Spanning 176 miles across Georgia, this journey from Union Point to Albany takes approximately 3 hours and 8 minutes of pure drive time. Since the entire trip is contained within the Southeast, you will notice a consistent regional character as you transition between these two Georgia towns. It is a straightforward trek that works perfectly as a one-day excursion, meaning you likely won't need to book an overnight stay unless you have business in Albany. With an estimated fuel cost of about $28, the route remains budget-friendly for a solo driver or a small group. You should plan for one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and keep your energy up. Ultimately, this is a practical connector route that prioritizes efficiency over highway speed.
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
88 miles from Union Point, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Fall Line Freeway
66 mi
1h 11m
Georgia-Florida Parkway
35.1 mi
43m
Gray Road Southwest
21.2 mi
29m
Greensboro Road
11.3 mi
17m
Gray Highway
11.1 mi
14m
Lake Oconee Parkway
8.7 mi
12m
Gray Bypass
5.1 mi
6m
Lamb Avenue
5.1 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
Fall Line Freeway
— 66 mi, about 1h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Union Point, GA and Albany, GA.
1
Start on Carlton Avenue
319 ft·17 sec·Carlton Avenue
2
Turn right onto Veazey Street
135 ft·6 sec·Veazey Street
3
Continue on Scott Street
472 ft·23 sec·Scott Street
4
Turn right onto US 278; GA 12; GA 77
5.1 mi·7 min·Lamb Avenue
5
Continue on US 278; GA 12; GA 44
2.1 mi·3 min·East Broad Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Turn left onto GA 44
2.6 mi·4 min·South Main Street
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on GA 44
8.7 mi·12 min·Lake Oconee Parkway
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on GA 44
11 mi·17 min·Greensboro Road
9
Turn left onto US 129 Business; US 441 Business; GA 24 Business; GA 44
0.1 mi·16 sec·Jefferson Avenue
Use the left lane.
10
Continue on US 129 Business; US 441 Business; GA 24 Business; GA 44
1.8 mi·3 min·Oak Street
11
Continue on US 129 Business; US 441 Business; GA 24 Business; GA 44
0.5 mi·54 sec·Gray Highway
12
Continue on US 129; GA 44
21 mi·29 min·Gray Road Southwest
13
Enter roundabout onto US 129; GA 22
50 ft·0 sec·Gray Bypass
14
Continue on US 129; GA 22
5.1 mi·6 min·Gray Bypass
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Turn right onto US 129; GA 11; GA 22
11 mi·13 min·Gray Highway
Use the right lane.
16
Continue on US 129; GA 11; GA 49
0.2 mi·24 sec·North Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Take the exit onto GA 540
0.8 mi·1 min·GA 540
Toward I 16:west: Atlanta, ValdostaUse the right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto GA 540
1.0 mi·1 min·Fall Line Freeway
Toward I 75 South, GA 540 West: ValdostaUse the left / straight lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto GA 540
65 mi·1 hr 10 min·Fall Line Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 99Toward GA 300 South: Georgia-Florida Parkway, AlbanyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn right onto GA 300
35 mi·43 min·Georgia-Florida Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Continue on Cordele Road
0.3 mi·41 sec·Cordele Road
Use the straight lane.
23
Turn right onto Old Cordele Road
0.2 mi·21 sec·Old Cordele Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Turn straight onto US 82 Business; GA 520 Business
449 ft·10 sec·Sylvester Highway
25
Continue on US 82 Business; GA 520 Business
2.9 mi·4 min·East Oglethorpe Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Turn right onto South Broadway Street
365 ft·16 sec·South Broadway Street
Use the right lane.
27
Turn left onto East Broad Avenue
0.4 mi·46 sec·East Broad Avenue
Use the left lane.
28
Turn right onto North Front Street
510 ft·12 sec·North Front Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Enter roundabout onto Pine Avenue
110 ft·2 sec·Pine Avenue
30
Continue on Pine Avenue
0.4 mi·44 sec·Pine Avenue
31
Arrive at destination
Pine Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour and 8-minute transit, aim to leave early in the morning to avoid local traffic congestion that can accumulate on smaller streets. Because this route lacks major highways, you should double-check your GPS settings before departing to ensure you remain on the planned path through the local roads. Since you only have one planned stop, choose a location around the halfway mark to refuel and grab a quick bite. Keep that $28 fuel budget in mind, and consider topping off your tank before you leave Union Point to avoid searching for stations in unfamiliar areas. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so don't be afraid to pull over safely if you need a breather from the constant turning.
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 88 miles from Union Point, GA, or about 2h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66 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 39 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88 miles or 2h 2m 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 4m
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 Union Point, 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 Union Point, GA
This is one driving day of about 176.1 miles and 3h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Union Point, 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 Fall Line Freeway for about 66 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 29.9 and 136.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
29.9 mi into trip|~46m in|US 129 Business; US 441 Business; GA 24 Business; GA 44 / Jefferson Avenue
Turn left onto US 129 Business; US 441 Business; GA 24 Business; GA 44 / Jefferson Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
58.7 mi into trip|~1h 27m in|US 129; GA 11; GA 22 / Gray Highway
Turn right onto US 129; GA 11; GA 22 / Gray Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
69.4 mi into trip|~1h 41m in|GA 540
Take the exit onto GA 540 toward I 16:west: Atlanta, Valdosta
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 16:west: Atlanta, Valdosta
8
70.2 mi into trip|~1h 42m in|GA 540 / Fall Line Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto GA 540 / Fall Line Freeway toward I 75 South, GA 540 West: Valdosta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / straight lanes.
Toward I 75 South, GA 540 West: Valdosta
8
136.2 mi into trip|~2h 54m 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...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.54 one way
$55.08 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$30.11
$60.22
premium
$4.70
$32.59
$65.18
diesel
$5.61
$38.88
$77.76
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: 61.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.8
0
$18.49
$8.45
Efficient EV
44
0
$15.41
$7.04
EV Truck/SUV
70.4
0
$24.65
$11.27
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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 20, 2026
Origin
Union Point, GA
Morning
in Union Point on Tuesday
Local time
6:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Albany, GA
Morning
in Albany on Tuesday
Local time
6:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
86°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
27 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 46m 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.
Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 66.8
Caution: River Trail periodically closed under I-16
Park Closure: BOARDWALK CLOSED along the River Trail
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features zero highway miles. You will navigate through local thoroughfares including Veazey Street, Scott Street, and Lamb Avenue to reach your destination. Because the journey relies entirely on local roads, your pace will be dictated by the curves and intersections common to this type of regional travel. You won't find long, high-speed stretches here, so keep your focus sharp and prepare for frequent adjustments to your speed. It is a hands-on driving experience that requires your full attention as you transition off the main grid.
63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 66 mi on Fall Line Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Fall Line Freeway and Georgia-Florida Parkway. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 29.9 miles in near US 129 Business; US 441 Business; GA 24 Business; GA 44 / Jefferson Avenue.
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 176.1 miles you will encounter 17 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 29.9 miles (US 129 Business; US 441 Business; GA 24 Business; GA 44 / Jefferson Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 58.7 miles (US 129; GA 11; GA 22 / Gray Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 69.4 miles (GA 540): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Union Point, GA to Albany, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Valdosta along the way.
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.
Top landmarks
•Albany Municipal Auditorium — concert hall and multi-use auditorium in Albany, Georgia
•Old St. Teresa Catholic Church — church building in Albany, United States of America
•United States Post Office and Courthouse — historic building in Albany, Georgia
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 46m. Total distance: 176.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 66 miles on Fall Line Freeway. 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 29.9 miles (US 129 Business; US 441 Business; GA 24 Business; GA 44 / Jefferson Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 58.7 miles (US 129; GA 11; GA 22 / Gray Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 69.4 miles (GA 540): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Ocmulgee Mounds 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.
