If you are planning a trip from Blackshear to California, Georgia, prepare for a 265.9-mile journey across the Southeast. Spanning approximately 5 hours and 34 minutes, this trek is easily manageable as a single-day commitment, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend about $41 on fuel for the trip, making it a budget-friendly option for a weekend excursion. The route primarily utilizes I-75, the Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway, and Gordon Street to navigate the state. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, this straightforward drive offers a reliable connection between these two locations.
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
133 miles from Blackshear, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
80.7 mi
1h 29m
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
65.2 mi
1h 9m
Gordon Street
34.5 mi
51m
Ralph David Abernathy Freeway
12.4 mi
15m
Main Street
11.9 mi
16m
Cedar Crossing Road
10.4 mi
21m
135
9.2 mi
13m
James Street
8.9 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 80.7 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Blackshear, GA and California, GA.
Toward I 75 North: AtlantaUse the straight / left lanes.
20
Merge onto I 75
62 mi·1 hr 7 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
19 mi·22 min·I 75
Toward I 75 North: Atlanta, BirminghamUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 247Toward I 20 West, I 20 East: Birmingham, Augusta, Ralph David Abernathy FreewayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 West: BirminghamUse the slight left lane.
24
Merge onto I 20
12 mi·15 min·Ralph David Abernathy Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 44Toward GA 6: Thornton Road, AustellUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight right at fork
175 ft·4 sec
Use the slight right lane.
27
Merge onto GA 6
3.4 mi·5 min·Thornton Road
Use the right lane.
28
Continue on US 278; GA 6
7.4 mi·10 min·C H James Parkway
Use the straight lane.
29
Continue on US 278; GA 6
1.0 mi·1 min·Wendy Bagwell Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
30
Continue on US 278; GA 6
0.8 mi·1 min·Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway
Use the straight / slight left / slight right lanes.
31
Turn right onto GA 92
2.0 mi·3 min·Hiram Acworth Highway
32
Arrive at destination
GA 92
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 5-hour and 34-minute drive, aim to leave early in the morning to beat potential traffic congestion on the major highways. You only need to plan for one major stop to refuel and stretch your legs, which keeps your momentum moving toward your destination. Since your fuel costs are estimated at $41, keep an eye on your gauge during that long 80.7-mile stretch on I-75 where service stations may be spaced further apart. Because this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal schedule. Prioritize checking your tire pressure before heading out, as the highway-heavy nature of this route demands a well-prepared vehicle for sustained speeds.
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 133 miles from Blackshear, GA, or about 2h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.7 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 58 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133 miles or 2h 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 4h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near California, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Blackshear, 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 Blackshear, GA
This is one driving day of about 265.9 miles and 5h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Blackshear, 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 80.7 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 156.6 and 251.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
156.6 mi into trip|~3h 23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 75 North: Atlanta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward I 75 North: Atlanta
8
219.1 mi into trip|~4h 31m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward I 75 North: Atlanta, Birmingham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 75 North: Atlanta, Birmingham
8
237.8 mi into trip|~4h 54m in
Take the exit toward I 20 West, I 20 East: Birmingham, Augusta, Ralph David Abernathy Freeway
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 247
Toward I 20 West, I 20 East: Birmingham, August...
7
238 mi into trip|~4h 54m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 20 West: Birmingham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 20 West: Birmingham
8
251.1 mi into trip|~5h 11m in
Take the exit toward GA 6: Thornton Road, Austell
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 44
Toward GA 6: Thornton Road, Austell
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.58 one way
$83.16 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$45.46
$90.93
premium
$4.70
$49.21
$98.42
diesel
$5.61
$58.71
$117.41
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.8
0
$27.92
$12.76
Efficient EV
66.5
0
$23.27
$10.64
EV Truck/SUV
106.4
1
$37.23
$17.02
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Blackshear, GA
Late night
in Blackshear on Sunday
Local time
2:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
California, GA
Late night
in California on Sunday
Local time
2:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
2 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
5h 34m 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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 238.4
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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 155.9
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,...
18 mi from route
~46 min detour
$5
near mile 238.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 68% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will experience a mix of fast-paced interstate travel and transitionary local roads as you move through Georgia. The most significant leg of the journey is an 80.7-mile stretch along I-75, which serves as the backbone of your travel time. While the pace is generally steady, be prepared for the transition between the wide-open interstate and the more localized segments like Gordon Street. Expect a consistent driving experience that favors efficiency over technical winding roads.
68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.7 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 156.6 miles in.
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 16 significant decision points across 265.9 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 156.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 219.1 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 237.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Blackshear, GA and California, GA, road signs point toward Birmingham, Augusta and Austell.
Birmingham
219.1 mi in|~4h 31m|via I 75
Augusta
237.8 mi in|~4h 54m
Austell
251.1 mi in|~5h 11m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 34m. Total distance: 265.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.7 miles on I 75. 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 California, 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 156.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 219.1 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 237.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park and Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at California, GA before the return drive.
