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Trip from Buford, GA to Smyrna, GA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

1h 34m

Distance

65.3 mi

105 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$10

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 21 min
4 AM
1h 27m ★
6 AM
1h 34m
8 AM
1h 48m
10 AM
1h 39m
12 PM
1h 38m
3 PM
1h 40m
5 PM
1h 48m
8 PM
1h 30m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Gwinnett and Hall counties, Georgia, United States

Buford, GA

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Smyrna, GA, GA

Smyrna, GA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Buford, GA to Smyrna, GA covers 65.3 miles and takes about 1h 34m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on University Parkway, Macon Highway, Athens Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 11.2 miles on University Parkway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $10.21 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

32.7 miles from Buford, GA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 34m. Total distance: 65.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (36%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.

Drive Character

The drive from Buford, GA to Smyrna, GA covers 65.3 miles and takes about 1h 34m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
University Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 11.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Harris Street.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 65.3 miles you will encounter 18 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 6.8 miles: Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 key points

These 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

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | East Main Street Northeast

Turn right onto East Main Street Northeast

Navigation decision point

5
6.8 mi into trip | ~12m in

Take the ramp toward I 85 North

Navigation decision point

Toward I 85 North
7
12.8 mi into trip | ~19m in

Take the exit toward GA 211: Winder

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 126 Toward GA 211: Winder
5
20.5 mi into trip | ~31m in | GA 211

Turn left onto GA 211

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
University Parkway 11.2 mi 13m
Macon Highway 9.6 mi 13m
Athens Highway 7.8 mi 10m
GA 211 6.5 mi 9m
Hamilton Mill Road 5.9 mi 10m
I 85 5.6 mi 6m
Greensboro Road 3 mi 4m
Mars Hill Road 2.8 mi 4m
Longest stretch: University Parkway — 11.2 mi, about 13m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Buford, GA and Smyrna, 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

0.2 mi · 30 sec · East Main Street Northeast
4

Turn right onto South Hill Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · South Hill Street
5

Continue on Hamilton Mill Road

5.9 mi · 10 min · Hamilton Mill Road
6

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward I 85 North
7

Merge onto I 85

5.6 mi · 6 min · I 85
8

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Exit 126 Toward GA 211: Winder Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Turn straight onto GA 211

2.3 mi · 3 min · State Road 211
10

Enter roundabout onto GA 211

114 ft · 2 sec · GA 211
11

Continue on GA 211

5.0 mi · 7 min · GA 211
12

Turn left onto GA 211

1.5 mi · 2 min · GA 211
Use the left lane.
13

Turn right onto Horton Street

304 ft · 17 sec · Horton Street
14

Turn left onto GA 8

1.7 mi · 3 min · West May Street
15

Continue on GA 8; GA 53

1.3 mi · 1 min · Atlanta Highway Southeast
16

Turn slight right

193 ft · 3 sec
17

Turn slight right onto GA 8; GA 53

2.3 mi · 3 min · Hog Mountain Road
Use the left lane.
18

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 35 sec
19

Merge onto US 29; GA 8; GA 316

11 mi · 13 min · University Parkway
Use the left lane.
20

Turn right onto Oconee Connector

0.3 mi · 33 sec · Oconee Connector
Use the slight right lane.
21

Continue on Mars Hill Road

2.8 mi · 4 min · Mars Hill Road
Use the left lane.
22

Continue on GA 53

1.0 mi · 1 min · Experiment Station Road
23

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Use the right lane.
24

Merge onto US 129; US 441; GA 24

1.5 mi · 2 min · Watkinsville Bypass
25

Continue on US 129; US 441; GA 24

9.6 mi · 13 min · Macon Highway
26

Continue on US 129; US 441; GA 24

7.8 mi · 10 min · Athens Highway
Use the left lane.
27

Turn left onto US 278; GA 12

3.0 mi · 4 min · Greensboro Road
28

Turn right onto Buckhead Road

103 ft · 2 sec · Buckhead Road
29

Arrive at destination

Buckhead Road

Trip Plan

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 32.7 miles from Buford, GA, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 11.2 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 14 miles or 21m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 32.7 miles or 48m 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 20m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Smyrna, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Buford, GA

This is one driving day of about 65.3 miles and 1h 34m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Buford, GA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on University Parkway for about 11.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 32.7 mi from Buford, GA · 48m into the drive

city in Barrow County, Georgia, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Winder, GA

33 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

Warner Robins, GA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 64.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Greenville, SC

Meal break

The midpoint is around 32.1 miles from Buford, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Smyrna, GA

The final approach into Smyrna, GA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

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

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,...

18 mi from route ~46 min detour $5
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

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$10.21 one way

$20.42 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 23 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $11.17 $22.33
premium $4.70 $12.09 $24.17
diesel $5.61 $14.42 $28.83

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$10

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$35–$60

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 22.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 19.6 0 $6.86 $3.13
Efficient EV 16.3 0 $5.71 $2.61
EV Truck/SUV 26.1 0 $9.14 $4.18

Gas CO2

23 kg

EV CO2

8 kg (65% 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 Thursday

Local time

2:38 PM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Smyrna, GA

Afternoon in Smyrna on Thursday

Local time

2:38 PM

EDT

Current temp

47°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

3 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

1h 34m 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 Smyrna, GA covers 65.3 miles and takes about 1h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are University Parkway, Macon Highway, Athens Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 32.7 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 $10.21 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 65.3 miles you will encounter 18 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 6.8 miles: Navigation decision point.
The route from Buford, GA to Smyrna, GA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Return Trip

Smyrna, GA to Buford, GA

Plan the drive back the other way.

66.8 mi 1h 34m

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