Albany, GA to Buchanan, GA is 190 miles and takes about 4 hours via Martha Berry Highway, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you entirely within Georgia, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. Given its relatively short duration and manageable distance, this route is well-suited for a single day of driving. You'll experience a mixed drive profile, so expect a variety of road types rather than a consistent interstate experience. Plan for this to be a straightforward journey, ideal for when you need to get from point A to B efficiently.
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
95 miles from Albany, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Martha Berry Highway
42.6 mi
52m
Chet Atkins Parkway
41.4 mi
44m
Richland Bypass
15.4 mi
17m
South Park Street
11.4 mi
17m
US 82
9.5 mi
12m
South Parrott Street
8.7 mi
10m
Bremen Bypass
8.3 mi
11m
GA 520
8.3 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
Martha Berry Highway
— 42.6 mi, about 52m
Traffic on I-185
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,811 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,183
Quietest
2 AM
~87 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
20.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Albany, GA and Buchanan, GA.
1
Start on Pine Avenue
75 ft·5 sec·Pine Avenue
2
Turn right onto GA 91
2.2 mi·4 min·North Jefferson Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 19, GA 3Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto US 19; US 82; GA 3; GA 520
4.8 mi·6 min·Liberty Expressway
5
Continue on US 82; GA 520
9.5 mi·12 min·US 82; GA 520
Use the straight lane.
6
Turn straight onto US 82; GA 520
5.4 mi·6 min·Albany Highway
7
Continue on US 82; GA 520
1.1 mi·1 min·Forrester Drive Southeast
8
Continue on US 82; GA 520
0.6 mi·1 min·Rountree Drive Southwest
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on GA 45; GA 520
0.3 mi·31 sec·Vine Street Northwest
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on GA 45; GA 520
0.2 mi·27 sec·Roundtree Drive
11
Continue on GA 45; GA 520
0.5 mi·43 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Drive
12
Continue on GA 45; GA 520
8.0 mi·9 min·Columbus Highway
13
Continue on GA 520
8.7 mi·10 min·South Parrott Street
14
Keep slight left at fork onto GA 520
8.3 mi·9 min·GA 520
15
Continue on GA 520
15 mi·17 min·Richland Bypass
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 280; GA 520
3.3 mi·3 min·US 280; GA 520
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on US 27; US 280; GA 1; GA 520
11 mi·14 min·Martha Berry Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward I 185 North: LaGrange, Atlanta
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·47 sec
Toward I 185 North: LaGrange, Atlanta
20
Continue on I 185
41 mi·44 min·Chet Atkins Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
Exit 42Toward US 27: LaGrange
22
Turn left onto US 27; GA 1
7.4 mi·11 min·Hamilton Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Take the exit
359 ft·9 sec
Toward US 27, GA 1, GA 219
24
Merge onto US 27; GA 1; GA 219
0.2 mi·20 sec·Whitesville Street
25
Continue on US 27; GA 1; GA 219
0.5 mi·1 min·Morgan Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Continue on US 27; US 29; GA 1; GA 14
7.6 mi·11 min·New Franklin Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
27
Continue on US 27; GA 1
32 mi·37 min·Martha Berry Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
28
Continue on US 27; GA 1
0.7 mi·1 min·South Park Street
Use the straight lane.
29
Continue on US 27; GA 1; GA 16
11 mi·16 min·South Park Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Continue on US 27; GA 1
8.3 mi·11 min·Bremen Bypass
Use the straight lane.
31
Turn left onto GA 120
0.7 mi·1 min·GA 120
32
Turn right
116 ft·8 sec
33
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and allow for flexibility. With only one planned stop suggested for a 190-mile trip, you can easily complete this journey in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $30, and it’s always wise to top off before setting out. A specific tip for this route: be aware that the longest continuous stretch is over 42 miles on Martha Berry Highway, so ensure you're comfortable with that duration before your next opportunity to refuel or take a break.
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 95 miles from Albany, GA, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.6 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 42 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 95 miles or 1h 59m 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 Buchanan, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Albany, 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 Albany, GA
This is one driving day of about 189.9 miles and 4h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Albany, 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 Martha Berry Highway for about 42.6 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 121.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|GA 91 / North Jefferson Street
Turn right onto GA 91 / North Jefferson Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
2.2 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the ramp toward US 19, GA 3
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 19, GA 3
5
79.5 mi into trip|~1h 41m in
Take the exit toward I 185 North: LaGrange, Atlanta
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 185 North: LaGrange, Atlanta
6
79.9 mi into trip|~1h 42m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 185 North: LaGrange, Atlanta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 185 North: LaGrange, Atlanta
5
121.8 mi into trip|~2h 28m in
Take the exit toward US 27: LaGrange
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 42
Toward US 27: LaGrange
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.04 one way
$56.07 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg66 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$30.81
$61.62
premium
$4.49
$33.58
$67.17
diesel
$4.80
$35.86
$71.71
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
57
0
$19.94
$9.12
Efficient EV
47.5
0
$16.62
$7.60
EV Truck/SUV
76
0
$26.59
$12.15
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 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 as of Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Albany, GA
Afternoon
in Albany on Sunday
Local time
3:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
0 mph42% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 10:36PM EDT until July 19 at 4:30AM EDT by NWS Peachtree City GA
Destination
Buchanan, GA
Afternoon
in Buchanan on Sunday
Local time
3:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 10:36PM EDT until July 19 at 4:30AM EDT by NWS Peachtree City GA
89°F
Hamilton, GA
95 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
2 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 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.
Jimmy Carter National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Few U.S. Presidents have had such close ties with where they were born and raised. The rural southern culture of Plains, Georgia revolves around farming, church, and school, which had a large influenc...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 32.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a mixed drive, with 36% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter stretches like the Martha Berry Highway, where you can experience a longer, uninterrupted drive of up to 42.6 miles. The Chet Atkins Parkway and Richland Bypass also feature in this drive, suggesting a blend of primary roads and potentially some more local connections. Expect the road character to shift throughout the 4-hour trip, moving from faster-paced sections to potentially slower, more winding segments as you navigate through Georgia.
36% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 42.6 mi on Martha Berry Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near GA 91 / North Jefferson Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 189.9 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: near the start (GA 91 / North Jefferson Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,245 ft202 ft
Total Climb
1,506 ft
Total Descent
463 ft
Highest Point
1,245 ft
~189.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,043 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Albany, GA to Buchanan, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Atlanta along the way.
Albany is a city of 72,000 people (2019) in Dougherty County in Georgia's Plantation Midlands region. It is part of the Black Belt, the extensive area in the Deep South of cotton plantations. During 1961–1962, African Americans in Albany played a prominent role in the Civil Rights Movement, founding the Albany Movement, a desegregation and voters' rights coalition formed in 1961. Ray Charles, the singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer, was born here, and is remembered in a park with a statue.
Top landmarks
•Albany Municipal Auditorium — concert hall and multi-use auditorium in Albany, Georgia
•Old St. Teresa Catholic Church — church building in Albany, United States of America
•United States Post Office and Courthouse — historic building in Albany, Georgia
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h. Total distance: 189.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 42.6 miles on Martha Berry Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Buchanan, GA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 5 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (GA 91 / North Jefferson Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 79.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Jimmy Carter National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Buchanan, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
