Trip from Swainsboro, GA to Albany, GA

Drive Time

3h 25m

Distance

153.6 mi

247 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 14m ★
6 AM
3h 26m
8 AM
3h 50m
10 AM
3h 34m
12 PM
3h 32m
3 PM
3h 36m
5 PM
3h 49m
8 PM
3h 19m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Swainsboro, GA, GA

Swainsboro, GA

Jacob Evans

Downtown Albany, GA, GA

Albany, GA

Anna Shvets

Trip Overview

Spanning 153.6 miles across the heart of Southeast Georgia, this route connects Swainsboro to Albany in approximately 3 hours and 25 minutes. It is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that is easily manageable as a single-day trip. Budgeting about $25 for fuel will cover your transit across the region. Since the entire journey takes place within the Southeast, you can expect a consistent atmosphere as you transition between these two Georgia hubs. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a short getaway, the trip is efficient and requires only a minimal time commitment.

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

76.8 miles from Swainsboro, GA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a steady experience behind the wheel, as roughly 64% of this trek consists of highway travel. You will navigate a combination of the Georgia-Florida Parkway, the Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway, and GA 257. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 35.1 miles on the Georgia-Florida Parkway, allowing for long periods of consistent cruising. While the route is highway-focused, the shifting road designations keep the drive from feeling purely like an interstate grind. It is a practical, functional drive that prioritizes direct movement between destinations.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 40 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Georgia-Florida Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 35.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Georgia-Florida Parkway and Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway. You will hit about 23 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 18 miles in.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 153.6 miles you will encounter 23 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: at 18 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 81.8 miles (US 341; US 129 Alternate; GA 27; GA 112; GA 230; GA 257 / Broad Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 111.2 miles: 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.

6
18 mi into trip | ~26m in

Take the ramp toward I-16 West: Macon

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward I-16 West: Macon
7
81.8 mi into trip | ~1h 48m in | US 341; US 129 Alternate; GA 27; GA 112; GA 230; GA 257 / Broad Street

At end of road, turn right onto US 341; US 129 Alternate; GA 27; GA 112; GA 230; GA 257 / Broad Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.
7
111.2 mi into trip | ~2h 30m in

Turn left toward I-75 South: Valdosta

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I-75 South: Valdosta
8
113.7 mi into trip | ~2h 33m 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...
6
149.5 mi into trip | ~3h 18m in | Old Cordele Road

Turn right onto Old Cordele Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Georgia-Florida Parkway 35.1 mi 43m
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway 28.4 mi 30m
GA 257 22.5 mi 32m
Hawkinsville Road 15.7 mi 21m
Cordele Highway 9.4 mi 12m
Empire-Chester Highway 8.8 mi 11m
US 221 8.5 mi 11m
West Street 7.4 mi 11m
Longest stretch: Georgia-Florida Parkway — 35.1 mi, about 43m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Swainsboro, GA and Albany, GA.

1

Start on this road

103 ft · 13 sec · this road
2

Turn left

71 ft · 10 sec
3

Turn left onto US 80; GA 26; GA 56

2.1 mi · 3 min · East Main Street
4

Continue on US 80; GA 26

7.4 mi · 11 min · West Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
5

Turn left onto US 221; 171

6.8 mi · 9 min · US 221; 171
6

Continue on US 221; GA 56

1.7 mi · 2 min · US 221; GA 56
7

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Toward I-16 West: Macon Use the right lane.
8

Merge onto I 16

28 mi · 30 min · Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Exit 49 Toward GA 257: Dexter
10

Turn left onto GA 257

0.5 mi · 55 sec · GA 257
Use the straight lane.
11

Enter roundabout onto GA 257

120 ft · 4 sec · GA 257
12

Continue on GA 257

13 mi · 19 min · GA 257
Use the none lane.
13

Continue on Carolina Avenue South

1.0 mi · 2 min · Carolina Avenue South
14

Turn slight right onto GA 257

8.8 mi · 11 min · Empire-Chester Highway
15

At end of road, turn right onto US 23; GA 87; GA 257

0.4 mi · 31 sec · Eastman Cochran Highway
16

Continue on US 23; GA 87; GA 257

455 ft · 13 sec · Golden Isles Highway
17

Turn left onto GA 257

8.7 mi · 11 min · GA 257
18

Continue on US 129 Alternate; GA 26; GA 112; GA 257

1.2 mi · 2 min · US 129 Alternate; GA 26; GA 112; GA 257
Use the left / right lanes.
19

Take the ramp onto US 129 Alternate; GA 26; GA 112; GA 257

0.1 mi · 17 sec · US 129 Alternate; GA 26; GA 112; GA 257
20

Continue on US 341; US 129 Alternate; GA 26; GA 27; GA 112; GA 230; GA 257

0.7 mi · 1 min · US 341; US 129 Alternate; GA 26; GA 27; GA 112; GA 230; GA 257
Use the none lane.
21

Continue on US 341; US 129 Alternate; GA 26; GA 27; GA 112; GA 230; GA 257

0.1 mi · 17 sec · US 341; US 129 Alternate; GA 26; GA 27; GA 112; GA 230; GA 257
22

At end of road, turn right onto US 341; US 129 Alternate; GA 27; GA 112; GA 230; GA 257

0.5 mi · 1 min · Broad Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
23

Turn left onto GA 27; GA 257

0.8 mi · 1 min · McCormick Avenue
Use the left lane.
24

Continue on GA 27; GA 257

3.0 mi · 4 min · Vienna Highway
25

Turn slight left onto GA 257

9.4 mi · 12 min · Cordele Highway
26

Continue on GA 257

16 mi · 21 min · Hawkinsville Road
27

Turn left

0.5 mi · 59 sec
Toward I-75 South: Valdosta Use the left lane.
28

Merge onto I 75

2.1 mi · 2 min · I 75
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
29

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Exit 99 Toward GA 300 South: Georgia-Florida Parkway, Albany Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30

Turn right onto GA 300

35 mi · 43 min · Georgia-Florida Parkway
Use the none lane.
31

Continue on Cordele Road

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Cordele Road
Use the straight lane.
32

Turn right onto Old Cordele Road

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Old Cordele Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
33

Turn straight onto US 82 Business; GA 520 Business

449 ft · 10 sec · Sylvester Highway
34

Continue on US 82 Business; GA 520 Business

2.9 mi · 4 min · East Oglethorpe Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
35

Turn right onto South Broadway Street

365 ft · 16 sec · South Broadway Street
Use the right lane.
36

Turn left onto East Broad Avenue

0.4 mi · 46 sec · East Broad Avenue
Use the left lane.
37

Turn right onto North Front Street

510 ft · 12 sec · North Front Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
38

Enter roundabout onto Pine Avenue

110 ft · 2 sec · Pine Avenue
39

Continue on Pine Avenue

0.4 mi · 44 sec · Pine Avenue
40

Arrive at destination

Pine Avenue

Trip Plan

Because this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure schedule. Plan for at least one stop to break up the 3-hour and 25-minute duration, which helps keep you alert behind the wheel. Since you are looking at a $25 fuel budget, filling up before you leave Swainsboro is a smart way to ensure you have enough range for the entire 153.6-mile distance. Pay close attention to the transitions between the Georgia-Florida Parkway and GA 257, as these road changes are your primary navigation points. Embracing the single-day nature of this route allows you to reach Albany without the need for an overnight stay.

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 76.8 miles from Swainsboro, GA, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.1 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 45m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 76.8 miles or 1h 40m 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 49m

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 Swainsboro, 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 Swainsboro, GA

This is one driving day of about 153.6 miles and 3h 25m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Swainsboro, 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 Georgia-Florida Parkway for about 35.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 76.8 mi from Swainsboro, GA · 1h 40m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Warner Robins, GA

77 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

Tallahassee, FL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Tallahassee, FL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 76.8 miles from Swainsboro, 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

$24.58 one way

$49.16 round trip

$4.07/gal 25.4 MPG avg 54 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.43 $26.78 $53.57
premium $4.78 $28.89 $57.79
diesel $5.64 $34.12 $68.25

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$25

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 53.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 46.1 0 $16.13 $7.37
Efficient EV 38.4 0 $13.44 $6.14
EV Truck/SUV 61.4 0 $21.50 $9.83

Gas CO2

54 kg

EV CO2

18 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Swainsboro, GA

Night in Swainsboro on Sunday

Local time

10:33 PM

EDT

Current temp

91°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Albany, GA

Night in Albany on Sunday

Local time

10:33 PM

EDT

Current temp

62°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

29 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

3h 25m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Swainsboro, GA to Albany, GA covers 153.6 miles and takes about 3h 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Georgia-Florida Parkway, Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway, GA 257. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 76.8 miles from Swainsboro, GA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.58 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 153.6 miles you will encounter 23 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: at 18 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 81.8 miles (US 341; US 129 Alternate; GA 27; GA 112; GA 230; GA 257 / Broad Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 111.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Swainsboro, GA to Albany, GA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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