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Trip from Albany, GA to Young Harris, GA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 23, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 47m
Distance
295.4 mi
475 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 35m
★
6 AM
5h 48m
8 AM
6h 14m
10 AM
5h 57m
12 PM
5h 55m
3 PM
5h 58m
5 PM
6h 13m
8 PM
5h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Albany, GA
Wikimedia Commons
Young Harris, GA
Eyüpcan Timur
Trip Overview
Albany to Young Harris is 295.4 miles and takes about 5h 47m via I 75 and Cordele Road, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Georgia, moving from the Southeast region to another part of the Southeast. The majority of this route is on the interstate, making for a generally straightforward drive. You'll cover over 295 miles, so plan for a solid chunk of driving time. Consider this a good option if you're looking for a direct path 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
147.7 miles from Albany, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 48m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 106.6 mi | 1h 54m |
| Cordele Road | 35.2 mi | 43m |
| Lanier Parkway | 23.8 mi | 25m |
| US 19 | 19 mi | 21m |
| Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter | 17.3 mi | 19m |
| Larry Justice Highway | 15.9 mi | 17m |
| US 129 | 15.7 mi | 22m |
| Interstate Highway 85 | 15.4 mi | 16m |
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
~7,550 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~948 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Young Harris, 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: Macon
Use 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 156
Toward I 475 North: Atlanta
Use 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 227
Toward I 675 North: Augusta, Greenville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 285 East: Augusta, Greenville
Use 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 33
Toward I 85: Greenville, Atlanta
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
520 ft
·
6 sec
Toward I 85 North: Greenville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
Toward I 85 North: Greenville
Use 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
24 mi
·
25 min
·
Lanier Parkway
Exit 113
Toward I 985 North: Gainesville
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
22
Take the exit onto US 129
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
US 129
Exit 24
Toward US 129 North, GA 369 West: Gainsville, Cleveland
Use the slight right lane.
23
Turn left onto US 129; GA 369
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Jesse Jewell Parkway Northeast
24
Continue on US 129; GA 369
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
Jesse Jewell Parkway Southeast
Use the straight lane.
25
Turn right onto US 129; GA 11
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Limestone Parkway
26
At end of road, turn right onto US 129; GA 11
14 mi
·
18 min
·
Cleveland Highway
Use the straight lane.
27
Continue on US 129; GA 11
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
US 129; GA 11
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Continue on US 129; GA 11
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
US 129; GA 11
Use the straight lane.
29
Continue on US 129 Bypass; GA 11 Bypass
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Appalachian Parkway
30
Turn left onto US 129; GA 11; GA 75 ALT
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
US 129; GA 11; GA 75 ALT
Use the left lane.
31
Continue on US 129; GA 11; GA 75 ALT
9.0 mi
·
12 min
·
US 129; GA 11; GA 75 ALT
32
Continue on US 19; US 129; GA 11
19 mi
·
21 min
·
US 19; US 129; GA 11
33
Turn right onto US 19; US 129; GA 11
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Glenn Gooch Bypass
34
Turn right onto US 76; GA 2; GA 515
7.0 mi
·
10 min
·
Young Harris Highway
35
Continue on US 76; GA 2; GA 515
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
36
Turn sharp right onto College Street
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
College Street
37
Arrive at destination
College Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5 hour and 47 minute drive, consider departing in the morning to allow ample time for any unscheduled stops. You'll be on the road for nearly six hours, so planning for one stop is a good idea. With a fuel cost estimated around $45, ensure your tank is full before leaving Albany. The longest stretch without a major break is over 106 miles on I 75, so be mindful of your fuel gauge during that portion. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility in your departure time.
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 147.7 miles from Albany, GA, or about 2h 48m 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 65 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147.7 miles or 2h 48m 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Young Harris, 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 295.4 miles and 5h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
148 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 65 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 147.7 miles from Albany, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 106.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
TA
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area #13
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area #22 (Monroe County, I 75 Southbound)
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area #14
0.1 mi from route
19
0.1 mi from route
Pinehurst Gas 'N Go Travel Center & Truck Wash
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Monroe County Weigh Station - I-75 Northbound
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
All State Truck Stop
0.2 mi from route
JP Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Monroe County Weigh Station - I-75 Southbound
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.3 mi from route
Circle K
0.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 275 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
$46.17 one way
$92.34 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
103 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.35 | $50.57 | $101.13 |
| premium | $4.72 | $54.89 | $109.79 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $72.99 | $145.98 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 88.6 | 1 | $31.02 | $14.18 |
| Efficient EV | 73.9 | 0 | $25.85 | $11.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 118.2 | 1 | $41.36 | $18.91 |
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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.
Origin
Albany, GA
Evening in Albany on Thursday
Local time
8:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Sunny
NE 10 to 15 mph
0% chance
Live 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
Young Harris, GA
Evening in Young Harris on Thursday
Local time
8:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Patchy Frost then Sunny
NW 0 to 5 mph
0% chance
Live 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
48°F
Gainesville, GA
148 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 47m 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.
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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 173.2
View on nps.gov
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 193.5
View on nps.gov
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...
7 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 101.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
With 67% of the drive on highways, you'll spend most of your time on interstates. Expect a 106.6-mile stretch on I 75 before you transition to surface roads like Cordele Road and Lanier Parkway. The profile is mostly highway, so anticipate relatively consistent speeds and merging traffic as you navigate between major roads. You'll notice the exits become less frequent as you move away from the interstate.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 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?
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 Effort
9/10
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 295.4 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
3,087 ft
202 ft
Total Climb
2,910 ft
Total Descent
1,185 ft
Highest Point
3,087 ft
~274.3 mi in
Elevation Range
2,885 ft
Notable High Points
3,087 ft at ~274.3 miles
+1,160 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Young Harris, GA, road signs point toward Greenville, Atlanta and Cleveland.
Greenville
162.4 mi in
|
~3h 4m
|
via I 675
Atlanta
190.5 mi in
|
~3h 37m
Cleveland
232.5 mi in
|
~4h 23m
|
via US 129
About the Cities
Starting in Albany, GA
Full guide →Founded 1836
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
Arriving in Young Harris, GA
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • Young Harris College Historic District — historic district in Young Harris, Georgia, United States
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 47m. Total distance: 295.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 47m 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 Young Harris, 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 — Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Young Harris, GA before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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