How Far Is It From Here to Atlanta? A Practical Guide for Visitors and Locals

If you’re asking “How far are we from Atlanta?”, the real answer depends on where you are now and how you plan to travel. This guide is written specifically for people who:

• Are already in Atlanta and wondering about distances around the metro area
• Are visiting Atlanta and want to understand travel times to and from the city
• Are planning a trip and trying to figure out how far Atlanta is by car, bus, train, or plane

Below, you’ll find clear explanations of how distance to Atlanta works in practice—including typical driving times, airport details, and how to estimate “how far” you are from the city center.

What “Atlanta” Usually Means When We Talk About Distance

When someone asks, “How far are we from Atlanta?”, they might mean:

• Downtown Atlanta (around Peachtree St SW & Marietta St NW, near the State Capitol and Five Points)
• Midtown Atlanta (around Peachtree St NE, the Fox Theatre, and the Arts Center MARTA station)
• The City of Atlanta limits (a defined municipal area)
• Metro Atlanta (a much larger region that includes multiple counties and suburbs)

For travel and directions, most people use Downtown Atlanta or Midtown Atlanta as the reference point. If you’re using a GPS, plugging in “Downtown Atlanta, GA” or an address like Atlanta City Hall, 55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303 gives you a clear “center” to measure from.

Common Distances Within Metro Atlanta

If you’re already in the Atlanta metro area, here’s a quick look at how far some popular nearby cities usually are from Downtown Atlanta by car, in normal traffic:

*Drive times can expand significantly during rush hours, events, and severe weather.

If you’re in any of these areas and you ask, “How far are we from Atlanta?” locals will usually answer with a time estimate, not just miles, because traffic is such a big factor.

How to Quickly Figure Out How Far You Are From Atlanta

If you’re not sure where you are in relation to Atlanta, you can use this simple approach:

1. Use a Central Reference Point

Choose a common Atlanta landmark as your target, such as:

• Downtown Atlanta / Five Points
• Georgia State Capitol – 206 Washington St SW, Atlanta, GA 30334
• Peachtree Center area – around Peachtree St NE & Andrew Young International Blvd

Ask yourself or your GPS:
“How far am I from [this location] in Atlanta?”

2. Check Travel Time, Not Just Distance

Because of Atlanta traffic, 15 miles can mean 20 minutes or 50 minutes depending on the time of day. When planning:

• Look at estimated drive time
• Consider peak rush hours:
  • Morning: roughly 6:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
  • Evening: roughly 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

3. Consider Your Mode of Transportation

“How far” feels very different if you’re:

• Driving alone or with family
• Using MARTA (Atlanta’s public transit system)
• Taking a rideshare or taxi
• Coming from another city by bus, train, or plane

The following sections break those options down in Atlanta-specific terms.

How Far Are We From Atlanta by Car?

If You’re Already in Georgia

Here are approximate driving distances to Downtown Atlanta from some well-known Georgia cities:

• Athens, GA → about 70–75 miles west (around 1.5 hours)
• Macon, GA → about 85–90 miles north (around 1.5 hours)
• Columbus, GA → about 100–110 miles northeast (around 1.75–2 hours)
• Augusta, GA → about 140–150 miles west (about 2–2.5 hours)
• Savannah, GA → about 250–260 miles northwest (about 4 hours)
• Valdosta, GA → about 230–240 miles north (about 3.5–4 hours)

Traffic around Atlanta typically builds as you approach the I‑285 Perimeter and then gets heavier again when you reach Downtown Connector (I‑75/85).

If You’re in a Neighboring State

Rough car distances to Downtown Atlanta:

• Chattanooga, TN → about 120–130 miles south (roughly 2 hours)
• Birmingham, AL → about 145–150 miles east (roughly 2.5 hours)
• Greenville, SC → about 145–155 miles southwest (roughly 2.5 hours)
• Nashville, TN → about 245–260 miles south (roughly 4 hours)
• Charlotte, NC → about 245–260 miles southwest (roughly 4 hours)
• Jacksonville, FL → about 350 miles northwest (roughly 5–5.5 hours)
• Tallahassee, FL → about 260–270 miles north (roughly 4 hours)

If you’re on one of these routes and wondering “How far are we from Atlanta?”, a good checkpoint is when you reach the outer suburbs—places like Newnan (southwest), Conyers (east), McDonough (southeast), or Cartersville (northwest). From these areas, you’re generally 30–60 minutes away from central Atlanta in normal conditions.

How Far Are We From Atlanta By Air?

For many travelers, “How far are we from Atlanta?” really means how far from Atlanta’s main airport.

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

• Address: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
• Located about 10 miles south of Downtown Atlanta
• Typically 15–25 minutes by car to central areas like Downtown or Midtown (longer in heavy traffic)

From major U.S. cities, flight times to Atlanta are often:

• Southeast cities (Charlotte, Orlando, Tampa, Nashville): about 1–1.5 hours
• Northeast (New York, DC, Boston, Philadelphia): about 1.5–2.5 hours
• Midwest (Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis): about 1.5–2 hours
• Texas (Dallas, Houston): about 2–2.5 hours
• West Coast (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle): about 4–5 hours

If you’re already at ATL and wondering how far you are from “Atlanta,” you’re already in the Atlanta city area, just at the southern edge. Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead are all within typical 15–35 minute drives from the airport depending on time of day.

Getting From the Airport to Atlanta Neighborhoods

Here are approximate distances and times from ATL:

• Downtown Atlanta (Five Points / State Capitol)

  • ~10 miles
  • ~15–25 minutes by car or MARTA (Airport Station directly to Five Points Station)

• Midtown Atlanta (Arts Center / Midtown MARTA areas)

  • ~12–14 miles
  • ~20–30 minutes by car
  • ~25–30 minutes by MARTA (Airport Station to Midtown or Arts Center)

• Buckhead (Lenox / Buckhead Village)

  • ~18–20 miles
  • ~25–35 minutes by car
  • ~35–40 minutes by MARTA (Airport to Buckhead or Lenox via the Red/Gold lines)

• Cumberland / The Battery Atlanta (Truist Park area)

  • ~20–22 miles northwest of ATL
  • Usually 30–45 minutes by car (no direct MARTA rail; bus and shuttle options depend on route)

For specific trip planning, most travelers use a map app, but these rough times help you understand how far “Atlanta” feels from the airport in everyday terms.

How Far Are We From Atlanta Using MARTA?

If you are already in or around Atlanta, you might be measuring distance to downtown by train time instead of miles.

Key MARTA Rail Points

• Hartsfield–Jackson Airport Station → at the south end of the Red/Gold line
• Five Points Station → central hub in Downtown Atlanta
• Peachtree Center, Civic Center, and Garnett Stations → also serve downtown areas
• Midtown, North Avenue, Arts Center Stations → cover Midtown Atlanta
• Buckhead, Lenox, and Lindbergh Center → serve the Buckhead area

Approximate MARTA travel times to Five Points (Downtown):

• From Airport Station → about 15–20 minutes
• From Midtown Station → about 5–10 minutes
• From Buckhead Station → about 15–20 minutes
• From Doraville Station (northeast end) → about 25–30 minutes
• From North Springs Station (north end) → about 25–30 minutes

If you’re near any of these stations and wondering how far you are from “Atlanta,” the more accurate question is:
“How many minutes by MARTA to Downtown or Midtown?”

Measuring How Far You Are From Atlanta Landmarks

Sometimes visitors aren’t thinking of the city borders—they’re thinking of specific attractions. Here are approximate distances from Downtown Atlanta:

• Mercedes-Benz Stadium – just west of Downtown
• State Farm Arena – just west of Downtown
• Georgia Aquarium / World of Coca‑Cola / Centennial Olympic Park – in the heart of Downtown
• Georgia Tech (Midtown) – about 1–2 miles north of Downtown
• Piedmont Park – about 2–3 miles northeast of Downtown
• Zoo Atlanta / Grant Park – about 2 miles southeast of Downtown
• Emory University / CDC main campus (Druid Hills area) – about 5–7 miles northeast of Downtown

If you’re staying in a hotel in Downtown or Midtown, you’re typically within a few miles of many major attractions, often a 10–20 minute ride (or less) depending on traffic and your mode of transit.

How Far Is “Too Far” From Atlanta for a Day Trip?

If you’re based in Atlanta and asking, “How far can we go and still get back the same day?”, many locals consider the following reasonable day-trip radiuses:

• Within 1–1.5 hours of Atlanta (roughly up to 75 miles):

  • Common for half‑day or full‑day trips
  • Examples: Athens, Lake Lanier, Stone Mountain Park, Serenbe, Callaway Gardens (on the longer side)

• Within 2–2.5 hours of Atlanta (up to ~150 miles):

  • Common for full day trips with an early start
  • Examples: Chattanooga, Birmingham, Augusta, parts of North Georgia mountains

Beyond that, it’s still doable, but most people in Atlanta start considering an overnight stay rather than a there‑and‑back same day.

Practical Tips to Judge “How Far” You Are From Atlanta

Here are some simple ways to translate miles into real-world expectations:

1. Inside the I‑285 Perimeter (“ITP”)

   • You are essentially in the core Atlanta area.
   • Most central destinations (Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead) are 15–30 minutes away in normal traffic.

2. Just Outside the Perimeter (“OTP,” near I‑285)

   • Think 20–45 minutes to central Atlanta, depending on direction and time of day.

3. More Than 50 Miles From Downtown Atlanta

   • You’re looking at at least an hour of drive time in almost all directions, often more.

4. On an Interstate Leading Directly to Atlanta (I‑75, I‑85, I‑20, I‑575, GA‑400)

   • If road signs say you’re within 30–40 miles of Atlanta, you’re typically 30–60 minutes away, depending heavily on traffic as you approach the metro.

Helpful Atlanta-Based Points of Contact

If you need more precise distance or travel help related to Atlanta:

• City of Atlanta – Mayor’s Office of Communications

  • City Hall, 55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Can help direct you to city resources and visitor information.

• Atlanta Convention & Visitors resources

  • Commonly provide maps, visitor guides, and neighborhood overviews that can show distance and travel options between Atlanta attractions and surrounding areas.

• MARTA Customer Service

  • Main Headquarters: 2424 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
  • Can give approximate travel times between MARTA stations in and around Atlanta.

In everyday terms, “How far are we from Atlanta?” in and around Georgia usually comes down to how many minutes it takes to reach Downtown or Midtown by car or transit, not just the miles. Once you know your current town, nearest interstate, or MARTA station, you can quickly estimate your real travel time into the heart of Atlanta.