Albany, GA to Buford, GA is 215.4 miles and takes about 4h 7m via I 75, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Georgia, moving from the Southeast region of the state to its northern part. It's a straightforward drive that primarily uses major interstate highways, making it a convenient option for a single-day trip. Expect a fairly consistent pace for most of the journey, with minimal complexity in navigation.
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
107.7 miles from Albany, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
106.6 mi
1h 54m
Cordele Road
35.2 mi
43m
Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
17.3 mi
19m
Larry Justice Highway
15.9 mi
17m
Interstate Highway 85
15.4 mi
16m
Terrell Starr Parkway
10.1 mi
11m
Lanier Parkway
3.5 mi
3m
Clark Avenue
2.2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 106.6 mi, about 1h 54m
Traffic on I-85
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 158 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~7,576 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~948 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
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 Buford, GA.
1
Start on Pine Avenue
0.4 mi·44 sec·Pine Avenue
Use the straight lane.
2
Enter roundabout onto North Front Street
75 ft·5 sec·North Front Street
3
Continue on North Front Street
510 ft·14 sec·North Front Street
4
Turn left onto West Broad Avenue
1.5 mi·2 min·West Broad Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
5
Turn left onto Blaylock Street
0.2 mi·29 sec·Blaylock Street
6
Turn right onto Clark Avenue
2.2 mi·3 min·Clark Avenue
Use the straight lane.
7
Turn left onto GA 300
35 mi·43 min·Cordele Road
Use the left lane.
8
Turn left
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I-75 North: MaconUse the left lane.
9
Merge onto I 75
57 mi·1 hr 1 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
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.
11
Merge onto I 75
49 mi·53 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 675
10 mi·11 min·Terrell Starr Parkway
Exit 227Toward I 675 North: Augusta, GreenvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 285 East: Augusta, GreenvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 285
17 mi·19 min·Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.7 mi·52 sec
Exit 33Toward I 85: Greenville, AtlantaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
520 ft·6 sec
Toward I 85 North: GreenvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·40 sec
Toward I 85 North: GreenvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 85
1.2 mi·1 min·Northeast Expressway
19
Continue on I 85
15 mi·16 min·Interstate Highway 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 85
0.5 mi·33 sec·I 85
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 985
3.5 mi·3 min·Lanier Parkway
Exit 113Toward I 985 North: GainesvilleUse the slight left / straight lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 4Toward US 23 South, GA 20: Buford, CummingUse the slight right lane.
23
Turn left onto GA 20
0.5 mi·59 sec·Buford Drive
Use the left lane.
24
Turn right onto South Lee Street
1.1 mi·2 min·South Lee Street
25
Turn right onto GA 13
0.5 mi·52 sec·Buford Highway Northeast
26
Turn left onto Garnett Street
460 ft·14 sec·Garnett Street
Use the left lane.
27
Turn right
292 ft·10 sec
28
Continue on South Harris Street
0.6 mi·1 min·South Harris Street
29
Turn right
26 ft·1 sec
30
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour duration, leaving Albany in the morning is ideal to give you flexibility. There's only one recommended stop, suggesting you can easily complete this trip in one day. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially before starting the 106.6-mile stretch on I 75, to avoid needing to exit unexpectedly. The Atlanta Bypass, also known as The Perimeter, can experience heavy traffic, so factor that into your arrival time, especially if traveling during peak hours.
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 107.7 miles from Albany, GA, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106.6 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 47 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.7 miles or 2h 5m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buford, 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 215.4 miles and 4h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 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 I 75 for about 106.6 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 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 97.1 and 208.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
97.1 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
9
162.4 mi into trip|~3h 4m in|I 675 / Terrell Starr Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 675 / Terrell Starr Parkway toward I 675 North: Augusta, Greenville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 227
Toward I 675 North: Augusta, Greenville
8
172.5 mi into trip|~3h 16m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 285 East: Augusta, Greenville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 285 East: Augusta, Greenville
8
190.5 mi into trip|~3h 37m in
Take the exit toward I 85: Greenville, Atlanta
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 33
Toward I 85: Greenville, Atlanta
8
208.8 mi into trip|~3h 57m in|I 985 / Lanier Parkway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 985 / Lanier Parkway toward I 985 North: Gainesville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 113
Toward I 985 North: Gainesville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.80 one way
$63.60 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$34.95
$69.89
premium
$4.49
$38.09
$76.19
diesel
$4.80
$40.67
$81.34
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.6
0
$22.62
$10.34
Efficient EV
53.9
0
$18.85
$8.62
EV Truck/SUV
86.2
1
$30.16
$13.79
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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 18, 2026
Origin
Albany, GA
Morning
in Albany on Monday
Local time
7:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 0 to 5 mph58% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 6:40PM EDT by NWS Peachtree City GA
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 6:37PM EDT until July 18 at 7:15PM EDT by NWS Peachtree City GA
Destination
Buford, GA
Morning
in Buford on Monday
Local time
7:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
W 5 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 6:40PM EDT by NWS Peachtree City GA
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 6:37PM EDT until July 18 at 7:15PM EDT by NWS Peachtree City GA
89°F
Jackson, GA
108 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
1 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 7m 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.
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
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,...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
$5
near mile 193.2
Park Closure: Island Ford Trail Closures Winter 2025-2026
Park Closure: Restrooms and Water Fountains Unavailable at Powers Island and Akers Mill
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...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 185.7
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 64% of this drive on the highway, primarily on I 75. The longest continuous stretch on this interstate is 106.6 miles. Once you transition off I 75, expect more local traffic and potentially more frequent exits as you approach your destination in Buford. The profile is mostly highway, so anticipate a steady cruising speed for the majority of the trip.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 106.6 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Cordele Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 97.1 miles in near I 475 / Larry Justice Highway.
Driving Effort10/10
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 27 significant decision points across 215.4 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 97.1 miles (I 475 / Larry Justice Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 162.4 miles (I 675 / Terrell Starr Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 172.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,177 ft202 ft
Total Climb
1,148 ft
Total Descent
173 ft
Highest Point
1,177 ft
~215.4 mi in
Elevation Range
975 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Albany, GA and Buford, GA, road signs point toward Greenville and Atlanta.
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 7m. Total distance: 215.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 106.6 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 28 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 Buford, 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 28 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 97.1 miles (I 475 / Larry Justice Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 162.4 miles (I 675 / Terrell Starr Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 172.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park and Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Buford, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
