Origin
California, GA
Night in California on Saturday
Local time
10:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 32m
Distance
169.4 mi
273 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
California, GA
Lesli Whitecotton
Cuthbert, GA
Marcella Soáres
California, GA to Cuthbert, GA is 169.4 miles and takes about 3h 32m via Chet Atkins Parkway and I 85, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, making it a straightforward journey without crossing state lines. The drive offers a mixed experience, blending highway speeds with potentially more local road sections. Given its manageable duration and distance, this route is well-suited for a single day of travel, allowing for a relaxed pace and flexibility for any unexpected detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
84.7 miles from California, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 52m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Chet Atkins Parkway | 50.5 mi | 55m |
| Martha Berry Highway | 36.8 mi | 43m |
| 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 |
| Main Street | 4.6 mi | 6m |
Step-by-step road directions between California, GA and Cuthbert, GA.
Start on GA 92
Continue on GA 92
Continue on GA 92
Continue on GA 92
Continue on GA 92
Continue on GA 92
Turn right onto GA 70; GA 92; GA 154; GA 166
Enter roundabout onto GA 70; GA 92; GA 154
Continue on GA 70; GA 92; GA 154
Turn right onto GA 70; GA 154
Enter roundabout onto GA 70; GA 154
Continue on GA 70; GA 154
Turn right onto US 29; GA 14; GA 154
Continue on US 29; GA 14; GA 154
Turn left onto 154
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 85
Keep slight right at fork onto I 185
Take the exit
Merge onto US 27; US 280; GA 1; GA 520
Continue on Martha Berry Highway
Continue on US 27; GA 1
Turn right onto US 27 Business
Continue on US 27 Business
At end of road, turn right onto US 82; GA 50; US 27 Business
Turn slight left onto US 82; GA 50; US 27 Business
Turn slight left onto US 82; GA 50; US 27 Business
Arrive at destination
For this 1-day trip, consider leaving California, GA, in the morning to make the most of daylight. The total drive time is just over 3.5 hours, so you can comfortably complete it without needing an overnight stay. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to decide when and where to take a break based on your needs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 50.5-mile stretch on Chet Atkins Parkway, as services might be less frequent than on major interstates. Your estimated fuel cost is $26, so factor that into your budget.
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.
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 37 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.7 miles or 1h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cuthbert, GA than in the middle of the route.
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 169.4 miles and 3h 32m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
85 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.
A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 84.7 miles from California, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 167.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Depart onto GA 92 / Hiram Acworth Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 85
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
Turn right onto US 27 Business / Martha Berry Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$26.49 one way
$52.98 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $28.96 | $57.93 |
| premium | $4.70 | $31.35 | $62.70 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.40 | $74.80 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.8 | 0 | $17.79 | $8.13 |
| Efficient EV | 42.4 | 0 | $14.82 | $6.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67.8 | 0 | $23.72 | $10.84 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in California on Saturday
Local time
10:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Cuthbert on Saturday
Local time
10:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
National Historical Park
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...
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,...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This route presents a mixed drive, with 51% of it on highways. You'll experience stretches of faster travel on roads like I 85 and Martha Berry Highway, interspersed with segments on Chet Atkins Parkway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 50.5 miles on Chet Atkins Parkway, which might involve more varied terrain and potentially lower speeds compared to interstate driving. Expect the road character to shift as you progress, moving from broader highways to potentially more winding or scenic local routes as you approach your destination.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near GA 92 / Hiram Acworth Highway.
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 169.4 miles you will encounter 13 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: near the start (GA 92 / Hiram Acworth Highway): Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from California, GA to Cuthbert, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Albany along the way.
Albany
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 32m. Total distance: 169.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (51%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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