Origin
Dunwoody, GA
Night in Dunwoody on Sunday
Local time
10:34 PM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dunwoody, GA to Atlanta, GA
Drive Time
23m
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 24m
8 AM
0h 28m
10 AM
0h 25m
12 PM
0h 25m
3 PM
0h 25m
5 PM
0h 28m
8 PM
0h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dunwoody, GA
Thomas K
Atlanta, GA
Kelly
Trip Overview
Traveling from Dunwoody to Atlanta is a straightforward 16.5-mile journey that typically takes about 23 minutes. Because this is a short, efficient trip within the Southeast, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily utilize the Northeast Expressway and the Downtown Connector to bridge the gap between these two Georgia locations. Expect to spend approximately $3 on fuel for the trek. This route is ideal for commuters or travelers looking for a quick, no-fuss transition between the suburbs and the city center.
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
8.3 miles from Dunwoody, GA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 12m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 65% of this 16.5-mile route keeps you on high-speed thoroughfares. The road personality is defined by consistent traffic flow, with the longest uninterrupted stretch spanning 6.8 miles along the T Harvey Mathis Parkway. You will find that the journey maintains a steady pace, transitioning from the suburban layout of Dunwoody onto the larger arterial roads leading into the heart of Atlanta. It is a practical, utilitarian drive that favors efficiency over scenic exploration, keeping you moving steadily toward your destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 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 6.8 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 1.8 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 10 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 1.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.3 miles (US 19; GA 400 / Turner McDonald Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 16 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
1.8 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp toward US 19 South, GA 400 South
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / straight lanes.
Toward US 19 South, GA 400 South
5
2.3 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
US 19; GA 400 / Turner McDonald Parkway
Merge onto US 19; GA 400 / Turner McDonald Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
16 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Take the exit toward Martin Luther King Junior Drive, State Capitol, Turner Field
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 248A
Toward Martin Luther King Junior Drive, State C...
6
16.4 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
Capitol Square Southwest
Turn left onto Capitol Square Southwest
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
16.5 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
Capitol Avenue Southeast
Turn right onto Capitol Avenue Southeast
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| T Harvey Mathis Parkway | 6.8 mi | 8m |
| Downtown Connector | 3 mi | 4m |
| Northeast Expressway | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| Turner McDonald Parkway | 1 mi | 1m |
| Mount Vernon Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Mount Vernon Highway | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Abernathy Road Northeast | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Capitol Square Southwest | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
T Harvey Mathis Parkway
— 6.8 mi, about 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dunwoody, GA and Atlanta, GA.
1
Start on this road
37 ft
·
3 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right
422 ft
·
15 sec
3
Continue on Mount Vernon Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Mount Vernon Road
Use the none lane.
4
Continue on Mount Vernon Highway
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Mount Vernon Highway
Use the left / none lanes.
5
Turn right onto Abernathy Road Northeast
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
Abernathy Road Northeast
Use the none lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
Toward US 19 South, GA 400 South
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
11 sec
8
Merge onto US 19; GA 400
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Turner McDonald Parkway
Use the none lane.
9
Continue on GA 400
6.8 mi
·
8 min
·
T Harvey Mathis Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 85
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Northeast Expressway
11
Continue on I 75; I 85
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Downtown Connector
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 248A
Toward Martin Luther King Junior Drive, State Capitol, Turner Field
Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn slight right onto Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Southeast
288 ft
·
13 sec
·
Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Southeast
Use the right lane.
14
Turn left onto Capitol Square Southwest
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Capitol Square Southwest
Use the straight / left lanes.
15
Turn right onto Capitol Avenue Southeast
318 ft
·
6 sec
·
Capitol Avenue Southeast
Use the right lane.
16
Arrive at destination
Capitol Avenue Southeast
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 23-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though you should always check for peak-hour congestion on the Downtown Connector before heading out. You will not need to plan for any stops given the short distance, allowing you to drive straight through without interruption. Keep your $3 fuel budget in mind, but remember that the convenience of this direct route means you can easily manage the trip in one go. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to stay alert when merging onto the Northeast Expressway, as traffic volume can increase significantly as you approach the city limits.
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 8.3 miles from Dunwoody, GA, or about 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 6.8 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 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 8.3 miles or 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Atlanta, GA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Dunwoody, 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 Dunwoody, GA
This is one driving day of about 16.5 miles and 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Dunwoody, 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 6.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 8.3 mi from Dunwoody, GA · 12m 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 8.3 miles from Dunwoody, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Atlanta, GA
The final approach into Atlanta, 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 Atlanta, 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
Atlanta, GA
Night in Atlanta on Sunday
Local time
10:34 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
23m 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 Dunwoody, GA to Atlanta, GA covers 16.5 miles and takes about 23m 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 8.3 miles from Dunwoody, 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 10 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 1.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.3 miles (US 19; GA 400 / Turner McDonald Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 16 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Dunwoody, GA to Atlanta, GA does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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