Trip from California, GA to Vidalia, GA

Drive Time

3h 54m

Distance

199.4 mi

321 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

11 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

3h 42m ★

6 AM

3h 55m

8 AM

4h 20m

10 AM

4h 4m

12 PM

4h 1m

3 PM

4h 5m

5 PM

4h 19m

8 PM

3h 47m

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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California, GA

Lesli Whitecotton

city in Toombs County and Montgomery County, Georgia, United States

Vidalia, GA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from California, GA to Vidalia, GA covers 199.4 miles and takes about 3h 54m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 75, I 16, GA 29 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 77.1 miles on I 75. At current regular gas prices, budget about $31.91 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.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

99.7 miles from California, GA

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

Drive Character

This is a 3h 54m highway drive covering 199.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 75 and I 16. The longest continuous stretch is about 77.1 miles on I 75.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 19 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 77.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and I 16. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in near US 278; GA 6 / Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway.

Route Complexity 9/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 199.4 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 2 miles (US 278; GA 6 / Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 27.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

2 mi into trip | ~3m in | US 278; GA 6 / Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway

Turn left onto US 278; GA 6 / Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

27.4 mi into trip | ~38m in

Take the exit toward I 75 North, I 85 North, I 75 South, I 85 South: Chattanooga, Greenville, Macon, Montgomery

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 57 Toward I 75 North, I 85 North, I 75 South, I 85...

27.6 mi into trip | ~39m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 75 South, I 85 South: Macon, Montgomery

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

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 75 South, I 85 South: Macon, Montgomer...

96.3 mi into trip | ~1h 56m 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 straight / slight right lanes. Toward Macon, Savannah

108.6 mi into trip | ~2h 10m in

Take the exit toward I 16 East: Jim Gillis Highway, Savannah

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 165 Toward I 16 East: Jim Gillis Highway, Savannah

Towns Along This Route

Between California, GA and Vidalia, GA, road signs point toward Greenville, Macon, Montgomery and Savannah.

Greenville

27.4 mi in | ~38m

Macon

27.4 mi in | ~38m

Montgomery

27.4 mi in | ~38m

Savannah

96.3 mi in | ~1h 56m | via I 75

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 75	77.1 mi	1h 25m
I 16	65.6 mi	1h 10m
GA 29	20.6 mi	26m
Tom Murphy Freeway	12.2 mi	14m
C H James Parkway	7.4 mi	10m
Thornton Road	3.5 mi	5m
US 280	3.2 mi	5m
James Wendell George Parkway	2.3 mi	3m

Longest stretch: I 75 — 77.1 mi, about 1h 25m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between California, GA and Vidalia, GA.

Start on GA 92

2.0 mi · 3 min · Hiram Acworth Highway

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto US 278; GA 6

0.9 mi · 1 min · Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Continue on US 278; GA 6

1.0 mi · 1 min · Wendy Bagwell Parkway

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 278; GA 6

7.4 mi · 10 min · C H James Parkway

Use the left / straight lanes.

Continue on US 278; GA 6

3.5 mi · 5 min · Thornton Road

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I 20 East: Atlanta Use the right lane.

Merge onto I 20

12 mi · 14 min · Tom Murphy Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 21 sec

Exit 57 Toward I 75 North, I 85 North, I 75 South, I 85 South: Chattanooga, Greenville, Macon, Montgomery Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I 75 South, I 85 South: Macon, Montgomery Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 75; I 85

1.0 mi · 1 min · Downtown Connector

Continue on I 75; I 85

2.3 mi · 3 min · James Wendell George Parkway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

65 mi · 1 hr 11 min · I 75

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

12 mi · 13 min · I 75

Toward Macon, Savannah Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

1.1 mi · 1 min

Exit 165 Toward I 16 East: Jim Gillis Highway, Savannah Use the slight right lane.

Continue on I 16

66 mi · 1 hr 10 min · I 16

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec

Exit 67 Toward GA 29: Soperton, Vidalia

Turn right onto GA 29

21 mi · 26 min · GA 29

Turn left onto US 280; GA 15; GA 29; GA 30

3.2 mi · 5 min · US 280; GA 15; GA 29; GA 30

Use the straight lane.

Arrive at destination

US 280; GA 15; GA 29; GA 30

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 99.7 miles from California, GA, or about 2h into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 77.1 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 38m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 99.7 miles or 2h 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 9m

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving California, 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 California, GA

This is one driving day of about 199.4 miles and 3h 54m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from California, 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 I 75 for about 77.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 99.7 mi from California, GA · 2h into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Centre, AL

100 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

Dadeville, AL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Dadeville, AL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 99.7 miles from California, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 77.1 miles.

Arriving in Vidalia, GA

The final approach into Vidalia, 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 Vidalia, GA.

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.

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...

2 mi from route ~4 min detour Free near mile 27.5

View on nps.gov

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...

2 mi from route ~5 min detour Free near mile 110

View on nps.gov

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 near mile 27.5

View on nps.gov

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$31.91 one way

$63.82 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 70 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.43	$34.77	$69.54
premium	$4.78	$37.51	$75.02
diesel	$5.64	$44.30	$88.60

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$32

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$57–$82

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 69.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

EV Charging Along Route

11 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Atlantic Station - Tesla Supercharger

Atlanta, GA

Tesla

30 DCFC

Riverside Epicenter - Tesla Supercharger

Austell, GA

Tesla

24 DCFC

Austell, GA Rechargery Relay - Austell Road

Austell, GA

IONNA

12 DCFC

The Village at Mableton

Mableton, GA

eVgo Network

4 DCFC

Lithia Springs Ford

Lithia Springs, GA

SYNERGEV

4 DCFC

Hardy Family Ford

Dallas, GA

EV Connect

2 DCFC

Lake Ridge

Smyrna, GA

RACETRAC

2 DCFC

1389 Chattahoochee Ave

Atlanta, GA

ENVIROSPARK

2 DCFC

eVgo Network: 2 Tesla: 2 EV Connect: 1 IONNA: 1 IN_CHARGE: 1 SYNERGEV: 1 ChargePoint Network: 1 RACETRAC: 1 ENVIROSPARK: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	59.8	$20.94	$9.57
Efficient EV	49.9	$17.45	$7.98
EV Truck/SUV	79.8	$27.92	$12.76

Gas CO2

70 kg

EV CO2

23 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 data refreshed 1 day ago

Origin

California, GA

Afternoon in California on Monday

Local time

12:43 PM

EDT

Current temp

89°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Vidalia, GA

Afternoon in Vidalia on Monday

Local time

12:43 PM

EDT

Current temp

95°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

6 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

3h 54m 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 California, GA to Vidalia, GA covers 199.4 miles and takes about 3h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 75, I 16, GA 29. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 99.7 miles from California, GA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.91 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Between California, GA and Vidalia, GA, road signs point toward Greenville, Macon, Montgomery and Savannah.

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Trip from California, GA to Vidalia, GA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Vidalia, GA

National Parks Near This Route

Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park

Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

California, GA

Vidalia, GA

Same local time

6 degrees warmer at arrival

3h 54m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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