Origin
Sandy Springs, GA
Late night in Sandy Springs on Wednesday
Local time
4:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
88°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sandy Springs, GA to Tybee Island, GA
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 2, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 23m
Distance
280.1 mi
451 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 10m
★
6 AM
5h 23m
8 AM
5h 50m
10 AM
5h 33m
12 PM
5h 30m
3 PM
5h 34m
5 PM
5h 49m
8 PM
5h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sandy Springs, GA
Wikimedia Commons
Tybee Island, GA
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Sandy Springs, GA to Tybee Island, GA is 280.1 miles and takes about 5h 23m via I-75 and I-16, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Georgia, moving from the Southeast region to the Southeast coast. The majority of the route is highway, making it a straightforward drive for a single day. If you're looking for an efficient way to get to the coast, this is a solid option that won't require an overnight stay.
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
140 miles from Sandy Springs, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 40m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 16 | 163.9 mi | 2h 57m |
| I 75 | 77.1 mi | 1h 25m |
| East Victory Drive | 14.8 mi | 22m |
| T Harvey Mathis Parkway | 5.6 mi | 7m |
| Downtown Connector | 5 mi | 6m |
| Northeast Expressway | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| GA 204 | 2.8 mi | 5m |
| James Wendell George Parkway | 2.3 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 16
— 163.9 mi, about 2h 57m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 280 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~5,640 veh/hr typical · worst 6,598
Quietest
2 AM
~925 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 105 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 Tybee Island, 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 South
Use 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 left at fork onto I 75
12 mi
·
13 min
·
I 75
Toward Macon, Savannah
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
1.1 mi
·
1 min
Exit 165
Toward I 16 East: Jim Gillis Highway, Savannah
Use the slight right lane.
13
Continue on I 16
164 mi
·
2 hr 57 min
·
I 16
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit onto GA 204
2.8 mi
·
5 min
·
GA 204
Exit 165
Toward 37th Street, Abercorn Street
15
Turn right onto Bee Road
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
Bee Road
16
Turn left onto US 80; GA 26
15 mi
·
22 min
·
East Victory Drive
17
Continue on US 80; GA 26
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Street
18
Continue on US 80; GA 26
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Butler Avenue
19
Turn left onto 10th Court
130 ft
·
5 sec
·
10th Court
20
Arrive at destination
10th Court
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour drive, aim to leave Sandy Springs in the morning to avoid the worst of any potential traffic, especially around Atlanta. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility with stops. The longest stretch without a significant break is 163.9 miles on I-16, so plan a fuel and stretch break before you get to that point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you get closer to the coast, as services can sometimes be more spread out in certain stretches.
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 140 miles from Sandy Springs, GA, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 163.9 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 62 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140 miles or 2h 40m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tybee Island, 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 280.1 miles and 5h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 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 I 16 for about 163.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
140 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 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 140 miles from Sandy Springs, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 16 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 163.9 miles.
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 115 decision points cluster between mile 2 and 260.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the ramp toward GA 400 South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward GA 400 South
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 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward Macon, Savannah
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Macon, Savannah
8
95.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 52m in
Take the exit toward I 16 East: Jim Gillis Highway, Savannah
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 165
Toward I 16 East: Jim Gillis Highway, Savannah
6
260.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 50m in
|
GA 204
Take the exit onto GA 204 toward 37th Street, Abercorn Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 165
Toward 37th Street, Abercorn Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.92 one way
$85.84 round trip
$3.89/gal
25.4 MPG avg
98 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.27 | $47.10 | $94.20 |
| premium | $4.64 | $51.13 | $102.27 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $61.74 | $123.49 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 84 | 1 | $29.41 | $13.44 |
| Efficient EV | 70 | 0 | $24.51 | $11.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 112 | 1 | $39.21 | $17.93 |
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Tybee Island, GA
Late night in Tybee Island on Wednesday
Local time
4:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
3 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
5h 23m 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.
Fort Pulaski National Monument
National Monument
For much of the 19th century, masonry fortifications were the United States’ main defense against overseas enemies. However, during the Civil War, new technology proved its superiority over these fort...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
$10
near mile 270.4
Park Closure: McQueen's Island Trail Closed Beginning August 3, 2026
Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 96.6
View on nps.gov
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...
4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Free
near mile 9.7
View on nps.gov
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
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on the highway for 91% of this trip, covering a substantial 163.9 miles on I-16. The bulk of your time will be spent on these interstates. East Victory Drive marks the transition to surface roads as you near your destination. Expect a high volume of exits and potential for urban merging as you approach Savannah and the coast.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 163.9 mi on I 16.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 16 and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 280.1 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 2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 18.6 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.4 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,091 ft
11 ft
Total Climb
199 ft
Total Descent
1,279 ft
Highest Point
1,091 ft
Elevation Range
1,080 ft
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 Sandy Springs, GA and Tybee Island, GA, road signs point toward Macon and Savannah.
Macon
83.4 mi in
|
~1h 38m
|
via I 75
Savannah
83.4 mi in
|
~1h 38m
|
via I 75
About the Cities
Starting in Sandy Springs, GA
Full guide →Founded 2005
Arriving in Tybee Island, GA
Full guide →Tybee Island is a popular beach town and barrier island 18 mi (29 km) east of Savannah along the Atlantic coast of Georgia.
Top landmarks
- • Tybee Island Lighthouse and Museum — lighthouse in Georgia, United States
- • Tybee Island Strand Cottages Historic District — historic district in Georgia, United States
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 23m. Total distance: 280.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 163.9 miles on I 16. 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 Tybee Island, 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: at 2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 18.6 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.4 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Fort Pulaski National Monument, Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park and Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Tybee Island, GA before the return drive.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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