Origin
Buford, GA
Evening in Buford on Sunday
Local time
8:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Buford, GA to Macon, GA
Drive Time
2h 17m
Distance
117.2 mi
189 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 8m
★
6 AM
2h 17m
8 AM
2h 36m
10 AM
2h 24m
12 PM
2h 22m
3 PM
2h 25m
5 PM
2h 35m
8 PM
2h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Buford, GA
RDNE Stock project
Trip Overview
Driving from Buford to Macon covers 117.2 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 17 minutes. Because this trip is comfortably manageable in a single day, you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. You will navigate a primary corridor using I-85, the Atlanta Bypass, and I-75 to transition through the heart of Georgia. With an estimated fuel cost of $19, the trip is quite budget-friendly for a solo driver or a small group. Whether you are heading south for business or a change of scenery, the route is straightforward and efficient. It serves as a practical connection between these two Southeast hubs without requiring a multi-day itinerary.
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
58.6 miles from Buford, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a quintessential highway-focused drive, with 77% of the journey spent on major interstates. You should be prepared for a consistent pace, particularly on the longest stretch of 59.8 miles along I-75. While the route moves you through the Atlanta metro area via the Perimeter, the character of the road is defined by steady, high-speed travel rather than technical turns. Expect a functional transit experience that prioritizes speed over scenic detours. As you transition between the interstate systems, the flow of traffic will be the primary factor influencing your time behind the wheel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 75 is the longest continuous segment at about 59.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 23.4 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 117.2 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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 none / 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 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward Macon, Savannah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Toward Macon, Savannah
8
113.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 9m in
Take the exit toward US 23, GA 87: Riverside Drive
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 167
Toward US 23, GA 87: Riverside Drive
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Buford, GA to Macon, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Savannah along the way.
Savannah
102.7 mi in
|
~1h 58m
|
via I 75
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 59.8 mi | 1h 4m |
| Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter | 17.5 mi | 20m |
| I 85 | 16.8 mi | 18m |
| Terrell Starr Parkway | 10.2 mi | 11m |
| Lanier Parkway | 3.5 mi | 3m |
| Riverside Drive | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| South Lee Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| South Harris Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 59.8 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buford, GA and Macon, 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
Use the none lane.
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 none 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 none lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 85
10 mi
·
10 min
·
I 85
Use the straight / slight right / none 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 none / straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 285
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
Use the none / 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 none / straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 75
49 mi
·
53 min
·
I 75
Use the straight lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
11 mi
·
11 min
·
I 75
Toward Macon, Savannah
Use the none lane.
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 167
Toward US 23, GA 87: Riverside Drive
Use the slight right lane.
19
Turn left onto US 23; GA 87
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Riverside Drive
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn right onto GA 19; Ga 49
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Spring Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on Spring Street
142 ft
·
4 sec
·
Spring Street
Use the left lane.
22
Turn left onto Mulberry Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Mulberry Street
23
Continue on Mulberry Street
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
Mulberry Street
24
Arrive at destination
Mulberry Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 117.2-mile journey, try to avoid peak commuting hours in Atlanta, as the bypass can significantly impact your 2-hour and 17-minute travel time. Since the trip is short and requires zero mandatory stops, you have the flexibility to power through or pull over whenever you need a quick break. Keep your fuel budget of $19 in mind when planning your total trip expenses. Given that the longest uninterrupted stretch is nearly 60 miles, ensure your vehicle is ready for sustained highway speeds before departing Buford. Checking real-time traffic conditions for the Atlanta Perimeter before you leave is the best way to ensure a smooth transition toward Macon.
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 58.6 miles from Buford, GA, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.8 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 80 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.6 miles or 1h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Macon, 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 117.2 miles and 2h 17m.
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 I 75 for about 59.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 58.6 mi from Buford, GA · 1h 10m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
59 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 58.6 miles from Buford, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Macon, GA
The final approach into Macon, 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 Macon, 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
$18.76 one way
$37.51 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $20.44 | $40.87 |
| premium | $4.78 | $22.05 | $44.09 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $26.04 | $52.08 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.2 | 0 | $12.31 | $5.63 |
| Efficient EV | 29.3 | 0 | $10.25 | $4.69 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 46.9 | 0 | $16.41 | $7.50 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% 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
Macon, GA
Evening in Macon on Sunday
Local time
8:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°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
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 17m 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 Macon, GA covers 117.2 miles and takes about 2h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter, I 85. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 58.6 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 $18.76 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 is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 117.2 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.
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.
On the drive from Buford, GA to Macon, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Savannah along the way.
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