California, GA to Blakely, GA is 200.1 miles and takes about 4h 8m via Chet Atkins Parkway and US 27, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Georgia, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. With over half of the drive on highways, you'll cover a good distance relatively quickly. This route is a solid option for a single-day trip, especially if you're looking for a straightforward drive across the state.
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
100 miles from California, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Chet Atkins Parkway
50.5 mi
55m
Martha Berry Highway
36.3 mi
42m
US 27
32.1 mi
38m
I 85
29.6 mi
31m
Victory Drive
11.6 mi
15m
Palmetto Cascade Highway
8.6 mi
14m
Hiram Douglasville Highway
6.6 mi
10m
Fairburn Road
6.1 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
Chet Atkins Parkway
— 50.5 mi, about 55m
Traffic on I-185
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 21 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,537 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,919
Quietest
2 AM
~83 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 California, GA and Blakely, GA.
1
Start on GA 92
2.0 mi·3 min·Hiram Acworth Highway
Use the left lane.
2
Continue on GA 92
0.6 mi·56 sec·Hiram Douglasville Highway
3
Continue on GA 92
0.9 mi·1 min·Hiram Douglasville Road
4
Continue on GA 92
6.0 mi·9 min·Hiram Douglasville Highway
5
Continue on GA 92
3.1 mi·5 min·Dallas Highway
6
Continue on GA 92
6.1 mi·10 min·Fairburn Road
Use the straight lane.
7
Turn right onto GA 70; GA 92; GA 154; GA 166
3.5 mi·5 min·GA 70; GA 92; GA 154; GA 166
8
Enter roundabout onto GA 70; GA 92; GA 154
253 ft·4 sec·GA 70; GA 92; GA 154
9
Continue on GA 70; GA 92; GA 154
0.7 mi·1 min·GA 70; GA 92; GA 154
10
Turn right onto GA 70; GA 154
2.2 mi·3 min·Palmetto Cascade Highway
11
Enter roundabout onto GA 70; GA 154
116 ft·2 sec·Palmetto Cascade Highway
12
Continue on GA 70; GA 154
6.4 mi·10 min·Palmetto Cascade Highway
13
Turn right onto US 29; GA 14; GA 154
1.3 mi·1 min·Roosevelt Highway
14
Continue on US 29; GA 14; GA 154
4.6 mi·6 min·Main Street
15
Turn left onto 154
0.5 mi·58 sec·Sharpsburg McCollum Road
16
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I 85 South: Montgomery
17
Merge onto I 85
30 mi·31 min·I 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 185
51 mi·55 min·Chet Atkins Parkway
Exit 21Toward I 185 South: ColumbusUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 1AToward US 27 South, GA 1 South, US 280 East, GA 520 East: Cusseta, Albany
20
Merge onto US 27; US 280; GA 1; GA 520
12 mi·15 min·Victory Drive
21
Continue on Martha Berry Highway
36 mi·42 min·Martha Berry Highway
22
Continue on US 27; GA 1
32 mi·38 min·US 27; GA 1
Use the straight lane.
23
Turn right onto GA 62 Bypass
0.5 mi·51 sec·GA 62 Bypass
Use the right lane.
24
Turn left onto US 27 Business; GA 39
0.9 mi·1 min·North Main Street
25
Enter roundabout onto US 27 Business; GA 39; GA 62
23 ft·0 sec·US 27 Business; GA 39; GA 62
26
Arrive at destination
US 27 Business; GA 39; GA 62
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour drive time, consider leaving in the morning to give yourself ample time for a leisurely pace. The recommended single day is feasible, so you don't need to plan for an overnight stay. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility to depart whenever suits you best. Watch your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $31, and plan to refuel before embarking on the longest stretch of 50.5 miles on Chet Atkins Parkway to avoid any surprises.
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 100 miles from California, GA, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.5 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 44 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100 miles or 2h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Blakely, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving California, 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 California, GA
This is one driving day of about 200.1 miles and 4h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from California, 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 Chet Atkins Parkway for about 50.5 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 38.3 and 200.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
38.3 mi into trip|~1h 2m in|I 85
Merge onto I 85
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
67.9 mi into trip|~1h 33m in|I 185 / Chet Atkins Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 185 / Chet Atkins Parkway toward I 185 South: Columbus
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 21
Toward I 185 South: Columbus
6
118.4 mi into trip|~2h 28m in
Take the exit toward US 27 South, GA 1 South, US 280 East, GA 520 East: Cusseta, Albany
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 1A
Toward US 27 South, GA 1 South, US 280 East, GA...
6
198.6 mi into trip|~4h 6m in|GA 62 Bypass
Turn right onto GA 62 Bypass
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
200.1 mi into trip|~4h 8m in|US 27 Business; GA 39; GA 62
Enter roundabout onto US 27 Business; GA 39; GA 62
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.54 one way
$59.08 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg70 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$32.47
$64.93
premium
$4.49
$35.39
$70.78
diesel
$4.80
$37.78
$75.57
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60
0
$21.01
$9.60
Efficient EV
50
0
$17.51
$8.00
EV Truck/SUV
80
1
$28.01
$12.81
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (67% 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
California, GA
Late night
in California on Sunday
Local time
4:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 10:36PM EDT until July 19 at 4:30AM EDT by NWS Peachtree City GA
Destination
Blakely, GA
Late night
in Blakely on Sunday
Local time
4:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
0 mph50% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 10:36PM EDT until July 19 at 4:30AM EDT by NWS Peachtree City GA
89°F
Hamilton, GA
100 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
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 8m 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...
18 mi from route
~44 min detour
Free
near mile 20.7
Few U.S. Presidents have had such close ties with where they were born and raised. The rural southern culture of Plains, Georgia revolves around farming, church, and school, which had a large influenc...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
Free
near mile 151.8
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?
Expect about 58% of your 200.1-mile trip to be on highways. The longest continuous highway stretch is 50.5 miles on Chet Atkins Parkway. You'll transition from highway driving to surface roads, covering a significant distance before hitting more varied terrain. Keep an eye out for merging traffic as you transition between these road types.
58% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 50.5 mi on Chet Atkins Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 38.3 miles in near I 85.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 200.1 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 38.3 miles (I 85): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.9 miles (I 185 / Chet Atkins Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 118.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,096 ft262 ft
Total Climb
279 ft
Total Descent
1,061 ft
Highest Point
1,096 ft
~14.3 mi in
Elevation Range
834 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 California, GA to Blakely, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Albany along the way.
One of the most diverse states in the Union, California has a culture ranging from the easygoing surf spots on the beaches of Southern California to the glamor of Hollywood, and the counterculture and thriving businesses of the Bay Area. The state, which is on the west coast of the U.S., also varies greatly in natural beauty, from redwood forests on the North Coast to the ski resorts of the rugged Sierra Nevada mountains and the harsh desert of Death Valley. The largest state in the U.S. by population and the third largest by area, California boasts world-famous attractions and sights: Disneyland, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Napa Valley wine country, and the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States, Mount Whitney.
Top landmarks
•Yosemite National Park — national park in California, United States
•San Francisco Bay — bay of the Pacific Ocean on the California coast of the United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 8m. Total distance: 200.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 50.5 miles on Chet Atkins Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 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 Blakely, 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 5 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 38.3 miles (I 85): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.9 miles (I 185 / Chet Atkins Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 118.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, Jimmy Carter National Historical Park and Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Blakely, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
