This 265.2-mile drive from Ellijay, GA to Albany, GA is a solid day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 19 minutes to complete. You'll navigate primarily on local roads, with a 0% highway share, making it a more hands-on driving experience. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $42. Given the duration and road type, it's well-suited for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. This route offers a continuous journey through the Southeast region of Georgia, without crossing state lines.
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
129.9 miles from Ellijay, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
64.8 mi
1h 11m
Fall Line Freeway
56.9 mi
1h
Georgia-Florida Parkway
35.1 mi
43m
APD Highway
24.8 mi
30m
Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway
21.1 mi
22m
Larry Justice Highway
16.1 mi
17m
Larry McDonald Memorial Highway
10.3 mi
11m
A P D Highway
10.1 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 64.8 mi, about 1h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ellijay, GA and Albany, GA.
1
Start on North Church Street
419 ft·24 sec·North Church Street
2
Turn left onto North Main Street
412 ft·15 sec·North Main Street
3
Enter roundabout onto GA 2; GA 52
311 ft·17 sec·River Street
4
Continue on GA 2; GA 52
0.9 mi·2 min·River Street
5
Turn slight right onto GA 2
443 ft·12 sec·GA 2
Use the slight right lane.
6
Take the ramp
144 ft·3 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto GA 5; GA 515
25 mi·30 min·APD Highway
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on I 575; GA 5
10 mi·10 min·A P D Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 575; GA 5
10 mi·10 min·Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 575; GA 5
11 mi·11 min·Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Merge onto I 75; GA 5
10 mi·11 min·Larry McDonald Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on I 75
7.3 mi·8 min·Horace E Tate Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 75; I 85
5.0 mi·6 min·Downtown Connector
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 75; I 85
2.3 mi·3 min·James Wendell George Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
65 mi·1 hr 11 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 475
16 mi·17 min·Larry Justice Highway
Exit 177Toward I 475 South: ValdostaUse the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto I 75; GA 540
57 mi·1 hr·Fall Line Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 99Toward GA 300 South: Georgia-Florida Parkway, AlbanyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn right onto GA 300
35 mi·43 min·Georgia-Florida Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Continue on Cordele Road
0.3 mi·41 sec·Cordele Road
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn right onto Old Cordele Road
0.2 mi·21 sec·Old Cordele Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Turn straight onto US 82 Business; GA 520 Business
449 ft·10 sec·Sylvester Highway
23
Continue on US 82 Business; GA 520 Business
2.9 mi·4 min·East Oglethorpe Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Turn right onto South Broadway Street
365 ft·16 sec·South Broadway Street
Use the right lane.
25
Turn left onto East Broad Avenue
0.4 mi·46 sec·East Broad Avenue
Use the left lane.
26
Turn right onto North Front Street
510 ft·12 sec·North Front Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Enter roundabout onto Pine Avenue
110 ft·2 sec·Pine Avenue
28
Continue on Pine Avenue
0.4 mi·44 sec·Pine Avenue
29
Arrive at destination
Pine Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour and 19-minute drive, leaving Ellijay in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight hours. With only one designated stop and a turn-heavy profile, pace yourself and take advantage of opportunities to stretch your legs. The total distance of 265.2 miles means you can comfortably complete it in one day, so flexibility is key. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the $42 estimated cost suggests a steady consumption over local roads; a good tip is to fill up before leaving Ellijay to ensure you start with a full tank.
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 129.9 miles from Ellijay, GA, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.8 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 57 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 129.9 miles or 2h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Albany, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ellijay, 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 Ellijay, GA
This is one driving day of about 259.8 miles and 5h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Ellijay, 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 I 75 for about 64.8 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 219.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|GA 2; GA 52 / River Street
Enter roundabout onto GA 2; GA 52 / River Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
46.3 mi into trip|~55m in|I 575; GA 5 / Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 575; GA 5 / Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
82.1 mi into trip|~1h 38m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
146.9 mi into trip|~2h 50m in|I 475 / Larry Justice Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 475 / Larry Justice Highway toward I 475 South: Valdosta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 177
Toward I 475 South: Valdosta
8
219.9 mi into trip|~4h 8m in
Take the exit toward GA 300 South: Georgia-Florida Parkway, Albany
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 99
Toward GA 300 South: Georgia-Florida Parkway, A...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.63 one way
$81.25 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$44.42
$88.84
premium
$4.70
$48.08
$96.17
diesel
$5.61
$57.36
$114.72
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.9
0
$27.28
$12.47
Efficient EV
65
0
$22.73
$10.39
EV Truck/SUV
103.9
1
$36.37
$16.63
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 16, 2026
Origin
Ellijay, GA
Late night
in Ellijay on Sunday
Local time
4:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Albany, GA
Late night
in Albany on Sunday
Local time
4:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°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
3 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
5h 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...
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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 164.6
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 a turn-heavy local drive for the entire 265.2 miles between Ellijay and Albany. With a 0% highway share, this route focuses on navigating through towns and along local roadways, rather than high-speed interstates. You won't encounter long, uninterrupted stretches of highway, so be prepared for frequent adjustments in speed and direction. This type of driving offers a more intimate connection with the landscape as you pass through various communities.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 64.8 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Fall Line Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near GA 2; GA 52 / River Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 259.8 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 0.2 miles (GA 2; GA 52 / River Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 46.3 miles (I 575; GA 5 / Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 82.1 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Albany is a city of 72,000 people (2019) in Dougherty County in Georgia's Plantation Midlands region. It is part of the Black Belt, the extensive area in the Deep South of cotton plantations. During 1961–1962, African Americans in Albany played a prominent role in the Civil Rights Movement, founding the Albany Movement, a desegregation and voters' rights coalition formed in 1961. Ray Charles, the singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer, was born here, and is remembered in a park with a statue.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h. Total distance: 259.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 64.8 miles on I 75. 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.
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 Albany, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (GA 2; GA 52 / River Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 46.3 miles (I 575; GA 5 / Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 82.1 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park and Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Albany, GA before the return drive.
