This 177.7-mile drive from Clermont to Columbus, Georgia, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 24 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-85, with portions of Chet Atkins Parkway and Lanier Parkway, this route is heavily highway-focused, making it an efficient way to travel between these two Southeast Georgia locations. With an estimated fuel cost of $28, it's an economical option for a day trip. You'll find this drive offers a practical and direct passage, suitable for those looking to get from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
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
88.8 miles from Clermont, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 42m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 24m. Total distance: 177.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for 92% of this 177.7-mile trip. The majority of your time will be spent on I-85, which includes a significant uninterrupted stretch of 88.8 miles. This means you'll experience long periods of consistent speed and relatively straightforward driving conditions. While the profile is predominantly highway, the inclusion of Chet Atkins Parkway and Lanier Parkway may offer slight variations in pace as you transition between major thoroughfares. Overall, the character is one of efficient travel rather than winding scenic exploration.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Cleveland Highway is one of the defining roads on this drive.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,418 ft239 ft
Total Climb
306 ft
Total Descent
1,485 ft
Highest Point
1,418 ft
Elevation Range
1,179 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Clermont, GA to Columbus, GA is easy. At 3h 24m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Clermont, GA to Columbus, GA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Cleveland Highway
—
—
Limestone Parkway
—
—
Jesse Jewell Parkway Southeast
—
—
I 985 South
—
—
Lanier Parkway
—
—
James Wendell George Parkway
—
—
I 85 South
—
—
Chet Atkins Parkway
—
—
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Cleveland Highway
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clermont, GA and Columbus, GA.
1
Start on Main Street
0.5 mi·57 sec·Main Street
2
Turn right onto Cleveland Highway
11 mi·15 min·Cleveland Highway
3
Turn left onto Limestone Parkway
2.1 mi·3 min·Limestone Parkway
4
Turn left onto Jesse Jewell Parkway Southeast
0.5 mi·57 sec·Jesse Jewell Parkway Southeast
5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 985 South: Atlanta, Gainesville
0.3 mi·43 sec·I 985 South: Atlanta, Gainesville
6
Merge slight left onto Lanier Parkway
24 mi·25 min·Lanier Parkway
7
Merge slight left
6.6 mi·7 min
8
Keep slight right
27 mi·32 min
9
Continue on James Wendell George Parkway
2.3 mi·3 min·James Wendell George Parkway
10
Keep slight right to continue on I 85 South: Airport Domestic, Montgomery
Keep slight right to continue on Chet Atkins Parkway
45 mi·47 min·Chet Atkins Parkway
12
Take the exit slight right toward GA 22 Spur: Macon Road
0.2 mi·23 sec·GA 22 Spur: Macon Road
13
Keep slight right to continue on GA 22 Spur West
377 ft·9 sec·GA 22 Spur West
14
Turn slight right onto Macon Road
1.1 mi·1 min·Macon Road
15
Continue on Wynnton Road
1.6 mi·2 min·Wynnton Road
16
Turn sharp left onto 10th Avenue
404 ft·12 sec·10th Avenue
17
Turn right onto 10th Street
0.5 mi·54 sec·10th Street
18
Turn left onto Veterans Parkway
0.3 mi·43 sec·Veterans Parkway
19
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 24-minute duration for the 177.7-mile trip, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. Departing Clermont in the morning should allow you to reach Columbus with ample time for activities. The longest stretch on I-85 is nearly 89 miles, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before embarking on this significant portion. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in timing your breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before entering the longest stretch on I-85, to ensure a smooth journey with your estimated $28 fuel cost.
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 88.8 miles from Clermont, GA, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
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 39 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.8 miles or 1h 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Columbus, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clermont, 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 Clermont, GA
This is one driving day of about 177.7 miles and 3h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Clermont, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 88.8 mi from Clermont, GA
· 1h 42m into the drive
The midpoint is around 88.8 miles from Clermont, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Columbus, GA
The final approach into Columbus, 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 Columbus, 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...
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,...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.79 one way
$55.58 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$30.38
$60.77
premium
$4.70
$32.89
$65.78
diesel
$5.61
$39.23
$78.47
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.3
0
$18.66
$8.53
Efficient EV
44.4
0
$15.55
$7.11
EV Truck/SUV
71.1
0
$24.88
$11.37
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Clermont, GA
Morning
in Clermont on Friday
Local time
10:05 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Columbus, GA
Morning
in Columbus on Friday
Local time
10:05 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
52°F
College Park, GA
89 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
5 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 24m 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 Clermont, GA to Columbus, GA covers 177.7 miles and takes about 3h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Cleveland Highway, Limestone Parkway, Jesse Jewell Parkway Southeast. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 88.8 miles from Clermont, GA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.79 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.
The drive from Clermont, GA to Columbus, GA is easy. At 3h 24m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Clermont, GA to Columbus, GA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Clermont, GA to Columbus, GA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 239 ft to 1,418 ft elevation with about 306 ft of total climbing.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park and Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.
