Spanning 153.6 miles across the heart of Southeast Georgia, this route connects Swainsboro to Albany in approximately 3 hours and 25 minutes. It is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that is easily manageable as a single-day trip. Budgeting about $25 for fuel will cover your transit across the region. Since the entire journey takes place within the Southeast, you can expect a consistent atmosphere as you transition between these two Georgia hubs. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a short getaway, the trip is efficient and requires only a minimal time commitment.
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
76.8 miles from Swainsboro, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Georgia-Florida Parkway
35.1 mi
43m
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
28.4 mi
30m
GA 257
22.5 mi
32m
Hawkinsville Road
15.7 mi
21m
Cordele Highway
9.4 mi
12m
Empire-Chester Highway
8.8 mi
11m
US 221
8.5 mi
11m
West Street
7.4 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
Georgia-Florida Parkway
— 35.1 mi, about 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Swainsboro, GA and Albany, GA.
1
Start on this road
103 ft·13 sec·this road
2
Turn left
71 ft·10 sec
3
Turn left onto US 80; GA 26; GA 56
2.1 mi·3 min·East Main Street
4
Continue on US 80; GA 26
7.4 mi·11 min·West Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
Turn left onto US 221; 171
6.8 mi·9 min·US 221; 171
6
Continue on US 221; GA 56
1.7 mi·2 min·US 221; GA 56
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward I-16 West: MaconUse the right lane.
8
Merge onto I 16
28 mi·30 min·Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 49Toward GA 257: Dexter
10
Turn left onto GA 257
0.5 mi·55 sec·GA 257
Use the straight lane.
11
Enter roundabout onto GA 257
120 ft·4 sec·GA 257
12
Continue on GA 257
13 mi·19 min·GA 257
13
Continue on Carolina Avenue South
1.0 mi·2 min·Carolina Avenue South
14
Turn slight right onto GA 257
8.8 mi·11 min·Empire-Chester Highway
15
At end of road, turn right onto US 23; GA 87; GA 257
0.4 mi·31 sec·Eastman Cochran Highway
16
Continue on US 23; GA 87; GA 257
455 ft·13 sec·Golden Isles Highway
17
Turn left onto GA 257
8.7 mi·11 min·GA 257
18
Continue on US 129 Alternate; GA 26; GA 112; GA 257
1.2 mi·2 min·US 129 Alternate; GA 26; GA 112; GA 257
Use the left / right lanes.
19
Take the ramp onto US 129 Alternate; GA 26; GA 112; GA 257
0.1 mi·17 sec·US 129 Alternate; GA 26; GA 112; GA 257
20
Continue on US 341; US 129 Alternate; GA 26; GA 27; GA 112; GA 230; GA 257
0.7 mi·1 min·US 341; US 129 Alternate; GA 26; GA 27; GA 112; GA 230; GA 257
21
Continue on US 341; US 129 Alternate; GA 26; GA 27; GA 112; GA 230; GA 257
0.1 mi·17 sec·US 341; US 129 Alternate; GA 26; GA 27; GA 112; GA 230; GA 257
22
At end of road, turn right onto US 341; US 129 Alternate; GA 27; GA 112; GA 230; GA 257
0.5 mi·1 min·Broad Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
23
Turn left onto GA 27; GA 257
0.8 mi·1 min·McCormick Avenue
Use the left lane.
24
Continue on GA 27; GA 257
3.0 mi·4 min·Vienna Highway
25
Turn slight left onto GA 257
9.4 mi·12 min·Cordele Highway
26
Continue on GA 257
16 mi·21 min·Hawkinsville Road
27
Turn left
0.5 mi·59 sec
Toward I-75 South: ValdostaUse the left lane.
28
Merge onto I 75
2.1 mi·2 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 99Toward GA 300 South: Georgia-Florida Parkway, AlbanyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Turn right onto GA 300
35 mi·43 min·Georgia-Florida Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
31
Continue on Cordele Road
0.3 mi·41 sec·Cordele Road
Use the straight lane.
32
Turn right onto Old Cordele Road
0.2 mi·21 sec·Old Cordele Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
33
Turn straight onto US 82 Business; GA 520 Business
449 ft·10 sec·Sylvester Highway
34
Continue on US 82 Business; GA 520 Business
2.9 mi·4 min·East Oglethorpe Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
35
Turn right onto South Broadway Street
365 ft·16 sec·South Broadway Street
Use the right lane.
36
Turn left onto East Broad Avenue
0.4 mi·46 sec·East Broad Avenue
Use the left lane.
37
Turn right onto North Front Street
510 ft·12 sec·North Front Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
38
Enter roundabout onto Pine Avenue
110 ft·2 sec·Pine Avenue
39
Continue on Pine Avenue
0.4 mi·44 sec·Pine Avenue
40
Arrive at destination
Pine Avenue
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure schedule. Plan for at least one stop to break up the 3-hour and 25-minute duration, which helps keep you alert behind the wheel. Since you are looking at a $25 fuel budget, filling up before you leave Swainsboro is a smart way to ensure you have enough range for the entire 153.6-mile distance. Pay close attention to the transitions between the Georgia-Florida Parkway and GA 257, as these road changes are your primary navigation points. Embracing the single-day nature of this route allows you to reach Albany without the need for an overnight stay.
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 76.8 miles from Swainsboro, GA, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 35.1 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 34 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.8 miles or 1h 40m 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 49m
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 Swainsboro, 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 Swainsboro, GA
This is one driving day of about 153.6 miles and 3h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Swainsboro, 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 Georgia-Florida Parkway for about 35.1 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 18 and 149.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
18 mi into trip|~26m in
Take the ramp toward I-16 West: Macon
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I-16 West: Macon
7
81.8 mi into trip|~1h 48m in|US 341; US 129 Alternate; GA 27; GA 112; GA 230; GA 257 / Broad Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 341; US 129 Alternate; GA 27; GA 112; GA 230; GA 257 / Broad Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
111.2 mi into trip|~2h 30m in
Turn left toward I-75 South: Valdosta
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I-75 South: Valdosta
8
113.7 mi into trip|~2h 33m in
Take the exit toward GA 300 South: Georgia-Florida Parkway, Albany
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 99
Toward GA 300 South: Georgia-Florida Parkway, A...
6
149.5 mi into trip|~3h 18m in|Old Cordele Road
Turn right onto Old Cordele Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.02 one way
$48.04 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg54 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$26.26
$52.53
premium
$4.70
$28.43
$56.86
diesel
$5.61
$33.91
$67.83
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
46.1
0
$16.13
$7.37
Efficient EV
38.4
0
$13.44
$6.14
EV Truck/SUV
61.4
0
$21.50
$9.83
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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 15, 2026
Origin
Swainsboro, GA
Late night
in Swainsboro on Sunday
Local time
12:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Albany, GA
Late night
in Albany on Sunday
Local time
12:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°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
3 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 25m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a steady experience behind the wheel, as roughly 64% of this trek consists of highway travel. You will navigate a combination of the Georgia-Florida Parkway, the Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway, and GA 257. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 35.1 miles on the Georgia-Florida Parkway, allowing for long periods of consistent cruising. While the route is highway-focused, the shifting road designations keep the drive from feeling purely like an interstate grind. It is a practical, functional drive that prioritizes direct movement between destinations.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 35.1 mi on Georgia-Florida Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Georgia-Florida Parkway and Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway. You will hit about 22 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 18 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
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 153.6 miles you will encounter 22 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 18 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 81.8 miles (US 341; US 129 Alternate; GA 27; GA 112; GA 230; GA 257 / Broad Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 111.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
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 25m. Total distance: 153.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 35.1 miles on Georgia-Florida 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 18 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 81.8 miles (US 341; US 129 Alternate; GA 27; GA 112; GA 230; GA 257 / Broad Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 111.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Albany, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
