Connecting the coast to the interior, this 170.5-mile journey from Darien to Minnesota, GA, takes you across the state in approximately 3 hours and 46 minutes. Because the drive is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget about $27 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Navigating this route involves a combination of US 82, US 319, and GA 33 as you transition through the Southeast region. It is a straightforward trip that rewards drivers who prefer a direct, efficient path over complex 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
85.2 miles from Darien, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 82
97.4 mi
2h 5m
US 319
23 mi
33m
GA 33
10.2 mi
11m
GA 99
9.9 mi
13m
Grants Ferry Road
6.7 mi
9m
Albany Highway
6.6 mi
7m
South Georgia Parkway
5.6 mi
6m
North Walton Street
4.8 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
US 82
— 97.4 mi, about 2h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Darien, GA and Minnesota, GA.
1
Start on this road
63 ft·3 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto US 17; GA 25; 99
4.8 mi·6 min·North Walton Street
3
Turn right onto SR 99
0.5 mi·52 sec·Grants Ferry Road
4
Continue on GA 99
0.2 mi·19 sec·GA 99
5
Enter roundabout onto GA 99
106 ft·3 sec·GA 99
6
Continue on GA 99
0.3 mi·23 sec·GA 99
7
Enter roundabout
91 ft·1 sec
8
Continue
0.2 mi·13 sec
9
Continue on GA 99
0.2 mi·13 sec·GA 99
10
Enter roundabout onto GA 99
126 ft·4 sec·GA 99
11
Continue on GA 99
2.4 mi·3 min·GA 99
12
Enter roundabout onto GA 99
94 ft·1 sec·Grants Ferry Road
13
Continue on GA 99
6.2 mi·8 min·Grants Ferry Road
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn slight left onto GA 99
6.9 mi·9 min·GA 99
Use the straight / left lanes.
15
Turn right onto US 82; GA 520
11 mi·15 min·US 82; GA 520
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 82; GA 520
4.8 mi·5 min·US 82; GA 520
17
Continue on US 82; GA 520
4.6 mi·7 min·US 82; GA 520
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
18
Continue on US 82; GA 520
19 mi·24 min·US 82; GA 520
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Turn right onto US 1 Business
1.2 mi·1 min·Memorial Drive
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Continue on Carswell Avenue
3.7 mi·6 min·Carswell Avenue
21
Turn right onto US 1; US 23; US 82; GA 4; GA 520
5.6 mi·6 min·South Georgia Parkway
22
Continue on US 82; GA 520
6.6 mi·7 min·Albany Highway
23
Continue on US 82; GA 520
3.4 mi·3 min·US 82; GA 520
24
Continue on US 82; GA 520
5.1 mi·6 min·US 82; GA 520
25
Continue on US 82; GA 520
4.6 mi·5 min·US 82; GA 520
26
Continue on US 82; GA 520
4.5 mi·6 min·US 82; GA 520
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Continue on US 82; GA 520
21 mi·24 min·US 82; GA 520
28
Continue on US 82; GA 520
0.7 mi·1 min·US 82; GA 520
29
Continue on US 82; US 129; GA 11; GA 520
1.1 mi·1 min·US 82; US 129; GA 11; GA 520
30
Continue on US 82; GA 520
15 mi·18 min·US 82; GA 520
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on US 82; US 319; GA 35; GA 520
2.5 mi·5 min·US 82; US 319; GA 35; GA 520
Use the straight lane.
32
Take the exit onto US 319; GA 35
173 ft·10 sec·US 319; GA 35
Use the left lane.
33
Turn left onto US 319; GA 35
23 mi·33 min·US 319; GA 35
34
Turn right onto Woodmen Road
0.9 mi·2 min·Woodmen Road
35
Turn right onto GA 33; GA 133
10 mi·11 min·GA 33; GA 133
36
Turn sharp left onto CR 494
0.2 mi·29 sec·Funston Doerun Road
37
Turn sharp right onto South Fain Street
26 ft·1 sec·South Fain Street
38
Arrive at destination
South Fain Street
Trip Plan
Planning your departure is simple since the 170.5-mile duration offers plenty of flexibility for your schedule. We recommend scheduling at least one stop to break up the drive, as this will help keep you alert during the longest 97.4-mile segment on US 82. Since fuel costs are estimated at $27, topping off your tank before departing Darien will ensure you have plenty of range to reach your destination without worry. Keep a close eye on your navigation when transitioning between US 82 and GA 33 to stay on the most efficient path. This route is best enjoyed with a steady, relaxed pace, allowing you to reach Minnesota, GA, by the end of your day.
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 85.2 miles from Darien, GA, or about 1h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.4 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 38 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.2 miles or 1h 53m 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 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Minnesota, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Darien, 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 Darien, GA
This is one driving day of about 170.5 miles and 3h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Darien, 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 US 82 for about 97.4 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.6 and 170.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
5.6 mi into trip|~8m in|GA 99
Enter roundabout onto GA 99
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
5.9 mi into trip|~8m in
Enter roundabout
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
6.3 mi into trip|~9m in|GA 99
Enter roundabout onto GA 99
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
61.4 mi into trip|~1h 22m in|US 1 Business / Memorial Drive
Turn right onto US 1 Business / Memorial Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
170.5 mi into trip|~3h 46m in|South Fain Street
Turn sharp right onto South Fain Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.66 one way
$53.32 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg60 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$29.15
$58.31
premium
$4.70
$31.56
$63.11
diesel
$5.61
$37.64
$75.29
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.2
0
$17.90
$8.18
Efficient EV
42.6
0
$14.92
$6.82
EV Truck/SUV
68.2
0
$23.87
$10.91
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Darien, GA
Night
in Darien on Saturday
Local time
10:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 2 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 18 at 2:27AM EDT until April 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 18 at 2:27AM EDT until April 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Minnesota, GA
Night
in Minnesota on Saturday
Local time
10:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°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
35 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
3h 46m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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.
Fort Frederica National Monument
National Monument
War was imminent as James Oglethorpe established Fort Frederica in 1736, to help protect the British colonies from the Spanish in Florida. Fort Frederica illustrates the story of the War of Jenkins Ea...
St Marys is the gateway to Cumberland Island, Georgia's largest and southernmost barrier island. Here pristine maritime forests, undeveloped beaches and wide marshes whisper the stories of both man an...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
$15
near mile 17.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 86% of your travel time will be spent on major routes. You will face a significant 97.4-mile stretch on US 82, which serves as the backbone of this journey. The road maintains a consistent pace, shifting between the primary highway infrastructure and the connecting local roads of GA 33 and US 319. While you won't encounter major technical challenges, the transition between these road types keeps the drive from feeling like a monotonous interstate grind. Be prepared for a steady, focused atmosphere behind the wheel as you cross through rural Georgia.
86% 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: 97.4 mi on US 82.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 82 and US 319. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 5.6 miles in near GA 99.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 46m drive. You will face about 15 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 5.6 miles (GA 99): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 5.9 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 6.3 miles (GA 99): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 46m. Total distance: 170.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 97.4 miles on US 82. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.6 miles (GA 99): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 5.9 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 6.3 miles (GA 99): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Yes — Fort Frederica National Monument and Cumberland Island National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Minnesota, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
