Sandy Springs, GA to Deenwood, GA is 264.7 miles and takes about 5 hours 9 minutes via Fall Line Freeway and US 82, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Georgia, connecting two points in the Southeast region. With 88% of the drive on highways, expect a relatively fast transit. It's a single-day trip that balances efficient travel with manageable driving time, making it a straightforward option for getting from point A to point B without extensive planning.
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
132.4 miles from Sandy Springs, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Fall Line Freeway
93.3 mi
1h 40m
US 82
64.9 mi
1h 19m
I 75
64.8 mi
1h 11m
Larry Justice Highway
16.1 mi
17m
T Harvey Mathis Parkway
5.6 mi
7m
Downtown Connector
5 mi
6m
Northeast Expressway
2.9 mi
4m
Albany Avenue
2.8 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Fall Line Freeway
— 93.3 mi, about 1h 40m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 143 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~4,931 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,874
Quietest
2 AM
~829 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
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 Sandy Springs, GA and Deenwood, GA.
1
Start on Mount Vernon Highway
0.1 mi·19 sec·Mount Vernon Highway
2
Continue on Johnson Ferry Road Northeast
0.5 mi·1 min·Johnson Ferry Road Northeast
3
Turn right onto Glenridge Drive Northeast
1.0 mi·2 min·Glenridge Drive Northeast
4
Keep slight left at fork onto Glenridge Connector
0.3 mi·37 sec·Glenridge Connector
5
Take the ramp
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward GA 400 SouthUse the right lane.
6
Merge onto GA 400
5.6 mi·7 min·T Harvey Mathis Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 85
2.9 mi·4 min·Northeast Expressway
8
Continue on I 75; I 85
5.0 mi·6 min·Downtown Connector
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 75; I 85
2.3 mi·3 min·James Wendell George Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
65 mi·1 hr 11 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 475
16 mi·17 min·Larry Justice Highway
Exit 177Toward I 475 South: ValdostaUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 75; GA 540
93 mi·1 hr 40 min·Fall Line Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 63AToward 2nd StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
102 ft·8 sec
Use the straight / left lanes.
15
Turn left onto West 2nd Street
1.4 mi·2 min·West 2nd Street
16
Turn right onto Tift Avenue South
0.2 mi·37 sec·Tift Avenue South
17
Turn left onto US 82; US 319; GA 35; GA 520
1.3 mi·2 min·5th Street East
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 82; GA 520
15 mi·18 min·US 82; GA 520
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Continue on US 82; US 129; GA 11; GA 520
1.1 mi·1 min·US 82; US 129; GA 11; GA 520
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 82; GA 520
26 mi·32 min·US 82; GA 520
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Continue on US 82; GA 520
23 mi·26 min·US 82; GA 520
22
Turn right onto Fulford Road
0.5 mi·57 sec·Fulford Road
23
At end of road, turn left onto Albany Avenue
2.8 mi·4 min·Albany Avenue
Use the left lane.
24
Turn right onto South Augusta Avenue
0.3 mi·40 sec·South Augusta Avenue
25
Continue on Augusta Avenue
0.2 mi·27 sec·Augusta Avenue
26
Arrive at destination
Augusta Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour drive time, leaving Sandy Springs in the morning is advisable to arrive in Deenwood with ample daylight. The route is efficient enough to complete in one day, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, consider a brief stop midway. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch on the Fall Line Freeway, as services might be spaced out. With 88% of the drive on highways, you can anticipate a smooth and direct transit, minimizing detours and maximizing your time on the road.
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 132.4 miles from Sandy Springs, GA, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 93.3 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 58 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.4 miles or 2h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Deenwood, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Sandy Springs, 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 Sandy Springs, GA
This is one driving day of about 264.7 miles and 5h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Sandy Springs, 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 Fall Line Freeway for about 93.3 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 18.6 and 261.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
18.6 mi into trip|~27m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
83.4 mi into trip|~1h 38m in|I 475 / Larry Justice Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 475 / Larry Justice Highway toward I 475 South: Valdosta
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 177
Toward I 475 South: Valdosta
7
192.9 mi into trip|~3h 36m in
Take the exit toward 2nd Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 63A
Toward 2nd Street
7
193.2 mi into trip|~3h 36m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
261.5 mi into trip|~5h 3m in|Albany Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto Albany Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.08 one way
$78.16 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$42.95
$85.89
premium
$4.49
$46.81
$93.62
diesel
$4.80
$49.98
$99.96
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.4
0
$27.79
$12.71
Efficient EV
66.2
0
$23.16
$10.59
EV Truck/SUV
105.9
1
$37.06
$16.94
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Sandy Springs, GA
Late night
in Sandy Springs on Sunday
Local time
5:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Partly Cloudy
NW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:16AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Charleston SC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:14AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Columbia SC
Destination
Deenwood, GA
Late night
in Deenwood on Sunday
Local time
5:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Patchy Fog
0 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:16AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Charleston SC
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 2:14AM EDT until July 18 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Columbia 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 9m 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.
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
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,...
Welcome to Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. This park is a prehistoric American Indian site, where many different American Indian cultures occupied this land for thousands of years. American...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 91.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway, with 88% of the 264.7 miles spent on major roads. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch on the Fall Line Freeway, covering 93.3 miles. After the highway portion, expect a shift to surface roads, which will likely involve more local traffic and potentially a higher density of intersections as you approach your destination. The majority of your time will be spent cruising on these faster roadways.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 93.3 mi on Fall Line Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Fall Line Freeway and US 82. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 18.6 miles in near I 75.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 264.7 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 18.6 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.4 miles (I 475 / Larry Justice Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 192.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 9m. Total distance: 264.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 93.3 miles on Fall Line Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 29 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 Deenwood, 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 29 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 18.6 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.4 miles (I 475 / Larry Justice Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 192.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Deenwood, GA before the return drive.
