Augusta, GA to Bainbridge, GA is 289.3 miles and takes about 6h 5m via Fall Line Freeway and Georgia-Florida Parkway, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Georgia, connecting two points in the Southeast. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on highways, making it a practical choice for a single-day transit between these two cities. You'll find it's a route that prioritizes getting you to your destination efficiently.
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
144.7 miles from Augusta, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Fall Line Freeway
128.2 mi
2h 27m
Georgia-Florida Parkway
35.1 mi
43m
Deans Bridge Road
27.6 mi
37m
Liberty Expressway
24.9 mi
30m
Fenns Bridge Road
16.6 mi
19m
Cairo Road
10.2 mi
14m
GA 262
9.5 mi
13m
Old Pelham Road
7.2 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
Fall Line Freeway
— 128.2 mi, about 2h 27m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 64 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~1,880 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,505
Quietest
2 AM
~236 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 Augusta, GA and Bainbridge, GA.
1
Start on Walton Way
0.8 mi·1 min·Walton Way
2
Turn left onto 15th Street
2.0 mi·3 min·15th Street
Use the left lane.
3
Turn straight onto GA 4
0.7 mi·1 min·Milledgeville Road
4
Continue on GA 4
28 mi·37 min·Deans Bridge Road
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on US 1; US 221; GA 4; GA 540
2.4 mi·4 min·North Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Turn right onto GA 88; GA 540
17 mi·19 min·Fenns Bridge Road
7
Continue on GA 88; GA 540
6.4 mi·7 min·Fall Line Freeway
8
Keep slight right at fork onto GA 88; GA 540
0.6 mi·40 sec·Fall Line Freeway
9
Keep slight left at fork onto GA 88; GA 540
3.6 mi·4 min·Fall Line Freeway
10
Enter roundabout onto GA 24; GA 540
146 ft·1 sec·Fall Line Freeway
11
Continue on GA 24; GA 540
51 mi·1 hr 1 min·Fall Line Freeway
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on GA 57; GA 540
6.0 mi·7 min·Irwinton Road
13
Continue on US 80; GA 19; GA 540
1.3 mi·2 min·Jeffersonville Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on US 80; GA 19; GA 540
0.4 mi·37 sec·Emery Road
15
Continue on US 23; US 80; US 129 Alternate; GA 19; GA 87; GA 540
2.8 mi·5 min·Emery Highway
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on GA 540
0.8 mi·1 min·Fall Line Freeway
Use the left / straight / sharp right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto GA 540
1.0 mi·1 min·Fall Line Freeway
Toward I 75 South, GA 540 West: ValdostaUse the left / straight lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto GA 540
65 mi·1 hr 10 min·Fall Line Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 99Toward GA 300 South: Georgia-Florida Parkway, AlbanyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn right onto GA 300
35 mi·43 min·Georgia-Florida Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Merge onto US 82; GA 300; GA 520
1.5 mi·2 min·Clark Avenue
Use the right lane.
22
Take the exit onto GA 300
0.4 mi·46 sec·GA 300
Use the right lane.
23
Merge onto US 19; GA 3; GA 133; GA 300
4.3 mi·5 min·Liberty Expressway
Use the left lane.
24
Take the exit onto US 19; GA 3; GA 300
21 mi·24 min·Liberty Expressway
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on GA 37
0.7 mi·1 min·East Broad Street
Use the straight lane.
26
Turn left onto GA 97
0.5 mi·50 sec·South Butler Street
27
Turn right onto GA 97; GA 112
0.3 mi·32 sec·South Boulevard Street
28
Continue on GA 97; GA 112
10 mi·14 min·Cairo Road
29
Turn right onto GA 262
9.0 mi·12 min·GA 262
30
Turn left onto GA 262
0.5 mi·51 sec·GA 262
31
Continue on GA 97
0.6 mi·59 sec·GA 97
32
Turn left onto GA 262
5.3 mi·7 min·Pelham Road
33
Turn right onto GA 309
7.2 mi·10 min·Old Pelham Road
34
At end of road, turn left onto GA 97; GA 309
3.1 mi·5 min·Vada Road
35
Continue on GA 97; GA 309
0.4 mi·44 sec·Albany Road
36
Continue on GA 97; GA 309
0.3 mi·38 sec·East Calhoun Street
37
Turn left onto US 27 Business; GA 1 Business; GA 97; GA 309
0.4 mi·41 sec·North Broad Street
38
Arrive at destination
South Broad Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 5m drive time, starting early in the morning from Augusta, GA is recommended to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. The route is manageable in a single day, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, consider a brief stop midway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 128.2-mile stretch on the Fall Line Freeway, as services might be more spread out. The estimated fuel cost is around $46.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 144.7 miles from Augusta, GA, or about 3h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128.2 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 64 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144.7 miles or 3h 2m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bainbridge, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Augusta, 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 Augusta, GA
This is one driving day of about 289.3 miles and 6h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Augusta, 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 Fall Line Freeway for about 128.2 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 122.7 and 224.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
122.7 mi into trip|~2h 38m in|GA 540 / Fall Line Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto GA 540 / Fall Line Freeway toward I 75 South, GA 540 West: Valdosta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / straight lanes.
Toward I 75 South, GA 540 West: Valdosta
6
123.7 mi into trip|~2h 40m in|GA 540 / Fall Line Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto GA 540 / Fall Line Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
188.7 mi into trip|~3h 50m in
Take the exit toward GA 300 South: Georgia-Florida Parkway, Albany
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 99
Toward GA 300 South: Georgia-Florida Parkway, A...
5
189 mi into trip|~3h 51m in|GA 300 / Georgia-Florida Parkway
Turn right onto GA 300 / Georgia-Florida Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
224.1 mi into trip|~4h 34m in|US 82; GA 300; GA 520 / Clark Avenue
Merge onto US 82; GA 300; GA 520 / Clark Avenue
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.96 one way
$91.92 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$50.11
$100.23
premium
$4.78
$54.44
$108.89
diesel
$6.18
$70.38
$140.75
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: 101.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.8
1
$30.38
$13.89
Efficient EV
72.3
0
$25.31
$11.57
EV Truck/SUV
115.7
1
$40.50
$18.52
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 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.
Forecast as of Oct 16, 2026
Origin
Augusta, GA
Morning
in Augusta on Saturday
Local time
7:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Sunny
SW 3 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 15 at 8:49PM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Destination
Bainbridge, GA
Morning
in Bainbridge on Saturday
Local time
7:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
89°F
Sunny
WNW 0 to 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 15 at 8:49PM 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
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 5m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Free
near mile 119.7
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?
This route is primarily highway driving, with 69% of the mileage on faster roads. You'll experience a lengthy stretch of 128.2 miles on the Fall Line Freeway before transitioning to surface roads. Expect to encounter a significant number of exits and potential merging traffic as you navigate through populated areas on the highway segments.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 128.2 mi on Fall Line Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Fall Line Freeway and Georgia-Florida Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 122.7 miles in near GA 540 / Fall Line Freeway.
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 21 significant decision points across 289.3 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 122.7 miles (GA 540 / Fall Line Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 123.7 miles (GA 540 / Fall Line Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 188.7 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
435 ft127 ft
Total Climb
318 ft
Total Descent
332 ft
Highest Point
435 ft
~62 mi in
Elevation Range
309 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 Augusta, GA to Bainbridge, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Albany along the way.
Augusta is a city in Georgia's Classic Heartland. Due to its location inland on the Savannah River, Augusta was a city of major strategic importance by the end of the Civil War. It was spared most of the destruction of many other southern cities, so there are many old buildings and landmarks. Augusta is also home to the Augusta National Golf Club, one of the world's most prestigious and exclusive golf clubs, which plays host to the Masters golf tournament.
Top landmarks
•Augusta National Golf Club — golf course in Georgia, United States
•Augusta Canal — canal in Augusta, Georgia, United States of America
•Morris Museum of Art — museum in Augusta, Georgia, USA
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 5m. Total distance: 289.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 5m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 128.2 miles on Fall Line Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Bainbridge, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 122.7 miles (GA 540 / Fall Line Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 123.7 miles (GA 540 / Fall Line Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 188.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Bainbridge, GA before the return drive.
