How Far Is Atlanta Airport? Distances, Drive Times, and Local Tips

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is one of the busiest airports in the world, so it’s natural to wonder: how far is Atlanta Airport from where you are, and how long will it actually take to get there?

Because Atlanta is spread out and traffic can be heavy, distance and travel time don’t always match. Below is a clear, Atlanta-focused guide to how far ATL is from key neighborhoods, suburbs, and landmarks, plus typical drive times and transit options.

Key Facts About Atlanta Airport’s Location

• Official name: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
• Address: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
• Primary location: In the southern part of the Atlanta metro area, mostly within the city limits of Atlanta and College Park
• Orientation: Roughly 10 miles south of Downtown Atlanta

When people in Atlanta ask “How far is Atlanta Airport?” they’re usually asking one of three things:

1. How many miles is it from (my area) to ATL?
2. How long does it take to drive or ride MARTA to ATL?
3. Which side of town is the airport on relative to where I’ll be staying or living?

Let’s break that down by area.

How Far Is Atlanta Airport From Major Atlanta Areas?

Distances below are approximate driving distances to the Domestic Terminal (North Terminal Parkway). Times assume normal, non-rush-hour traffic. Traffic, weather, and construction can increase travel time significantly—especially on weekdays.

Quick Distance & Time Guide

*Times are typical, not guaranteed. Always add extra time—especially during weekday rush hours and holiday travel periods.

How Far Is Atlanta Airport From Popular City Neighborhoods?

Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead

These are the three core areas most visitors and many residents reference.

• Downtown Atlanta → ATL

  • Distance: about 10–11 miles
  • Typical drive: 15–25 minutes
  • Main route: I-75/85 South directly to the airport
  • MARTA: Direct Red/Gold Line from Peachtree Center, Five Points, or Civic Center to Airport Station (about 20–25 minutes once on the train)

• Midtown → ATL

  • Distance: 12–14 miles
  • Typical drive: 20–30 minutes
  • Main route: I-75/85 South
  • MARTA: From Midtown, North Ave, or Arts Center stations on the Red/Gold Line straight to Airport Station

• Buckhead → ATL

  • Distance: 18–20 miles
  • Typical drive: 25–40 minutes
  • Main routes: GA-400 South → I-85 South → I-75/85 South
  • MARTA: From Buckhead, Lenox, or Lindbergh Center stations via Red/Gold Line to Airport Station (30–40 minutes once on the train)

Tip: For Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead, MARTA rail often gives the most predictable travel time, especially during peak traffic.

Westside, West Midtown, and Surrounding Areas

• West Midtown / Howell Mill / Georgia Tech area

  • Distance: 12–15 miles
  • Typical drive: 20–30 minutes
  • Primary route: Northside Dr or North Ave → I-75/85 South

• Cumberland / The Battery / Smyrna

  • Distance: 22–26 miles
  • Typical drive: 30–45 minutes
  • Primary route: I-285 East or West to I-75/85 or I-85, then south to ATL

• Marietta (central)

  • Distance: 30–33 miles
  • Typical drive: 35–55 minutes
  • Primary route: I-75 South → I-285 East or West → I-85 / I-75/85 South

Traffic on the Downtown Connector (I-75/85) and I-285 can add substantial time, especially weekday mornings and late afternoons.

Eastside and Decatur

• City of Decatur (Downtown Decatur)

  • Distance: 17–19 miles
  • Typical drive: 25–40 minutes
  • Primary routes: I-20 West or I-285 South → I-85 North → I-75/85 South (depending on exact starting point)
  • MARTA: From Decatur or East Lake stations, take Blue Line to Five Points, then transfer to Red/Gold Line south to Airport Station

• East Atlanta / Ormewood / Grant Park

  • Distance: 10–14 miles
  • Typical drive: 20–30 minutes
  • Primary routes: Local surface streets to I-20 West or directly to I-75/85 South

• Stone Mountain area

  • Distance: 26–30 miles
  • Typical drive: 35–55 minutes
  • Primary route: US-78 → I-285 → I-20 or I-85 to reach the airport side of town

North Metro: Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta, Dunwoody

• Sandy Springs (Perimeter area)

  • Distance: 23–26 miles
  • Typical drive: 30–45 minutes
  • Primary route: GA-400 South → I-85 South → I-75/85 South

• Dunwoody

  • Distance: 24–27 miles
  • Typical drive: 30–45 minutes
  • Routes: GA-400 or Peachtree Industrial → I-285 → I-85 or I-75/85

• Roswell

  • Distance: 32–37 miles
  • Typical drive: 40–60 minutes
  • Routes: GA-400 South → I-85 South → I-75/85 South

• Alpharetta

  • Distance: 37–42 miles
  • Typical drive: 45–65 minutes
  • Routes: GA-400 South → I-85 South → I-75/85 South

Rush-hour note: From North Fulton (Roswell, Alpharetta, Johns Creek), morning and late-afternoon traffic on GA‑400 and I‑285 can significantly extend travel times. Many residents allow at least 90 minutes door-to-door for flights.

Southside: College Park, East Point, Fayetteville, Peachtree City

The airport is on the south side of Atlanta, so nearby communities often have the shortest drive times.

• College Park / East Point

  • Distance: 3–6 miles
  • Typical drive: 10–15 minutes
  • Often reachable via surface streets without using the interstate
  • MARTA: Several nearby stations (College Park Station is just one stop from the airport)

• Hapeville

  • Distance: 3–5 miles
  • Typical drive: 10–15 minutes

• Fayetteville

  • Distance: 20–24 miles
  • Typical drive: 30–45 minutes
  • Primary route: GA‑85 or local state routes north toward ATL

• Peachtree City

  • Distance: 23–27 miles
  • Typical drive: 30–45 minutes
  • Primary routes: GA‑74 or GA‑85 → I‑85 North, then follow airport signs

West and East Outer Suburbs

• Douglasville

  • Distance: 24–28 miles
  • Typical drive: 30–45 minutes
  • Primary route: I‑20 East → I‑285 South → I‑85 North / Camp Creek Pkwy depending on route

• Lithonia

  • Distance: 25–30 miles
  • Typical drive: 35–55 minutes
  • Primary routes: I‑20 West → I‑285 South/West → airport area exits

How Far Is the Airport From Major Atlanta Landmarks?

Distances below are from popular points of interest to the Domestic Terminal.

• Mercedes‑Benz Stadium

  • Distance: about 9–10 miles
  • Drive: 15–25 minutes
  • Route: Northside Dr or MLK Jr. Dr to I‑75/85 South

• Georgia World Congress Center / State Farm Arena / CNN Center

  • Distance: about 9–11 miles
  • Drive: 15–25 minutes
  • MARTA: Walk to GWCC/CNN Center or Five Points → Gold/Red Line to airport

• Georgia Tech (Midtown campus)

  • Distance: 12–14 miles
  • Drive: 20–30 minutes
  • MARTA: Use Midtown or North Ave stations → Red/Gold Line to airport

• Emory University (main campus in Druid Hills)

  • Distance: 17–20 miles
  • Drive: 25–40 minutes
  • MARTA: Usually involves a bus connection to a rail station (e.g., Decatur or Lindbergh) then Red/Gold Line

• Atlanta BeltLine (Ponce City Market area)

  • Distance: 11–14 miles
  • Drive: 20–30 minutes

• Truist Park (Cumberland / The Battery Atlanta)

  • Distance: 22–26 miles
  • Drive: 30–45 minutes

Domestic Terminal vs. International Terminal: Are They Far Apart?

Even if you live close by, it helps to understand how ATL is laid out.

• Domestic Terminal (North & South)

  • Main address: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
  • Serves most major domestic carriers

• International Terminal (Concourse F)

  • Address: 2600 Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Blvd, Atlanta, GA 30354
  • Located on the eastern side of the airport property
  • Has its own separate entrance from I‑75 (not I‑85)

How far apart are they?

• By road: Roughly 3–4 miles drive between Domestic and International terminals using ATL’s internal roadways and surrounding surface streets.
• By airport train: The Plane Train inside the secure area connects all concourses, including Concourse T (near Domestic) through Concourse F (International). Travel time is usually just a few minutes once you’re inside security.

If someone drops you at the wrong terminal, allow extra time to transfer, especially if you’re outside security and using the shuttle.

How Long Does It Take to Get From Atlanta to the Airport?

Distance is only part of the story; time of day in Atlanta matters a lot.

Typical Traffic Patterns

• Morning rush hour: Roughly 6:30 a.m.–9:30 a.m., heaviest toward Downtown and Midtown
• Evening rush hour: Roughly 3:30 p.m.–7:00 p.m., heavy in all directions
• Fridays & holidays: Often worse than average, especially on I‑75/85, I‑20, I‑285, and GA‑400

Practical buffer times:

• If you’re inside the Perimeter (I‑285): Aim to leave at least 1–1.5 hours before you want to be at the terminal, plus airline check-in time.
• If you’re outside the Perimeter or in outer suburbs: Leave 1.5–2 hours before your desired airport arrival time, or more in peak traffic.

✈️ Simple rule of thumb:
Combine your expected drive time + at least 45–60 minutes for check-in and security for domestic flights (more for international), then add a traffic cushion based on rush hours.

How Far Is the Airport by MARTA?

For many parts of Atlanta, measured in time, MARTA rail can be more consistent than driving.

MARTA Airport Station

• Location: Directly inside the Domestic Terminal, at the end of the Red and Gold Lines
• Lines that serve ATL:
  • Gold Line: Doraville ↔ Airport
  • Red Line: North Springs ↔ Airport

Typical train time from major stations to ATL (once you’re on the train):

• Five Points → Airport: about 15–20 minutes
• Peachtree Center (Downtown) → Airport: about 20 minutes
• Midtown → Airport: about 20–25 minutes
• Lindbergh Center → Airport: about 25–30 minutes
• Buckhead → Airport: about 30–35 minutes
• Doraville / North Springs → Airport: about 35–40+ minutes

Add 5–15 minutes for walking or transfers to reach your starting station.

Reaching the International Terminal from MARTA

• MARTA trains stop at the Domestic Terminal only.
• To reach the International Terminal:
  • Use the free airport shuttle from outside the Domestic Terminal, or
  • Go through security and take the Plane Train to Concourse F.

Allow an extra 15–30 minutes if you’re connecting from MARTA to an international departure.

Airport Contact & Wayfinding Info

For travelers planning from around Atlanta, these details can help finalize timing and directions.

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  • General Address (Domestic Terminal):
    6000 N Terminal Pkwy
    Atlanta, GA 30320
  • International Terminal:
    2600 Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Blvd
    Atlanta, GA 30354
  • General Information (main airport line):
    Often reachable via the main switchboard listed by the City of Atlanta / Department of Aviation
  • MARTA Customer Information Center:
    Phone numbers and hours are available via MARTA’s official customer service resources and station signage across Atlanta.

When using a GPS app from anywhere in Atlanta, you can search either:

• “Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport”
• “ATL Domestic Terminal” or “ATL International Terminal”

This helps ensure you’re routed to the correct side of the airport.

In practical terms, Atlanta Airport is about 10 miles south of Downtown, with most Intown neighborhoods within 15–30 minutes in light traffic and many suburbs between 30 minutes and just over an hour away. The exact answer to “How far is Atlanta Airport?” depends on where you are in the metro area, what time you’re traveling, and whether you drive or take MARTA, but the ranges above give a reliable local benchmark for planning your trip.