Finding a Bypass Around Atlanta: Your Options Explained

If you’re driving long-distance and want to avoid driving through downtown Atlanta, you’re not alone. Traffic on I‑75, I‑85, and the Downtown Connector can be intimidating, especially during rush hour, holidays, or major events.

The good news: yes, there are bypass options around Atlanta. The details depend on:

• Which direction you’re coming from
• Where you’re headed
• How much extra time and distance you’re willing to add to your trip

Below is a practical guide to the main Atlanta bypass routes, how they work, and when they make sense.

The Short Answer: Is There a Bypass Around Atlanta?

There is no single full beltway that completely circles Atlanta the way some cities have. However, there are two main types of “bypass” drivers commonly use:

1. I‑285 (The Perimeter) – a partial bypass that loops around the city, used by most people to avoid downtown.
2. Outer bypass routes – using highways like US‑27, US‑441, US‑129, GA‑316, and GA‑20 to go well outside the metro area, often used by long-haul drivers who want to avoid metro congestion altogether.

For most travelers, I‑285 is the practical bypass. For those who truly want to stay away from Atlanta traffic, outer bypass combinations can work but require more planning and usually add time and miles.

I‑285: Atlanta’s Main Bypass Option

What Is I‑285?

I‑285, also called “The Perimeter”, is a loop highway that encircles much of Atlanta and its close-in suburbs, connecting:

• I‑75 (south and north)
• I‑85 (south and north)
• I‑20 (east and west)

Instead of staying on I‑75 or I‑85 through the Downtown Connector, you can usually:

• Exit onto I‑285
• Drive around the east or west side of Atlanta
• Reconnect to the interstate you were on (or another one) on the other side of town

North vs. South, East vs. West Sides of I‑285

The experience of driving I‑285 can vary a lot depending on which segment you’re on.

Key takeaway:
I‑285 is technically a bypass, but it can be just as congested as the Downtown Connector during peak times. It usually works best outside rush hour or when crashes or construction are blocking lanes downtown.

When I‑285 Makes Sense

Using I‑285 to bypass downtown Atlanta is often a good idea if:

• You’re just passing through Georgia and not stopping in the city
• You’re towing a trailer, RV, or driving a moving truck and want to avoid tight downtown lanes
• You’re traveling during non-peak hours (late morning, early afternoon, late evening)
• There’s a major incident on the Downtown Connector

Travelers heading:

• North–South (Florida ↔ Tennessee/Kentucky): Can use I‑285 to connect I‑75 South to I‑75 North.
• Northeast–Southwest (Carolinas ↔ Alabama/Mississippi): Can use I‑285 between I‑85 and I‑20.
• East–West (Carolinas ↔ Alabama): Can use I‑285 to swing around the city between I‑20 East and I‑20 West.

Common “Through-Trip” Scenarios & Bypass Ideas

If you’re just driving through the Atlanta area, here’s how a bypass typically looks, depending on your route.

1. I‑75 South to I‑75 North (Florida ↔ Tennessee/Ohio/Midwest)

Most common option:

• Use I‑285 West (via Exit near Stockbridge or Morrow on I‑75 South)
• Stay on I‑285 around the west side
• Rejoin I‑75 North near Smyrna/Marietta

When to consider this:

• You want to skip the Downtown Connector (I‑75/I‑85 merge)
• You’re avoiding city traffic with a camper, boat trailer, or U‑Haul

You can also use I‑285 East, but the west side is often preferred by drivers headed to or from the northwest states.

2. I‑85 South to I‑85 North (Alabama/Gulf Coast ↔ Carolinas/Virginia)

If you stay on I‑85 through town, you must pass through the Downtown Connector. To bypass:

• Exit to I‑285 West near Union City or College Park
• Follow I‑285 north and then east
• Rejoin I‑85 North near Doraville or Norcross

Or do the reverse traveling southbound.

3. I‑20 East to I‑20 West (Carolinas ↔ Alabama/Mississippi)

To avoid central Atlanta:

• Coming from the east (Augusta):

  • Take I‑285 South when you reach the east side of Atlanta
  • Follow around to I‑20 West on the west side

• Coming from the west (Birmingham):

  • Take I‑285 South or North (depending on traffic and direction)
  • Rejoin I‑20 East on the opposite side

Many drivers prefer the south arc of I‑285 to avoid the more crowded northern suburbs.

Outer Bypass Routes: Going Around Metro Atlanta Entirely

Some drivers want to bypass not only downtown but the entire Atlanta metro area. There is no single marked “outer loop,” but there are a few popular outer-bypass corridors that stay well clear of the city.

These are especially common for:

• Long-haul RV travelers
• Commercial drivers (where allowed)
• Drivers hoping to avoid urban congestion, tolls, and complex interchanges

Western Outer Bypass (Florida ↔ Tennessee/Kentucky/Ohio)

A common pattern (northbound):

1. Travel north on I‑75.
2. Before you reach the dense metro area, cut over toward US‑27 using state routes south of Atlanta (options vary by starting point).
3. Follow US‑27 north along the west side of Georgia, passing near cities like Columbus, LaGrange, Carrollton, and Rome.
4. Reconnect to I‑75 near the northwest corner of the state, often via connectors around Dalton or into Chattanooga, TN.

This approach:

• Adds time and distance
• Mostly uses divided highways and smaller towns
• Avoids the entire Atlanta metro area

Because the exact routing depends on where you’re coming from, many drivers rely on current GPS routing with traffic turned on and then confirm that US‑27 and connector state routes look reasonable for their vehicle size.

Eastern Outer Bypass (Florida ↔ Carolinas/Virginia/Northeast)

If you’re traveling between Florida and the Carolinas or Mid‑Atlantic and want to stay well east of Atlanta, some drivers:

1. Use I‑95 along the coast rather than cutting inland to I‑75/I‑85 through Atlanta, or
2. If already in central/south Georgia, use routes like:
   • US‑441 through Milledgeville and Athens
   • US‑129 and connectors around Macon and Gainesville

These eastern routes can:

• Avoid metro Atlanta entirely
• Take you through smaller cities and college towns
• Be slower due to speed changes, local traffic, and signals

Are Outer Bypasses Worth It?

For many drivers, I‑285 is still the best balance of speed and simplicity. Outer bypasses are most appealing if:

• You strongly prefer rural driving over metro interstates
• You’re willing to add time and miles to avoid congestion
• You’re not in a rush and don’t mind stopping in smaller Georgia towns along the way

Local Considerations for Atlanta Residents and Visitors

If you live in Atlanta or are staying in the metro area, “bypass” can also mean routes that sidestep the worst interchanges during daily life.

Using Surface Roads as Mini-Bypasses

Locals sometimes avoid segments of I‑285 or the Downtown Connector by using:

• GA‑400 (north–south through Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Alpharetta)
• US‑78 (toward Stone Mountain and Snellville)
• US‑41 / Cobb Parkway (parallel to I‑75 through Smyrna, Marietta, Kennesaw)
• Moreland Avenue / US‑23, Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, or Roswell Road as alternatives to shorter interstate hops

These aren’t full bypasses of the city, but they can help:

• Avoid known bottlenecks
• Reduce the risk of getting stuck in a freeway backup

If you’re visiting Atlanta, ask a local or check navigation apps for “avoid highways” options during peak times if you’re only traveling a few exits.

When Is Downtown Actually the Better Choice?

Sometimes, going through downtown is faster than using I‑285, especially:

• Late at night or very early morning
• Midday on weekends
• When there are major incidents on I‑285 instead of the Downtown Connector

The Downtown Connector (I‑75/I‑85) is heavily monitored, and traffic often moves surprisingly well outside rush hour. Lanes are clearly marked, and electronic message boards frequently post travel times for both the Connector and I‑285, which can help you compare in real time.

Practical Tips for Choosing an Atlanta Bypass

Here are some simple guidelines to help you decide:

• Check live traffic before you commit.
  Use navigation tools to compare:

  • “Via downtown” vs.
  • “Via I‑285” vs.
  • Any suggested outer routes

• Consider the time of day.

  • Weekday rush hours (about 6:30–9:30 a.m., 3:30–7:00 p.m.) – a bypass via I‑285 may help, but it can also be congested.
  • Off-peak – downtown is often straightforward and quicker.

• Know your comfort level.

  • If city driving stresses you out, taking I‑285, even if not much faster, can feel easier than navigating downtown exits.
  • For long-haul or RV travel, consistent freeway speeds on I‑285 may be preferable to weaving through central Atlanta.

• Watch for signage.
  Approaching Atlanta on I‑75, I‑85, or I‑20, overhead signs will clearly mark:

  • “I‑285 Bypass” or
  • “To I‑285”
    These are your main opportunities to choose the bypass route.

Agencies and Resources That Help Manage Atlanta Traffic

If you regularly drive through or around Atlanta, it can help to know which local organizations oversee major roadways and traffic info.

• Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT)
  Oversees interstates like I‑75, I‑85, I‑20, and I‑285, plus many state routes around Atlanta.

  • District office serving metro Atlanta:
    • GDOT District 7, 5025 GA‑155 North, Stockbridge, GA 30281
      They provide current information on construction projects, lane closures, and major incidents.

• Atlanta-area 511 Traffic Service
  Georgia’s traveler information service is commonly referred to as “511”, which offers:

  • Real-time traffic conditions
  • Incident and construction updates
  • Estimated travel times on interstates, including I‑285 and the Downtown Connector

Using these resources before a long drive through or around Atlanta can help you decide whether a bypass route is worth it on a given day.

In practical terms, if you’re asking, “Is there a bypass around Atlanta?” the usable options are:

• I‑285 (The Perimeter) as the main, signed bypass around the core city
• Outer highway combinations (US‑27, US‑441, US‑129, and others) if you truly want to stay clear of the metro area and don’t mind a longer route

Your best choice depends on your route, timing, and comfort with metro vs. rural driving, but you do have ways to avoid driving straight through downtown Atlanta.