How far is Sandy Springs, GA from Ellijay, GA?

The driving distance from Sandy Springs, GA to Ellijay, GA is about 72.1 miles (116 km), with a travel time of about 01h 27m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 53.6 miles (86.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 54m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
72.1 mi
01h 27m
Flight
53.57 mi
86.21 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Sandy Springs.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
53.57 mi
Kilometers
86.21 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
72.1 mi
Kilometers
116.04 km
Drive Time
01h 27m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 01h 27m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ellijay
Fri, Apr 17, 12:58 PM EDT
Return by in Sandy Springs
Fri, Apr 17, 2:26 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sandy Springs
2026-04-17T11:31
Arrive Ellijay
Fri, Apr 17, 12:58 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 27m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:27 AM to 11:27 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:36 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Sandy Springs
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Canton
GA

County seat in Cherokee County, Georgia, USA

From Sandy Springs
36.1 mi
00h 43m
To Ellijay
36 mi
00h 43m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
89°F
Friday

Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph W
Destination
86°F
Friday

Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Sandy Springs and Ellijay.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sandy Springs and Ellijay.

  1. 1

    Start on Mount Vernon Highway

    114 m · 12 sec · Mount Vernon Highway

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Boylston Drive Northeast

    154 m · 25 sec · Boylston Drive Northeast

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Hilderbrand Drive Northeast

    586 ft · 33 sec · Hilderbrand Drive Northeast

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Roswell Road

    1.1 km · 2 min · Roswell Road

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 285 West: Dorothy Felton Interchange

    1.2 km · 2 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter

    3.9 mi · 4 min · Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 75: Atlanta, Marietta, Chattanooga

    1787 ft · 28 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 75 North: Marietta, Chattanooga

    1.5 km · 1 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North: Marietta, Chattanooga

    1602 ft · 21 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Larry McDonald Memorial Highway

    8.3 mi · 10 min · Larry McDonald Memorial Highway

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway

    24.2 mi · 26 min · Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway

  12. 12

    Continue on A P D Highway

    6.7 mi · 7 min · A P D Highway

  13. 13

    Continue on APD Highway

    24.8 mi · 31 min · APD Highway

  14. 14

    Turn left onto 1st Avenue

    545 ft · 17 sec · 1st Avenue

  15. 15

    At the end of the road, turn left onto River Street

    1.4 km · 2 min · River Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto North Church Street

    13 m · 2 sec · North Church Street

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Church Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Sandy Springs and Ellijay.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
17 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
23.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
APD Highway
24.8 mi · 34%
Phillip Landrum Memorial Highway
24.2 mi · 34%
Larry McDonald Memorial Highway
8.3 mi · 12%
A P D Highway
6.67 mi · 9%
Atlanta Bypass / The Perimeter
3.88 mi · 5%
I 75 North
1.21 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

APD Highway

Continue on APD Highway

24.8 mi · 00h 31m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 27m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.5 mi
53.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Canton
00h 43m from Sandy Springs
Leave By
3:36 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Sandy Springs and Sunny near Ellijay.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Sandy Springs to Ellijay?

The road trip is about 72.1 miles (116 km) and usually takes 01h 27m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Canton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 36.1 miles from Sandy Springs and 36 miles from Ellijay.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 53.6 miles (86.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.5 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:36 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.06 one way or $20.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Sandy Springs and Sunny near Ellijay.

Stop Ideas Near Canton

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Canton, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Canton.

RAIL

Peachtree Station

49 mi away
1688 Peachtree Street, NW
RAIL

Gainesville

61 mi away
116 Industrial Boulevard
RAIL

Toccoa

113 mi away
47 North Alexander St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sandy Springs and Ellijay. Straight-line distance: 53.57 mi (86.21 km).

Sandy Springs

#1 Sandy Springs

A city in Fulton County, Georgia.

Population109,928
Coordinates33.9242700, -84.3785400
Altitude333
CountryUnited States
Ellijay

#2 Ellijay

City in Gilmer County, Georgia, United States of America

Population1,724
Coordinates34.6948100, -84.4821500
Altitude390
CountryUnited States
Start: Sandy Springs (-84.37854, 33.92427)
End: Ellijay (-84.48215, 34.69481)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 116 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 24m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 48m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 12m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 01m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 53m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.54 gal
9.63 L · about $10.06
Round trip
$20.12
5.08 gal · 19.26 L
Estimated CO2
22.6 kg one way
Round trip: 45.1 kg / 99 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.96 $10.06 $20.12
Mid-grade $4.43 $11.25 $22.50
Premium $4.78 $12.14 $24.27
Diesel $5.62 $14.28 $28.57

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Georgia · Apr 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Sandy Springs and Ellijay. The current time is 11:31:53.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.