How far is Thunderbolt, GA from Albany, GA?
The driving distance from Thunderbolt, GA to Albany, GA is about 243.8 miles (392.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 185 miles (297.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 13m 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 06m.
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.
Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Thunderbolt and Albany.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thunderbolt and Albany.
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1
Start on River Drive
67 m · 16 sec · River Drive
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2
Turn left onto East Victory Drive
1.8 mi · 3 min · East Victory Drive
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3
Turn right onto Bee Road
1770 ft · 42 sec · Bee Road
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4
Turn left onto East 37th Street
2.2 mi · 4 min · East 37th Street
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5
Turn slight right
140 m · 10 sec
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6
Take the ramp straight
3120 ft · 1 min
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7
Merge slight right onto Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
116 mi · 2 hr 5 min · Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward GA 257: Dexter
1062 ft · 30 sec
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9
Turn left
2589 ft · 56 sec
-
10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
37 m · 4 sec
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11
Exit the roundabout
13.3 mi · 19 min
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12
Continue on Carolina Avenue South
1.6 km · 2 min · Carolina Avenue South
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13
Turn slight right onto Empire-Chester Highway
8.8 mi · 12 min · Empire-Chester Highway
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14
At the end of the road, turn right onto Eastman Cochran Highway
2018 ft · 31 sec · Eastman Cochran Highway
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15
Continue on Golden Isles Highway
139 m · 13 sec · Golden Isles Highway
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16
Turn left
8.7 mi · 12 min
-
17
Continue straight
1.2 mi · 2 min
-
18
Take the ramp slight right
641 ft · 18 sec
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19
Continue straight
1.1 km · 1 min
-
20
Continue straight
540 ft · 18 sec
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21
At the end of the road, turn right onto Broad Street
2805 ft · 1 min · Broad Street
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22
Turn left onto McCormick Avenue
1.3 km · 2 min · McCormick Avenue
-
23
Continue on Vienna Highway
3 mi · 4 min · Vienna Highway
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24
Turn slight left onto Cordele Highway
9.4 mi · 13 min · Cordele Highway
-
25
Continue on Hawkinsville Road
15.7 mi · 22 min · Hawkinsville Road
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26
Turn left onto I-75 South: Valdosta
2439 ft · 60 sec
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27
Merge slight left
2.1 mi · 2 min
-
28
Take the exit slight right toward GA 300 South: Georgia-Florida Parkway, Albany
1718 ft · 43 sec
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29
Turn right onto Georgia-Florida Parkway
35.1 mi · 43 min · Georgia-Florida Parkway
-
30
Continue on Cordele Road
1556 ft · 42 sec · Cordele Road
-
31
Turn right onto Old Cordele Road
1075 ft · 22 sec · Old Cordele Road
-
32
Turn straight onto Sylvester Highway
137 m · 11 sec · Sylvester Highway
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33
Continue on East Oglethorpe Boulevard
2.9 mi · 5 min · East Oglethorpe Boulevard
-
34
Turn right onto South Broadway Street
111 m · 17 sec · South Broadway Street
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35
Turn left onto East Broad Avenue
2118 ft · 46 sec · East Broad Avenue
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36
Turn right onto North Front Street
156 m · 13 sec · North Front Street
-
37
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Pine Avenue
33 m · 2 sec · Pine Avenue
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38
Exit the roundabout onto Pine Avenue
2057 ft · 45 sec · Pine Avenue
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39
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Pine Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Thunderbolt and Albany.
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 right 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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Thunderbolt and Partly Sunny near Albany.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Thunderbolt to Albany?
The road trip is about 243.8 miles (392.3 km) and usually takes 04h 06m 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 113.9 miles from Thunderbolt and 129.9 miles from Albany.
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 58.8 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 8:46 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.06 one way or $68.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Thunderbolt and Partly Sunny near Albany.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Thunderbolt and Albany. Straight-line distance: 185.06 mi (297.82 km).
#1 Thunderbolt
Town in Chatham County, Georgia, United States
| Population | 2,601 |
| Coordinates | 32.0335400, -81.0498300 |
| Altitude | 6 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Albany
The capital of Georgia.
| Population | 70,839 |
| Coordinates | 31.5785100, -84.1557400 |
| Altitude | 62 |
| Country | United States |
End: Pine Avenue (-84.15574, 31.578444)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 392 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 05m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $34.06 | $68.13 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $38.09 | $76.18 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $41.09 | $82.18 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $48.37 | $96.73 |
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.