It is found in the United States, in nine locations of central Tennessee.

[1][2] The IUCN conservation status of Phanogomphus sandrius is "VU", vulnerable.

The species faces a high risk of endangerment in the medium term, with a decreasing population.

Phanogomphus sandrius was assessed as "endangered" in 1996 and "vulnerable" in 2007.

[1] Phanogomphus sandrius was recently considered a member of the genus Gomphus, but in 2017 it became a member of the genus Phanogomphus when Phanogomphus was elevated from subgenus to genus rank.