Origin
St. Marys, GA
Morning in St. Marys on Wednesday
Local time
8:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from St. Marys, GA to Columbus, GA
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
5h 48m
Distance
263.1 mi
423 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 36m
★
6 AM
5h 49m
8 AM
6h 15m
10 AM
5h 58m
12 PM
5h 55m
3 PM
5h 59m
5 PM
6h 14m
8 PM
5h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
St. Marys, GA
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
The drive from St. Marys, GA to Columbus, GA covers 263.1 miles and takes about 5h 48m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 82, US 1, West King Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 99.8 miles on US 82. At current regular gas prices, budget about $41.14 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
131.5 miles from St. Marys, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 53m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 5h 48m highway drive covering 263.1 miles, with most of the trip on US 82 and US 1. The longest continuous stretch is about 99.8 miles on US 82.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 42 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 82 is the longest continuous segment at about 99.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 82 and US 1. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near GA 40 / Osborne Street.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 263.1 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (GA 40 / Osborne Street): Navigation decision point; at 29.3 miles (GA 40 Connector / Indian Trail): Navigation decision point; at 32.3 miles (US 1; US 23; GA 4; GA 15; GA 121): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
GA 40 / Osborne Street
Turn left onto GA 40 / Osborne Street
Navigation decision point
3
29.3 mi into trip
|
~45m in
|
GA 40 Connector / Indian Trail
Turn right onto GA 40 Connector / Indian Trail
Navigation decision point
4
32.3 mi into trip
|
~49m in
|
US 1; US 23; GA 4; GA 15; GA 121
Continue onto US 1; US 23; GA 4; GA 15; GA 121 toward US 1 North, US 23 North: Waycross
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 1 North, US 23 North: Waycross
4
218.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 49m in
|
GA 520
Keep slight left at fork onto GA 520
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
262.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 46m in
|
6th Avenue
Turn right onto 6th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 82 | 99.8 mi | 2h 10m |
| US 1 | 33.9 mi | 41m |
| West King Street | 18.8 mi | 28m |
| Martha Berry Highway | 16.3 mi | 23m |
| Richland Bypass | 15.4 mi | 17m |
| Albany Highway | 12 mi | 14m |
| South Parrott Street | 8.7 mi | 10m |
| GA 520 | 8.3 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
US 82
— 99.8 mi, about 2h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between St. Marys, GA and Columbus, GA.
1
Start on 41703
77 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Hall Street
2
Turn left onto GA 40
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Osborne Street
3
Continue on GA 40
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Kingsland Saint Marys Road
4
Continue on GA 40
4.4 mi
·
7 min
·
East King Avenue
5
Continue on GA 40
19 mi
·
28 min
·
West King Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Turn right onto GA 40 Connector
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Indian Trail
7
Turn right onto US 1; US 23; US 301; GA 4; GA 15; GA 23; GA 121
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
US 1; US 23; US 301; GA 4; GA 15; GA 23; GA 121
8
Continue on US 1; US 23; GA 4; GA 15; GA 121
32 mi
·
39 min
·
US 1; US 23; GA 4; GA 15; GA 121
Toward US 1 North, US 23 North: Waycross
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on Carswell Avenue
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Carswell Avenue
10
Turn right onto US 1; US 23; US 82; GA 4; GA 520
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
South Georgia Parkway
11
Continue on US 82; GA 520
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Albany Highway
12
Continue on US 82; GA 520
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
US 82; GA 520
13
Continue on US 82; GA 520
5.1 mi
·
6 min
·
US 82; GA 520
14
Continue on US 82; GA 520
4.6 mi
·
5 min
·
US 82; GA 520
15
Continue on US 82; GA 520
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
US 82; GA 520
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on US 82; GA 520
21 mi
·
24 min
·
US 82; GA 520
17
Continue on US 82; GA 520
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US 82; GA 520
18
Continue on US 82; US 129; GA 11; GA 520
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
US 82; US 129; GA 11; GA 520
19
Continue on US 82; GA 520
15 mi
·
18 min
·
US 82; GA 520
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on US 82; US 319; GA 35; GA 520
2.8 mi
·
5 min
·
US 82; US 319; GA 35; GA 520
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on US 82; GA 520
32 mi
·
43 min
·
US 82; GA 520
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Turn straight onto US 82; GA 520
5.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Clark Avenue
23
Take the exit onto US 82; GA 520
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US 82; GA 520
24
Merge onto US 19; US 82; GA 3; GA 133; GA 520
8.2 mi
·
10 min
·
Liberty Expressway
25
Continue on US 82; GA 520
9.5 mi
·
12 min
·
US 82; GA 520
Use the straight lane.
26
Turn straight onto US 82; GA 520
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Albany Highway
27
Continue on US 82; GA 520
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Forrester Drive Southeast
28
Continue on US 82; GA 520
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Rountree Drive Southwest
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Continue on GA 45; GA 520
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
Vine Street Northwest
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Continue on GA 45; GA 520
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Roundtree Drive
31
Continue on GA 45; GA 520
0.5 mi
·
43 sec
·
Martin Luther King Jr Drive
32
Continue on GA 45; GA 520
8.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Columbus Highway
33
Continue on GA 520
8.7 mi
·
10 min
·
South Parrott Street
34
Keep slight left at fork onto GA 520
8.3 mi
·
9 min
·
GA 520
35
Continue on GA 520
15 mi
·
17 min
·
Richland Bypass
Use the straight lane.
36
Continue on US 280; GA 520
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
US 280; GA 520
Use the straight / right lanes.
37
Continue on US 27; US 280; GA 1; GA 520
16 mi
·
23 min
·
Martha Berry Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
38
Continue on US 27; US 280; GA 1; GA 520
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
4th Street
39
Turn right onto 6th Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
6th Avenue
Use the right lane.
40
Turn left onto 9th Street
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
9th Street
41
Turn left onto US 27; GA 1
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
Veterans Parkway
42
Arrive at destination
US 27; GA 1
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 131.5 miles from St. Marys, GA, or about 2h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.8 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 80 miles or 1h 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.5 miles or 2h 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 46m
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 St. Marys, 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 St. Marys, GA
This is one driving day of about 263.1 miles and 5h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from St. Marys, 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 US 82 for about 99.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 131.5 mi from St. Marys, GA · 2h 53m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
132 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 131.5 miles from St. Marys, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 82 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.8 miles.
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.14 one way
$82.29 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
92 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $44.99 | $89.97 |
| premium | $4.70 | $48.69 | $97.39 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $58.09 | $116.18 |
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: 92.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 78.9 | 0 | $27.63 | $12.63 |
| Efficient EV | 65.8 | 0 | $23.02 | $10.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 105.2 | 1 | $36.83 | $16.84 |
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 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.
Destination
Columbus, GA
Morning in Columbus on Wednesday
Local time
8:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
54°F
Albany, GA
132 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
7 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
5h 48m 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 St. Marys, GA to Columbus, GA covers 263.1 miles and takes about 5h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 82, US 1, West King Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 131.5 miles from St. Marys, GA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $41.14 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 263.1 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (GA 40 / Osborne Street): Navigation decision point; at 29.3 miles (GA 40 Connector / Indian Trail): Navigation decision point; at 32.3 miles (US 1; US 23; GA 4; GA 15; GA 121): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from St. Marys, GA to Columbus, GA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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