Origin
Ellijay, GA
Afternoon in Ellijay on Friday
Local time
1:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ellijay, GA to Albany, GA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 19m
Distance
265.2 mi
427 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 6m
★
6 AM
4h 19m
8 AM
4h 46m
10 AM
4h 29m
12 PM
4h 26m
3 PM
4h 30m
5 PM
4h 44m
8 PM
4h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ellijay, GA
Wikimedia Commons
Albany, GA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 265.2-mile drive from Ellijay, GA to Albany, GA is a solid day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 19 minutes to complete. You'll navigate primarily on local roads, with a 0% highway share, making it a more hands-on driving experience. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $42. Given the duration and road type, it's well-suited for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. This route offers a continuous journey through the Southeast region of Georgia, without crossing state lines.
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
132.6 miles from Ellijay, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 9m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 19m. Total distance: 265.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for the entire 265.2 miles between Ellijay and Albany. With a 0% highway share, this route focuses on navigating through towns and along local roadways, rather than high-speed interstates. You won't encounter long, uninterrupted stretches of highway, so be prepared for frequent adjustments in speed and direction. This type of driving offers a more intimate connection with the landscape as you pass through various communities.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Main Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 19m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Ellijay, GA to Albany, GA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Main Street | — | — |
| Northside Square | — | — |
| River Street | — | — |
| APD Highway | — | — |
| A P D Highway | — | — |
| Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway | — | — |
| Larry McDonald Memorial Highway | — | — |
| Horace E Tate Freeway | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
North Main Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ellijay, GA and Albany, GA.
1
Start on North Church Street
420 ft
·
24 sec
·
North Church Street
2
Turn left onto North Main Street
413 ft
·
14 sec
·
North Main Street
3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 5 toward Northside Square
312 ft
·
18 sec
·
Northside Square
4
Exit the rotary onto River Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
River Street
5
Turn slight right
443 ft
·
13 sec
6
Take the ramp slight right
144 ft
·
4 sec
7
Merge slight left onto APD Highway
25 mi
·
30 min
·
APD Highway
8
Continue on A P D Highway
10 mi
·
10 min
·
A P D Highway
9
Continue on Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway
10 mi
·
10 min
·
Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway
10
Keep slight right to continue on Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway
11 mi
·
11 min
·
Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway
11
Merge slight left onto Larry McDonald Memorial Highway
10 mi
·
11 min
·
Larry McDonald Memorial Highway
12
Continue on Horace E Tate Freeway
7.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Horace E Tate Freeway
13
Continue on Downtown Connector
5.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Downtown Connector
14
Continue on James Wendell George Parkway
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
James Wendell George Parkway
15
Keep slight left
65 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
16
Keep slight right to continue on Larry Justice Highway
16 mi
·
17 min
·
Larry Justice Highway
17
Merge slight left onto Fall Line Freeway
57 mi
·
1 hr
·
Fall Line Freeway
18
Take the exit slight right toward GA 300 South: Georgia-Florida Parkway, Albany
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
GA 300 South: Georgia-Florida Parkway, Albany
19
Turn right onto Georgia-Florida Parkway
35 mi
·
43 min
·
Georgia-Florida Parkway
20
Continue on Cordele Road
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Cordele Road
21
Turn right onto Old Cordele Road
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Old Cordele Road
22
Turn straight onto Sylvester Highway
449 ft
·
11 sec
·
Sylvester Highway
23
Continue on East Oglethorpe Boulevard
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
East Oglethorpe Boulevard
24
Turn right onto South Broadway Street
364 ft
·
17 sec
·
South Broadway Street
25
Turn left onto East Broad Avenue
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
East Broad Avenue
26
Turn right onto North Front Street
512 ft
·
15 sec
·
North Front Street
27
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Pine Avenue
108 ft
·
2 sec
·
Pine Avenue
28
Exit the roundabout onto Pine Avenue
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
Pine Avenue
29
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour and 19-minute drive, leaving Ellijay in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight hours. With only one designated stop and a turn-heavy profile, pace yourself and take advantage of opportunities to stretch your legs. The total distance of 265.2 miles means you can comfortably complete it in one day, so flexibility is key. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the $42 estimated cost suggests a steady consumption over local roads; a good tip is to fill up before leaving Ellijay to ensure you start with a full tank.
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 132.6 miles from Ellijay, GA, or about 2h 9m 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 58 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.6 miles or 2h 9m 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 32m
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 Ellijay, 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 Ellijay, GA
This is one driving day of about 265.2 miles and 4h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Ellijay, 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 132.6 mi from Ellijay, GA · 2h 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
133 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 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 132.6 miles from Ellijay, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Albany, GA
The final approach into Albany, 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 Albany, GA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.47 one way
$82.94 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
93 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $45.35 | $90.69 |
| premium | $4.70 | $49.08 | $98.17 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $58.55 | $117.11 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 79.6 | 0 | $27.85 | $12.73 |
| Efficient EV | 66.3 | 0 | $23.21 | $10.61 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 106.1 | 1 | $37.13 | $16.97 |
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Albany, GA
Afternoon in Albany on Friday
Local time
1:50 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
3 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
4h 19m 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 Ellijay, GA to Albany, GA covers 265.2 miles and takes about 4h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Main Street, Northside Square, River Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 132.6 miles from Ellijay, GA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $41.47 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 straightforward 4h 19m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Ellijay, GA to Albany, GA is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Ellijay, GA to Albany, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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