Origin
St. Marys, GA
Night in St. Marys on Saturday
Local time
10:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from St. Marys, GA to Valdosta, GA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 55m
Distance
126.6 mi
204 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 44m
★
6 AM
2h 55m
8 AM
3h 18m
10 AM
3h 3m
12 PM
3h 1m
3 PM
3h 4m
5 PM
3h 17m
8 PM
2h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
St. Marys, GA
Tom Fisk
Valdosta, GA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 126.6-mile drive from St. Marys, GA to Valdosta, GA can be completed in about 2 hours and 55 minutes, making it a perfect one-day trip. The estimated fuel cost is around $20, and you'll spend most of your time on major highways, with 73% of the route being highway driving. You'll primarily travel on US 84 and US 1, with a portion on West King Street. This journey stays within the Southeast region, offering a straightforward connection between these two Georgia cities. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 58.2 miles on US 84, this route is designed for efficient travel.
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
63.3 miles from St. Marys, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 27m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 84 | 58.2 mi | 1h 18m |
| US 1 | 33.9 mi | 41m |
| West King Street | 18.8 mi | 28m |
| East King Avenue | 4.4 mi | 7m |
| Osborne Street | 3 mi | 4m |
| Kingsland Saint Marys Road | 3 mi | 4m |
| Main Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Indian Trail | 1.3 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US 84
— 58.2 mi, about 1h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between St. Marys, GA and Valdosta, GA.
1
Start on 41703
77 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Hall Street
2
Turn left onto GA 40
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Osborne Street
3
Continue on GA 40
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Kingsland Saint Marys Road
4
Continue on GA 40
4.4 mi
·
7 min
·
East King Avenue
5
Continue on GA 40
19 mi
·
28 min
·
West King Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Turn right onto GA 40 Connector
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Indian Trail
7
Turn right onto US 1; US 23; US 301; GA 4; GA 15; GA 23; GA 121
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
US 1; US 23; US 301; GA 4; GA 15; GA 23; GA 121
8
Continue on US 1; US 23; GA 4; GA 15; GA 121
32 mi
·
39 min
·
US 1; US 23; GA 4; GA 15; GA 121
Toward US 1 North, US 23 North: Waycross
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn left onto Screven Avenue
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
Screven Avenue
10
Turn right onto Jenkins Street
502 ft
·
10 sec
·
Jenkins Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on US 84; GA 38
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
Francis Street
12
Turn left onto South Nicholls Street
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
South Nicholls Street
13
Continue on Glenmore Avenue
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Glenmore Avenue
14
Continue on Wadley Road
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Wadley Road
15
Turn left onto US 84; GA 38
18 mi
·
23 min
·
US 84; GA 38
Use the straight / left lanes.
16
Enter roundabout onto Main Street
178 ft
·
4 sec
·
Main Street
17
Continue on Main Street
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
18
Enter roundabout onto US 84; GA 38
208 ft
·
5 sec
·
US 84; GA 38
19
Continue on US 84; GA 38
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
US 84; GA 38
20
Continue on US 84; GA 38
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
US 84; GA 38
21
Continue on US 84; GA 38
22 mi
·
30 min
·
US 84; GA 38
22
Continue on US 84; GA 38
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
US 84; GA 38
23
Continue on US 84; GA 38
9.7 mi
·
11 min
·
US 84; GA 38
24
Continue on US 84; US 221; GA 38
3.2 mi
·
5 min
·
US 84; US 221; GA 38
Use the left / straight lanes.
25
Turn right onto US 41 Business; GA 7 Business
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
North Ashley Street
26
Turn left onto US 41 Business; GA 7 Business
511 ft
·
25 sec
·
East Magnolia Street
27
Turn left onto US 41 Business; GA 7 Business
358 ft
·
14 sec
·
North Patterson Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
28
Turn right onto J.L. Lomax Drive
42 ft
·
1 sec
·
J.L. Lomax Drive
29
Arrive at destination
J.L. Lomax Drive
Trip Plan
With a total duration of under three hours, this route from St. Marys to Valdosta offers excellent flexibility for a single-day adventure. Consider departing in the morning to maximize your daylight hours and arrive in Valdosta with ample time to explore. The longest stretch without a significant change in road is 58.2 miles on US 84, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before you embark on that segment. Given the relatively short distance and straightforward nature of the route, you can easily manage this trip with just one planned stop.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 63.3 miles from St. Marys, GA, or about 1h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.2 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 28 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.3 miles or 1h 27m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Valdosta, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving St. Marys, 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 St. Marys, GA
This is one driving day of about 126.6 miles and 2h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from St. Marys, 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 US 84 for about 58.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
63 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 63.3 miles from St. Marys, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 64.8 and 126.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
64.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m in
|
Jenkins Street
Turn right onto Jenkins Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
65.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m in
|
South Nicholls Street
Turn left onto South Nicholls Street
Navigation decision point
5
66.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m in
|
US 84; GA 38
Turn left onto US 84; GA 38
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
86.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 59m in
|
US 84; GA 38
Enter roundabout onto US 84; GA 38
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
126.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 55m in
|
US 41 Business; GA 7 Business / North Patterson Street
Turn left onto US 41 Business; GA 7 Business / North Patterson Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.80 one way
$39.59 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
44 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $21.65 | $43.29 |
| premium | $4.70 | $23.43 | $46.86 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.95 | $55.90 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 38 | 0 | $13.29 | $6.08 |
| Efficient EV | 31.7 | 0 | $11.08 | $5.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 50.6 | 0 | $17.72 | $8.10 |
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Destination
Valdosta, GA
Night in Valdosta on Saturday
Local time
10:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live 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
20 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
2h 55m 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.
Cumberland Island National Seashore
National Seashore
St Marys is the gateway to Cumberland Island, Georgia's largest and southernmost barrier island. Here pristine maritime forests, undeveloped beaches and wide marshes whisper the stories of both man an...
10 mi from route
~26 min detour
$15
Caution: Scam Warning - Book ferry tickets through concessioner site only
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, as indicated by the 73% highway share. You'll encounter stretches of faster-paced travel, particularly on US 84, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted segment at 58.2 miles. While the route is predominantly highway, the inclusion of US 1 and West King Street suggests some transitions to more arterial roads as you approach your destination. This drive isn't likely to be a monotonous interstate grind but rather a consistent pace on well-trafficked state and federal highways.
73% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 58.2 mi on US 84.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 84 and US 1. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 64.8 miles in near Jenkins Street.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 55m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 64.8 miles (Jenkins Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 65.2 miles (South Nicholls Street): Navigation decision point; at 66.7 miles (US 84; GA 38): Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 55m. Total distance: 126.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 58.2 miles on US 84. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 64.8 miles (Jenkins Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 65.2 miles (South Nicholls Street): Navigation decision point; at 66.7 miles (US 84; GA 38): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Cumberland Island National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Valdosta, GA before heading back.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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