Traveling from Macon to Alma covers 129.7 miles of Southeast Georgia, making for a straightforward journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 48 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $21 on fuel for the trip, keeping the excursion budget-friendly. You will primarily navigate via US 319, the Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway, and Alma Highway. This drive offers a practical connection between these two points, providing a clear path through the region that is easy to plan and execute.
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
64.8 miles from Macon, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
48.6 mi
52m
US 319
28.6 mi
39m
Alma Highway
17.6 mi
26m
East Golden Isles Highway
16 mi
22m
US 1
6.3 mi
7m
Lumber City Highway
5.3 mi
7m
East Oak Street
1.6 mi
3m
US 280
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
— 48.6 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Macon, GA and Alma, GA.
1
Start on Mulberry Street
76 ft·2 sec·Mulberry Street
2
Continue on Spring Street
0.2 mi·37 sec·Spring Street
3
Turn right onto US 129; GA 11; GA 87
0.7 mi·1 min·Riverside Drive
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn left onto US 80; GA 87
0.2 mi·31 sec·Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward I 16 East: Savannah
6
Merge onto I 16
49 mi·52 min·Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 51Toward US 319, US 441: Dublin, McRae
8
Turn right onto US 319; US 441; GA 31; GA 117
29 mi·39 min·US 319; US 441; GA 31; GA 117
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit onto US 319; US 441; GA 31
328 ft·9 sec·US 319; US 441; GA 31
10
Merge onto US 280; US 319; US 441; GA 30; GA 31
1.6 mi·2 min·US 280; US 319; US 441; GA 30; GA 31
11
Turn left onto US 23; US 341; GA 27
1.6 mi·3 min·East Oak Street
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on US 23; US 341; GA 27
16 mi·22 min·East Golden Isles Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Continue on US 23; US 341; GA 19; GA 27
5.3 mi·7 min·Lumber City Highway
14
Continue on US 23; US 341; GA 19; GA 27
0.9 mi·1 min·West Coffee Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Turn slight right onto US 221; 135
246 ft·4 sec·Hazlehurst Denton Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on US 221; GA 135
0.8 mi·1 min·North Tallahassee Street
17
Turn left onto US 221; 135; 135 Connector
0.8 mi·1 min·East Jefferson Street
18
Continue on GA 135 Connector
424 ft·7 sec·Alma Road
19
Continue on US 23; GA 19
18 mi·26 min·Alma Highway
20
Turn right onto US 1; US 23; GA 4
6.3 mi·7 min·US 1; US 23; GA 4
21
Turn left onto GA 32
89 ft·1 sec·East 16th Street
22
Arrive at destination
GA 32
Trip Plan
For the best experience, plan for at least one stop during your 2-hour and 48-minute transit to keep your energy levels steady. Since the drive is relatively short, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule, though aiming for off-peak hours can help you avoid potential traffic on the main highways. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition between the Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway and US 319, to ensure you stay within your $21 estimated budget. Because the route is a quick trip, use your single recommended stop to stretch your legs rather than planning for a lengthy break. Checking your tire pressure before leaving Macon will ensure you have a smooth ride all the way to Alma.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 64.8 miles from Macon, GA, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 48.6 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 29 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.8 miles or 1h 15m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alma, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Macon, 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 Macon, GA
This is one driving day of about 129.7 miles and 2h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Macon, 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 Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway for about 48.6 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 80.2 — 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|US 129; GA 11; GA 87 / Riverside Drive
Turn right onto US 129; GA 11; GA 87 / Riverside Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
1 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 16 East: Savannah
Navigation decision point
Toward I 16 East: Savannah
5
1.2 mi into trip|~2m in|I 16 / Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
Merge onto I 16 / Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
49.8 mi into trip|~55m in
Take the exit toward US 319, US 441: Dublin, McRae
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 51
Toward US 319, US 441: Dublin, McRae
6
80.2 mi into trip|~1h 37m in|US 23; US 341; GA 27 / East Oak Street
Turn left onto US 23; US 341; GA 27 / East Oak Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.28 one way
$40.56 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg45 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$22.18
$44.35
premium
$4.70
$24.00
$48.01
diesel
$5.61
$28.64
$57.27
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38.9
0
$13.62
$6.23
Efficient EV
32.4
0
$11.35
$5.19
EV Truck/SUV
51.9
0
$18.16
$8.30
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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 15, 2026
Origin
Macon, GA
Late night
in Macon on Sunday
Local time
3:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Alma, GA
Late night
in Alma on Sunday
Local time
3:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°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
32 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
2h 48m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is heavily highway-focused, with about 66% of your time spent on main thoroughfares. You will find a steady rhythm on the road, particularly during the longest stretch of 48.6 miles along the Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway. While the route moves you efficiently through the landscape, expect a mix of fast-paced highway segments transitioning into the more localized feel of the Alma Highway. The drive maintains a consistent pace, allowing you to settle into a comfortable flow behind the wheel. It is a functional path that prioritizes directness over technical, winding backroads.
66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 48.6 mi on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway and US 319. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 129; GA 11; GA 87 / Riverside Drive.
Driving Effort5/10
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 129.7 miles you will encounter 12 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: at 0.2 miles (US 129; GA 11; GA 87 / Riverside Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.2 miles (I 16 / Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Macon, GA to Alma, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Mcrae along the way.
Mcrae
49.8 mi in|~55m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 48m. Total distance: 129.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (66%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 48.6 miles on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 0.2 miles (US 129; GA 11; GA 87 / Riverside Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.2 miles (I 16 / Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Alma, GA before heading back.
