Spanning 159.9 miles across Georgia, this trip from Ray City to Columbus typically takes about 3 hours and 31 minutes of driving time. Because the journey is manageable within a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Budgeting approximately $26 for fuel should cover your transit across the Southeast region. You will primarily utilize GA 33, GA 37, and the Martha Berry Highway to navigate between these two points. It is a straightforward, mixed-drive experience that connects the rural landscape of Ray City to the more urban setting of Columbus. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, this route offers a practical, no-fuss way to cross the state.
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
79.9 miles from Ray City, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
GA 33
32.3 mi
39m
GA 37
18.9 mi
27m
Martha Berry Highway
16.3 mi
23m
Richland Bypass
15.4 mi
17m
Main Street
12.4 mi
17m
Liberty Expressway
10.7 mi
13m
US 82
9.5 mi
12m
South Parrott Street
8.7 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
GA 33
— 32.3 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ray City, GA and Columbus, GA.
1
Start on US 129; GA 11; GA 37
12 mi·17 min·Main Street
2
Turn left onto GA 76
4.2 mi·7 min·GA 76
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on GA 37
18 mi·26 min·GA 37
4
Enter roundabout onto GA 37
125 ft·2 sec·GA 37
5
Continue on GA 37
0.8 mi·1 min·GA 37
6
Turn right onto US 319; GA 35; GA 133
1.8 mi·2 min·East Bypass
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on GA 33; GA 133
32 mi·39 min·GA 33; GA 133
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit onto GA 133
0.6 mi·45 sec·GA 133
Toward US 19 North, GA 133 North, GA 300 North: Albany, Atlanta
9
Merge onto US 19; GA 3; GA 133; GA 300
11 mi·13 min·Liberty Expressway
10
Continue on US 82; GA 520
9.5 mi·12 min·US 82; GA 520
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn straight onto US 82; GA 520
5.4 mi·6 min·Albany Highway
12
Continue on US 82; GA 520
1.1 mi·1 min·Forrester Drive Southeast
13
Continue on US 82; GA 520
0.6 mi·1 min·Rountree Drive Southwest
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on GA 45; GA 520
0.3 mi·31 sec·Vine Street Northwest
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Continue on GA 45; GA 520
0.2 mi·27 sec·Roundtree Drive
16
Continue on GA 45; GA 520
0.5 mi·43 sec·Martin Luther King Jr Drive
17
Continue on GA 45; GA 520
8.0 mi·9 min·Columbus Highway
18
Continue on GA 520
8.7 mi·10 min·South Parrott Street
19
Keep slight left at fork onto GA 520
8.3 mi·9 min·GA 520
20
Continue on GA 520
15 mi·17 min·Richland Bypass
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on US 280; GA 520
3.3 mi·3 min·US 280; GA 520
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Continue on US 27; US 280; GA 1; GA 520
16 mi·23 min·Martha Berry Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Continue on US 27; US 280; GA 1; GA 520
0.5 mi·1 min·4th Street
24
Turn right onto 6th Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·6th Avenue
Use the right lane.
25
Turn left onto 9th Street
0.2 mi·40 sec·9th Street
26
Turn left onto US 27; GA 1
0.1 mi·25 sec·Veterans Parkway
27
Arrive at destination
US 27; GA 1
Trip Plan
Planning for this 3-hour and 31-minute drive is simple, but keeping a few logistical details in mind will ensure a smoother trip. Since you have one planned stop along the way, use that break to stretch your legs and refuel if needed, keeping your $26 fuel budget in mind. Leaving early in the day is generally your best bet to avoid potential traffic fluctuations as you arrive in Columbus. Because the route is relatively short, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal schedule. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to stay mindful of the transition between the rural stretches on GA 33 and the higher-speed sections of the Martha Berry Highway to maintain a steady, safe pace.
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 79.9 miles from Ray City, GA, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.3 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 35 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.9 miles or 1h 47m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Columbus, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ray City, 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 Ray City, GA
This is one driving day of about 159.9 miles and 3h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Ray City, 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 GA 33 for about 32.3 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 12.4 and 158.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
12.4 mi into trip|~17m in|GA 76
Turn left onto GA 76
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
34.7 mi into trip|~51m in|GA 37
Enter roundabout onto GA 37
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
35.5 mi into trip|~52m in|US 319; GA 35; GA 133 / East Bypass
Turn right onto US 319; GA 35; GA 133 / East Bypass
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
69.6 mi into trip|~1h 35m in|GA 133
Take the exit onto GA 133 toward US 19 North, GA 133 North, GA 300 North: Albany, Atlanta
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 19 North, GA 133 North, GA 300 North:...
5
158.9 mi into trip|~3h 28m in|6th Avenue
Turn right onto 6th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.00 one way
$50.01 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$27.34
$54.68
premium
$4.70
$29.59
$59.19
diesel
$5.61
$35.30
$70.61
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48
0
$16.79
$7.68
Efficient EV
40
0
$13.99
$6.40
EV Truck/SUV
64
0
$22.39
$10.23
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% 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
Ray City, GA
Late night
in Ray City on Sunday
Local time
3:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Columbus, GA
Late night
in Columbus on Sunday
Local time
3:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
54°F
Albany, GA
80 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
26 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
3h 31m 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.
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 110.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a diverse driving experience that balances local roads with faster highway segments, as the route consists of about 55% highway driving. You will encounter varying road conditions, with the longest uninterrupted stretch occurring over 32.3 miles on GA 33. This section provides a consistent rhythm before the drive transitions into the mix of state routes and highways that define the rest of your trip. While you won't be stuck on a monotonous interstate for the entire duration, the shifting road types require you to stay attentive as you move between different traffic environments. The overall personality of the route is utilitarian, shifting from quiet stretches to busier corridors as you approach your destination.
55% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 32.3 mi on GA 33.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 12.4 miles in near GA 76.
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 159.9 miles you will encounter 9 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 12.4 miles (GA 76): Lane positioning matters here; at 34.7 miles (GA 37): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 35.5 miles (US 319; GA 35; GA 133 / East Bypass): 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 Ray City, GA to Columbus, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Atlanta along the way.
Atlanta
69.6 mi in|~1h 35m|via GA 133
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 31m. Total distance: 159.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (55%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 32.3 miles on GA 33. 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.
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 12.4 miles (GA 76): Lane positioning matters here; at 34.7 miles (GA 37): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 35.5 miles (US 319; GA 35; GA 133 / East Bypass): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Jimmy Carter National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Columbus, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
