Donalsonville, GA to Sandy Springs, GA is 235 miles and takes about 4h 36m via US 27, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Southeast region, starting in one Georgia town and ending in another. You'll experience a mixed drive, so expect a variety of road types rather than a consistent interstate experience. It's a straightforward, single-day journey, making it a convenient option for a quick transition between locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
117.5 miles from Donalsonville, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 24m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 27
87.4 mi
1h 43m
Chet Atkins Parkway
49.2 mi
53m
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
47.5 mi
50m
Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
22.6 mi
26m
South Tennille Avenue
12.5 mi
17m
Martha Berry Highway
10.9 mi
14m
Mount Vernon Highway
1.2 mi
2m
Heards Ferry Road Northwest
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 27
— 87.4 mi, about 1h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Donalsonville, GA and Sandy Springs, GA.
1
Start on US 84; GA 38
44 ft·5 sec·East 3rd Street
2
Turn right onto GA 39; GA 91
13 mi·17 min·South Tennille Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
At end of road, turn left onto US 27; GA 1
1.1 mi·1 min·US 27; GA 1
4
Continue on US 27; GA 1
10 mi·11 min·US 27; GA 1
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on US 27; GA 1
19 mi·22 min·US 27; GA 1
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
Continue on US 27; GA 1
57 mi·1 hr 7 min·US 27; GA 1
Use the straight lane.
7
Turn left onto US 27; US 280; GA 1; GA 520
11 mi·14 min·Martha Berry Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward I 185 North: LaGrange, Atlanta
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·47 sec
Toward I 185 North: LaGrange, Atlanta
10
Continue on I 185
49 mi·53 min·Chet Atkins Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 85
47 mi·50 min·Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·48 sec
Exit 68Toward I 285: Atlanta Bypass, Atlanta International AirportUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·2 min
Toward I 285 North: Birmingham, ChattanoogaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 285
23 mi·26 min·Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·23 sec
Exit 24Toward Riverside DriveUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
134 ft·2 sec
Toward Riverside Drive
17
Turn slight right
214 ft·6 sec
18
Turn right onto Riverside Drive Northwest
478 ft·14 sec·Riverside Drive Northwest
19
Turn slight right onto Riverside Drive Northwest
0.2 mi·27 sec·Riverside Drive Northwest
20
Turn right onto Heards Ferry Road Northwest
0.6 mi·1 min·Heards Ferry Road Northwest
21
Turn left onto Mount Vernon Highway
1.2 mi·2 min·Mount Vernon Highway
22
Arrive at destination
Mount Vernon Highway
Trip Plan
With a drive time of under 5 hours, this trip is best suited for a single day. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. You'll have one planned stop, but since the drive isn't excessively long, you have flexibility to add more if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 87.4-mile stretch on US 27, as services might be less frequent there. The $37 fuel cost is an estimate, so it's wise to factor in a little extra for peace of mind.
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 117.5 miles from Donalsonville, GA, or about 2h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.4 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 52 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.5 miles or 2h 24m 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 45m
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 Donalsonville, 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 Donalsonville, GA
This is one driving day of about 235 miles and 4h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Donalsonville, 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 87.4 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 0 and 232.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|GA 39; GA 91 / South Tennille Avenue
Turn right onto GA 39; GA 91 / South Tennille Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
111.2 mi into trip|~2h 16m 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
208.3 mi into trip|~4h 2m 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
208.7 mi into trip|~4h 2m 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
232.5 mi into trip|~4h 31m 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
$36.75 one way
$73.50 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.34
$40.18
$80.36
premium
$4.70
$43.49
$86.99
diesel
$5.61
$51.89
$103.77
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.5
0
$24.67
$11.28
Efficient EV
58.8
0
$20.56
$9.40
EV Truck/SUV
94
1
$32.90
$15.04
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Donalsonville, GA
Late night
in Donalsonville on Sunday
Local time
12:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 18 at 2:27AM EDT until April 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 18 at 2:27AM EDT until April 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Tallahassee FL
Destination
Sandy Springs, GA
Late night
in Sandy Springs on Sunday
Local time
12:48 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
54°F
Columbus, GA
118 mi in
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
35 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 36m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 235
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 218.8
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a varied driving experience, with 58% of it on highways. You'll encounter stretches on US 27, Chet Atkins Parkway, and Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, providing a mix of speeds and road conditions. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll navigate is 87.4 miles on US 27, so be prepared for extended periods on this particular roadway. Expect the drive to evolve as you progress, moving from potentially more rural settings to busier areas as you approach your destination.
58% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 87.4 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 early in the drive near GA 39; GA 91 / South Tennille Avenue.
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 235 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: near the start (GA 39; GA 91 / South Tennille Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 111.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 208.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Between Donalsonville, GA and Sandy Springs, GA, road signs point toward Atlanta, Atlanta International Airport and Chattanooga.
Atlanta
110.8 mi in|~2h 16m
Atlanta International Airport
208.3 mi in|~4h 2m
Chattanooga
208.7 mi in|~4h 2m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 36m. Total distance: 235 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 87.4 miles on US 27. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (GA 39; GA 91 / South Tennille Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 111.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 208.3 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 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Sandy Springs, GA, but most travelers stay overnight.
