Traveling from Waycross to Macon covers 156.5 miles through the heart of Southeast Georgia. You should plan for a driving time of approximately 3 hours and 23 minutes, making this a very manageable single-day trip. With a fuel budget of about $25, the journey is cost-effective for solo travelers and families alike. You will rely primarily on a combination of the Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway, US 319, and US 23 to navigate between these two regional hubs. Because the route stays entirely within the state, it offers a consistent experience as you transition from the deep southeast toward the central part of the state. It is an ideal path for those seeking a straightforward, highway-focused drive without the need for an overnight stop.
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
78.3 miles from Waycross, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
49.1 mi
52m
US 319
28.7 mi
39m
US 23
17.6 mi
26m
East Golden Isles Highway
16 mi
22m
North Pierce Street
15.2 mi
17m
Alma Highway
14 mi
18m
Lumber City Highway
5.3 mi
7m
State Street
2.2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
— 49.1 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waycross, GA and Macon, GA.
1
Start on Church Street
94 ft·5 sec·Church Street
2
Turn right onto Albany Avenue
488 ft·15 sec·Albany Avenue
3
Turn left onto US 84; US 1 Business; GA 38
282 ft·12 sec·Plant Avenue
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left onto US 1 Business
0.4 mi·41 sec·State Street
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on US 1 Business
1.2 mi·2 min·Ossie Davis Parkway
6
Continue on US 1 Business
1.8 mi·2 min·State Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on US 1 Business
14 mi·18 min·Alma Highway
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on US 1; US 23; GA 4
15 mi·17 min·North Pierce Street
9
Turn left onto US 23; GA 19
18 mi·26 min·US 23; GA 19
Use the left lane.
10
Turn right onto US 23; GA 19
301 ft·5 sec·Larry Contos Boulevard
11
Continue on US 23; GA 19
0.8 mi·1 min·Tallahassee Street
12
At end of road, turn left onto US 23; US 341; GA 19; GA 27
0.5 mi·55 sec·East Jarman Street
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on US 23; US 221; US 341; GA 19; GA 27; GA 135
1.0 mi·1 min·West Coffee Street
14
Continue on US 23; US 341; GA 19; GA 27
5.3 mi·7 min·Lumber City Highway
15
Continue on US 23; US 341; GA 19; GA 27
16 mi·22 min·East Golden Isles Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on US 23; US 341; GA 27
0.8 mi·1 min·East Oak Street
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn slight right onto US 23; US 341; GA 27
0.8 mi·1 min·Railroad Street
18
Turn right onto US 280; US 319; US 441; GA 30; GA 31
1.6 mi·2 min·South 3rd Avenue
Use the right lane.
19
Turn left onto US 319; US 441; GA 31
28 mi·38 min·US 319; US 441; GA 31
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on US 319; US 441; GA 31; GA 117
0.3 mi·43 sec·US 319; US 441; GA 31; GA 117
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn left
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I-16 West: Macon
22
Merge onto I 16
49 mi·52 min·Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
23
Take the exit
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 1BToward GA 22: Second Street, Macon
24
Turn right onto GA 22
0.6 mi·1 min·2nd Street
25
Turn right onto Mulberry Street
0.3 mi·58 sec·Mulberry Street
26
Arrive at destination
Mulberry Street
Trip Plan
Since the drive is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time based on your personal preference. Aim to complete your one recommended stop roughly halfway through the 3-hour and 23-minute transit to stay refreshed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge when you reach the stretch on the Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway, as this 49.1-mile segment is the longest you will face without changing roads. Because the route is predominantly highway-based, watch for shifts in speed limits when transitioning between the Parkway, US 319, and US 23. Budgeting around $25 for gas should comfortably cover your fuel needs for the entire trip to Macon.
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 78.3 miles from Waycross, GA, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 49.1 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 78.3 miles or 1h 49m 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 Macon, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Waycross, 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 Waycross, GA
This is one driving day of about 156.5 miles and 3h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Waycross, 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 Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway for about 49.1 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 77.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|US 84; US 1 Business; GA 38 / Plant Avenue
Turn left onto US 84; US 1 Business; GA 38 / Plant Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|US 1 Business / State Street
Turn left onto US 1 Business / State Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
51.3 mi into trip|~1h 9m in|US 23; US 341; GA 19; GA 27 / East Jarman Street
At end of road, turn left onto US 23; US 341; GA 19; GA 27 / East Jarman Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
75.8 mi into trip|~1h 45m in|US 280; US 319; US 441; GA 30; GA 31 / South 3rd Avenue
Turn right onto US 280; US 319; US 441; GA 30; GA 31 / South 3rd Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
77.3 mi into trip|~1h 48m in|US 319; US 441; GA 31
Turn left onto US 319; US 441; GA 31
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.47 one way
$48.95 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg55 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$26.76
$53.52
premium
$4.70
$28.96
$57.93
diesel
$5.61
$34.55
$69.11
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: 54.8 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
46.9
0
$16.43
$7.51
Efficient EV
39.1
0
$13.69
$6.26
EV Truck/SUV
62.6
0
$21.91
$10.02
Gas CO2
55 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 20, 2026
Origin
Waycross, GA
Morning
in Waycross on Tuesday
Local time
8:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Macon, GA
Morning
in Macon on Tuesday
Local time
8:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
87°F
Alamo, GA
78 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
23 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 23m 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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 156.5
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 highway-focused experience, as roughly 62% of your journey takes place on major thoroughfares. You will spend a significant portion of your time on the Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip at 49.1 miles. The road’s personality shifts as you transition between these primary arteries, offering a mix of steady cruising and standard highway travel. While you won't encounter major mountain passes or complex navigation, the consistent road quality keeps the pace reliable. Being behind the wheel here feels like a classic Georgia transit, providing a predictable rhythm that allows you to cover the 156.5-mile distance efficiently.
62% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 49.1 mi on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway and US 319. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 84; US 1 Business; GA 38 / Plant Avenue.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 23m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 84; US 1 Business; GA 38 / Plant Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.2 miles (US 1 Business / State Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 51.3 miles (US 23; US 341; GA 19; GA 27 / East Jarman Street): Lane positioning matters here.
The longest stretch is about 49.1 miles on Jim Gillis Historic Savannah 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.
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 0.1 miles (US 84; US 1 Business; GA 38 / Plant Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.2 miles (US 1 Business / State Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 51.3 miles (US 23; US 341; GA 19; GA 27 / East Jarman Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Macon, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
