This 179.9-mile journey from Mount Zion, GA to Albany, GA is an easy one-day adventure. Expect to spend about 3 hours and 48 minutes on the road, navigating primarily along Chet Atkins Parkway and Martha Berry Highway, before transitioning to US 280. With a highway share of 36%, the drive offers a mixed experience, avoiding the monotony of constant interstate travel. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $28, making it an economical option. This route is well-suited for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
90 miles from Mount Zion, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Chet Atkins Parkway
41.7 mi
45m
Martha Berry Highway
31.7 mi
37m
US 280
18.6 mi
21m
Wall Street
16 mi
19m
Albany Highway
14.2 mi
17m
Victory Drive
11.6 mi
15m
Columbus Highway
8 mi
9m
New Franklin Road
7.5 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
Chet Atkins Parkway
— 41.7 mi, about 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mount Zion, GA and Albany, GA.
1
Start on this road
22 ft·3 sec·this road
2
Turn right
52 ft·5 sec
3
Turn right onto GA 16
6.4 mi·11 min·Mount Zion Road
4
Continue on GA 16
0.3 mi·34 sec·Alabama Street
5
Enter roundabout onto GA 16
74 ft·3 sec·Alabama Street
6
Continue on GA 16
1.4 mi·2 min·Alabama Street
7
Turn right onto US 27; GA 1; GA 16
2.1 mi·3 min·South Park Street
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 27; GA 1
32 mi·37 min·Martha Berry Highway
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 27; GA 1
7.5 mi·11 min·New Franklin Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
10
Continue on US 27; US 29; GA 1; GA 14
0.5 mi·1 min·Morgan Street
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 27; GA 1; GA 219
0.2 mi·31 sec·Whitesville Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
12
Turn left onto US 27; GA 1
7.2 mi·10 min·Hamilton Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward I 185 South: Columbus
14
Merge onto I 185
42 mi·45 min·Chet Atkins Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 1AToward US 27 South, GA 1 South, US 280 East, GA 520 East: Cusseta, Albany
16
Merge onto US 27; US 280; GA 1; GA 520
12 mi·15 min·Victory Drive
17
Continue on US 280; GA 520
3.3 mi·3 min·US 280; GA 520
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 280; GA 520
15 mi·17 min·US 280; GA 520
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Continue on GA 520
16 mi·19 min·Wall Street
20
Continue on GA 520
1.0 mi·1 min·North Parrott Street
21
Continue on GA 520
8.0 mi·9 min·Columbus Highway
22
Continue on GA 45; GA 520
0.5 mi·43 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Drive
23
Continue on GA 45; GA 520
0.2 mi·27 sec·Roundtree Drive
24
Continue on GA 45; GA 520
0.3 mi·33 sec·Vine Street Northwest
25
Continue on GA 45; GA 520
0.6 mi·1 min·Rountree Drive Southwest
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Continue on US 82; GA 520
1.1 mi·1 min·Forrester Drive Southeast
27
Continue on US 82; GA 520
5.4 mi·6 min·Albany Highway
28
Turn straight onto US 82; GA 520
1.0 mi·1 min·Highway Street
29
Continue on US 82; GA 520
8.8 mi·10 min·Albany Highway
Use the straight lane.
30
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; GA 520
5.0 mi·6 min·Liberty Expressway
Toward US 82 East, GA 520 East: Tifton, Camilla
31
Take the exit
0.2 mi·37 sec
Exit 5Toward GA 91, GA 133: Jefferson Street, Downtown
32
Keep slight right at fork
239 ft·8 sec
Toward GA 91 South: Downtown, Newton
33
Turn straight onto GA 91
1.9 mi·4 min·North Jefferson Street
Use the straight lane.
34
Turn left onto Pine Avenue
75 ft·1 sec·Pine Avenue
35
Arrive at destination
Pine Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 3 hour and 48-minute drive, leaving in the morning is recommended to maximize your daylight hours. You'll encounter one planned stop on this route, so consider making it around the halfway point to break up the 179.9 miles. With a fuel cost estimated at $28, it's wise to start with a full tank. Since this is a manageable one-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your schedule as needed. Keep an eye out for the transition onto US 280, as this marks a significant change in the road's character.
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 90 miles from Mount Zion, GA, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.7 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 40 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 90 miles or 1h 55m 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 5m
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 Mount Zion, 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 Mount Zion, GA
This is one driving day of about 179.9 miles and 3h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Mount Zion, 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 Chet Atkins Parkway for about 41.7 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.1 and 178 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
8.1 mi into trip|~14m in|US 27; GA 1; GA 16 / South Park Street
Turn right onto US 27; GA 1; GA 16 / South Park Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
99.4 mi into trip|~2h 6m in
Take the exit toward US 27 South, GA 1 South, US 280 East, GA 520 East: Cusseta, Albany
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 1A
Toward US 27 South, GA 1 South, US 280 East, GA...
6
172.7 mi into trip|~3h 37m in|US 82; GA 520 / Liberty Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; GA 520 / Liberty Expressway toward US 82 East, GA 520 East: Tifton, Camilla
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 82 East, GA 520 East: Tifton, Camilla
6
177.7 mi into trip|~3h 44m in
Take the exit toward GA 91, GA 133: Jefferson Street, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 5
Toward GA 91, GA 133: Jefferson Street, Downtow...
7
178 mi into trip|~3h 44m in
Keep slight right at fork toward GA 91 South: Downtown, Newton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward GA 91 South: Downtown, Newton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.13 one way
$56.26 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg63 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$30.76
$61.52
premium
$4.70
$33.30
$66.59
diesel
$5.61
$39.72
$79.44
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
54
0
$18.89
$8.64
Efficient EV
45
0
$15.74
$7.20
EV Truck/SUV
72
0
$25.19
$11.51
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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 17, 2026
Origin
Mount Zion, GA
Late night
in Mount Zion on Sunday
Local time
4:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Albany, GA
Late night
in Albany on Sunday
Local time
4:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Mostly Clear
WSW 0 to 5 mph0% 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
12 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
3h 48m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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.
Jimmy Carter National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Few U.S. Presidents have had such close ties with where they were born and raised. The rural southern culture of Plains, Georgia revolves around farming, church, and school, which had a large influenc...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 142.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The character of this drive is best described as a mixed bag, offering a pleasant change of pace. While 36% of the route involves highway driving, you'll also encounter more local road sections. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 41.7 miles along Chet Atkins Parkway. This means you'll have periods of faster travel interspersed with more relaxed cruising, allowing you to take in the changing scenery without feeling rushed. The drive progresses through a variety of road types, keeping the experience engaging.
36% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 41.7 mi on Chet Atkins Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 8.1 miles in near US 27; GA 1; GA 16 / South Park Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 179.9 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 8.1 miles (US 27; GA 1; GA 16 / South Park Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 99.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 172.7 miles (US 82; GA 520 / Liberty Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 48m. Total distance: 179.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 41.7 miles on Chet Atkins Parkway. 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.1 miles (US 27; GA 1; GA 16 / South Park Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 99.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 172.7 miles (US 82; GA 520 / Liberty Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Jimmy Carter National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Albany, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
