The drive from Fitzgerald, GA to California, GA covers 209.5 miles and takes about 4h 6m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 75, Ten Mile Road, Larry Justice Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 142.2 miles on I 75.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $32.76 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
104.7 miles from Fitzgerald, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
142.2 mi
2h 35m
Ten Mile Road
17.7 mi
24m
Larry Justice Highway
15.9 mi
17m
Ralph David Abernathy Freeway
12.4 mi
15m
C H James Parkway
7.4 mi
10m
Thornton Road
3.4 mi
5m
East Washington Avenue
2.1 mi
3m
Hiram Acworth Highway
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 142.2 mi, about 2h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fitzgerald, GA and California, GA.
1
Start on East Central Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·East Central Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
2
Continue on Irwinville Highway
0.6 mi·1 min·Irwinville Highway
3
Turn right onto Walker Avenue
0.3 mi·42 sec·Walker Avenue
4
Turn left onto Ten Mile Road
18 mi·24 min·Ten Mile Road
5
At end of road, turn left onto GA 107; GA 112
1.1 mi·1 min·Sylvester Road
6
Continue on GA 107; GA 112
2.1 mi·3 min·East Washington Avenue
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
Use the right lane.
8
Merge onto I 75
74 mi·1 hr 19 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 475
16 mi·17 min·Larry Justice Highway
Exit 156Toward I 475 North: AtlantaUse the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto I 75
49 mi·53 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
19 mi·22 min·I 75
Toward I 75 North: Atlanta, BirminghamUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 247Toward I 20 West, I 20 East: Birmingham, Augusta, Ralph David Abernathy FreewayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 West: BirminghamUse the slight left lane.
14
Merge onto I 20
12 mi·15 min·Ralph David Abernathy Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 44Toward GA 6: Thornton Road, AustellUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
175 ft·4 sec
Use the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto GA 6
3.4 mi·5 min·Thornton Road
Use the right lane.
18
Continue on US 278; GA 6
7.4 mi·10 min·C H James Parkway
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on US 278; GA 6
1.0 mi·1 min·Wendy Bagwell Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
20
Continue on US 278; GA 6
0.8 mi·1 min·Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway
Use the straight / slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Turn right onto GA 92
2.0 mi·3 min·Hiram Acworth Highway
22
Arrive at destination
GA 92
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 104.7 miles from Fitzgerald, GA, or about 2h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 142.2 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 46 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.7 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near California, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fitzgerald, 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 Fitzgerald, GA
This is one driving day of about 209.5 miles and 4h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Fitzgerald, 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 142.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 97.3 and 194.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
97.3 mi into trip|~1h 53m in|I 475 / Larry Justice Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 475 / Larry Justice Highway toward I 475 North: Atlanta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 156
Toward I 475 North: Atlanta
8
162.7 mi into trip|~3h 3m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward I 75 North: Atlanta, Birmingham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 75 North: Atlanta, Birmingham
8
181.4 mi into trip|~3h 26m in
Take the exit toward I 20 West, I 20 East: Birmingham, Augusta, Ralph David Abernathy Freeway
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 247
Toward I 20 West, I 20 East: Birmingham, August...
7
181.5 mi into trip|~3h 26m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 20 West: Birmingham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 20 West: Birmingham
8
194.6 mi into trip|~3h 43m in
Take the exit toward GA 6: Thornton Road, Austell
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 44
Toward GA 6: Thornton Road, Austell
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.76 one way
$65.52 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$35.82
$71.64
premium
$4.70
$38.77
$77.55
diesel
$5.61
$46.25
$92.51
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
2 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: fair
ChargePoint Charging Station
Hiram, Georgia
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Hiram, Georgia
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 2
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.8
0
$22.00
$10.06
Efficient EV
52.4
0
$18.33
$8.38
EV Truck/SUV
83.8
1
$29.33
$13.41
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
25 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
Fitzgerald, GA
Afternoon
in Fitzgerald on Saturday
Local time
2:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
California, GA
Afternoon
in California on Saturday
Local time
2:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Jackson, GA
105 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
25 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 6m 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.
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 180.6
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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 101.1
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,...
20 mi from route
~49 min detour
$5
near mile 180.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a 4h 6m highway drive covering 209.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 75 and Ten Mile Road. The longest continuous stretch is about 142.2 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 22 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 142.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Ten Mile Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 97.3 miles in near I 475 / Larry Justice Highway.
Driving Effort9/10
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 16 significant decision points across 209.5 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 97.3 miles (I 475 / Larry Justice Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 162.7 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 181.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fitzgerald, GA and California, GA, road signs point toward Birmingham, Augusta and Austell.
Birmingham
162.7 mi in|~3h 3m|via I 75
Augusta
181.4 mi in|~3h 26m
Austell
194.6 mi in|~3h 43m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 6m. Total distance: 209.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Fitzgerald, GA to California, GA covers 209.5 miles and takes about 4h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, Ten Mile Road, Larry Justice Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 104.7 miles from Fitzgerald, GA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $32.76 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 16 significant decision points across 209.5 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 97.3 miles (I 475 / Larry Justice Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 162.7 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 181.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Fitzgerald, GA and California, GA, road signs point toward Birmingham, Augusta and Austell.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park and Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.
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.
