Origin
Sandy Springs, GA
Evening in Sandy Springs on Friday
Local time
7:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sandy Springs, GA to Russell, GA
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 1m
Distance
45.3 mi
73 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 57m
★
6 AM
1h 1m
8 AM
1h 11m
10 AM
1h 5m
12 PM
1h 4m
3 PM
1h 5m
5 PM
1h 11m
8 PM
0h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Russell, GA
Piotr Kowalonek
Trip Overview
The drive from Sandy Springs, GA to Russell, GA covers 45.3 miles and takes about 1h 1m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on University Parkway, Interstate Highway 85, Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 22 miles on University Parkway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $7.08 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 1m. Total distance: 45.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 1m highway drive covering 45.3 miles, with most of the trip on University Parkway and Interstate Highway 85. The longest continuous stretch is about 22 miles on University Parkway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
University Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 22 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on University Parkway and Interstate Highway 85. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in near I 285 / Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 45.3 miles you will encounter 15 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: at 2.3 miles (I 285 / Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
2.3 mi into trip
|
~5m 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 / slight right lanes.
7
7.7 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward I 85 North: Greenville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 33B
Toward I 85 North: Greenville
8
8.6 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 85 North: Greenville, Pleasantdale Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 85 North: Greenville, Pleasantdale Roa...
6
8.7 mi into trip
|
~14m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 85 North: Greenville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 85 North: Greenville
6
18.5 mi into trip
|
~24m in
Take the exit toward GA 316 East: Lawrenceville, Athens
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 106
Toward GA 316 East: Lawrenceville, Athens
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Sandy Springs, GA to Russell, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Athens along the way.
Athens
18.5 mi in
|
~24m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| University Parkway | 22 mi | 27m |
| Interstate Highway 85 | 8.8 mi | 9m |
| Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter | 5.4 mi | 6m |
| Monroe Highway | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Hammond Drive Northeast | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Northeast Expressway | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| Harry Mc Carty Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Harry McCarty Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
University Parkway
— 22 mi, about 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sandy Springs, GA and Russell, 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
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
Glenridge Drive Northeast
4
Turn slight left onto Hammond Drive Northeast
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Hammond Drive Northeast
Use the left lane.
5
Turn right onto Peachtree Dunwoody Road
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
Peachtree Dunwoody Road
6
Keep slight left at fork onto Peachtree Dunwoody Road
392 ft
·
16 sec
·
Peachtree Dunwoody Road
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
8
Merge onto I 285
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Exit 33B
Toward I 85 North: Greenville
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
525 ft
·
12 sec
Toward I 85 North: Greenville, Pleasantdale Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I 85 North: Greenville
12
Merge onto I 85
0.7 mi
·
47 sec
·
Northeast Expressway
13
Continue on I 85
8.8 mi
·
9 min
·
Interstate Highway 85
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 106
Toward GA 316 East: Lawrenceville, Athens
15
Continue on GA 316
22 mi
·
27 min
·
University Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
419 ft
·
11 sec
Toward Harry McCarty Road
17
Turn slight left onto Harry McCarty Road
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Harry McCarty Road
18
Continue on Harry Mc Carty Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Harry Mc Carty Road
19
Continue on Harry McCarty Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Harry McCarty Road
20
At end of road, turn left onto GA 11
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Monroe Highway
21
Turn slight right
153 ft
·
5 sec
22
Turn slight right onto GA 8; GA 53
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
May Street
23
Continue on GA 8; GA 53
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
Atlanta Highway Southeast
24
Turn left onto Russell Cemetery Road
414 ft
·
20 sec
·
Russell Cemetery Road
25
Turn right onto East Midland Avenue
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
East Midland Avenue
26
Turn left
236 ft
·
17 sec
27
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 22.7 mi from Sandy Springs, GA · 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
23 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 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 22.7 miles from Sandy Springs, GA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Russell, GA
The final approach into Russell, GA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.08 one way
$14.17 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
16 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.34 | $7.75 | $15.49 |
| premium | $4.70 | $8.38 | $16.77 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.00 | $20.00 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.6 | 0 | $4.76 | $2.17 |
| Efficient EV | 11.3 | 0 | $3.96 | $1.81 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.1 | 0 | $6.34 | $2.90 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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
Russell, GA
Evening in Russell on Friday
Local time
7:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
32 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 1m 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 Sandy Springs, GA to Russell, GA covers 45.3 miles and takes about 1h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are University Parkway, Interstate Highway 85, Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 22.7 miles from Sandy Springs, GA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.08 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 45.3 miles you will encounter 15 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: at 2.3 miles (I 285 / Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Sandy Springs, GA to Russell, GA, road signs begin pointing toward Athens along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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