Albany, GA to College Park, GA is 179.3 miles and takes about 3h 27m via I 75, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, traveling entirely within Georgia. It's a straightforward, highway-focused drive that's perfect for a single-day journey. If you're looking for a simple transit between these two points with minimal fuss, this route should fit the bill. Expect a predictable drive with most of your time spent on the interstate.
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
89.6 miles from Albany, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
118.2 mi
2h 8m
Cordele Road
35.2 mi
43m
Larry Justice Highway
15.9 mi
17m
Airport Loop Road
2.4 mi
4m
Clark Avenue
2.2 mi
3m
West Broad Avenue
1.5 mi
2m
Virginia Avenue
1.1 mi
1m
Main Street
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 118.2 mi, about 2h 8m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 84 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~3,967 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,825
Quietest
2 AM
~656 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6×
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 College Park, 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 left at fork onto I 75
12 mi·13 min·I 75
Toward I 75 North: Atlanta, BirminghamUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·10 sec
Exit 239Toward US 19, US 41, GA 3: Air Cargo, International Airport, C W Grant Parkway, Porsche Avenue, Central AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward C W Grant Parkway, Air Cargo, Airport InternationalUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
210 ft·5 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on International Parkway
0.2 mi·16 sec·International Parkway
17
Turn right onto Charles W Grant Parkway
0.4 mi·53 sec·Charles W Grant Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn right onto Airport Loop Road
1.7 mi·2 min·Airport Loop Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto Airport Loop Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Airport Loop Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
20
Turn right onto Toffie Terrace
485 ft·19 sec·Toffie Terrace
21
Turn left onto Virginia Avenue
1.1 mi·1 min·Virginia Avenue
Use the left lane.
22
Turn slight right
450 ft·16 sec
Use the right lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork
184 ft·8 sec
24
Turn slight right onto US 29; GA 14; GA 139
0.5 mi·52 sec·Main Street
25
Turn left onto Harvard Avenue
44 ft·1 sec·Harvard Avenue
Use the left lane.
26
Arrive at destination
Harvard Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 3h 27m duration, you have plenty of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Albany, GA in the morning allows you to arrive in College Park, GA with ample daylight. Plan for one stop to break up the drive, perhaps around the halfway point or where you feel you need a stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before you hit the longest stretch on I 75, as services might be more spread out in certain sections. Budgeting around $28 for fuel should cover your needs for this 179.3-mile trip.
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 89.6 miles from Albany, GA, or about 1h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.2 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 39 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.6 miles or 1h 45m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near College Park, 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 179.3 miles and 3h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 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 118.2 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 97.1 and 174.5 — 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
8
162.4 mi into trip|~3h 4m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward I 75 North: Atlanta, Birmingham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 75 North: Atlanta, Birmingham
8
174 mi into trip|~3h 17m in
Take the exit toward US 19, US 41, GA 3: Air Cargo, International Airport, C W Grant Parkway, Porsche Avenue, Central Avenue
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 239
Toward US 19, US 41, GA 3: Air Cargo, Internati...
9
174.2 mi into trip|~3h 18m in
Keep slight right at fork toward C W Grant Parkway, Air Cargo, Airport International
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward C W Grant Parkway, Air Cargo, Airport In...
7
174.5 mi into trip|~3h 18m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.52 one way
$57.04 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg63 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$31.10
$62.19
premium
$4.78
$33.74
$67.47
diesel
$5.35
$37.77
$75.53
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.8
0
$18.83
$8.61
Efficient EV
44.8
0
$15.69
$7.17
EV Truck/SUV
71.7
0
$25.10
$11.48
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Albany, GA
Evening
in Albany on Wednesday
Local time
8:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
0 mph46% chanceLive forecast
Destination
College Park, GA
Evening
in College Park on Wednesday
Local time
8:12 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
E 0 to 10 mph34% chanceLive 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
4 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 27m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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.
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 179.3
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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 98.9
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,...
25 mi from route
~64 min detour
$5
near mile 179.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily a highway-focused experience, with 66% of the journey on high-speed roads. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I 75, including the longest uninterrupted stretch of 118.2 miles. While Cordele Road and Larry Justice Highway offer some variation, the overall character leans towards efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways. Be prepared for a consistent pace for much of the trip, especially on the interstate sections.
66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 118.2 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 Effort9/10
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 23 significant decision points across 179.3 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 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 174 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,047 ft202 ft
Total Climb
918 ft
Total Descent
73 ft
Highest Point
1,047 ft
~179.3 mi in
Elevation Range
845 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 College Park, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Birmingham 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 3h 27m. Total distance: 179.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 118.2 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 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 College Park, 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 25 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 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 174 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park and Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at College Park, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
