How far is Waycross, GA from California, GA?
The driving distance from Waycross, GA to California, GA is about 281.7 miles (453.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 233 miles (375 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 29m 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 44m.
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 Houston and Peach Counties, Georgia, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waycross and California.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waycross and California.
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1
Start on Church Street
29 m · 10 sec · Church Street
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2
Turn left onto Albany Avenue
4.8 mi · 9 min · Albany Avenue
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3
Turn right onto Fulford Road
2390 ft · 50 sec · Fulford Road
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4
Turn left onto South Georgia Parkway
3.3 mi · 4 min · South Georgia Parkway
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5
Continue on Albany Highway
6.6 mi · 8 min · Albany Highway
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6
Continue straight
3.4 mi · 4 min
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7
Continue straight
5.1 mi · 6 min
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8
Continue straight
4.6 mi · 5 min
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9
Continue straight
4.5 mi · 6 min
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10
Continue straight
20.5 mi · 25 min
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11
Continue straight
1.1 km · 1 min
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12
Continue straight
1.1 mi · 2 min
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13
Continue straight
15.2 mi · 19 min
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14
Continue straight
1.2 km · 1 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward East 2nd Street
1 mi · 2 min · East 2nd Street
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16
Turn right onto Forrest Avenue
1.4 km · 2 min · Forrest Avenue
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17
At the end of the road, turn left onto West 12th Street
140 m · 11 sec · West 12th Street
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18
Continue on US Highway 41 North
1.1 km · 1 min · US Highway 41 North
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19
Take the ramp right
92.3 mi · 1 hr 39 min
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20
Keep slight left to continue on Larry Justice Highway
15.9 mi · 17 min · Larry Justice Highway
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21
Merge slight right
49.5 mi · 54 min
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22
Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North: Atlanta, Birmingham
18.7 mi · 23 min
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23
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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24
Keep slight left to continue on I 20 West: Birmingham
1 km · 1 min
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25
Merge slight left onto Ralph David Abernathy Freeway
12.4 mi · 15 min · Ralph David Abernathy Freeway
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26
Take the exit slight right toward GA 6: Thornton Road, Austell
1137 ft · 28 sec
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27
Keep slight right
53 m · 4 sec
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28
Merge slight left onto Thornton Road
3.4 mi · 6 min · Thornton Road
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29
Continue on C H James Parkway
7.4 mi · 10 min · C H James Parkway
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30
Continue on Wendy Bagwell Parkway
1 mi · 2 min · Wendy Bagwell Parkway
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31
Continue on Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway
1.3 km · 1 min · Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway
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32
Turn right onto Hiram Acworth Highway
2 mi · 3 min · Hiram Acworth Highway
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Hiram Acworth Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waycross 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.
US Highway 41 North
Take the ramp right
92.3 mi · 01h 39m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Waycross and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near California.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waycross to California?
The road trip is about 281.7 miles (453.3 km) and usually takes 04h 44m 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?
Perry is a useful midpoint, sitting about 139.1 miles from Waycross and 142.5 miles from California.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 233 miles (375 km), while the road route adds roughly 48.7 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 7:30 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.37 one way or $78.74 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 88.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Waycross and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near California.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waycross and California. Straight-line distance: 233.02 mi (375.01 km).
#1 Waycross
City in Ware County, Georgia, United States
| Population | 13,466 |
| Coordinates | 31.2136800, -82.3557000 |
| Altitude | 39 |
| 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: 453 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.96 | $39.37 | $78.74 |
| Mid-grade | $4.43 | $44.02 | $88.05 |
| Premium | $4.78 | $47.49 | $94.99 |
| Diesel | $5.62 | $55.90 | $111.81 |
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 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.