How far is Thunderbolt, GA from California, GA?
The driving distance from Thunderbolt, GA to California, GA is about 278.8 miles (448.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 250.7 miles (403.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 19m 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 39m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in Twiggs and Wilkinson counties, Georgia, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Clear
Clear
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Thunderbolt and California.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thunderbolt and California.
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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
163.6 mi · 2 hr 56 min · Jim Gillis Historic Savannah Parkway
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8
Continue on Fall Line Freeway
2560 ft · 40 sec · Fall Line Freeway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 75 North: Atlanta
2746 ft · 43 sec
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10
Merge slight left
62.1 mi · 1 hr 7 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North: Atlanta, Birmingham
18.7 mi · 23 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 20 West, I 20 East: Birmingham, Augusta, Ralph David Abernathy Freeway
1045 ft · 25 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 20 West: Birmingham
1 km · 1 min
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14
Merge slight left onto Ralph David Abernathy Freeway
12.4 mi · 15 min · Ralph David Abernathy Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward GA 6: Thornton Road, Austell
1137 ft · 28 sec
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16
Keep slight right
53 m · 4 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto Thornton Road
3.4 mi · 6 min · Thornton Road
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18
Continue on C H James Parkway
7.4 mi · 10 min · C H James Parkway
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19
Continue on Wendy Bagwell Parkway
1 mi · 2 min · Wendy Bagwell Parkway
-
20
Continue on Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway
1.3 km · 1 min · Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway
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21
Turn right onto Hiram Acworth Highway
2 mi · 3 min · Hiram Acworth Highway
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Hiram Acworth Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Thunderbolt and California.
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
164 mi · 02h 56m
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 Clear leaving Thunderbolt and Clear near California.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Thunderbolt to California?
The road trip is about 278.8 miles (448.7 km) and usually takes 04h 39m 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?
Danville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 139.1 miles from Thunderbolt and 139.7 miles from California.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 250.7 miles (403.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.1 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 7:40 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.98 one way or $77.95 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 87.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Thunderbolt and Clear near California.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Thunderbolt and California. Straight-line distance: 250.7 mi (403.46 km).
#1 Thunderbolt
Town in Chatham County, Georgia, United States
| Population | 2,601 |
| Coordinates | 32.0335400, -81.0498300 |
| Altitude | 6 |
| Country | United States |
#2 California
California is a place in Georgia, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 33.9189900, -84.7457700 |
| Altitude | 317 |
| Country | United States |
End: Hiram Acworth Highway (-84.745736, 33.91899)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 449 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 58m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $38.98 | $77.95 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $43.58 | $87.16 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $47.02 | $94.03 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $55.34 | $110.68 |
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 · May 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.