How far is Columbus, GA from Alma, GA?

The driving distance from Columbus, GA to Alma, GA is about 194.4 miles (312.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 21m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 161.1 miles (259.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 42m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
194.35 mi
04h 21m
Flight
161.08 mi
259.24 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Columbus.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
161.08 mi
Kilometers
259.24 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
194.35 mi
Kilometers
312.78 km
Drive Time
04h 21m

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 21m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Alma
Thu, Apr 16, 6:00 PM EDT
Return by in Columbus
Thu, Apr 16, 10:21 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Columbus
2026-04-16T13:39
Arrive Alma
Thu, Apr 16, 6:00 PM EDT
Route Timing
04h 21m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:21 AM to 12:21 PM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:18 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Columbus
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Sugar Hill
GA

City in Gwinnett County, Georgia, United States

From Columbus
97.1 mi
02h 10m
To Alma
97.2 mi
02h 10m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
87°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 7:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph SW
Destination
90°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 6 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Columbus and Alma.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Columbus and Alma.

  1. 1

    Start on Veterans Parkway

    4 m · 6 sec · Veterans Parkway

  2. 2

    Continue on Veterans Parkway

    1426 ft · 47 sec · Veterans Parkway

  3. 3

    Turn right onto 10th Street

    2431 ft · 1 min · 10th Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto 10th Avenue

    123 m · 16 sec · 10th Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn sharp right onto Wynnton Road

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Wynnton Road

  6. 6

    Continue on Macon Road

    8 mi · 12 min · Macon Road

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    863 ft · 16 sec

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Beaver Run Road

    895 ft · 14 sec · Beaver Run Road

  9. 9

    Continue on Macon Road

    17.4 mi · 20 min · Macon Road

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    1.3 km · 1 min

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    39.1 mi · 47 min

  12. 12

    Turn right

    2.7 mi · 4 min

  13. 13

    Continue on Orange Street

    107 m · 11 sec · Orange Street

  14. 14

    Continue on Vineville Street

    2955 ft · 1 min · Vineville Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Oakland Heights Parkway

    2479 ft · 1 min · Oakland Heights Parkway

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Martin Luther King Junior Drive

    1 mi · 2 min · Martin Luther King Junior Drive

  17. 17

    Continue on Martin Luther King Jr Drive

    9.6 mi · 14 min · Martin Luther King Jr Drive

  18. 18

    Take the ramp right toward I-75 South: Valdosta

    1448 ft · 35 sec

  19. 19

    Merge slight left

    1.4 mi · 1 min

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight right toward US 41, GA 127, GA 224: Perry, Larry Walker Parkway

    1117 ft · 35 sec

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Marshallville Road

    1364 ft · 31 sec · Marshallville Road

  22. 22

    Continue on Larry Walker Parkway

    8.7 mi · 11 min · Larry Walker Parkway

  23. 23

    Continue on Golden Isles Highway

    1083 ft · 17 sec · Golden Isles Highway

  24. 24

    Continue on Main Street

    4.6 mi · 6 min · Main Street

  25. 25

    Continue on Perry Highway

    5.5 mi · 7 min · Perry Highway

  26. 26

    Continue on 341 Boulevard

    1.7 mi · 3 min · 341 Boulevard

  27. 27

    Turn left onto Commerce Street

    1 mi · 2 min · Commerce Street

  28. 28

    Continue on Broad Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · Broad Street

  29. 29

    Continue straight

    16.3 mi · 20 min

  30. 30

    Keep slight right to continue on Hawkinsville Highway

    1.4 km · 1 min · Hawkinsville Highway

  31. 31

    Keep slight right

    38.3 mi · 53 min

  32. 32

    Continue on Lumber City Highway

    5.3 mi · 7 min · Lumber City Highway

  33. 33

    Continue on West Coffee Street

    1.4 km · 2 min · West Coffee Street

  34. 34

    Turn slight right onto Hazlehurst Denton Road

    75 m · 4 sec · Hazlehurst Denton Road

  35. 35

    Continue on North Tallahassee Street

    1.4 km · 1 min · North Tallahassee Street

  36. 36

    Turn left onto East Jefferson Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · East Jefferson Street

  37. 37

    Continue on Alma Road

    129 m · 7 sec · Alma Road

  38. 38

    Continue on Alma Highway

    17.6 mi · 26 min · Alma Highway

  39. 39

    Turn right

    6.3 mi · 7 min

  40. 40

    Turn left onto East 16th Street

    27 m · 2 sec · East 16th Street

  41. 41

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East 16th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbus and Alma.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
41 steps
13 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
21.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Macon Road
65.5 mi · 34%
Hawkinsville Highway
39.2 mi · 20%
Alma Highway
17.6 mi · 9%
Broad Street
17 mi · 9%
Martin Luther King Jr Drive
9.65 mi · 5%
Larry Walker Parkway
8.71 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Macon Road

Continue straight

39.1 mi · 00h 47m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 21m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+33.3 mi
161.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Sugar Hill
02h 10m from Columbus
Leave By
8:18 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Columbus and Sunny near Alma.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Columbus to Alma?

The road trip is about 194.4 miles (312.8 km) and usually takes 04h 21m 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?

Sugar Hill is a useful midpoint, sitting about 97.1 miles from Columbus and 97.2 miles from Alma.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 161.1 miles (259.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.3 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 8:18 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.17 one way or $54.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Columbus and Sunny near Alma.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Columbus and Alma. Straight-line distance: 161.08 mi (259.24 km).

Columbus

#1 Columbus

The second most populous city in Georgia.

Population196,442
Coordinates32.4609800, -84.9877100
Altitude82
CountryUnited States
Alma

#2 Alma

City in Bacon County, Georgia, United States

Population3,336
Coordinates31.5393700, -82.4623600
Altitude60
CountryUnited States
Start: Columbus (-84.98771, 32.46098)
End: Alma (-82.46236, 31.53937)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 313 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 28m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 51m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 53m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 14m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 46m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 25m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.86 gal
25.96 L · about $27.17
Round trip
$54.34
13.72 gal · 51.92 L
Estimated CO2
61 kg one way
Round trip: 121.9 kg / 269 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $27.17 $54.34
Mid-grade $4.43 $30.38 $60.77
Premium $4.78 $32.78 $65.55
Diesel $5.62 $38.58 $77.16

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Columbus and Alma. The current time is 13:39:20.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.