Hartwell, GA to Albany, GA is 239.2 miles and takes about 5h 14m via Fall Line Freeway, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Georgia, traveling from the Southeast region to the Southeast region. You'll encounter a mix of highway and surface roads, making for a varied driving experience. With a recommended one-day drive, it's a straightforward route for a quick trip or a segment of a larger journey.
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
119.6 miles from Hartwell, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Fall Line Freeway
66 mi
1h 11m
Georgia-Florida Parkway
35.1 mi
43m
Gray Road Southwest
21.2 mi
29m
US 129
16.6 mi
22m
South General Daniels Avenue
13.6 mi
20m
Macon Highway
13.4 mi
19m
Wildcat Bridge Road
11.9 mi
19m
Gray Highway
10.7 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
Fall Line Freeway
— 66 mi, about 1h 11m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 64 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~1,880 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,505
Quietest
2 AM
~236 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 Hartwell, GA and Albany, GA.
1
Start on North Forest Avenue
200 ft·16 sec·North Forest Avenue
2
Turn left onto US 29; GA 8; GA 77
0.3 mi·33 sec·West Franklin Street
Use the left lane.
3
Turn slight left onto US 29; GA 8
0.9 mi·2 min·Athens Street
Toward GA 51, GA 77Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Continue on US 29; GA 8
10 mi·14 min·Royston Highway
5
Continue on US 29; GA 8
1.1 mi·1 min·Hartwell Street
6
Turn left onto GA 17 Business
0.4 mi·42 sec·Church Street
7
Turn slight right onto GA 281
12 mi·19 min·Wildcat Bridge Road
8
At end of road, turn left onto US 29; GA 8
1.6 mi·2 min·US 29; GA 8
9
Enter roundabout onto US 29; GA 8
87 ft·1 sec·General Daniels Avenue North
10
Continue on US 29; GA 8
0.4 mi·37 sec·General Daniels Avenue North
11
Enter roundabout onto US 29; GA 8
246 ft·4 sec·South General Daniels Avenue
12
Continue on US 29; GA 8
14 mi·20 min·South General Daniels Avenue
Use the right lane.
13
Continue on US 29; US 129; US 441; GA 8; GA 10 Loop; GA 15
4.0 mi·4 min·Inner Loop 10
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 6Toward GA 15 Alternate North: Milledge AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
156 ft·5 sec
16
Continue on Macon Highway
1.7 mi·2 min·Macon Highway
17
Continue on White Oak Drive
0.2 mi·24 sec·White Oak Drive
Use the straight / left lanes.
18
Turn left onto US 129; US 441; GA 15
2.1 mi·3 min·Macon Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Continue on US 129; US 441; GA 24
2.6 mi·3 min·Watkinsville Bypass
20
Continue on US 129; US 441; GA 24
9.6 mi·13 min·Macon Highway
21
Continue on US 129; US 441; GA 24
7.8 mi·10 min·Athens Highway
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on US 129 Bypass; US 441 Bypass; GA 24 Bypass
2.6 mi·3 min·Madison Bypass
23
Turn left onto Bethany Road
3.7 mi·5 min·Bethany Road
24
Keep slight right at fork onto Bethany Church Road
2.6 mi·3 min·Bethany Church Road
25
Turn right onto Seven Islands Road
1.1 mi·1 min·Seven Islands Road
26
Turn left onto US 129; US 441; GA 24
17 mi·22 min·US 129; US 441; GA 24
27
Take the exit onto US 129
247 ft·7 sec·US 129
Toward US 129 South, GA 44 South: Gray, MaconUse the right lane.
28
Merge onto US 129; GA 44
0.2 mi·15 sec·Gray Highway
29
Continue on US 129; GA 44
21 mi·29 min·Gray Road Southwest
30
Enter roundabout onto US 129; GA 22
50 ft·0 sec·Gray Bypass
31
Continue on US 129; GA 22
5.1 mi·6 min·Gray Bypass
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Turn right onto US 129; GA 11; GA 22
11 mi·13 min·Gray Highway
Use the right lane.
33
Continue on US 129; GA 11; GA 49
0.2 mi·24 sec·North Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
34
Take the exit onto GA 540
0.8 mi·1 min·GA 540
Toward I 16:west: Atlanta, ValdostaUse the right lane.
35
Keep slight left at fork onto GA 540
1.0 mi·1 min·Fall Line Freeway
Toward I 75 South, GA 540 West: ValdostaUse the left / straight lanes.
36
Keep slight left at fork onto GA 540
65 mi·1 hr 10 min·Fall Line Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
37
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 99Toward GA 300 South: Georgia-Florida Parkway, AlbanyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Turn right onto GA 300
35 mi·43 min·Georgia-Florida Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
39
Continue on Cordele Road
0.3 mi·41 sec·Cordele Road
Use the straight lane.
40
Turn right onto Old Cordele Road
0.2 mi·21 sec·Old Cordele Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
41
Turn straight onto US 82 Business; GA 520 Business
449 ft·10 sec·Sylvester Highway
42
Continue on US 82 Business; GA 520 Business
2.9 mi·4 min·East Oglethorpe Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
43
Turn right onto South Broadway Street
365 ft·16 sec·South Broadway Street
Use the right lane.
44
Turn left onto East Broad Avenue
0.4 mi·46 sec·East Broad Avenue
Use the left lane.
45
Turn right onto North Front Street
510 ft·12 sec·North Front Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
46
Enter roundabout onto Pine Avenue
110 ft·2 sec·Pine Avenue
47
Continue on Pine Avenue
0.4 mi·44 sec·Pine Avenue
48
Arrive at destination
Pine Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 14m estimated duration, you can comfortably complete this drive in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to allow for a relaxed pace and take advantage of daylight. The longest stretch without a major change is 66 miles on the Fall Line Freeway, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly, perhaps around the midpoint. With only one recommended stop, this route offers flexibility; you can push through or linger at your chosen break point.
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 119.6 miles from Hartwell, GA, or about 2h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66 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 53 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.6 miles or 2h 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 4h 18m
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 Hartwell, 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 Hartwell, GA
This is one driving day of about 239.2 miles and 5h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Hartwell, 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 Fall Line Freeway for about 66 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 28
5 decision points cluster between mile 44.3 and 199.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
44.3 mi into trip|~1h 7m in
Take the exit toward GA 15 Alternate North: Milledge Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 6
Toward GA 15 Alternate North: Milledge Avenue
7
95.2 mi into trip|~2h 18m in|US 129
Take the exit onto US 129 toward US 129 South, GA 44 South: Gray, Macon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward US 129 South, GA 44 South: Gray, Macon
7
132.5 mi into trip|~3h 9m in|GA 540
Take the exit onto GA 540 toward I 16:west: Atlanta, Valdosta
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 16:west: Atlanta, Valdosta
8
133.3 mi into trip|~3h 10m in|GA 540 / Fall Line Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto GA 540 / Fall Line Freeway toward I 75 South, GA 540 West: Valdosta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / straight lanes.
Toward I 75 South, GA 540 West: Valdosta
8
199.3 mi into trip|~4h 22m 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
$35.53 one way
$71.06 round trip
$3.77/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.25
$40.06
$80.12
premium
$4.68
$44.10
$88.20
diesel
$5.75
$54.16
$108.32
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.7 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.8
0
$25.12
$11.48
Efficient EV
59.8
0
$20.93
$9.57
EV Truck/SUV
95.7
1
$33.49
$15.31
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 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 Oct 16, 2026
Origin
Hartwell, GA
Morning
in Hartwell on Saturday
Local time
8:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Sunny
WSW 5 to 14 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 15 at 8:49PM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Destination
Albany, GA
Morning
in Albany on Saturday
Local time
8:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Patchy Fog then Sunny
WNW 0 to 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 15 at 8:49PM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
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
2 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 14m 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.
Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
1 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 132
Park Closure: SEPT 12-13 - NO ONSITE PARKING - Free shuttle to park available
Caution: River Trail periodically closed under I-16
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route covers 239.2 miles with about 50% on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 66 miles along the Fall Line Freeway. After this, expect the profile to shift to more surface roads. The transition between highway and surface road driving means you'll notice a change in speed and exit frequency, moving from faster cruising to more local traffic patterns.
50% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
48 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 66 mi on Fall Line Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 44.3 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 28 significant decision points across 239.2 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 44.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 95.2 miles (US 129): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 132.5 miles (GA 540): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
816 ft202 ft
Total Climb
149 ft
Total Descent
762 ft
Highest Point
816 ft
Elevation Range
614 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hartwell, GA and Albany, GA, road signs point toward Macon and Valdosta.
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.
Top landmarks
•Albany Municipal Auditorium — concert hall and multi-use auditorium in Albany, Georgia
•Old St. Teresa Catholic Church — church building in Albany, United States of America
•United States Post Office and Courthouse — historic building in Albany, Georgia
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 14m. Total distance: 239.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 66 miles on Fall Line Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 17 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 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. There are 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 44.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 95.2 miles (US 129): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 132.5 miles (GA 540): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 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.
