Origin
Athens, GA
Late night in Athens on Sunday
Local time
12:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Athens, GA to Sandy Springs, GA
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 24m
Distance
64.5 mi
104 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 18m
★
6 AM
1h 24m
8 AM
1h 37m
10 AM
1h 29m
12 PM
1h 28m
3 PM
1h 30m
5 PM
1h 37m
8 PM
1h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Athens, GA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 64.5-mile drive from Athens, GA to Sandy Springs, GA takes about 1 hour and 24 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. Your journey will primarily follow University Parkway and I-85, with a significant portion on Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter. With a fuel cost estimated at $10, this is an economical option. The route is focused on highway travel, offering a straightforward path. Given its relatively short distance and duration, you won't need an overnight stay. This trip stays within the Southeast region, specifically within Georgia.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| University Parkway | 35.2 mi | 43m |
| I 85 | 9 mi | 9m |
| Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter | 5.7 mi | 6m |
| Outer Loop 10 | 3.2 mi | 3m |
| Atlanta Highway | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Prince Avenue | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| Monroe Highway | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Roswell Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
University Parkway
— 35.2 mi, about 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Athens, GA and Sandy Springs, GA.
1
Start on North Lumpkin Street
101 ft
·
6 sec
·
North Lumpkin Street
2
Turn right onto West Dougherty Street
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
West Dougherty Street
3
Continue on Prince Avenue
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Prince Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward GA 10 Loop South
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto GA 10 Loop
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Outer Loop 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 18
Toward US 78 Business, GA 10: Atlanta Highway, Monroe
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
268 ft
·
6 sec
Toward GA 10, US 78 Bus
8
Turn right onto US 78 Business; GA 10
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Atlanta Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
9
Turn slight left onto US 78 Business; GA 10
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Monroe Highway
Use the left lane.
10
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 29 West, GA 316 West: Atlanta
Use the right lane.
11
Merge onto US 29; GA 8; GA 316
35 mi
·
43 min
·
University Parkway
Use the left lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 85 South: Atlanta
13
Merge onto I 85
9.0 mi
·
9 min
·
I 85
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 95B
Toward I 285 West Bypass: Chattanooga, Birmingham
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 285 West: Chattanooga, Birmingham
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 285
5.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
518 ft
·
12 sec
Exit 25; 27B
Toward US 19 South, GA 400 North: Roswell Road, Sandy Springs
Use the slight right lane.
18
Continue on this road
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
this road
Exit 25
Toward US 19 South: Roswell Road
19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 19
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
US 19
Toward US 19 South: Roswell Road, Sandy Springs
Use the slight right lane.
20
Turn right onto GA 9
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Roswell Road
Use the right lane.
21
Turn right onto Mount Vernon Highway
180 ft
·
3 sec
·
Mount Vernon Highway
22
Arrive at destination
Mount Vernon Highway
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
32 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 32.2 miles from Athens, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 5.7 and 63.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
5.7 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Take the exit toward US 78 Business, GA 10: Atlanta Highway, Monroe
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 18
Toward US 78 Business, GA 10: Atlanta Highway,...
8
55.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m in
Take the exit toward I 285 West Bypass: Chattanooga, Birmingham
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 95B
Toward I 285 West Bypass: Chattanooga, Birmingh...
8
55.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 285 West: Chattanooga, Birmingham
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 285 West: Chattanooga, Birmingham
8
62 mi into trip
|
~1h 19m in
Take the exit toward US 19 South, GA 400 North: Roswell Road, Sandy Springs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 25; 27B
Toward US 19 South, GA 400 North: Roswell Road,...
8
63.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m in
|
US 19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 19 toward US 19 South: Roswell Road, Sandy Springs
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 19 South: Roswell Road, Sandy Springs
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.09 one way
$20.17 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
23 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $11.03 | $22.06 |
| premium | $4.70 | $11.94 | $23.88 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.24 | $28.48 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19.3 | 0 | $6.77 | $3.10 |
| Efficient EV | 16.1 | 0 | $5.64 | $2.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 25.8 | 0 | $9.03 | $4.13 |
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Sandy Springs, GA
Late night in Sandy Springs on Sunday
Local time
12:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
84°F
Russell, GA
32 mi in
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
3 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 24m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 1h 24m trip, with 69% of the journey on highways. You'll experience a longest stretch of 35.2 miles on University Parkway, offering a substantial period of consistent travel. As you transition to I-85 and then the Atlanta Bypass, the character shifts to a more typical interstate experience, characterized by higher speeds and more traffic, especially as you approach the Atlanta metro area. The overall feel is one of efficient transit rather than winding scenic roads.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 35.2 mi on University Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on University Parkway and I 85. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 64.5 miles you will encounter 18 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 5.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 55.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 55.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Athens, GA and Sandy Springs, GA, road signs point toward Monroe and Birmingham.
Monroe
5.7 mi in
|
~9m
Birmingham
55.2 mi in
|
~1h 10m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 24m. Total distance: 64.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (69%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 35.2 miles on University Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Sandy Springs, GA before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 55.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 55.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Sandy Springs, GA before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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