How Far Is Adairsville From Atlanta? A Local’s Guide to Distance, Drive Time, and Routes

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and planning a trip to Adairsville, you’re likely wondering how far it is, how long it takes to get there, and what the drive is like. Here’s a clear, Atlanta-focused breakdown.

Quick Answer: Distance From Atlanta to Adairsville

From Downtown Atlanta (around Five Points or the Georgia State Capitol) to Adairsville, GA:

• Distance: About 60–65 miles one way
• Primary route:I-75 North almost the entire way
• Typical drive time:
  • Without traffic: About 1 hour
  • With moderate traffic: About 1 hour 15 minutes
  • With heavy rush hour traffic: Up to 1 hour 30+ minutes

The exact distance and time depend on where in Atlanta you start (Midtown, Buckhead, the Airport, etc.) and current traffic conditions on I‑75.

Atlanta to Adairsville: Distance and Time at a Glance

Approximate travel from key Atlanta areas to Adairsville (by car):

*Times are estimates in normal conditions. Rush-hour or incident delays can add significant time.

Best Driving Route From Atlanta to Adairsville

Standard Route: I‑75 North

For most people in Atlanta, the fastest and simplest way to get to Adairsville is:

1. Get onto I‑75/85 North (the Downtown Connector) from your starting point.
2. Follow signs for I‑75 North toward Marietta/Chattanooga.
3. Stay on I‑75 North past:
   • Cumberland/Truist Park (Atlanta Braves area)
   • Kennesaw & Acworth
   • Cartersville
4. Take the Adairsville exit (commonly GA‑140 / Exit number may vary in certain descriptions; look for Adairsville on exit signs).
5. Follow signs into Adairsville’s town center.

This route is mostly interstate highway, with only a short stretch of local roads in Adairsville.

How Traffic Affects the Trip

Peak Traffic Times Leaving Atlanta

From Atlanta, your busiest segments are usually:

• Downtown Connector (I‑75/85)
• I‑75 North through Cobb County (Cumberland, Smyrna, Marietta)

Typical patterns:

• Weekday mornings (6:30–9:00 a.m.)
  • Heavier southbound into the city, but interchanges can still slow northbound traffic.
• Weekday afternoons (3:30–7:00 p.m.)
  • Northbound I‑75 out of Atlanta and through Cobb County is often congested, especially near major exits and interchanges.

If you can, try to leave:

• Late morning (10 a.m.–1 p.m.) or
• Early afternoon (1 p.m.–3 p.m.)

These windows are often smoother for northbound trips.

Planning Around Events

From Atlanta, keep in mind:

• Truist Park (Cumberland area on I‑75) gets busy on Braves game days and large events.
• Holiday weekends can slow traffic along I‑75 North, especially with travelers heading toward North Georgia or Tennessee.

🧠 Tip: If your schedule is flexible, check your preferred navigation app shortly before you leave to see if I‑75 North is unusually backed up and whether an alternate route is suggested.

Is There a Scenic or Back-Road Route From Atlanta?

If you prefer to avoid interstate driving for part of the trip, some drivers:

• Take US‑41 / Cobb Parkway north out of metro Atlanta, then reconnect to I‑75 closer to Bartow County, or
• Use Ga. Highway 3 / US‑41 for longer stretches.

However:

• Travel time is usually longer, especially if you encounter lights and local traffic.
• These routes are more practical for people already on the northwest side (for example, near Marietta or Kennesaw).

For most Atlanta residents and visitors, I‑75 North remains the most direct option.

Can You Get From Atlanta to Adairsville Without a Car?

Public Transit Options

There is no direct MARTA or standard local bus route from Atlanta to Adairsville. A typical public transit-based approach would involve:

1. MARTA or local transit to a regional bus stop or park-and-ride, then
2. A regional or intercity bus heading north, followed by
3. A taxi or rideshare for the last stretch to Adairsville.

This is often slower and less convenient than driving, and services can change over time. Some riders in metro Atlanta consider:

• Intercity bus services traveling along I‑75 that may stop in Cartersville or nearby cities, then transfer by car to Adairsville.
• Carpooling or rideshare from a northern suburb (like Marietta or Kennesaw) if they can get there via MARTA bus or rail plus local transit.

Because public options are limited and can be fragmented, most Atlanta-based travelers rely on a car for this trip.

Driving From the Atlanta Airport to Adairsville

If you’re flying into Atlanta and heading straight to Adairsville:

• Start at Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
• Follow signs for I‑85 North / I‑75 North / Downtown Atlanta.
• Take the Downtown Connector (I‑75/85 North).
• Watch for signs and stay on I‑75 North toward Marietta/Chattanooga.
• Continue on I‑75 North to the Adairsville exit.

Key details:

• Approximate distance: 70–75 miles from the airport to Adairsville
• Typical drive time: Around 1 hour 15 minutes, but it can be longer with traffic
• You’ll pass straight through or near Downtown Atlanta and then up through Cobb County.

If you’re arriving during a weekday rush hour, plan for extra time to navigate the Connector and northern suburbs.

How Adairsville Fits Into a North Georgia Day Trip From Atlanta

From an Atlanta perspective, Adairsville is close enough for:

• A day trip to explore a smaller North Georgia town
• A stop on the way to Chattanooga or northwest Georgia destinations
• A short getaway that doesn’t require a long drive

Many Atlanta residents consider anything within about an hour to an hour and a half on I‑75 to be a comfortable distance for a day trip, and Adairsville fits that range well.

Practical Tips for Atlanta Travelers Heading to Adairsville

• Check traffic before you go. I‑75 North can be smooth or very congested depending on time of day and incidents.
• Fuel and food are plentiful. There are many gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants along I‑75 between Atlanta and Adairsville, particularly around Cumberland, Kennesaw, Acworth, and Cartersville.
• Watch speed limits. Speed enforcement can be active along I‑75 and local roads around Bartow County.
• Weather matters. Heavy rain or storms can slow traffic significantly; winter weather is less common in Atlanta but can be more impactful on northern stretches of I‑75.

In practical terms, Adairsville is roughly an hour’s drive north of Atlanta along I‑75, making it a manageable and straightforward trip whether you live in the city, are visiting, or are planning a side excursion from Atlanta.