Traveling from Minnesota, GA, to Buford, GA, covers a total distance of 225.4 miles. You should plan for a driving time of approximately 4 hours and 23 minutes, making this a very manageable one-day trip. With a fuel budget of about $36, it is an affordable journey through the Southeast. The route relies primarily on I-75, Cordele Road, and the Atlanta Bypass, creating a straightforward path between these two Georgia locations. Since the entire drive stays within the same region, you will find the transition between these areas familiar and consistent. It is a practical choice if you are looking to reach your destination efficiently without the need for an overnight stay.
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
112.7 miles from Minnesota, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
106.6 mi
1h 54m
Cordele Road
26.4 mi
36m
Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
17.3 mi
19m
Larry Justice Highway
15.9 mi
17m
Interstate Highway 85
15.4 mi
16m
Terrell Starr Parkway
10.1 mi
11m
GA 112
9.8 mi
13m
GA 133
8.8 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 106.6 mi, about 1h 54m
Traffic on I-85
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 79 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~7,576 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~948 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Minnesota, GA and Buford, GA.
1
Start on South Fain Street
26 ft·8 sec·South Fain Street
2
Turn sharp left onto CR 494
0.2 mi·23 sec·Funston Doerun Road
3
Merge onto GA 133
8.8 mi·10 min·GA 133
4
Turn right
192 ft·3 sec
5
Turn straight onto GA 112
9.8 mi·13 min·GA 112
6
Turn right onto East Pine Street
0.1 mi·25 sec·East Pine Street
7
Turn left onto GA 33
1.2 mi·2 min·South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on GA 33; GA 112
0.1 mi·14 sec·Ashburn Highway
9
Turn left onto GA 33
26 mi·36 min·Cordele Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
10
Turn left onto US 41; GA 7
0.9 mi·1 min·US 41; GA 7
Use the left lane.
11
Turn left
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward GA 300 NorthUse the left lane.
12
Merge onto GA 300
1.6 mi·2 min·GA 300
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn left
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I-75 North: MaconUse the left lane.
14
Merge onto I 75
57 mi·1 hr 1 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 475
16 mi·17 min·Larry Justice Highway
Exit 156Toward I 475 North: AtlantaUse the slight left lane.
16
Merge onto I 75
49 mi·53 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 675
10 mi·11 min·Terrell Starr Parkway
Exit 227Toward I 675 North: Augusta, GreenvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 285 East: Augusta, GreenvilleUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 285
17 mi·19 min·Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.7 mi·52 sec
Exit 33Toward I 85: Greenville, AtlantaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork
520 ft·6 sec
Toward I 85 North: GreenvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·40 sec
Toward I 85 North: GreenvilleUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto I 85
1.2 mi·1 min·Northeast Expressway
24
Continue on I 85
15 mi·16 min·Interstate Highway 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto I 85
0.5 mi·33 sec·I 85
26
Keep slight left at fork onto I 985
3.5 mi·3 min·Lanier Parkway
Exit 113Toward I 985 North: GainesvilleUse the slight left / straight lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 4Toward US 23 South, GA 20: Buford, CummingUse the slight right lane.
28
Turn left onto GA 20
0.5 mi·59 sec·Buford Drive
Use the left lane.
29
Turn right onto South Lee Street
1.1 mi·2 min·South Lee Street
30
Turn right onto GA 13
0.5 mi·52 sec·Buford Highway Northeast
31
Turn left onto Garnett Street
460 ft·14 sec·Garnett Street
Use the left lane.
32
Turn right
292 ft·10 sec
33
Continue on South Harris Street
0.6 mi·1 min·South Harris Street
34
Turn right
26 ft·1 sec
35
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4-hour and 23-minute drive, try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic hours on the Atlanta Bypass. Since the route includes one recommended stop, plan your break strategically to coincide with the end of your longest interstate stretch. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge as you transition off the primary highway sections, as local road availability can vary. Because this is a single-day trip, the flexibility of your schedule is your greatest asset, allowing you to bypass heavy congestion if you leave early in the morning. Factor in that $36 fuel cost before you head out to ensure a stress-free arrival in Buford.
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 112.7 miles from Minnesota, GA, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106.6 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 50 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.7 miles or 2h 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 3h 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buford, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Minnesota, 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 Minnesota, GA
This is one driving day of about 225.4 miles and 4h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Minnesota, 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 106.6 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 28
5 decision points cluster between mile 107 and 218.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
107 mi into trip|~2h 9m in|I 475 / Larry Justice Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 475 / Larry Justice Highway toward I 475 North: Atlanta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 156
Toward I 475 North: Atlanta
9
172.4 mi into trip|~3h 20m in|I 675 / Terrell Starr Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 675 / Terrell Starr Parkway toward I 675 North: Augusta, Greenville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 227
Toward I 675 North: Augusta, Greenville
8
182.5 mi into trip|~3h 32m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 285 East: Augusta, Greenville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 285 East: Augusta, Greenville
8
200.4 mi into trip|~3h 53m in
Take the exit toward I 85: Greenville, Atlanta
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 33
Toward I 85: Greenville, Atlanta
8
218.7 mi into trip|~4h 13m in|I 985 / Lanier Parkway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 985 / Lanier Parkway toward I 985 North: Gainesville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 113
Toward I 985 North: Gainesville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.85 one way
$71.70 round trip
$4.04/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.41
$39.09
$78.18
premium
$4.78
$42.41
$84.82
diesel
$5.35
$47.48
$94.95
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: 78.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.6
0
$23.67
$10.82
Efficient EV
56.4
0
$19.72
$9.02
EV Truck/SUV
90.2
1
$31.56
$14.43
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 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 May 28, 2026
Origin
Minnesota, GA
Afternoon
in Minnesota on Wednesday
Local time
3:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
0 mph19% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Buford, GA
Afternoon
in Buford on Wednesday
Local time
3:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Mostly Cloudy then Patchy Fog
0 mph14% chanceLive 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 23m 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.
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
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,...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
$5
near mile 202.1
Park Closure: Restrooms and Water Fountains Unavailable at Akers Mill
Park Closure: Island Ford Trail Closures Winter 2025-2026
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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 186.5
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 108.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is heavily highway-focused, with 70% of the journey spent on high-speed roads. Expect a steady, predictable pace as you navigate the longest uninterrupted stretch of 106.6 miles on I-75. While the interstate segments allow for efficient travel, you will eventually transition onto the Atlanta Bypass, also known as The Perimeter, which requires a bit more focus due to urban traffic patterns. The character of the road shifts from the open stretches of the interstate to the more congested, complex junctions near the city. Overall, the experience is functional and direct, prioritizing speed and connectivity over winding backroads.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 106.6 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Cordele Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 107 miles in near I 475 / Larry Justice Highway.
Driving Effort10/10
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 225.4 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 107 miles (I 475 / Larry Justice Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 172.4 miles (I 675 / Terrell Starr Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 182.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,177 ft323 ft
Total Climb
979 ft
Total Descent
187 ft
Highest Point
1,177 ft
~225.4 mi in
Elevation Range
854 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Minnesota, GA and Buford, GA, road signs point toward Greenville and Atlanta.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 23m. Total distance: 225.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 106.6 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 26 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 Buford, 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 26 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 107 miles (I 475 / Larry Justice Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 172.4 miles (I 675 / Terrell Starr Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 182.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park and Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Buford, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
