How Far Is Buckhead from Downtown Atlanta? A Local’s Guide to Distance, Time, and Best Routes

If you spend any time in Atlanta, Georgia, you’ll quickly hear people talk about Buckhead and Downtown as if they’re worlds apart. In reality, they’re very close—but how far they feel from each other can change a lot depending on traffic, time of day, and how you choose to get around.

Here’s a clear breakdown of how far Buckhead is from Downtown Atlanta and what that really means when you’re driving, taking MARTA, or using rideshare.

The Short Answer: Distance Between Buckhead and Downtown Atlanta

Driving distance:

• From central Downtown Atlanta (around Peachtree Center or Five Points)
• To central Buckhead (around Lenox Square / Peachtree Road & Lenox Road)

You’re looking at roughly:

• 7–9 miles one way
• 12–20 minutes in light traffic
• 25–35+ minutes in heavy rush-hour traffic

The two areas are connected mainly along Peachtree Street/Peachtree Road and GA-400/I-85/I-75, so you have both surface-street and highway options.

Quick Comparison: Ways to Travel Between Buckhead and Downtown

Understanding “Buckhead” vs. “Downtown” in Local Terms

When people in Atlanta say “Buckhead”, they’re usually talking about the commercial core around:

• Lenox Square
• Phipps Plaza
• Peachtree Road NE near Lenox Road NE

When they say “Downtown”, they usually mean the area around:

• Peachtree Center
• Five Points
• Georgia State University
• Attractions like the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Because both “Buckhead” and “Downtown” cover multiple blocks and neighborhoods, the exact distance can vary a bit. But for most visitors and residents, you can think of it as a short urban hop, not a long trip across town.

Driving from Downtown Atlanta to Buckhead

Main Driving Routes

If you’re driving, you have a couple of common options:

1. I-75/85 North → GA-400 / Sidney Marcus Blvd → Buckhead

   • Get on I-75/85 North from Downtown.
   • Take Exit 251B (I-85 North) and continue.
   • Exit toward GA-400 North or Sidney Marcus Blvd NE, then follow signs toward Buckhead/Lenox.
   • Good when highways are moving smoothly.

2. Peachtree Street/Peachtree Road (surface streets)

   • Start on Peachtree Street NE in Downtown.
   • Head north; Peachtree will carry you straight into Midtown, then Buckhead (name changes to Peachtree Road).
   • More stoplights, but avoids full interstate congestion and shows you a lot of the city.

3. Spring Street / West Peachtree / Piedmont (alternative surface routes)

   • These can sometimes be useful if Peachtree is very congested.
   • Often used by locals familiar with side streets and neighborhood cut-throughs.

Realistic Travel Times by Car

• Early morning / late evening / mid-day (off-peak):
  Typically 12–20 minutes door to door.
• Weekday rush hours (approx. 7–9 a.m. and 4–7 p.m.):
  More likely 25–35+ minutes, sometimes longer if there are incidents on I-75/85.
• Weekend evenings (events, concerts, games):
  Time can jump significantly, especially if there’s a big event at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, or a convention Downtown.

Parking Considerations

• Downtown:
  Garages near Peachtree Center, the Georgia Aquarium, and Centennial Olympic Park are common choices. Many are paid lots or decks.
• Buckhead:
  Major shopping centers like Lenox Square (3393 Peachtree Rd NE) and Phipps Plaza (3500 Peachtree Rd NE) have structured parking decks, generally paid but straightforward to use.

If you’re going both ways the same day, it’s worth factoring parking costs into your decision. Sometimes MARTA can be cheaper and more predictable.

Taking MARTA Between Downtown and Buckhead

For many people, MARTA is the easiest way to go from Downtown to Buckhead, especially during busy times.

Train Lines You’ll Use

Buckhead and Downtown are connected via MARTA’s Red and Gold rail lines:

• Downtown stations:
  • Five Points Station
  • Peachtree Center Station
  • Georgia State Station
• Buckhead-area stations:
  • Buckhead Station (closer to Peachtree Road, north Buckhead offices)
  • Lenox Station (closer to Lenox Square) – on the Gold Line
  • Lindbergh Center Station (a major transfer and park-and-ride hub between Midtown and Buckhead)

Typical MARTA Travel Time

• Train ride itself: Around 15–20 minutes between central Downtown and Buckhead-area stations.
• Door-to-door time: Often 20–30 minutes once you add:
  • Walking to a station
  • Waiting for the train (more frequent at peak times)
  • Walking from the station to your final destination

For many commuters, MARTA is more predictable than driving during rush hour, especially if you’re going to:

• Office buildings along Peachtree Road
• Shopping around Lenox/Phipps
• Hotels in Buckhead’s business district

Where to Catch MARTA Rail

Here are a few useful central stations:

• Five Points Station
  30 Alabama St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  Major hub connecting all MARTA lines, easy for transfers.

• Peachtree Center Station
  216 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
  Convenient if you’re staying or working in central Downtown towers.

• Buckhead Station
  3360 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326
  Walkable to many Buckhead offices and hotels.

• Lenox Station
  955 E Paces Ferry Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326
  Good for Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza area.

You can contact MARTA Customer Service at (404) 848-5000 for current schedules, service changes, or accessibility information.

Rideshare, Taxi, and Car Services

Rideshare (Uber, Lyft, etc.)

Rideshare is widely used in Atlanta and frequently used to connect Downtown hotels to Buckhead restaurants, bars, and malls.

• Time: Similar to regular driving – 15–30+ minutes, depending on traffic.
• Cost: Varies with distance, time of day, and surge pricing. Late-night or event times may be noticeably higher.
• Convenience: No parking hassle, especially helpful if you’re going out at night or don’t want to navigate unfamiliar streets.

Common pickup/drop-off areas include:

• In Downtown: near Peachtree Center, Marietta Street, Centennial Olympic Park, hotel entrances, and stadium areas.
• In Buckhead: near Lenox Square, Phipps Plaza, major hotels along Peachtree Road, and Buckhead Village.

Taxi Services

Traditional taxis still operate around:

• Downtown hotel rows
• Georgia World Congress Center
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (with direct trips to both Buckhead and Downtown)

They can be practical if you prefer regulated, metered service.

Walking, Biking, or Scootering Between Buckhead and Downtown

Walking

In practical terms, walking the entire way from Downtown to Buckhead isn’t realistic for most people:

• Distance is around 7–9 miles, depending on your exact start and end points.
• There are hills, heavy traffic, and stretches that are not particularly pedestrian-friendly or scenic for long-distance walks.

Walking makes more sense within each district (e.g., once you’re in Buckhead, you might walk around Buckhead Village) rather than between them.

Biking or Scooters

Atlanta has a growing bike and scooter presence, but going all the way from Downtown to Buckhead comes with challenges:

• Busy arterial roads like Peachtree, Piedmont, and Peachtree Street/Peachtree Road.
• Limited continuous protected bike lanes for that full distance.
• Steep sections and high-speed car traffic.

More common patterns are:

• Biking/scootering within Downtown and Midtown or within Buckhead.
• Using MARTA for the long segment, then biking or scootering the shorter “last mile.”

When Is MARTA Better Than Driving Between Buckhead and Downtown?

Using MARTA instead of driving can be especially helpful if:

• You’re traveling during rush hour and want to avoid I-75/85 backups.
• You don’t want to pay parking fees in both areas.
• You’re visiting Atlanta without a car and staying near a MARTA station.
• You’re headed to events (concerts, games, conventions) where parking is tight or expensive.

On the other hand, driving may be more convenient if:

• You’re traveling outside peak times, and traffic is light.
• You’re going somewhere not very close to a MARTA station.
• You have kids, luggage, or mobility needs that make a door-to-door ride easier.

Planning Your Trip: Practical Tips

Here are a few quick, Atlanta-specific tips to make the Buckhead–Downtown trip smoother:

• Check traffic before you go.
  Atlanta’s traffic can change quickly, especially with accidents or weather. Local mapping apps give fairly accurate travel time estimates.

• Build in extra time for events.
  If there’s a major event at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, or a convention at Georgia World Congress Center, expect Downtown congestion that spills onto the interstates.

• Use park-and-ride if you’re driving in from outside the city.
  You can park at stations like Lindbergh Center or Brookhaven/Oglethorpe and ride MARTA to either Buckhead or Downtown.

• At night, think about safety and convenience.
  Many locals use rideshare between Buckhead nightlife and Downtown hotels so they don’t have to worry about driving or parking late.

Key Takeaways

• Distance: Buckhead is only about 7–9 miles from Downtown Atlanta.
• Driving time: Usually 12–20 minutes in light traffic, 25–35+ minutes in rush hour.
• MARTA: Around 20–30 minutes door to door, often the most predictable option.
• Best option: Depends on time of day, traffic, parking costs, and how close you are to a MARTA station.

For most people living in or visiting Atlanta, Georgia, Buckhead and Downtown are close enough that you can comfortably go back and forth in a single day—whether you’re commuting to work, heading to dinner, or fitting in shopping and sightseeing on the same trip.