Traveling from Moultrie to California, Georgia, covers 232.9 miles of the Southeast. You should budget approximately 4 hours and 34 minutes behind the wheel, making this a manageable one-day trip that doesn't necessarily require an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $37 on fuel for the journey. The route relies heavily on major thoroughfares like I-75, US 319, and the Larry Justice Highway. Since the entire trip takes place within the state of Georgia, you can expect a consistent regional feel as you navigate toward your destination.
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
116.5 miles from Moultrie, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 16m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
162.5 mi
2h 57m
US 319
21.4 mi
31m
Larry Justice Highway
15.9 mi
17m
Ralph David Abernathy Freeway
12.4 mi
15m
C H James Parkway
7.4 mi
10m
Thornton Road
3.4 mi
5m
Tifton Highway
3.4 mi
5m
Hiram Acworth Highway
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 162.5 mi, about 2h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Moultrie, GA and California, GA.
1
Start on GA 37
314 ft·9 sec·West Central Avenue
2
Turn right onto 1st Street Northwest
372 ft·14 sec·1st Street Northwest
Use the right lane.
3
Turn right onto 1st Avenue Northwest
381 ft·20 sec·1st Avenue Northwest
4
Turn left onto US 319 Business; GA 33
1.1 mi·2 min·North Main Street
5
Continue on US 319 Business; GA 33
0.2 mi·19 sec·Tifton Highway
6
Enter roundabout onto US 319 Business; GA 33
124 ft·5 sec·Tifton Highway
7
Continue on US 319 Business; GA 33
3.2 mi·4 min·Tifton Highway
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on US 319; GA 35
21 mi·30 min·US 319; GA 35
9
Continue on US 319; GA 35
330 ft·15 sec·US 319; GA 35
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn left onto US 82; GA 520
484 ft·17 sec·7th Street West
Use the left lane.
11
Turn left
0.3 mi·27 sec
Use the left lane.
12
Merge onto I 75
94 mi·1 hr 41 min·I 75
Use the straight lane.
13
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.
14
Merge onto I 75
49 mi·53 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
19 mi·22 min·I 75
Toward I 75 North: Atlanta, BirminghamUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 247Toward I 20 West, I 20 East: Birmingham, Augusta, Ralph David Abernathy FreewayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 West: BirminghamUse the slight left lane.
18
Merge onto I 20
12 mi·15 min·Ralph David Abernathy Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 44Toward GA 6: Thornton Road, AustellUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork
175 ft·4 sec
Use the slight right lane.
21
Merge onto GA 6
3.4 mi·5 min·Thornton Road
Use the right lane.
22
Continue on US 278; GA 6
7.4 mi·10 min·C H James Parkway
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on US 278; GA 6
1.0 mi·1 min·Wendy Bagwell Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
24
Continue on US 278; GA 6
0.8 mi·1 min·Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway
Use the straight / slight left / slight right lanes.
25
Turn right onto GA 92
2.0 mi·3 min·Hiram Acworth Highway
26
Arrive at destination
GA 92
Trip Plan
With a total travel time under five hours, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs during the 232.9-mile transit. Since the longest uninterrupted section is 162.5 miles on I-75, try to time your break either just before or immediately after this primary highway segment to keep your energy levels consistent. Keep your estimated $37 fuel budget in mind when planning your refueling stops along the interstate. Because this is a straightforward, highway-dominant route, focusing on a steady pace will help you reach California, GA, without unnecessary fatigue.
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 116.5 miles from Moultrie, GA, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 162.5 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 51 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116.5 miles or 2h 16m 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near California, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Moultrie, 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 Moultrie, GA
This is one driving day of about 232.9 miles and 4h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Moultrie, 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 162.5 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 218.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|1st Street Northwest
Turn right onto 1st Street Northwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
120.8 mi into trip|~2h 21m 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
8
186.1 mi into trip|~3h 31m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward I 75 North: Atlanta, Birmingham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 75 North: Atlanta, Birmingham
8
204.8 mi into trip|~3h 54m in
Take the exit toward I 20 West, I 20 East: Birmingham, Augusta, Ralph David Abernathy Freeway
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 247
Toward I 20 West, I 20 East: Birmingham, August...
8
218.1 mi into trip|~4h 11m in
Take the exit toward GA 6: Thornton Road, Austell
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 44
Toward GA 6: Thornton Road, Austell
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.42 one way
$72.84 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$39.82
$79.64
premium
$4.70
$43.10
$86.21
diesel
$5.61
$51.42
$102.84
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: 81.5 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
69.9
0
$24.45
$11.18
Efficient EV
58.2
0
$20.38
$9.32
EV Truck/SUV
93.2
1
$32.61
$14.91
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 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 20, 2026
Origin
Moultrie, GA
Late night
in Moultrie on Tuesday
Local time
5:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
California, GA
Late night
in California on Tuesday
Local time
5:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
82°F
Jackson, GA
116 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
7 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 34m 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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 208.8
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
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 128.5
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,...
19 mi from route
~48 min detour
$5
near mile 208.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 88% of your time spent on major roads. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, as the drive features a significant 162.5-mile stretch along I-75. While the initial segments utilize US 319 and the Larry Justice Highway, the transition to the interstate provides a fast, efficient pace for the majority of the journey. Prepare for a standard interstate experience that prioritizes direct travel over winding backroads. The character of the drive is defined by these long, uninterrupted miles, allowing you to maintain a steady speed for most of the four-and-a-half-hour duration.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 162.5 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and US 319. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near 1st Street Northwest.
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 18 significant decision points across 232.9 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 0.1 miles (1st Street Northwest): Lane positioning matters here; at 120.8 miles (I 475 / Larry Justice Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 186.1 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,044 ft289 ft
Total Climb
845 ft
Total Descent
123 ft
Highest Point
1,044 ft
~232.9 mi in
Elevation Range
755 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Moultrie, GA and California, GA, road signs point toward Birmingham, Augusta and Austell.
One of the most diverse states in the Union, California has a culture ranging from the easygoing surf spots on the beaches of Southern California to the glamor of Hollywood, and the counterculture and thriving businesses of the Bay Area. The state, which is on the west coast of the U.S., also varies greatly in natural beauty, from redwood forests on the North Coast to the ski resorts of the rugged Sierra Nevada mountains and the harsh desert of Death Valley. The largest state in the U.S. by population and the third largest by area, California boasts world-famous attractions and sights: Disneyland, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Napa Valley wine country, and the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States, Mount Whitney.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 34m. Total distance: 232.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 162.5 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 California, 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 0.1 miles (1st Street Northwest): Lane positioning matters here; at 120.8 miles (I 475 / Larry Justice Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 186.1 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at California, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
