How Far Is Marietta From Atlanta? Your Practical Guide to Distance, Drive Time, and Transit

If you live in metro Atlanta or you’re planning a visit, Marietta and Atlanta are two of the most connected cities in the region. Many people commute between them daily for work, school, and entertainment. Understanding the distance from Marietta to Atlanta and your transportation options helps you plan your day much more effectively.

The Basic Distance: Marietta to Atlanta

Straight-line distance:

• Marietta is roughly 15–20 miles northwest of Downtown Atlanta, depending on your exact starting and ending points.

Driving distance (most common routes):

*Times vary significantly with traffic, weather, and construction.

Key takeaway:
On a map, Marietta is close to Atlanta—usually under 25 miles. In real life, your drive time is mostly about traffic, not distance.

Driving From Marietta to Atlanta

Main Driving Routes

Most drivers use one of these routes:

1. I-75 South (most direct to Downtown)

   • Ideal if you’re heading to:
     • Downtown Atlanta (State Capitol, Georgia State University, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena)
     • Five Points or government buildings
   • You’ll typically:
     • Enter I-75 South near North Marietta Pkwy or South Marietta Pkwy
     • Stay on I-75 South all the way into the city
     • Exit into Downtown via Courtland St, Williams St, Central Ave, or similar exits

2. I-75 South → Connector (Downtown, Midtown, Georgia Tech)

   • From Marietta, take I-75 South
   • As you approach Atlanta, I-75 merges with I-85 (the Downtown Connector)
   • Use exits for:
     • Midtown (10th St / 14th St)
     • Georgia Tech (5th St / North Ave)
     • Downtown exits closer to your destination

3. Northside Drive / Surface Streets (alternative, rarely faster)

   • Sometimes used to avoid heavy interstate backups
   • Common if you’re ending up near:
     • Georgia Tech
     • Mercedes-Benz Stadium
   • Usually slower but may be useful during major traffic incidents

Typical Drive Time: What to Expect by Time of Day

Approximate one-way drive times from central Marietta to central Atlanta (Downtown or Midtown):

• Early morning (before 6:30 a.m.):
  About 20–25 minutes with light traffic.
• Morning rush (6:30–9:00 a.m.):
  Often 30–45 minutes, sometimes longer if there are accidents or rain.
• Midday (10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.):
  Typically 20–30 minutes.
• Evening rush (3:30–7:00 p.m.):
  Commonly 30–50 minutes, depending on direction and weather.
• Late night (after 8:00 p.m.):
  Frequently 20 minutes or less with smooth flow.

👍 Tip: In Atlanta, 5–10 extra minutes is smart to build into your travel time—more during rush hour or bad weather.

Using MARTA and CobbLinc: Transit Between Marietta and Atlanta

You can travel between Marietta and Atlanta without a car using a combination of CobbLinc buses and MARTA rail/bus.

Main Transit Pattern: Marietta → Arts Center Station (Midtown) → City

1. From Marietta to a MARTA Station (CobbLinc)

   • Many riders use routes that connect to:
     • MARTA Arts Center Station (Midtown)
   • Travel time from Marietta to Arts Center by CobbLinc is often around 30–45 minutes, depending on route and time of day.

2. From MARTA Station to Your Atlanta Destination

   • Once at Arts Center, you can:
     • Take the Red or Gold line south to:
       • Midtown Station
       • North Avenue Station (near Fox Theatre, Georgia Tech shuttle connections)
       • Civic Center or Peachtree Center (Downtown)
     • Connect to buses serving Buckhead, Downtown, or surrounding neighborhoods.

MARTA Rail Highlights in Atlanta

Some key central stations inside the city:

• Five Points Station – Main hub for:
  • Red, Gold, Blue, Green lines
  • Walkable to many government buildings and Downtown offices
• Peachtree Center Station – In the heart of Downtown, near:
  • Hotels
  • Office towers
  • Restaurants
• Midtown Station – Close to:
  • Midtown business district
  • Restaurants and nightlife
• North Avenue Station – Near:
  • Fox Theatre
  • Georgia Tech (via shuttle)

Transit is especially useful if you want to avoid downtown parking costs or rush-hour stress.

How Long Is the Trip by Transit?

Total Marietta–Atlanta transit time usually combines:

1. CobbLinc bus: ~30–45 minutes
2. MARTA rail within Atlanta: ~5–15 minutes, depending on your station

Overall, it commonly takes about 45–60 minutes one way, including transfers and short waits.

🚌 Good for:

• Commuters who don’t want to pay for Downtown/Midtown parking
• Students and workers traveling during rush hour
• Visitors staying near MARTA stations who want to explore Atlanta without driving

Rideshare and Taxi Between Marietta and Atlanta

If you don’t want to drive or navigate buses/rail:

• Rideshare (Uber, Lyft, etc.)
  • Typical travel time: 20–40 minutes depending on traffic
  • Cost varies by time of day, demand, and exact locations
• Traditional taxi
  • Less commonly used for this distance but still possible from some Atlanta taxi stands or hotels

Rideshares are practical if you’re:

• Attending an event (concert, game) where parking is limited or expensive
• Traveling late at night when you prefer not to ride transit
• Going directly from a Marietta neighborhood to a specific Atlanta venue

Key Landmarks: “From Where to Where?”

“Marietta to Atlanta” can mean different start and end points. Here are a few common reference points locals use:

Common Starting Points in Marietta

• Marietta Square / Glover Park (historic downtown)
• Wellstar Kennestone Hospital area
• Neighborhoods along:
  • Cobb Parkway (US-41)
  • Sandy Plains Rd
  • Delk Rd / Powers Ferry Rd

Common Destinations in Atlanta

• Downtown Atlanta
  • Georgia State Capitol
  • Georgia State University
  • Mercedes-Benz Stadium
  • State Farm Arena
• Midtown Atlanta
  • Georgia Tech campus
  • Piedmont Park
  • Fox Theatre
• Buckhead
  • Lenox Square / Phipps Plaza
  • Buckhead business district

Depending on exactly where you start and end, the distance may vary from roughly 15 to 25 miles, but most point-to-point trips fall inside that range.

Traffic Factors to Keep in Mind

In Atlanta, the distance between Marietta and Atlanta is fixed, but the experience of that distance changes with traffic conditions.

Common factors that slow the trip:

• Rush-hour congestion on I-75 and the Downtown Connector
• Accidents or stalled vehicles on I-75 South or I-285
• Weather, especially heavy rain or storms
• Major events:
  • Falcons or Atlanta United games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
  • Large concerts downtown or in Midtown
  • Conventions at the Georgia World Congress Center

🚗 Practical tips:

• If you must arrive at a specific time (court, flight, big meeting), leave earlier than you think you need to.
• Consider a transit + walk combo for big events to avoid gridlock and parking delays.
• Keep an eye on local traffic apps or radio for I-75 and Downtown Connector updates.

Parking and Costs in Atlanta vs. Marietta

• Marietta
  • Parking around Marietta Square is often easier and less expensive, with a mix of public decks, lots, and street parking.
• Atlanta (Downtown and Midtown)
  • Parking is more limited and often:
    • Paid by the hour in surface lots
    • Paid daily in parking decks and garages
  • Special events can raise prices or fill decks quickly.

If you’re visiting Atlanta from Marietta for just a few hours, driving can be convenient. For extended workdays or regular commuting, transit or carpooling may be more cost-effective over time.

How Far Is Marietta From Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport?

Many travelers also want to know the distance from Marietta to the Atlanta airport, which sits on the south side of the city.

• Driving distance: Typically 28–35 miles, depending on your exact route.
• Drive time: Often 35–60 minutes, especially during rush hour.

Common route:

• From Marietta, take I-75 South (via the Downtown Connector) and continue towards Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport exits.

You can also connect via:

• CobbLinc → MARTA rail → Airport Station, though this takes more time and planning.

Quick Reference: Marietta to Atlanta at a Glance

• Distance: Usually 15–21 miles from central Marietta to central Atlanta.
• Drive time (typical):
  • Off-peak: 20–30 minutes
  • Rush hour: 30–50+ minutes
• Main driving route:I-75 South into Atlanta.
• Transit option:CobbLinc bus from Marietta → MARTA rail in Atlanta, often 45–60 minutes total.
• Airport travel: About 28–35 miles from Marietta to Hartsfield–Jackson, roughly 35–60 minutes by car.

If you’re living in Atlanta, visiting, or planning a move between the two cities, you can think of Marietta as a nearby northwest neighbor—close in miles, with timing that depends heavily on when and how you travel.