Origin
Atlanta, GA
Night in Atlanta on Sunday
Local time
11:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Atlanta, GA to Dunwoody, GA
Drive Time
24m
Distance
16.5 mi
27 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 22m
★
6 AM
0h 25m
8 AM
0h 29m
10 AM
0h 26m
12 PM
0h 26m
3 PM
0h 26m
5 PM
0h 29m
8 PM
0h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Atlanta, GA
Kelly
Dunwoody, GA
Thomas K
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick excursion from Atlanta to Dunwoody, you are looking at a brief 16.5-mile journey that typically takes about 24 minutes. This drive is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, making it an easy commute or a simple afternoon outing. You will navigate through the Southeast region, relying primarily on the Downtown Connector and the Northeast Expressway to bridge the gap between these two Georgia cities. With an estimated fuel cost of just $3, this is an incredibly economical route that requires zero mandatory stops. It is a straightforward, no-fuss drive that serves as a practical connection for anyone moving between the heart of the city and its northern suburbs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
8.2 miles from Atlanta, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 11m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a quintessential highway-focused drive, with 62% of your time spent on high-speed thoroughfares. You will start by navigating T Harvey Mathis Parkway, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of the route at 7.1 miles. The personality of this drive is functional and efficient rather than scenic, characterized by the steady flow of metropolitan interstate traffic. As you transition from the city center onto the Northeast Expressway, expect a consistent pace that keeps you moving toward your destination without the need for technical maneuvering. It is a utilitarian experience designed to get you from point A to point B with minimal complexity.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
T Harvey Mathis Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 7.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on T Harvey Mathis Parkway and Downtown Connector. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 16.5 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 0.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.5 miles (I 85 / Northeast Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.2 miles (GA 400 / T Harvey Mathis Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Take the ramp toward I 75 North, I 85 North
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 75 North, I 85 North
8
3.5 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
I 85 / Northeast Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85 / Northeast Expressway toward I 85 North: Greenville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Exit 251B
Toward I 85 North: Greenville
9
6.2 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
GA 400 / T Harvey Mathis Parkway
Keep slight right at fork onto GA 400 / T Harvey Mathis Parkway toward GA 400 North: Buckhead, Cumming
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 87
Toward GA 400 North: Buckhead, Cumming
7
13.8 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Take the exit toward Abernathy Road, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs
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.
Toward Abernathy Road, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs
7
14.7 mi into trip
|
~20m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Dunwoody
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Dunwoody
Towns Along This Route
Between Atlanta, GA and Dunwoody, GA, road signs point toward Cumming and Sandy Springs.
Cumming
6.2 mi in
|
~8m
|
via GA 400
Sandy Springs
13.8 mi in
|
~18m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| T Harvey Mathis Parkway | 7.1 mi | 8m |
| Downtown Connector | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| Northeast Expressway | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| Mount Vernon Road | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Turner McDonald Parkway | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Mount Vernon Highway | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Abernathy Road Northeast | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Southeast | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
T Harvey Mathis Parkway
— 7.1 mi, about 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Atlanta, GA and Dunwoody, GA.
1
Start on Capitol Avenue Southeast
69 ft
·
1 sec
·
Capitol Avenue Southeast
2
Turn slight right
156 ft
·
6 sec
3
Turn slight right onto Martin Luther King Jr Drive Southeast
257 ft
·
7 sec
·
Martin Luther King Jr Drive Southeast
Use the right lane.
4
Continue on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Southeast
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Southeast
Use the none lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward I 75 North, I 85 North
6
Merge onto I 75; I 85
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Downtown Connector
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 85
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Northeast Expressway
Exit 251B
Toward I 85 North: Greenville
Use the none lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto GA 400
7.1 mi
·
8 min
·
T Harvey Mathis Parkway
Exit 87
Toward GA 400 North: Buckhead, Cumming
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on GA 400
0.5 mi
·
44 sec
·
Turner McDonald Parkway
Use the none / right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward Abernathy Road, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
314 ft
·
4 sec
Toward Dunwoody
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn straight onto Abernathy Road Northeast
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
Abernathy Road Northeast
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn left onto Mount Vernon Highway
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Mount Vernon Highway
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on Mount Vernon Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Mount Vernon Road
Use the none lane.
15
Turn sharp left
90 ft
·
2 sec
16
Turn right
79 ft
·
5 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Because this is such a short 24-minute drive, you have immense flexibility in your departure schedule, though you should always account for potential traffic volume on major connectors. Since the entire trip covers only 16.5 miles, you won't need to worry about planning for rest stops or food breaks along the way. Your primary focus should be monitoring the flow on the Downtown Connector, as this segment can be the most unpredictable part of your drive. With a fuel budget of only $3, you can easily complete the round trip on a single tank without needing to refuel mid-journey. Keep your eyes on the signage for the Northeast Expressway to ensure a smooth transition out of the city center.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 8.2 miles from Atlanta, GA, or about 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 7.1 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 16.5 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 8.2 miles or 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dunwoody, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Atlanta, 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 Atlanta, GA
This is one driving day of about 16.5 miles and 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Atlanta, GA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on T Harvey Mathis Parkway for about 7.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 8.2 mi from Atlanta, GA · 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
8 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 16.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 8.2 miles from Atlanta, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Dunwoody, GA
The final approach into Dunwoody, GA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Dunwoody, GA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$2.64 one way
$5.28 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
6 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $2.88 | $5.75 |
| premium | $4.78 | $3.10 | $6.21 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $3.67 | $7.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5 | 0 | $1.73 | $0.79 |
| Efficient EV | 4.1 | 0 | $1.44 | $0.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.6 | 0 | $2.31 | $1.06 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 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.
Destination
Dunwoody, GA
Night in Dunwoody on Sunday
Local time
11:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
90°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Atlanta, GA to Dunwoody, GA covers 16.5 miles and takes about 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are T Harvey Mathis Parkway, Downtown Connector, Northeast Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 8.2 miles from Atlanta, GA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.64 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 16.5 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.5 miles (I 85 / Northeast Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.2 miles (GA 400 / T Harvey Mathis Parkway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Atlanta, GA and Dunwoody, GA, road signs point toward Cumming and Sandy Springs.
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