Trip from Douglas, GA to Columbus, GA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 50m

Distance

167.7 mi

270 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Good

5 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

3h 38m ★

6 AM

3h 51m

8 AM

4h 17m

10 AM

4h 0m

12 PM

3h 57m

3 PM

4h 1m

5 PM

4h 15m

8 PM

3h 43m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

city in Coffee County, Georgia, United States

Douglas, GA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 167.7-mile journey from Douglas, GA, to Columbus, GA, will take you approximately 3 hours and 50 minutes. It's a manageable one-day trip, perfect for a quick getaway within the Southeast region. You'll primarily navigate Jefferson Davis Highway, GA 32, and Martha Berry Highway, with about 20% of the drive on highways. Expect a fuel cost around $26 for this route. The overall feel is a turn-heavy local drive, offering a more intimate experience of Georgia's landscape rather than a high-speed interstate cruise.

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

83.8 miles from Douglas, GA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 59m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Jefferson Davis Highway	38.1 mi	52m
GA 32	17.9 mi	25m
Martha Berry Highway	16.3 mi	23m
Richland Bypass	15.4 mi	17m
Douglas Highway	12 mi	17m
Ocilla Highway	11.9 mi	16m
South Parrott Street	8.7 mi	10m
GA 520	8.3 mi	9m

Longest stretch: Jefferson Davis Highway — 38.1 mi, about 52m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Douglas, GA and Columbus, GA.

Start on this road

124 ft · 10 sec · this road

Turn left onto GA 32

0.8 mi · 1 min · East Ward Street

Use the straight lane.

Continue on GA 32

0.8 mi · 1 min · Ocilla Road

Continue on GA 32

12 mi · 16 min · Ocilla Highway

Continue on GA 32

12 mi · 17 min · Douglas Highway

Turn straight onto GA 32

3.8 mi · 5 min · Mystic Highway

Continue on GA 32

0.7 mi · 55 sec · Jefferson Davis Highway

Continue on GA 32

2.3 mi · 3 min · Mystic Highway

At end of road, turn left onto GA 32; GA 125

1.7 mi · 2 min · Irwinville Highway

Continue on GA 32; GA 125

3.6 mi · 5 min · Sycamore Highway

Use the left / straight lanes.

Continue on GA 32

3.5 mi · 4 min · Sycamore Road

Continue on GA 32

7.4 mi · 10 min · Jefferson Davis Highway

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Toward I 75 North

Merge onto I 75

3.1 mi · 3 min · I 75

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Exit 82 Toward GA 107, GA 112: Ashburn, Fitzgerald Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn left onto GA 107; GA 112

1.1 mi · 2 min · East Washington Avenue

Continue on GA 32; GA 112

0.7 mi · 1 min · West Washington Street

Turn right onto GA 32

0.4 mi · 37 sec · Leesburg Highway

Use the right lane.

Continue on GA 32

30 mi · 41 min · Jefferson Davis Highway

Turn left onto GA 32 Truck

0.9 mi · 1 min · Lovers Lane Road

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto GA 32 Truck

1.7 mi · 2 min · Robert B. Lee Drive

Continue on US 19 Bypass; GA 3 Bypass; GA 32

0.3 mi · 34 sec · US 19 Bypass; GA 3 Bypass; GA 32

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto GA 32

18 mi · 25 min · GA 32

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto GA 45; GA 520

0.3 mi · 31 sec · Vine Street Northwest

Continue on GA 45; GA 520

0.2 mi · 27 sec · Roundtree Drive

Continue on GA 45; GA 520

0.5 mi · 43 sec · Martin Luther King Jr Drive

Continue on GA 45; GA 520

8.0 mi · 9 min · Columbus Highway

Continue on GA 520

8.7 mi · 10 min · South Parrott Street

Keep slight left at fork onto GA 520

8.3 mi · 9 min · GA 520

Continue on GA 520

15 mi · 17 min · Richland Bypass

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 280; GA 520

3.3 mi · 3 min · US 280; GA 520

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on US 27; US 280; GA 1; GA 520

16 mi · 23 min · Martha Berry Highway

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on US 27; US 280; GA 1; GA 520

0.5 mi · 1 min · 4th Street

Turn right onto 6th Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · 6th Avenue

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto 9th Street

0.2 mi · 40 sec · 9th Street

Turn left onto US 27; GA 1

0.1 mi · 25 sec · Veterans Parkway

Arrive at destination

US 27; GA 1

Trip Plan

With a duration of under four hours, this trip is easily completed in a single day. Consider leaving in the morning to allow for flexibility with the longest stretch of 38.1 miles on Jefferson Davis Highway. You'll have one designated stop, so plan your refueling and rest breaks accordingly, keeping the estimated fuel cost of $26 in mind. Given the turn-heavy nature of the drive, pay close attention to navigation, especially as you transition between GA 32 and Martha Berry Highway.

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 83.8 miles from Douglas, GA, or about 1h 59m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.1 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 37 miles or 54m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 83.8 miles or 1h 59m 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 9m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Columbus, GA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Douglas, 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 Douglas, GA

This is one driving day of about 167.7 miles and 3h 50m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Douglas, 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 Jefferson Davis Highway for about 38.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Lee County, Georgia, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Leesburg, GA

84 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Fitzgerald, GA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Leesburg, GA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 83.8 miles from Douglas, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

The Seed Coffee + Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Columbus, Georgia

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 167.7

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+16573511249

Visit website

Harvest Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Columbus, Georgia

2.1 mi

The Seed Coffee + Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 167.7

Columbus, Georgia

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+16573511249

Visit website

Harvest Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 167.7

Columbus, Georgia

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+17062218792

Visit website

Flores brew cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Douglas, Georgia

Hours: 8 am–1 pm

+19122868196

Red Owl Coffee Company

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Douglas, Georgia

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

Cornerstone Coffee + Co Dawson

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 107.8

Dawson, Georgia

Hours: Closed

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 167.7

Phenix City, Alabama

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Wheeler Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Douglas, Georgia

+19123845978

Visit website

National Civil War Naval Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 167.7

Columbus, Georgia

Hours: 10 am–4:30 pm

+17063279798

Visit website

Museum Heritage Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route

Douglas, Georgia

+19123893461

Visit website

Jefferson Davis State Historic Site

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 35.9

Fitzgerald, Georgia

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+12298312335

Visit website

World's Largest Peanut Monument

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 47.9

Ashburn, Georgia

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 0 and 84.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | GA 32 / East Ward Street

Turn left onto GA 32 / East Ward Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

48.9 mi into trip | ~1h 11m in | I 75

Merge onto I 75

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

52 mi into trip | ~1h 14m in

Take the exit toward GA 107, GA 112: Ashburn, Fitzgerald

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 82 Toward GA 107, GA 112: Ashburn, Fitzgerald

54.1 mi into trip | ~1h 18m in | GA 32 / Leesburg Highway

Turn right onto GA 32 / Leesburg Highway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

84.5 mi into trip | ~2h in | GA 32 Truck / Lovers Lane Road

Turn left onto GA 32 Truck / Lovers Lane Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.22 one way

$52.45 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 59 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$28.67	$57.35
premium	$4.70	$31.04	$62.08
diesel	$5.61	$37.03	$74.05

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: 58.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	50.3	$17.61	$8.05
Efficient EV	41.9	$14.67	$6.71
EV Truck/SUV	67.1	$23.48	$10.73

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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Douglas, GA

Late night in Douglas on Sunday

Local time

3:46 AM

EDT

Current temp

79°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Columbus, GA

Late night in Columbus on Sunday

Local time

3:46 AM

EDT

Current temp

54°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

78°F

Leesburg, GA

84 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

25 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 50m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you'll encounter frequent turns and transitions. Only 20% of the drive utilizes highways, so much of your time will be spent on local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 38.1 miles along Jefferson Davis Highway. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience as you move between different road types and navigate through various communities, rather than a monotonous highway slog.

Only 20% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.

37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 38.1 mi on Jefferson Davis Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near GA 32 / East Ward Street.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 167.7 miles you will encounter 15 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 32 / East Ward Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 48.9 miles (I 75): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 52 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.

On the drive from Douglas, GA to Columbus, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Fitzgerald along the way.

Fitzgerald

52 mi in | ~1h 14m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 50m. Total distance: 167.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (20%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 38.1 miles on Jefferson Davis Highway. 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.

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.

Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Columbus, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Douglas, GA or browse trips ending in Columbus, GA.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse GA road trips.

Trip from Douglas, GA to Columbus, GA

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

The Seed Coffee + Cafe

The Seed Coffee + Cafe

Harvest Coffee Co.

Flores brew cafe

Red Owl Coffee Company

Cornerstone Coffee + Co Dawson

82 Brew

Milltown Coffee

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Wheeler Park

National Civil War Naval Museum

Museum Heritage Station

Jefferson Davis State Historic Site

World's Largest Peanut Monument

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Douglas, GA

Columbus, GA

Same local time

25 degrees cooler at arrival

3h 50m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Columbus, GA

More from Douglas, GA

More trips to Columbus, GA