Origin
Waycross, GA
Evening in Waycross on Sunday
Local time
8:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
92°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Waycross, GA to Macon, GA
Drive Time
3h 23m
Distance
156.5 mi
252 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
4 AM
3h 12m
★
6 AM
3h 24m
8 AM
3h 48m
10 AM
3h 32m
12 PM
3h 30m
3 PM
3h 33m
5 PM
3h 47m
8 PM
3h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Waycross, GA
Timon Reinhard
Trip Overview
Traveling from Waycross to Macon covers 156.5 miles through the heart of Southeast Georgia. You should plan for a driving time of approximately 3 hours and 23 minutes, making this a very manageable single-day trip. With a fuel budget of about $25, the journey is cost-effective for solo travelers and families alike. You will rely primarily on a combination of the Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway, US 319, and US 23 to navigate between these two regional hubs. Because the route stays entirely within the state, it offers a consistent experience as you transition from the deep southeast toward the central part of the state. It is an ideal path for those seeking a straightforward, highway-focused drive without the need for an overnight stop.
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
78.3 miles from Waycross, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 49m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as roughly 62% of your journey takes place on major thoroughfares. You will spend a significant portion of your time on the Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip at 49.1 miles. The road’s personality shifts as you transition between these primary arteries, offering a mix of steady cruising and standard highway travel. While you won't encounter major mountain passes or complex navigation, the consistent road quality keeps the pace reliable. Being behind the wheel here feels like a classic Georgia transit, providing a predictable rhythm that allows you to cover the 156.5-mile distance efficiently.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 49.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway and US 319. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 84; US 1 Business; GA 38 / Plant Avenue.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 23m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 84; US 1 Business; GA 38 / Plant Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.2 miles (US 1 Business / State Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 51.3 miles (US 23; US 341; GA 19; GA 27 / East Jarman Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 84; US 1 Business; GA 38 / Plant Avenue
Turn left onto US 84; US 1 Business; GA 38 / Plant Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 1 Business / State Street
Turn left onto US 1 Business / State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
51.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m in
|
US 23; US 341; GA 19; GA 27 / East Jarman Street
At end of road, turn left onto US 23; US 341; GA 19; GA 27 / East Jarman Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
75.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 45m in
|
US 280; US 319; US 441; GA 30; GA 31 / South 3rd Avenue
Turn right onto US 280; US 319; US 441; GA 30; GA 31 / South 3rd Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
77.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 48m in
|
US 319; US 441; GA 31
Turn left onto US 319; US 441; GA 31
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway | 49.1 mi | 52m |
| US 319 | 28.7 mi | 39m |
| US 23 | 17.6 mi | 26m |
| East Golden Isles Highway | 16 mi | 22m |
| North Pierce Street | 15.2 mi | 17m |
| Alma Highway | 14 mi | 18m |
| Lumber City Highway | 5.3 mi | 7m |
| State Street | 2.2 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
— 49.1 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waycross, GA and Macon, GA.
1
Start on Church Street
94 ft
·
5 sec
·
Church Street
2
Turn right onto Albany Avenue
488 ft
·
15 sec
·
Albany Avenue
3
Turn left onto US 84; US 1 Business; GA 38
282 ft
·
12 sec
·
Plant Avenue
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left onto US 1 Business
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
State Street
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on US 1 Business
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Ossie Davis Parkway
Use the none lane.
6
Continue on US 1 Business
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
State Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on US 1 Business
14 mi
·
18 min
·
Alma Highway
Use the none lane.
8
Continue on US 1; US 23; GA 4
15 mi
·
17 min
·
North Pierce Street
9
Turn left onto US 23; GA 19
18 mi
·
26 min
·
US 23; GA 19
Use the left lane.
10
Turn right onto US 23; GA 19
301 ft
·
5 sec
·
Larry Contos Boulevard
11
Continue on US 23; GA 19
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Tallahassee Street
12
At end of road, turn left onto US 23; US 341; GA 19; GA 27
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
East Jarman Street
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on US 23; US 221; US 341; GA 19; GA 27; GA 135
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West Coffee Street
14
Continue on US 23; US 341; GA 19; GA 27
5.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Lumber City Highway
Use the none lane.
15
Continue on US 23; US 341; GA 19; GA 27
16 mi
·
22 min
·
East Golden Isles Highway
Use the none lane.
16
Continue on US 23; US 341; GA 27
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Oak Street
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn slight right onto US 23; US 341; GA 27
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Railroad Street
18
Turn right onto US 280; US 319; US 441; GA 30; GA 31
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
South 3rd Avenue
Use the right lane.
19
Turn left onto US 319; US 441; GA 31
28 mi
·
38 min
·
US 319; US 441; GA 31
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on US 319; US 441; GA 31; GA 117
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
US 319; US 441; GA 31; GA 117
Use the none lane.
21
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward I-16 West: Macon
22
Merge onto I 16
49 mi
·
52 min
·
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
Use the none lane.
23
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 1B
Toward GA 22: Second Street, Macon
24
Turn right onto GA 22
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
2nd Street
25
Turn right onto Mulberry Street
0.3 mi
·
58 sec
·
Mulberry Street
26
Arrive at destination
Mulberry Street
Trip Plan
Since the drive is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time based on your personal preference. Aim to complete your one recommended stop roughly halfway through the 3-hour and 23-minute transit to stay refreshed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge when you reach the stretch on the Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway, as this 49.1-mile segment is the longest you will face without changing roads. Because the route is predominantly highway-based, watch for shifts in speed limits when transitioning between the Parkway, US 319, and US 23. Budgeting around $25 for gas should comfortably cover your fuel needs for the entire trip to Macon.
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 78.3 miles from Waycross, GA, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.1 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 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.3 miles or 1h 49m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Macon, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Waycross, 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 Waycross, GA
This is one driving day of about 156.5 miles and 3h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Waycross, 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 Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway for about 49.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 78.3 mi from Waycross, GA · 1h 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
78 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
Arriving in Macon, GA
The final approach into Macon, 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 Macon, 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
$25.05 one way
$50.09 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
55 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $27.29 | $54.58 |
| premium | $4.78 | $29.44 | $58.88 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $34.77 | $69.54 |
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: 54.8 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 | 46.9 | 0 | $16.43 | $7.51 |
| Efficient EV | 39.1 | 0 | $13.69 | $6.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62.6 | 0 | $21.91 | $10.02 |
Gas CO2
55 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.
Destination
Macon, GA
Evening in Macon on Sunday
Local time
8:11 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
90°F
Alma, GA
78 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
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 23m 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 Waycross, GA to Macon, GA covers 156.5 miles and takes about 3h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway, US 319, US 23. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 78.3 miles from Waycross, GA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.05 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 is a straightforward 3h 23m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 84; US 1 Business; GA 38 / Plant Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.2 miles (US 1 Business / State Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 51.3 miles (US 23; US 341; GA 19; GA 27 / East Jarman Street): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Waycross, GA to Macon, GA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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