This 205.2-mile journey from Blakely, GA, to Sandy Springs, GA, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 3 hours and 59 minutes. Primarily utilizing US 27, Chet Atkins Parkway, and Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, this route offers a mixed driving experience across the Southeast. With a projected fuel cost of $32 and a single recommended stop, it's an efficient trip. The drive is well-suited for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. Consider this a straightforward, practical drive to get you from point A to point B.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
102.6 miles from Blakely, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 27
56.9 mi
1h 7m
Chet Atkins Parkway
49.2 mi
53m
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
47.5 mi
50m
Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
22.6 mi
26m
Blakley Highway
12.3 mi
14m
Martha Berry Highway
10.9 mi
14m
Mount Vernon Highway
1.2 mi
2m
Magnolia Street
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 27
— 56.9 mi, about 1h 7m
Traffic on I-285
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 92 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~6,279 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~587 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Blakely, GA and Sandy Springs, GA.
1
Start on US 27 Business; GA 39; GA 62
0.2 mi·37 sec·US 27 Business; GA 39; GA 62
2
Continue on GA 62
0.8 mi·1 min·Magnolia Street
3
Turn left onto US 27; GA 1
12 mi·14 min·Blakley Highway
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on US 27; GA 1
57 mi·1 hr 7 min·US 27; GA 1
Use the straight lane.
5
Turn left onto US 27; US 280; GA 1; GA 520
11 mi·14 min·Martha Berry Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward I 185 North: LaGrange, Atlanta
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·47 sec
Toward I 185 North: LaGrange, Atlanta
8
Continue on I 185
49 mi·53 min·Chet Atkins Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 85
47 mi·50 min·Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Exit 68Toward I 285: Atlanta Bypass, Atlanta International AirportUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·2 min
Toward I 285 North: Birmingham, ChattanoogaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 285
23 mi·26 min·Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·23 sec
Exit 24Toward Riverside DriveUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
134 ft·2 sec
Toward Riverside Drive
15
Turn slight right
214 ft·6 sec
16
Turn right onto Riverside Drive Northwest
478 ft·14 sec·Riverside Drive Northwest
17
Turn slight right onto Riverside Drive Northwest
0.2 mi·27 sec·Riverside Drive Northwest
18
Turn right onto Heards Ferry Road Northwest
0.6 mi·1 min·Heards Ferry Road Northwest
19
Turn left onto Mount Vernon Highway
1.2 mi·2 min·Mount Vernon Highway
20
Arrive at destination
Mount Vernon Highway
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 3-hour and 59-minute duration, starting your trip in the morning allows ample time to reach Sandy Springs comfortably. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $32, you can plan your expenses easily. The longest stretch of 56.9 miles on US 27 is a good point to consider your next fuel or rest break if needed. Since this is a single-day drive, you have flexibility in your departure time, but an early start will maximize your day at your destination.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 102.6 miles from Blakely, GA, or about 2h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.9 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 45 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.6 miles or 2h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sandy Springs, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Blakely, GA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Blakely, GA
This is one driving day of about 205.2 miles and 3h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Blakely, GA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 27 for about 56.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 202.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1 mi into trip|~2m in|US 27; GA 1 / Blakley Highway
Turn left onto US 27; GA 1 / Blakley Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
81.4 mi into trip|~1h 39m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 185 North: LaGrange, Atlanta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 185 North: LaGrange, Atlanta
8
178.5 mi into trip|~3h 24m in
Take the exit toward I 285: Atlanta Bypass, Atlanta International Airport
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 68
Toward I 285: Atlanta Bypass, Atlanta Internati...
8
178.9 mi into trip|~3h 25m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 285 North: Birmingham, Chattanooga
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 North: Birmingham, Chattanooga
7
202.7 mi into trip|~3h 54m in
Take the exit toward Riverside Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 24
Toward Riverside Drive
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.30 one way
$60.59 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$33.29
$66.58
premium
$4.49
$36.29
$72.58
diesel
$4.80
$38.75
$77.49
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.6
0
$21.55
$9.85
Efficient EV
51.3
0
$17.96
$8.21
EV Truck/SUV
82.1
1
$28.73
$13.13
Gas CO2
72 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Blakely, GA
Morning
in Blakely on Sunday
Local time
7:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
0 mph64% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 9:35PM EDT by NWS Peachtree City GA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 9:23PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Destination
Sandy Springs, GA
Morning
in Sandy Springs on Sunday
Local time
7:09 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Partly Cloudy
W 0 to 5 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 9:35PM EDT by NWS Peachtree City GA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 9:23PM EDT by NWS Greenville-Spartanburg SC
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
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
2 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
3h 59m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Today the river valley attracts us for so many reasons. Take a solitary walk to enjoy nature’s display, raft leisurely through the rocky shoals with friends, fish the misty waters as the sun comes up,...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
$5
near mile 205.2
Park Closure: Island Ford Trail Closures Winter 2025-2026
Park Closure: Restrooms and Water Fountains Unavailable at Powers Island and Akers Mill
Welcome to Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park & Preservation District where a young boy grows up in a time of segregation. He was moved by destiny to lead the modern civil rights movemen...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 191.1
Few U.S. Presidents have had such close ties with where they were born and raised. The rural southern culture of Plains, Georgia revolves around farming, church, and school, which had a large influenc...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
Free
near mile 49.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive that's about 52% highway, offering a blend of faster stretches and more local road segments. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 56.9 miles on US 27, providing a good period of consistent travel. This route is characterized as a 'mixed drive,' meaning you'll experience variations in road type and speed limits as you progress. It's not a monotonous interstate grind, nor is it entirely rural two-lane, but rather a practical mix for covering ground efficiently.
52% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 56.9 mi on US 27.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near US 27; GA 1 / Blakley Highway.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 205.2 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (US 27; GA 1 / Blakley Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 81.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 178.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,091 ft262 ft
Total Climb
1,223 ft
Total Descent
394 ft
Highest Point
1,091 ft
~205.2 mi in
Elevation Range
829 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Blakely, GA and Sandy Springs, GA, road signs point toward Atlanta, Atlanta International Airport and Chattanooga.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 59m. Total distance: 205.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 56.9 miles on US 27. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 6 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (US 27; GA 1 / Blakley Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 81.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 178.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park and Jimmy Carter National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Sandy Springs, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
