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Trip from Minnesota, GA to Buford, GA

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

Drive Time

4h 23m

Distance

225.4 mi

363 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$35

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 10m ★
6 AM
4h 24m
8 AM
4h 50m
10 AM
4h 33m
12 PM
4h 30m
3 PM
4h 34m
5 PM
4h 49m
8 PM
4h 16m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Minnesota, GA, GA

Minnesota, GA

Jesse Yuqui

city in Gwinnett and Hall counties, Georgia, United States

Buford, GA

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

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

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 North Use 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: Macon Use 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 156 Toward I 475 North: Atlanta Use 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 227 Toward I 675 North: Augusta, Greenville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 285 East: Augusta, Greenville Use 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 33 Toward I 85: Greenville, Atlanta Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Keep slight right at fork

520 ft · 6 sec
Toward I 85 North: Greenville Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 40 sec
Toward I 85 North: Greenville Use 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 113 Toward I 985 North: Gainesville Use the slight left / straight lanes.
27

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Exit 4 Toward US 23 South, GA 20: Buford, Cumming Use 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.

county seat of Butts County, Georgia, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Jackson, GA

113 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

Ashburn, GA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Macon, GA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 112.7 miles from Minnesota, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 106.6 miles.

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

Starbucks Coffee Company

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Cordele, Georgia

Early in the drive, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 48.3

Hours: 5 am–8 pm

+12295134414

Visit website

Top Coffee Stop

7 Leaves Cafe (Georgia)

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Duluth, Georgia

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour Inexpensiv mile 209.3

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+16786910704

Visit website

Paris Baguette

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Duluth, Georgia

1.2 mi

Ellianos Coffee

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cordele, Georgia

2.7 mi

Starbucks Coffee Company

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 48.3

Cordele, Georgia

Hours: 5 am–8 pm

+12295134414

Visit website

Starbucks

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 128.8

Forsyth, Georgia

Hours: 4:30 am–9 pm

+14787582001

Visit website

Starbucks

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour Moderately mile 209.3

Norcross, Georgia

Hours: 5 am–6 pm

+17707340364

Visit website

7 Leaves Cafe (Georgia)

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour Inexpensiv mile 209.3

Duluth, Georgia

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+16786910704

Visit website

Paris Baguette

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately mile 209.3

Duluth, Georgia

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+14707678695

Visit website

Ellianos Coffee

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 48.3

Cordele, Georgia

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+12295134644

Visit website

Mojo Coffee Company

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 177.1

Ellenwood, Georgia

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+16784892929

Visit website

Sunshine Coffee Co.

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 16.1

Sylvester, Georgia

Hours: 6:30 am–3 pm

+12295006758

Between Friends Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 96.6

Warner Robins, Georgia

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+14789516172

Visit website

Cafe 41

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 64.4

Vienna, Georgia

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+12294173434

Starbucks

Early in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 48.3

Cordele, Georgia

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

K1 Speed Duluth

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 209.3

Duluth, Georgia

Hours: 12–10 pm

+16783672857

Visit website

Ellis Brothers Pecans Inc

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 64.4

Vienna, Georgia

Hours: 8 am–7 pm

+18006350616

Visit website

Museum of Arts and Sciences

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 112.7

Macon, Georgia

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+14784773232

Visit website

Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 225.4

Buford, Georgia

Hours: 4–8 pm

+18009604778

Visit website

T.C. Jeffords Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 16.1

Sylvester, Georgia

Hours: 8 am–7 pm

+12297768505

Visit website

Cotton Museum

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 64.4

Vienna, Georgia

+12292682045

Visit website

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

$35.25 one way

$70.50 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 79 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.34 $38.54 $77.08
premium $4.70 $41.72 $83.43
diesel $5.61 $49.77 $99.53

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$35

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$60–$85

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, 2026-04-13.

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 Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Minnesota, GA

Night in Minnesota on Saturday

Local time

10:45 PM

EDT

Current temp

87°F

Sunny

SW 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Buford, GA

Night in Buford on Saturday

Local time

10:45 PM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

49°F

Jackson, GA

113 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

37 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.

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 Effort 10/10

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.

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.

Greenville

172.4 mi in | ~3h 20m | via I 675

Atlanta

200.4 mi in | ~3h 53m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

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.

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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

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.

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.

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.

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