, Georgia

Hours: 7 am–5:30 pm

+12296031722

Visit website

Morning Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 215.6

Albany, Georgia

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+12298864873

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 215.6

Albany, Georgia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 215.6

Albany, Georgia

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 215.6

Albany, Georgia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 215.6

Albany, Georgia

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Flint RiverQuarium

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 215.6

Albany, Georgia

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+12296392650

Visit website

K1 Speed Duluth

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 15.4

Duluth, Georgia

Hours: 12–10 pm

+16783672857

Visit website

Chehaw Park & Zoo

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 215.6

Albany, Georgia

+12294305275

Visit website

Albany Museum of Art

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 215.6

Albany, Georgia

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+12294398400

Visit website

Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

Buford, Georgia

Hours: 4–8 pm

+18009604778

Visit website

Radium Springs Garden

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 215.6

Albany, Georgia

Hours: 9 am–7 pm

+12293174760

Visit website

Georgia Veterans State Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 184.8

Cordele, Georgia

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+12292762371

Visit website

Ellis Brothers Pecans Inc

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 169.4

Vienna, Georgia

Hours: 8 am–7 pm

+18006350616

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 22

5 decision points cluster between mile 23.4 and 175.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
23.4 mi into trip | ~28m in

Take the exit toward I 285 Bypass East: Augusta, Macon

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 95A Toward I 285 Bypass East: Augusta, Macon
8
24.2 mi into trip | ~29m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 285 South: Augusta, Macon

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 285 South: Augusta, Macon
7
42.1 mi into trip | ~50m in

Take the exit toward I 675 South: Macon

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 52 Toward I 675 South: Macon
8
102.7 mi into trip | ~1h 58m in | I 475 / Larry Justice Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 475 / Larry Justice Highway toward I 475 South: Valdosta

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 177 Toward I 475 South: Valdosta
8
175.7 mi into trip | ~3h 16m in

Take the exit toward GA 300 South: Georgia-Florida Parkway, Albany

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 99 Toward GA 300 South: Georgia-Florida Parkway, A...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$33.72 one way

$67.43 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 75 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $36.86 $73.73
premium $4.70 $39.90 $79.81
diesel $5.61 $47.60 $95.20

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$34

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$59–$84

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 75.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 64.7 0 $22.64 $10.35
Efficient EV 53.9 0 $18.87 $8.62
EV Truck/SUV 86.2 1 $30.18 $13.80

Gas CO2

75 kg

EV CO2

25 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Buford, GA

Afternoon in Buford on Saturday

Local time

3:20 PM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Albany, GA

Afternoon in Albany on Saturday

Local time

3:20 PM

EDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

4 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

4h 8m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

Today the river valley attracts us for so many reasons. Take a solitary walk to enjoy nature’s display, raft leisurely through the rocky shoals with friends, fish the misty waters as the sun comes up,...

7 mi from route ~17 min detour $5 near mile 22.3
Park Closure: Island Ford Trail Closures Winter 2025-2026
Park Closure: Restrooms and Water Fountains Unavailable at Powers Island and Akers Mill
View on nps.gov
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park

Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Welcome to Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park & Preservation District where a young boy grows up in a time of segregation. He was moved by destiny to lead the modern civil rights movemen...

8 mi from route ~20 min detour Free near mile 29.7
View on nps.gov
Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park

Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Welcome to Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. This park is a prehistoric American Indian site, where many different American Indian cultures occupied this land for thousands of years. American...

8 mi from route ~20 min detour Free near mile 111.5
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

215.6 mi in 4h 8m, mostly highway — 56.9 mi of that is on Fall Line Freeway.

80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 56.9 mi on Fall Line Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Fall Line Freeway and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 23.4 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 215.6 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 23.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Buford, GA to Albany, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Macon along the way.

Macon

23.4 mi in | ~28m

About the Cities

Arriving in Albany, GA

Full guide →

Albany is a city of 72,000 people (2019) in Dougherty County in Georgia's Plantation Midlands region. It is part of the Black Belt, the extensive area in the Deep South of cotton plantations. During 1961–1962, African Americans in Albany played a prominent role in the Civil Rights Movement, founding the Albany Movement, a desegregation and voters' rights coalition formed in 1961. Ray Charles, the singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer, was born here, and is remembered in a park with a statue.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 8m. Total distance: 215.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 56.9 miles on Fall Line Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Albany, GA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 23.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park and Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Albany, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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