Origin
College Park, GA
Night in College Park on Sunday
Local time
9:25 PM
EDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from College Park, GA to Sandy Springs, GA
Drive Time
35m
Distance
26.3 mi
42 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 33m
★
6 AM
0h 36m
8 AM
0h 42m
10 AM
0h 38m
12 PM
0h 37m
3 PM
0h 38m
5 PM
0h 41m
8 PM
0h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
College Park, GA
DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ
Trip Overview
Navigating the 26.3-mile stretch between College Park and Sandy Springs is a straightforward endeavor that typically takes about 35 minutes. Since this is a quick journey within the Southeast, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Your fuel budget for the trip will be roughly $4, making it a very economical commute. You will primarily utilize the Atlanta Bypass, also known as the Perimeter, alongside Camp Creek Parkway and Mount Vernon Highway. Whether you are traveling for business or a local visit, this route offers a practical connection between these two Georgia cities.
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
13.2 miles from College Park, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 17m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that balances efficiency with short bursts of highway travel. Only 10% of your journey is spent on major highways, meaning you will spend most of your time navigating local roads. The most significant portion of the drive is a 20.3-mile stretch along the Atlanta Bypass, which provides the bulk of your momentum. As you transition from the Perimeter onto local streets like Mount Vernon Highway, the pace shifts from a steady highway flow to a more technical, stop-and-go environment. Staying alert is key as the road character changes frequently throughout the 35-minute transit.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter is the longest continuous segment at about 20.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 29; GA 14; GA 139 / Main Street.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 26.3 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 29; GA 14; GA 139 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.6 miles (I 285 / Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 29; GA 14; GA 139 / Main Street
Turn left onto US 29; GA 14; GA 139 / Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / none lanes.
4
3.2 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the ramp toward I 285 North: Atlanta, Birmingham
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 285 North: Atlanta, Birmingham
5
3.6 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 285 / Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
Merge onto I 285 / Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
23.8 mi into trip
|
~30m 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
7
24.2 mi into trip
|
~30m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Riverside Drive
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Toward Riverside Drive
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from College Park, GA to Sandy Springs, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Birmingham along the way.
Birmingham
3.2 mi in
|
~6m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter | 20.3 mi | 23m |
| Camp Creek Parkway | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| Mount Vernon Highway | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Heards Ferry Road Northwest | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Riverside Drive Northwest | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Harvard Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
— 20.3 mi, about 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between College Park, GA and Sandy Springs, GA.
1
Start on Harvard Avenue
44 ft
·
6 sec
·
Harvard Avenue
2
Turn left onto US 29; GA 14; GA 139
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
Main Street
Use the left / none lanes.
3
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
4
Turn straight onto GA 6
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Camp Creek Parkway
Use the none lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward I 285 North: Atlanta, Birmingham
6
Merge onto I 285
20 mi
·
23 min
·
Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 24
Toward Riverside Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
134 ft
·
2 sec
Toward Riverside Drive
Use the none lane.
9
Turn slight right
214 ft
·
6 sec
10
Turn right onto Riverside Drive Northwest
478 ft
·
14 sec
·
Riverside Drive Northwest
11
Turn slight right onto Riverside Drive Northwest
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Riverside Drive Northwest
12
Turn right onto Heards Ferry Road Northwest
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Heards Ferry Road Northwest
13
Turn left onto Mount Vernon Highway
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Mount Vernon Highway
14
Arrive at destination
Mount Vernon Highway
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule rather than worrying about long-distance pacing. You will not need to factor in any planned stops, as the total duration is quite manageable for a single drive. Keep in mind that with the route's reliance on the Atlanta Bypass, it is wise to check for traffic congestion before heading out to ensure you stay within your estimated 35-minute travel time. Since fuel costs are minimal at approximately $4, you can focus on navigating the turns of the local roads comfortably. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to keep your navigation apps active, as the transition between the Perimeter and the local road network can involve several quick turns.
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 13.2 miles from College Park, GA, or about 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 20.3 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 26.3 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 13.2 miles or 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 28m
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 College Park, 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 College Park, GA
This is one driving day of about 26.3 miles and 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from College Park, 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 Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter for about 20.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 13.2 mi from College Park, GA · 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
13 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 26.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 13.2 miles from College Park, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Sandy Springs, GA
The final approach into Sandy Springs, 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 Sandy Springs, 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
$4.21 one way
$8.42 round trip
$4.07/gal
25.4 MPG avg
9 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.43 | $4.59 | $9.17 |
| premium | $4.78 | $4.95 | $9.89 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $5.84 | $11.69 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.9 | 0 | $2.76 | $1.26 |
| Efficient EV | 6.6 | 0 | $2.30 | $1.05 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 10.5 | 0 | $3.68 | $1.68 |
Gas CO2
9 kg
EV CO2
3 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
Sandy Springs, GA
Night in Sandy Springs on Sunday
Local time
9:25 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°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
23 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
35m 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 College Park, GA to Sandy Springs, GA covers 26.3 miles and takes about 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter, Camp Creek Parkway, Mount Vernon Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 13.2 miles from College Park, GA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.21 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 26.3 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 29; GA 14; GA 139 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.6 miles (I 285 / Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from College Park, GA to Sandy Springs, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Birmingham along the way.
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