Driving from Buford to Macon covers 117.2 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 17 minutes. Because this trip is comfortably manageable in a single day, you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. You will navigate a primary corridor using I-85, the Atlanta Bypass, and I-75 to transition through the heart of Georgia. With an estimated fuel cost of $19, the trip is quite budget-friendly for a solo driver or a small group. Whether you are heading south for business or a change of scenery, the route is straightforward and efficient. It serves as a practical connection between these two Southeast hubs without requiring a multi-day itinerary.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
58.6 miles from Buford, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 10m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
59.8 mi
1h 4m
Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
17.5 mi
20m
I 85
16.8 mi
18m
Terrell Starr Parkway
10.2 mi
11m
Lanier Parkway
3.5 mi
3m
Riverside Drive
3.1 mi
5m
South Lee Street
1.1 mi
2m
South Harris Street
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 59.8 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buford, GA and Macon, GA.
1
Start on this road
26 ft·7 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto South Harris Street
0.7 mi·1 min·South Harris Street
3
Turn left onto Garnett Street
408 ft·13 sec·Garnett Street
4
Turn right onto GA 13
0.5 mi·53 sec·Buford Highway Northeast
5
Turn left onto South Lee Street
1.1 mi·2 min·South Lee Street
6
Turn left onto US 23; GA 20
0.4 mi·51 sec·Buford Drive
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward I 985 SouthUse the right lane.
8
Merge onto I 985
3.5 mi·3 min·Lanier Parkway
9
Merge onto I 85
6.6 mi·7 min·I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 85
10 mi·10 min·I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 95AToward I 285 Bypass East: Augusta, MaconUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·27 sec
Toward I 285 South: Augusta, MaconUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 285
18 mi·20 min·Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
1.1 mi·2 min
Exit 52Toward I 675 South: MaconUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 675
10 mi·11 min·Terrell Starr Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 75
49 mi·53 min·I 75
Use the straight lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
11 mi·11 min·I 75
Toward Macon, SavannahUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 167Toward US 23, GA 87: Riverside DriveUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn left onto US 23; GA 87
3.1 mi·5 min·Riverside Drive
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn right onto GA 19; Ga 49
0.2 mi·30 sec·Spring Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on Spring Street
142 ft·4 sec·Spring Street
Use the left lane.
22
Turn left onto Mulberry Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·Mulberry Street
23
Continue on Mulberry Street
0.1 mi·27 sec·Mulberry Street
24
Arrive at destination
Mulberry Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 117.2-mile journey, try to avoid peak commuting hours in Atlanta, as the bypass can significantly impact your 2-hour and 17-minute travel time. Since the trip is short and requires zero mandatory stops, you have the flexibility to power through or pull over whenever you need a quick break. Keep your fuel budget of $19 in mind when planning your total trip expenses. Given that the longest uninterrupted stretch is nearly 60 miles, ensure your vehicle is ready for sustained highway speeds before departing Buford. Checking real-time traffic conditions for the Atlanta Perimeter before you leave is the best way to ensure a smooth transition toward Macon.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 58.6 miles from Buford, GA, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.8 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 26 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.6 miles or 1h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Macon, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Buford, 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 Buford, GA
This is one driving day of about 117.2 miles and 2h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Buford, GA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 59.8 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 23.4 and 113.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
23.4 mi into trip|~28m in
Take the exit toward I 285 Bypass East: Augusta, Macon
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 95A
Toward I 285 Bypass East: Augusta, Macon
8
24.2 mi into trip|~29m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 285 South: Augusta, Macon
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 285 South: Augusta, Macon
7
42.1 mi into trip|~50m in
Take the exit toward I 675 South: Macon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 52
Toward I 675 South: Macon
8
102.7 mi into trip|~1h 58m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward Macon, Savannah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Macon, Savannah
8
113.2 mi into trip|~2h 9m in
Take the exit toward US 23, GA 87: Riverside Drive
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 167
Toward US 23, GA 87: Riverside Drive
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.33 one way
$36.65 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$20.04
$40.08
premium
$4.70
$21.69
$43.38
diesel
$5.61
$25.88
$51.75
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.2
0
$12.31
$5.63
Efficient EV
29.3
0
$10.25
$4.69
EV Truck/SUV
46.9
0
$16.41
$7.50
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Buford, GA
Late night
in Buford on Sunday
Local time
12:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Macon, GA
Late night
in Macon on Sunday
Local time
12:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°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
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
2h 17m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 117.2
Caution: River Trail periodically closed under I-16
Park Closure: BOARDWALK CLOSED along the River Trail
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 40.4
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,...
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 quintessential highway-focused drive, with 77% of the journey spent on major interstates. You should be prepared for a consistent pace, particularly on the longest stretch of 59.8 miles along I-75. While the route moves you through the Atlanta metro area via the Perimeter, the character of the road is defined by steady, high-speed travel rather than technical turns. Expect a functional transit experience that prioritizes speed over scenic detours. As you transition between the interstate systems, the flow of traffic will be the primary factor influencing your time behind the wheel.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59.8 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 23.4 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 19 significant decision points across 117.2 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 23.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Buford, GA to Macon, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Savannah along the way.
Savannah
102.7 mi in|~1h 58m|via I 75
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 17m. Total distance: 117.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 59.8 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Macon, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 23.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park and Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Macon, GA before heading back.
