Albany, GA to Irondale, GA is 167.8 miles and takes about 3h 18m via I 75, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Georgia, connecting the Southeast region from one point to another. Expect a mixed driving experience that's mostly highway, making it a straightforward trip. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this route is ideal for a single-day journey, allowing for a relaxed pace.
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
83.9 miles from Albany, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
97.1 mi
1h 44m
Cordele Road
35.2 mi
43m
Larry Justice Highway
15.9 mi
17m
McDonough-Lovejoy Road
5.1 mi
7m
Tara Boulevard
2.8 mi
3m
Clark Avenue
2.2 mi
3m
Hastings Bridge Road
1.6 mi
2m
West Broad Avenue
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 97.1 mi, about 1h 44m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 30 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~2,622 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,579
Quietest
2 AM
~443 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
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 Irondale, 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
40 mi·42 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 218Toward GA 20, GA 81: McDonough, HamptonUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
130 ft·8 sec
Toward GA 20 West, GA 81 West: Hampton, Sunny Side, Sun City Peachtree, Atlanta SpeedwayUse the left lane.
14
Turn left onto GA 20; GA 81
0.3 mi·29 sec·Hampton Road
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto GA 81
0.1 mi·15 sec·McDonough-Lovejoy Road
16
Continue on GA 81
1.0 mi·1 min·McDonugh-Lovejoy Road
17
Continue on GA 81
5.0 mi·6 min·McDonough-Lovejoy Road
18
Continue on GA 81
0.4 mi·31 sec·McDonugh- Lovejoy Road
19
Turn right onto Old Hwy 3
1.3 mi·1 min·Old Hwy 3
20
Continue on Hastings Bridge Road
1.6 mi·2 min·Hastings Bridge Road
21
Continue on McDonough Road
0.2 mi·29 sec·McDonough Road
22
Turn right onto US 19; US 41; GA 3
2.8 mi·3 min·Tara Boulevard
Use the right lane.
23
Turn left onto Mundys Mill Road
1.4 mi·2 min·Mundys Mill Road
Use the left lane.
24
Turn left onto Lake Forest Trace
0.2 mi·59 sec·Lake Forest Trace
25
Turn left onto Point View Drive
0.4 mi·1 min·Point View Drive
26
Arrive at destination
Point View Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 18m duration, departing in the morning from Albany, GA is recommended to give you ample daylight for the 167.8-mile trip to Irondale, GA. With only one stop suggested and a fuel cost estimated around $26, you can plan your stops efficiently. Consider making your stop around the halfway point or where services are most convenient along I 75. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch of 97.1 miles on I 75, as services can be more spread out on interstates.
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 83.9 miles from Albany, GA, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.1 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 37 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.9 miles or 1h 39m 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Irondale, 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 167.8 miles and 3h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 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 97.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway reset
4.5 mi from route
~11 min detour
$10 to $20
Warner Robins, Georgia
Hours: 6–10 AM
+14789711550
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.2 and 153.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2.2 mi into trip|~4m in|Clark Avenue
Turn right onto Clark Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
39.7 mi into trip|~51m in
Turn left toward I-75 North: Macon
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I-75 North: Macon
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
152.9 mi into trip|~2h 53m in
Take the exit toward GA 20, GA 81: McDonough, Hampton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 218
Toward GA 20, GA 81: McDonough, Hampton
9
153.2 mi into trip|~2h 54m in
Keep slight left at fork toward GA 20 West, GA 81 West: Hampton, Sunny Side, Sun City Peachtree, Atlanta Speedway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward GA 20 West, GA 81 West: Hampton, Sunny S...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.69 one way
$53.38 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$29.10
$58.20
premium
$4.78
$31.57
$63.14
diesel
$5.35
$35.34
$70.69
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.3
0
$17.62
$8.05
Efficient EV
42
0
$14.68
$6.71
EV Truck/SUV
67.1
0
$23.49
$10.74
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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 May 24, 2026
Origin
Albany, GA
Evening
in Albany on Wednesday
Local time
5:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
0 mph41% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 23 at 9:55PM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued May 23 at 9:24PM EDT until May 24 at 12:30AM EDT by NWS Peachtree City GA
Destination
Irondale, GA
Evening
in Irondale on Wednesday
Local time
5:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
E 5 mph32% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 23 at 9:55PM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued May 23 at 9:24PM EDT until May 24 at 12:30AM EDT by NWS Peachtree City GA
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 18m 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.
Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 98.4
Caution: River Trail periodically closed under I-16
Park Closure: BOARDWALK CLOSED along the River Trail
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...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
Free
near mile 167.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This journey is characterized by a 59% highway share, primarily utilizing I 75, which forms the longest uninterrupted stretch at 97.1 miles. You'll experience a mixed drive, meaning there are periods of faster highway travel interspersed with other road types. While the majority of the route is on I 75, the presence of Cordele Road and Larry Justice Highway suggests segments that may offer a slightly different feel. This blend means you'll encounter both efficient, high-speed driving and potentially more local traffic or varied speed limits as you approach your destination.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97.1 mi on I 75.
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 around 2.2 miles in near Clark Avenue.
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 20 significant decision points across 167.8 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 2.2 miles (Clark Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 39.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 97.1 miles (I 475 / Larry Justice Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
906 ft202 ft
Total Climb
734 ft
Total Descent
95 ft
Highest Point
906 ft
~155.8 mi in
Elevation Range
704 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 Irondale, GA, road signs point toward Hampton, Sunny Side, Sun City Peachtree and Atlanta Speedway.
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 18m. Total distance: 167.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 97.1 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 24 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 Irondale, 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 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.2 miles (Clark Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 39.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 97.1 miles (I 475 / Larry Justice Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park and Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Irondale, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
