This 202.9-mile drive from Albany, GA to Russell, GA is a straightforward, single-day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 16 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-75, Cordele Road, and Larry Justice Highway, the route offers a mixed driving experience. With a fuel cost estimated at $32, it's an economical option for exploring the Southeast region. Given the duration and distance, it's perfectly suited as a day trip, allowing for a relaxed pace. You'll find the journey is about 56% highway, making for efficient travel.
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
101.5 miles from Albany, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
80.1 mi
1h 25m
Cordele Road
35.2 mi
43m
Larry Justice Highway
15.9 mi
17m
GA 138
9.2 mi
13m
Covington Street
8.2 mi
11m
State Route 36
8.2 mi
11m
Barnesville-Jackson Road
7.3 mi
10m
John R. Williams Highway
5.8 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 80.1 mi, about 1h 25m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~2,541 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,500
Quietest
2 AM
~389 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.5×
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 Russell, 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
23 mi·24 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 201Toward GA 36: Jackson, BarnesvilleUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
138 ft·3 sec
Toward Georgia Diagnostic PrisonUse the straight / left / slight right lanes.
14
Turn right onto GA 36
7.3 mi·10 min·Barnesville-Jackson Road
15
Continue on GA 36
1.0 mi·2 min·South Mulberry Street
16
Turn right onto US 23; GA 16; GA 36; GA 42
0.3 mi·45 sec·East 3rd Street
17
Turn left onto GA 36
8.2 mi·11 min·Covington Street
Use the left lane.
18
Enter roundabout onto GA 36
77 ft·1 sec·GA 36
19
Continue on GA 36
4.7 mi·6 min·GA 36
20
Enter roundabout onto GA 36
96 ft·2 sec·State Route 36
21
Continue on GA 36
8.2 mi·11 min·State Route 36
22
Continue on GA 36
1.8 mi·2 min·Highway 36
23
Turn right onto GA 36
2.5 mi·4 min·Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior Avenue
Use the left lane.
24
Continue on GA 142
5.8 mi·8 min·John R. Williams Highway
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on GA 81
5.1 mi·7 min·GA 81
26
Turn right onto GA 138
5.0 mi·7 min·GA 138
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Continue on GA 138
0.3 mi·29 sec·GA 138
Use the straight lane.
28
Continue on GA 138
3.8 mi·6 min·GA 138
Use the straight lane.
29
Turn left onto GA 11
5.2 mi·9 min·State Route 11
Use the left lane.
30
Continue on GA 11
2.6 mi·4 min·Winder-Monroe Highway
31
Continue on GA 11
1.6 mi·2 min·Christmas Avenue
32
Continue on GA 11
2.5 mi·3 min·Monroe Highway
33
Turn slight right
153 ft·5 sec
34
Turn slight right onto GA 8; GA 53
0.1 mi·10 sec·May Street
35
Continue on GA 8; GA 53
0.4 mi·34 sec·Atlanta Highway Southeast
36
Turn left onto Russell Cemetery Road
414 ft·20 sec·Russell Cemetery Road
37
Turn right onto East Midland Avenue
0.2 mi·32 sec·East Midland Avenue
38
Turn left
236 ft·17 sec
39
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour, 16-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Albany to maximize daylight and minimize traffic. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 80.1 miles on I-75, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $32, and plan for refueling opportunities along the way, especially before the longest highway segment. The flexibility of a single-day trip means you can adjust your timing based on local conditions.
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 101.5 miles from Albany, GA, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.1 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 45 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.5 miles or 1h 58m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Russell, 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 202.9 miles and 4h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 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 80.1 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.2 and 136.2 — 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
135.9 mi into trip|~2h 35m in
Take the exit toward GA 36: Jackson, Barnesville
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 201
Toward GA 36: Jackson, Barnesville
8
136.2 mi into trip|~2h 36m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Georgia Diagnostic Prison
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / slight right lanes.
Toward Georgia Diagnostic Prison
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.27 one way
$64.54 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$35.19
$70.38
premium
$4.78
$38.18
$76.35
diesel
$5.35
$42.74
$85.47
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: 71 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.9
0
$21.30
$9.74
Efficient EV
50.7
0
$17.75
$8.12
EV Truck/SUV
81.2
1
$28.41
$12.99
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Albany, GA
Evening
in Albany on Wednesday
Local time
5:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
0 mph42% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Russell, GA
Evening
in Russell on Wednesday
Local time
5:13 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Chance Rain Showers
NE 0 to 5 mph42% chanceLive forecast
66°F
Monticello, GA
101 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
7 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 16m 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.
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
Caution: River Trail periodically closed under I-16
Park Closure: BOARDWALK CLOSED along the River Trail
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed drive on this 202.9-mile journey. While 56% of the route is on highways, including a significant 80.1-mile stretch on I-75, you'll also encounter local roads like Cordele Road and Larry Justice Highway. This means you'll transition between faster, more direct travel and potentially slower, more varied scenery. The drive's character shifts as you progress, moving from interstate cruising to navigating through different stretches of Georgia.
56% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.1 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 24 significant decision points across 202.9 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: 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
962 ft202 ft
Total Climb
831 ft
Total Descent
70 ft
Highest Point
962 ft
~202.9 mi in
Elevation Range
760 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 Russell, GA, road signs point toward Barnesville and Georgia Diagnostic Prison.
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 16m. Total distance: 202.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.1 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 23 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 Russell, 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 23 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. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Russell, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
