How far is Albany, GA from Thunderbolt, GA?
The driving distance from Albany, GA to Thunderbolt, GA is about 227.6 miles (366.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 185 miles (297.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 25m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 04h 42m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Laurens County, Georgia, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Albany and Thunderbolt.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Albany and Thunderbolt.
-
1
Start on Pine Avenue
2031 ft · 45 sec · Pine Avenue
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2
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward North Front Street
23 m · 6 sec · North Front Street
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3
Exit the roundabout onto North Front Street
156 m · 14 sec · North Front Street
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4
Turn left onto West Broad Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · West Broad Avenue
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5
Turn left onto Blaylock Street
1318 ft · 30 sec · Blaylock Street
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6
Turn right onto Clark Avenue
2.2 mi · 4 min · Clark Avenue
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7
Turn left onto Cordele Road
35.2 mi · 44 min · Cordele Road
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8
Turn left onto I-75 North: Macon
1745 ft · 42 sec
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9
Merge slight left
2 mi · 2 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward GA 257: Cordele, Hawkinsville
2192 ft · 50 sec
-
11
Turn right
24.9 mi · 34 min
-
12
Turn straight onto Vienna Highway
3 mi · 4 min · Vienna Highway
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13
Continue on McCormick Avenue
1.3 km · 2 min · McCormick Avenue
-
14
Merge slight left onto Broad Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · Broad Street
-
15
Continue straight
39 m · 9 sec
-
16
Turn left
1.3 mi · 2 min
-
17
Turn right
8.7 mi · 12 min
-
18
Turn right onto Golden Isles Highway
139 m · 7 sec · Golden Isles Highway
-
19
Continue on Eastman Cochran Highway
2018 ft · 33 sec · Eastman Cochran Highway
-
20
Turn left onto Empire-Chester Highway
8.8 mi · 12 min · Empire-Chester Highway
-
21
Turn slight left onto Carolina Avenue South
1.6 km · 2 min · Carolina Avenue South
-
22
Continue on Carolina Street
906 ft · 22 sec · Carolina Street
-
23
Continue on Chester-Dublin Highway
1046 ft · 22 sec · Chester-Dublin Highway
-
24
Continue on Chester - Dublin Highway
12.9 mi · 18 min · Chester - Dublin Highway
-
25
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
33 m · 4 sec
-
26
Exit the roundabout
1724 ft · 39 sec
-
27
Take the ramp right toward Savannah
1872 ft · 46 sec
-
28
Merge slight left onto Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
115.9 mi · 2 hr 5 min · Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
-
29
Take the exit slight right toward 37th Street, Abercorn Street
2.8 mi · 5 min
-
30
Turn right onto Bee Road
1742 ft · 37 sec · Bee Road
-
31
Turn left onto East Victory Drive
1.8 mi · 3 min · East Victory Drive
-
32
Turn right onto River Drive
67 m · 10 sec · River Drive
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · River Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Albany and Thunderbolt.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
Merge slight left onto Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
116 mi · 02h 05m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Albany and Sunny near Thunderbolt.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Albany to Thunderbolt?
The road trip is about 227.6 miles (366.3 km) and usually takes 04h 42m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
East Dublin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 113.7 miles from Albany and 113.9 miles from Thunderbolt.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 185 miles (297.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.6 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:34 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.81 one way or $63.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 71.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Albany and Sunny near Thunderbolt.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Albany and Thunderbolt. Straight-line distance: 185.06 mi (297.82 km).
#1 Albany
The capital of Georgia.
| Population | 70,839 |
| Coordinates | 31.5785100, -84.1557400 |
| Altitude | 62 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Thunderbolt
Town in Chatham County, Georgia, United States
| Population | 2,601 |
| Coordinates | 32.0335400, -81.0498300 |
| Altitude | 6 |
| Country | United States |
End: Thunderbolt (-81.04983, 32.03354)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 366 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 50m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $31.81 | $63.61 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $35.56 | $71.13 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $38.37 | $76.73 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $45.16 | $90.32 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Georgia · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.