Origin
Buford, GA
Evening in Buford on Sunday
Local time
8:09 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Buford, GA to Gainesville, GA
Drive Time
26m
Distance
18.8 mi
30 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 24m
★
6 AM
0h 26m
8 AM
0h 31m
10 AM
0h 28m
12 PM
0h 27m
3 PM
0h 28m
5 PM
0h 30m
8 PM
0h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Buford, GA
RDNE Stock project
Gainesville, GA
Jamie Kimball
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel between Buford and Gainesville, Georgia, this 18.8-mile trip is a quick and straightforward drive. You can expect to spend about 26 minutes behind the wheel, making it a perfect one-day excursion. With a modest fuel cost of just $3, this route is highly efficient for those moving through the Southeast region. Because the duration is so short, there is no need to plan for overnight stays or multiple stops along the way. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a local trip, this highway-focused path provides a direct connection between the two cities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
9.4 miles from Buford, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 14m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is defined by its reliance on major thoroughfares, with approximately 73% of the journey taking place on highways. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating via Lanier Parkway, Queen City Parkway, and Friendship Road. A significant portion of your travel occurs during the 11.3-mile stretch on Lanier Parkway, which serves as the longest uninterrupted segment of the trip. The road personality is highly practical and functional, prioritizing speed and efficiency over winding backroads. Expect a consistent, highway-focused experience that remains steady from start to finish.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Lanier Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 11.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Lanier Parkway and Queen City Parkway. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Harris Street.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 18.8 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Harris Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (East Main Street Northeast): Navigation decision point; at 4.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South Harris Street
Turn right onto South Harris Street
Navigation decision point
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Main Street Northeast
Turn right onto East Main Street Northeast
Navigation decision point
6
4.5 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Turn left toward I 985 North, US 23 North: Gainesville
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 985 North, US 23 North: Gainesville
5
4.7 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
I 985; US 23 / Lanier Parkway
Merge onto I 985; US 23 / Lanier Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
16 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Take the exit toward GA 60, GA 53: Candler Road, Gainesville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 20
Toward GA 60, GA 53: Candler Road, Gainesville
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Lanier Parkway | 11.3 mi | 12m |
| Queen City Parkway | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Friendship Road | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| McEver Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| East Main Street Northeast | 1 mi | 2m |
| Peachtree Industrial Boulevard | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Holiday Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Jesse Jewell Parkway Southwest | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Lanier Parkway
— 11.3 mi, about 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buford, GA and Gainesville, GA.
1
Start on this road
26 ft
·
4 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto South Harris Street
143 ft
·
6 sec
·
South Harris Street
3
Turn right onto East Main Street Northeast
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street Northeast
4
Continue on South Water Works Road Northeast
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
South Water Works Road Northeast
5
Turn right onto Peachtree Industrial Boulevard
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Peachtree Industrial Boulevard
6
Continue on McEver Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
McEver Road
Use the none lane.
7
Turn right onto GA 347
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
Holiday Road
Use the none lane.
8
Continue on GA 347
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Friendship Road
Use the left / none lanes.
9
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 985 North, US 23 North: Gainesville
10
Merge onto I 985; US 23
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Lanier Parkway
Use the none lane.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 20
Toward GA 60, GA 53: Candler Road, Gainesville
Use the slight right lane.
12
At end of road, turn left onto GA 60
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Queen City Parkway
13
Turn right onto GA 60; GA 369
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
Jesse Jewell Parkway Southwest
14
Turn right onto Green Street
36 ft
·
1 sec
·
Green Street
15
Arrive at destination
Green Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, 26-minute journey, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You will not need to plan for any formal stops, as the 18.8-mile distance is easily manageable in a single, continuous stretch. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before leaving, though your total expenditure will likely remain around $3 for the trip. Given the highway-heavy nature of this route, try to avoid peak rush hour traffic to ensure your drive stays within that estimated 26-minute window. Use the lack of required stops to your advantage by keeping your schedule light and open for whatever you have planned upon arrival in Gainesville.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 9.4 miles from Buford, GA, or about 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 11.3 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 18.8 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 9.4 miles or 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gainesville, 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 18.8 miles and 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Buford, GA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Lanier Parkway for about 11.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 9.4 mi from Buford, GA · 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
9 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 18.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 9.4 miles from Buford, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Gainesville, GA
The final approach into Gainesville, GA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Gainesville, GA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$3.01 one way
$6.02 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
7 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $3.28 | $6.56 |
| premium | $4.78 | $3.54 | $7.07 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $4.18 | $8.35 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 6.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 71% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.6 | 0 | $1.97 | $0.90 |
| Efficient EV | 4.7 | 0 | $1.65 | $0.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 7.5 | 0 | $2.63 | $1.20 |
Gas CO2
7 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (71% 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.
Destination
Gainesville, GA
Evening in Gainesville on Sunday
Local time
8:09 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
64°F
Cleveland, TN
9 mi in
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
26m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Buford, GA to Gainesville, GA covers 18.8 miles and takes about 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Lanier Parkway, Queen City Parkway, Friendship Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 9.4 miles from Buford, GA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.01 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 18.8 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Harris Street): Navigation decision point; near the start (East Main Street Northeast): Navigation decision point; at 4.5 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Buford, GA to Gainesville, GA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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