How Far Away Is Atlanta? Distances, Drive Times, and Travel Tips

If you’re planning a trip to Atlanta, Georgia—or you live here and you’re trying to explain where Atlanta is to friends and family—“How far away is Atlanta?” can mean a few different things:

• How far is Atlanta from other major cities?
• How long does it take to get to Atlanta by car, plane, or bus?
• How far are Atlanta’s neighborhoods and suburbs from downtown?

This guide breaks it down in a clear, Atlanta-focused way so you can plan your trip, commute, or visit with realistic expectations.

Where Is Atlanta Located?

Atlanta sits in north-central Georgia, roughly:

• About 90 miles southwest of Chattanooga, Tennessee
• About 150 miles northeast of Montgomery, Alabama
• About 250 miles northwest of Savannah, Georgia

Within the metro area, people often use Downtown Atlanta or Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) as the central point for distance and time estimates.

• Downtown Atlanta: near Peachtree St NW and Marietta St NW
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL): 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320

How Far Is Atlanta From Major U.S. Cities?

Below is a simple reference for approximate driving distance and typical non-rush-hour drive time to Atlanta. Times can vary with traffic, construction, and weather, so treat these as general guidelines.

Quick Distance & Drive Time Guide

*Drive times assume mostly highway travel and lighter traffic.

How Far Is Atlanta by Plane?

Because Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is one of the busiest airports in the world, many travelers measure distance in flight time more than miles.

Approximate Flight Times to Atlanta (Nonstop)

• New York City (JFK / LGA / EWR) → ATL: ~2 to 2.5 hours
• Washington, DC (DCA / IAD / BWI) → ATL: ~1.5 to 2 hours
• Chicago (ORD / MDW) → ATL: ~1.5 to 2 hours
• Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) → ATL: ~2 hours
• Miami (MIA / FLL) → ATL: ~1.5 to 2 hours
• Los Angeles (LAX) → ATL: ~4 to 4.5 hours
• Seattle (SEA) → ATL: ~4.5 to 5 hours
• Denver (DEN) → ATL: ~3 to 3.5 hours
• Boston (BOS) → ATL: ~2.5 to 3 hours
• Toronto (YYZ) → ATL: ~2 to 2.5 hours

Boarding times, connections, and airport security can add anywhere from 1–3 extra hours to your overall journey.

How Far Is Atlanta From Nearby Georgia Cities?

If you’re already in Georgia, here’s how far you are from Atlanta in practical terms.

North Georgia

• Gainesville → Atlanta
  • Distance: ~55–60 miles
  • Typical drive: ~1 to 1.25 hours
• Dahlonega → Atlanta
  • Distance: ~70 miles
  • Typical drive: ~1.25 to 1.5 hours
• Rome → Atlanta
  • Distance: ~70 miles
  • Typical drive: ~1.25 to 1.5 hours

Central & South Georgia

• Macon → Atlanta
  • Distance: ~85 miles (I-75 North)
  • Typical drive: ~1.5 hours
• Warner Robins → Atlanta
  • Distance: ~100 miles
  • Typical drive: ~1.75 hours
• Valdosta → Atlanta
  • Distance: ~230–240 miles
  • Typical drive: ~3.5–4 hours

East & West Georgia

• Athens → Atlanta
  • Distance: ~70–75 miles
  • Typical drive: ~1.25–1.5 hours (GA-316 or I-85)
• Augusta → Atlanta
  • Distance: ~145–150 miles
  • Typical drive: ~2–2.5 hours (I-20 West)
• Columbus → Atlanta
  • Distance: ~110 miles
  • Typical drive: ~2 hours (I-185 / I-85)

How Far Is Atlanta From Its Own Suburbs?

In metro Atlanta, distance and time don’t always match—traffic patterns and road options matter as much as miles.

Below are approximate distances from Downtown Atlanta to several key suburbs and how long they often take outside of heavy rush hour.

North of Downtown

• Buckhead

  • Distance: ~6–8 miles
  • Drive time: ~15–25 minutes

• Sandy Springs

  • Distance: ~15 miles
  • Drive time: ~20–35 minutes

• Dunwoody / Perimeter Center

  • Distance: ~16–18 miles
  • Drive time: ~25–40 minutes

• Alpharetta

  • Distance: ~25 miles
  • Drive time: ~35–50 minutes

• Roswell

  • Distance: ~20–22 miles
  • Drive time: ~30–45 minutes

• Cumming

  • Distance: ~40 miles
  • Drive time: ~45–70 minutes

East of Downtown

• Decatur

  • Distance: ~6 miles
  • Drive time: ~15–25 minutes

• Stone Mountain

  • Distance: ~15–18 miles
  • Drive time: ~25–40 minutes

• Conyers

  • Distance: ~25–28 miles
  • Drive time: ~30–45 minutes

West of Downtown

• Smyrna

  • Distance: ~10–12 miles
  • Drive time: ~20–30 minutes

• Marietta

  • Distance: ~18–20 miles
  • Drive time: ~30–45 minutes

• Douglasville

  • Distance: ~22–25 miles
  • Drive time: ~30–50 minutes

South of Downtown

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

  • Distance: ~10 miles
  • Drive time: ~15–25 minutes

• East Point

  • Distance: ~7–9 miles
  • Drive time: ~15–25 minutes

• College Park

  • Distance: ~9–11 miles
  • Drive time: ~15–25 minutes

• Fayetteville

  • Distance: ~25–30 miles
  • Drive time: ~35–55 minutes

⏱️ Local tip: During weekday rush hours (roughly 6:30–9:30 a.m. and 4–7 p.m.), any of these drives can easily take 1.5–2 times longer.

“How Far Is Atlanta?” If You’re Already Inside the City

Even within city limits, people often ask how far different neighborhoods are from one another. Distances below are from Downtown (around Five Points / Centennial Olympic Park area):

• Midtown: ~2 miles, ~5–10 minutes by car, ~10–15 minutes by MARTA rail
• Old Fourth Ward / Ponce City Market: ~2–3 miles, ~10–15 minutes by car
• West Midtown: ~3–4 miles, ~10–15 minutes by car
• Inman Park: ~2–3 miles, ~10–15 minutes by car or MARTA
• Virginia-Highland: ~3–4 miles, ~10–15 minutes by car
• Grant Park / Zoo Atlanta: ~2–3 miles, ~10–15 minutes by car
• Edgewood: ~3–4 miles, ~10–15 minutes by car

Because Atlanta has several major interstates (I‑75, I‑85, I‑20, and the I‑285 Perimeter) intersecting near downtown, a short distance doesn’t always mean a short trip. Side streets and surface roads can sometimes be faster during peak traffic.

Measuring Distance to Atlanta: By Car, Transit, or On Foot?

“How far away is Atlanta?” also depends on how you’re getting around once you’re here.

By Car

Most visitors and many residents rely heavily on cars.

• Interstates into Atlanta:
  • I‑75 from Florida (south) and Tennessee (north)
  • I‑85 from Alabama and the Carolinas
  • I‑20 from Alabama (west) and Augusta (east)
  • I‑285 (Perimeter) circles around Atlanta and connects suburbs

💡 Driving Tip: In metro Atlanta, always factor in traffic delays—especially at known hotspots like:

• The Downtown Connector (where I‑75 and I‑85 combine)
• The I‑285 / GA‑400 interchange
• Any major construction zones

By MARTA (Local Rail and Bus)

If you’re measuring distance in transit time instead of miles, MARTA is the main public system within the immediate Atlanta area.

Key stations near major areas:

• Airport Station (MARTA Red/Gold Lines)

  • Directly inside ATL airport
  • ~20 minutes to Downtown (Five Points)
  • ~25–30 minutes to Midtown or Buckhead

• Five Points Station (Downtown hub)

  • Connects all rail lines
  • Short walks or bus transfers to government offices, State Capitol, and downtown attractions

• Midtown, North Avenue, Arts Center Stations

  • Serve central city destinations like Georgia Tech, Midtown offices, and cultural venues

In many cases, the MARTA ride time is more consistent than driving, even if the physical distance is the same.

By Intercity Bus or Train

If someone is asking how far they are from Atlanta without a car, they might be thinking of bus or train options.

• Atlanta Bus & Train Hubs:
  • MARTA stations throughout the city
  • Intercity bus depots (such as Greyhound and other carriers near Downtown)
  • Amtrak Peachtree Station, 1688 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309

From nearby cities like Birmingham, Charlotte, or Savannah, buses and trains can take 3–6 hours or more, depending on route and stops.

How to Quickly Estimate Your Distance to Atlanta

If you know your starting city, here’s a quick way to think about how far you are from Atlanta:

1. Under 100 miles

   • Likely in Georgia or a bordering state, usually a day trip distance.
   • Common examples: Macon, Gainesville, Rome, Columbus.

2. 100–300 miles

   • Usually a half-day drive or short flight away.
   • Examples: Nashville, Charlotte, Jacksonville, Savannah.

3. 300–700 miles

   • Often a long day’s drive or 2–4 hour flight.
   • Examples: Miami, New Orleans, Washington, DC.

4. 700+ miles

   • Typically a multi-day road trip or a 3–5 hour flight, depending on direction.
   • Examples: New York City, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Seattle.

Local Addresses and Points of Reference in Atlanta

When you’re calculating how far away you are from Atlanta, it helps to pick a clear, central destination within the city. These locations are often used as reference points:

• Downtown Area (Five Points / Central Business District)

  • Near 55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303 (Atlanta City Hall)

• Georgia State Capitol

  • 206 Washington St SW, Atlanta, GA 30334

• Centennial Olympic Park / Tourist Core

  • Around 265 Park Ave W NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

  • 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320

Knowing the distance to any of these spots will give you a solid sense of how far away you are from “Atlanta” in everyday terms.

In practical use, “How far away is Atlanta?” comes down to three main checks:

1. Miles or kilometers to the city (often measured to Downtown or ATL).
2. Approximate drive or flight time, adjusted for traffic and connections.
3. Local transportation options once you arrive, especially MARTA vs. driving.

With the distances and time frames above, you can quickly estimate how long it will take to reach Atlanta—from across town, another Georgia city, or a major metro across the country.