Vienna to Columbus is 86.9 miles and takes about 2 hours 6 minutes via GA 90 and Clarke Duncan Highway, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Georgia, connecting two points in the Southeast region. Expect a local feel for much of the journey, with frequent turns characteristic of this type of route. It's a straightforward trip, best suited for a single day of travel without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.5 miles from Vienna, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
GA 90
17 mi
24m
Clarke Duncan Highway
15.9 mi
21m
Oglethorpe-Montezuma Bypass
15.8 mi
21m
Martha Berry Highway
14.8 mi
21m
East Oglethorpe Street
14.1 mi
20m
Union Street
3.2 mi
4m
Walnut Street
2.6 mi
4m
East 6th Avenue
1.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
GA 90
— 17 mi, about 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Vienna, GA and Columbus, GA.
1
Start on GA 27
3.2 mi·4 min·Union Street
2
Continue on GA 90
17 mi·24 min·GA 90
3
Turn slight left onto GA 26; GA 90
2.6 mi·4 min·Walnut Street
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on GA 26
16 mi·21 min·Oglethorpe-Montezuma Bypass
5
Enter roundabout onto GA 26
133 ft·4 sec·East Oglethorpe Street
6
Continue on GA 26
14 mi·20 min·East Oglethorpe Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on GA 26
0.6 mi·56 sec·Ellaville Road
8
Turn straight onto GA 26
1.5 mi·3 min·East 6th Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on GA 26
16 mi·21 min·Clarke Duncan Highway
10
Turn right onto US 27; US 280; GA 1; GA 520
15 mi·21 min·Martha Berry Highway
11
Continue on US 27; US 280; GA 1; GA 520
0.5 mi·1 min·4th Street
12
Turn right onto 6th Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·6th Avenue
Use the right lane.
13
Turn left onto 9th Street
0.2 mi·40 sec·9th Street
14
Turn left onto US 27; GA 1
0.1 mi·25 sec·Veterans Parkway
15
Arrive at destination
US 27; GA 1
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour 6 minute duration, leaving Vienna anytime in the morning or early afternoon works well for a same-day trip to Columbus. The $14 fuel cost is quite modest, so you should have no trouble finding gas stations along the way if needed. With only 86.9 miles, you have flexibility in your timing and don't need to rush; enjoy the local scenery as you go. A good tip for this 'turn-heavy' route is to keep your navigation system active and pay close attention to upcoming turns to avoid missing any, especially on the local road segments.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 43.5 miles from Vienna, GA, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 17 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 19 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.5 miles or 1h 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 1h 45m
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 Vienna, 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 Vienna, GA
This is one driving day of about 86.9 miles and 2h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Vienna, GA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on GA 90 for about 17 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 7
5 decision points cluster between mile 20.2 and 86 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
20.2 mi into trip|~29m in|GA 26; GA 90 / Walnut Street
Turn slight left onto GA 26; GA 90 / Walnut Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
4
38.6 mi into trip|~54m in|GA 26 / East Oglethorpe Street
Enter roundabout onto GA 26 / East Oglethorpe Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
3
38.6 mi into trip|~55m in|GA 26 / East Oglethorpe Street
Slight right onto GA 26 / East Oglethorpe Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
53.3 mi into trip|~1h 16m in|GA 26 / East 6th Avenue
Turn straight onto GA 26 / East 6th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
86 mi into trip|~2h 4m in|6th Avenue
Turn right onto 6th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.59 one way
$27.18 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$14.86
$29.72
premium
$4.70
$16.08
$32.17
diesel
$5.61
$19.19
$38.37
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.1
0
$9.12
$4.17
Efficient EV
21.7
0
$7.60
$3.48
EV Truck/SUV
34.8
0
$12.17
$5.56
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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
Vienna, GA
Late night
in Vienna on Sunday
Local time
3:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Columbus, GA
Late night
in Columbus on Sunday
Local time
3:46 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
23 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
2h 6m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a 'turn-heavy local drive' experience, with only 20% of the journey on highways. You'll navigate through local roads, including stretches of GA 90 and the Oglethorpe-Montezuma Bypass. The longest uninterrupted segment is 17 miles on GA 90, so be prepared for frequent adjustments. The road profile suggests a more engaging, less monotonous drive compared to a pure interstate trip, requiring your attention as you transition between different local roadways.
Only 20% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 17 mi on GA 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 20.2 miles in near GA 26; GA 90 / Walnut Street.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Vienna, GA to Columbus, GA is easy. At 2h 6m with 20% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 20.2 miles (GA 26; GA 90 / Walnut Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 38.6 miles (GA 26 / East Oglethorpe Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 38.6 miles (GA 26 / East Oglethorpe Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 6m. Total distance: 86.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 17 miles on GA 90. 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 20.2 miles (GA 26; GA 90 / Walnut Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 38.6 miles (GA 26 / East Oglethorpe Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 38.6 miles (GA 26 / East Oglethorpe Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Jimmy Carter National Historical Park. 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 Columbus, GA before heading back.
