Origin
Columbus, GA
Afternoon in Columbus on Saturday
Local time
3:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Columbus, GA to Buford, GA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 48m
Distance
146.3 mi
235 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
13 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 38m
★
6 AM
2h 49m
8 AM
3h 11m
10 AM
2h 56m
12 PM
2h 54m
3 PM
2h 57m
5 PM
3h 9m
8 PM
2h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Buford, GA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Columbus, GA to Buford, GA covers 146.3 miles and takes about 2h 48m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, Chet Atkins Parkway, Interstate Highway 85 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 58.8 miles on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.88 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
73.2 miles from Columbus, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 22m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway | 58.8 mi | 1h 5m |
| Chet Atkins Parkway | 43.7 mi | 46m |
| Interstate Highway 85 | 15.4 mi | 16m |
| Northeast Expressway | 12.4 mi | 15m |
| Downtown Connector | 5.1 mi | 6m |
| Lanier Parkway | 3.5 mi | 3m |
| Wynnton Road | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| South Lee Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
— 58.8 mi, about 1h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbus, GA and Buford, GA.
1
Start on US 27; GA 1
11 ft
·
5 sec
·
Veterans Parkway
2
Continue on US 27; GA 1
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
Veterans Parkway
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto 10th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
10th Street
4
Turn left onto 10th Avenue
404 ft
·
16 sec
·
10th Avenue
Use the left lane.
5
Turn sharp right onto Wynnton Road
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Wynnton Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on GA 22 Spur
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Macon Road
Use the left lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 185 North
Use the left lane.
8
Merge onto I 185
44 mi
·
46 min
·
Chet Atkins Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 85
59 mi
·
1 hr 5 min
·
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 75; I 85
5.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Downtown Connector
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Northeast Expressway
Exit 251B
Toward I 85 North: Greenville
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85
9.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Northeast Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 85
15 mi
·
16 min
·
Interstate Highway 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 85
0.5 mi
·
33 sec
·
I 85
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 985
3.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Lanier Parkway
Exit 113
Toward I 985 North: Gainesville
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 4
Toward US 23 South, GA 20: Buford, Cumming
Use the slight right lane.
17
Turn left onto GA 20
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
Buford Drive
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto South Lee Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South Lee Street
19
Turn right onto GA 13
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
Buford Highway Northeast
20
Turn left onto Garnett Street
460 ft
·
14 sec
·
Garnett Street
Use the left lane.
21
Turn right
292 ft
·
10 sec
22
Continue on South Harris Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Harris Street
23
Turn right
26 ft
·
1 sec
24
Arrive at destination
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 73.2 miles from Columbus, GA, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.8 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 32 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.2 miles or 1h 22m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buford, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Columbus, 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 Columbus, GA
This is one driving day of about 146.3 miles and 2h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Columbus, 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 Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway for about 58.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
73 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 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 73.2 miles from Columbus, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 143.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
10th Avenue
Turn left onto 10th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
0.8 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
Wynnton Road
Turn sharp right onto Wynnton Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
111.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 6m in
|
I 85 / Northeast Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85 / Northeast Expressway toward I 85 North: Greenville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 251B
Toward I 85 North: Greenville
8
139.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 38m in
|
I 985 / Lanier Parkway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 985 / Lanier Parkway toward I 985 North: Gainesville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 113
Toward I 985 North: Gainesville
8
143.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 42m in
Take the exit toward US 23 South, GA 20: Buford, Cumming
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 4
Toward US 23 South, GA 20: Buford, Cumming
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.88 one way
$45.76 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
51 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $25.01 | $50.03 |
| premium | $4.70 | $27.08 | $54.15 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $32.30 | $64.60 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
13 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
ChargePoint Charging Station
Phenix City, Alabama
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Newnan, Georgia
Tesla
1 DCFC
Circle K Charging Station
Columbus, Georgia
Other
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Newnan, Georgia
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Columbus, Georgia
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
Blink Charging Station
Columbus, Georgia
Blink
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Newnan, Georgia
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Newnan, Georgia
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 8
Other: 2
Blink: 2
Tesla: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43.9 | 0 | $15.36 | $7.02 |
| Efficient EV | 36.6 | 0 | $12.80 | $5.85 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 58.5 | 0 | $20.48 | $9.36 |
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Destination
Buford, GA
Afternoon in Buford on Saturday
Local time
3:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Palmetto, GA
73 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
4 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 48m 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.
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
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 111
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,...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
$5
near mile 126.1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
The drive from Columbus, GA to Buford, GA covers 146.3 miles and takes about 2h 48m, 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 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 58.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 around 0.7 miles in near 10th Avenue.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 18 significant decision points across 146.3 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 0.7 miles (10th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.8 miles (Wynnton Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 111.3 miles (I 85 / Northeast Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 48m. Total distance: 146.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (52%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Columbus, GA to Buford, GA covers 146.3 miles and takes about 2h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, Chet Atkins Parkway, Interstate Highway 85. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 73.2 miles from Columbus, GA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.88 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 146.3 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 0.7 miles (10th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.8 miles (Wynnton Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 111.3 miles (I 85 / Northeast Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The route from Columbus, GA to Buford, GA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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