Albany, GA to Skidaway Island, GA is 235.6 miles and takes about 4h 54m via Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway and Cordele Road, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Georgia, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. Given the relatively short distance and duration, it's a straightforward drive that many can complete in a single day. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the highway, so expect a fairly direct transit between these two points.
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
117.8 miles from Albany, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
114.5 mi
2h 3m
Cordele Road
35.2 mi
43m
GA 257
34 mi
46m
Chester - Dublin Highway
12.9 mi
18m
Empire-Chester Highway
8.8 mi
11m
Diamond Causeway
4 mi
6m
William F. Lynes Parkway
4 mi
5m
Vienna Highway
3 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
— 114.5 mi, about 2h 3m
Traffic on I-16
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 64 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,011 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,533
Quietest
1 AM
~123 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Skidaway Island, 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
2.0 mi·2 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 102Toward GA 257: Cordele, HawkinsvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn right onto GA 257
25 mi·34 min·GA 257
12
Turn straight onto GA 27; GA 257
3.0 mi·4 min·Vienna Highway
13
Continue on GA 27; GA 257
0.8 mi·1 min·McCormick Avenue
14
Merge onto US 129; US 341; GA 11; GA 27; GA 230; GA 257
1.2 mi·2 min·Broad Street
15
Continue on US 341; US 129 Alternate; GA 26; GA 27; GA 112; GA 257
127 ft·8 sec·US 341; US 129 Alternate; GA 26; GA 27; GA 112; GA 257
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Turn left onto US 129 Alternate; GA 26; GA 112; GA 257
1.3 mi·2 min·US 129 Alternate; GA 26; GA 112; GA 257
Exit 164AToward I 516 East, US 80 East, US 17 South, GA 21 South: Lynes ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 164AToward I 516 East, US 80 East, US 17 South, GA 21 South: Lynes Parkway
31
Merge onto I 516; US 17; US 80; GA 21; GA 25; GA 26
4.0 mi·5 min·William F. Lynes Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Continue on GA 21
1.3 mi·1 min·West Derenne Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
33
Turn right onto Waters Avenue
0.2 mi·17 sec·Waters Avenue
34
Continue on Waters Drive
0.2 mi·21 sec·Waters Drive
35
Continue on Waters Avenue
2.3 mi·3 min·Waters Avenue
36
Continue on GA 204 SPUR
1.5 mi·2 min·Whitefield Avenue
37
Continue on GA 204 SPUR
4.0 mi·6 min·Diamond Causeway
38
Turn slight left
359 ft·9 sec
39
Turn straight onto Landings Way
0.3 mi·39 sec·Landings Way
40
Turn left
307 ft·23 sec
41
At end of road, turn left
484 ft·24 sec
42
Turn left
104 ft·10 sec
43
Turn left
47 ft·3 sec
44
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this trip is estimated to take under 5 hours, you have the flexibility to leave whenever is most convenient, though an early start will give you ample daylight. The longest stretch without a major road change is over 114 miles, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, keeping in mind the estimated $36 fuel cost. While there's only one suggested stop, you can easily add more if you wish, or complete the drive without stopping at all. Pay attention as you transition from the highway sections to surface roads like Cordele Road and GA 257, as the driving environment will change.
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 117.8 miles from Albany, GA, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 114.5 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 52 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.8 miles or 2h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Skidaway Island, 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 235.6 miles and 4h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 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 Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway for about 114.5 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 28
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.2 and 221.3 — 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
42 mi into trip|~54m in
Take the exit toward GA 257: Cordele, Hawkinsville
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 102
Toward GA 257: Cordele, Hawkinsville
8
221.2 mi into trip|~4h 31m in
Take the exit toward I 516 East, US 80 East, US 17 South, GA 21 South: Lynes Parkway
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 164A
Toward I 516 East, US 80 East, US 17 South, GA...
8
221.3 mi into trip|~4h 31m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 516 East, US 80 East, US 17 South, GA 21 South: Lynes Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 164A
Toward I 516 East, US 80 East, US 17 South, GA...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.82 one way
$73.65 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.35
$40.33
$80.66
premium
$4.72
$43.78
$87.56
diesel
$6.28
$58.21
$116.43
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.7
0
$24.74
$11.31
Efficient EV
58.9
0
$20.62
$9.42
EV Truck/SUV
94.2
1
$32.98
$15.08
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Albany, GA
Evening
in Albany on Thursday
Local time
8:57 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Sunny
NE 10 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 19 at 2:44AM EDT by NWS Peachtree City GA
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:26AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Destination
Skidaway Island, GA
Evening
in Skidaway Island on Thursday
Local time
8:57 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Sunny
N 8 to 13 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued October 19 at 2:44AM EDT by NWS Peachtree City GA
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 19 at 2:26AM EDT until October 22 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
4h 54m 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.
Fort Pulaski National Monument
National Monument
For much of the 19th century, masonry fortifications were the United States’ main defense against overseas enemies. However, during the Civil War, new technology proved its superiority over these fort...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
$10
near mile 235.6
Park Closure: McQueen's Island Trail Closed Beginning August 3, 2026
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway driving, with 66% of the 235.6 miles on high-speed roads. You'll encounter a long stretch of 114.5 miles on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway, which will likely feel like a continuous cruise. The remaining portion will transition to surface roads like Cordele Road and GA 257, so be prepared for a change in pace and potentially more exits as you approach Skidaway Island.
66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
44 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 114.5 mi on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway and Cordele Road. 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 28 significant decision points across 235.6 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 42 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
408 ft9 ft
Total Climb
317 ft
Total Descent
510 ft
Highest Point
408 ft
~50.5 mi in
Elevation Range
399 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 Skidaway Island, GA, road signs point toward Hawkinsville and Savannah.
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
Skidaway Island is in Coastal Georgia. The area is home to the gated community of The Landings, which is home to over 8500 residents, over half of whom are over 60; hundreds of short term guests visit each year.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 54m. Total distance: 235.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 114.5 miles on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 19 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 Skidaway Island, 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 19 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 42 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Fort Pulaski National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Skidaway Island, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
