The drive from Cleveland, GA to Albany, GA covers 255.8 miles and takes about 4h 57m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Fall Line Freeway, I 75, Georgia-Florida Parkway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 56.9 miles on Fall Line Freeway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $40.00 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
127.9 miles from Cleveland, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 57m. Total distance: 255.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 57m highway drive covering 255.8 miles, with most of the trip on Fall Line Freeway and I 75. The longest continuous stretch is about 56.9 miles on Fall Line Freeway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Fall Line Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 56.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Fall Line Freeway and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 63.6 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 255.8 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 63.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 82.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
63.6 mi into trip|~1h 17m 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
64.3 mi into trip|~1h 19m 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 straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 285 South: Augusta, Macon
7
82.3 mi into trip|~1h 39m 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
142.9 mi into trip|~2h 47m in|I 475 / Larry Justice Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 475 / Larry Justice Highway toward I 475 South: Valdosta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 177
Toward I 475 South: Valdosta
8
215.9 mi into trip|~4h 5m in
Take the exit toward GA 300 South: Georgia-Florida Parkway, Albany
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 99
Toward GA 300 South: Georgia-Florida Parkway, A...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cleveland, GA and Albany, GA, road signs point toward Gainesville and Macon.
Gainesville
22.8 mi in|~33m|via US 129
Macon
63.6 mi in|~1h 17m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Fall Line Freeway
56.9 mi
1h
I 75
49.3 mi
53m
Georgia-Florida Parkway
35.1 mi
43m
Lanier Parkway
23.7 mi
25m
Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
17.5 mi
20m
US 129
17.5 mi
24m
I 85
16.8 mi
18m
Larry Justice Highway
16.1 mi
17m
Longest stretch:
Fall Line Freeway
— 56.9 mi, about 1h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cleveland, GA and Albany, GA.
1
Start on US 129; GA 11
119 ft·4 sec·Courthouse Square
Toward Blairsville, Helen
2
Turn left onto East Jarrard Street
89 ft·8 sec·East Jarrard Street
3
Turn left onto US 129; GA 11
261 ft·7 sec·Courthouse Square
4
Turn right onto US 129; GA 11
1.3 mi·2 min·South Main Street
5
Turn left onto US 129; GA 11
1.6 mi·2 min·South Main Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
Continue on US 129; GA 11
0.9 mi·1 min·US 129; GA 11
7
Continue on US 129; GA 11
1.5 mi·2 min·US 129; GA 11
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 129; GA 11
15 mi·20 min·US 129; GA 11
Use the left lane.
9
Turn left onto US 129; GA 11
2.1 mi·3 min·Limestone Parkway
10
Turn left onto US 129; GA 369
0.5 mi·57 sec·Jesse Jewell Parkway Southeast
Use the left lane.
11
Take the ramp onto US 129
0.3 mi·43 sec·US 129
Toward I 985 South: Atlanta, GainesvilleUse the right lane.
12
Merge onto I 985; US 23; US 129
24 mi·25 min·Lanier Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 85
6.6 mi·7 min·I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 85
10 mi·10 min·I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 95AToward I 285 Bypass East: Augusta, MaconUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·27 sec
Toward I 285 South: Augusta, MaconUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 285
18 mi·20 min·Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
1.1 mi·2 min
Exit 52Toward I 675 South: MaconUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 675
10 mi·11 min·Terrell Starr Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 75
49 mi·53 min·I 75
Use the straight lane.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 475
16 mi·17 min·Larry Justice Highway
Exit 177Toward I 475 South: ValdostaUse the slight right lane.
22
Merge onto I 75; GA 540
57 mi·1 hr·Fall Line Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 99Toward GA 300 South: Georgia-Florida Parkway, AlbanyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn right onto GA 300
35 mi·43 min·Georgia-Florida Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Continue on Cordele Road
0.3 mi·41 sec·Cordele Road
Use the straight lane.
26
Turn right onto Old Cordele Road
0.2 mi·21 sec·Old Cordele Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Turn straight onto US 82 Business; GA 520 Business
449 ft·10 sec·Sylvester Highway
28
Continue on US 82 Business; GA 520 Business
2.9 mi·4 min·East Oglethorpe Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Turn right onto South Broadway Street
365 ft·16 sec·South Broadway Street
Use the right lane.
30
Turn left onto East Broad Avenue
0.4 mi·46 sec·East Broad Avenue
Use the left lane.
31
Turn right onto North Front Street
510 ft·12 sec·North Front Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Enter roundabout onto Pine Avenue
110 ft·2 sec·Pine Avenue
33
Continue on Pine Avenue
0.4 mi·44 sec·Pine Avenue
34
Arrive at destination
Pine Avenue
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 127.9 miles from Cleveland, GA, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.9 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 56 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 127.9 miles or 2h 31m 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Albany, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cleveland, 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 Cleveland, GA
This is one driving day of about 255.8 miles and 4h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Cleveland, 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 Fall Line Freeway for about 56.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 127.9 mi from Cleveland, GA
· 2h 31m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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,...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
$5
near mile 61.7
Park Closure: Island Ford Trail Closures Winter 2025-2026
Park Closure: Restrooms and Water Fountains Unavailable at Powers Island and Akers Mill
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 79.4
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 158.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.00 one way
$80.00 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$43.74
$87.48
premium
$4.70
$47.34
$94.69
diesel
$5.61
$56.48
$112.95
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.7
0
$26.86
$12.28
Efficient EV
64
0
$22.38
$10.23
EV Truck/SUV
102.3
1
$35.81
$16.37
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Cleveland, GA
Evening
in Cleveland on Friday
Local time
5:14 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Albany, GA
Evening
in Albany on Friday
Local time
5:14 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°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
18 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
4h 57m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Cleveland, GA to Albany, GA covers 255.8 miles and takes about 4h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Fall Line Freeway, I 75, Georgia-Florida Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 127.9 miles from Cleveland, GA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $40.00 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 255.8 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 63.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 64.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 82.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Cleveland, GA and Albany, GA, road signs point toward Gainesville and Macon.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park and Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
