How Far Is Buckhead From the Atlanta Airport? Your Local Guide to Distance, Time, and Best Routes

If you’re flying into Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and heading to Buckhead, you’re asking one of the most common Atlanta questions: How far is it, and how long will it really take?

In simple terms:
Buckhead is about 18–22 miles from the Atlanta airport, depending on your exact start and end points, and the drive usually takes 25–45 minutes. Time of day and traffic make a big difference.

Below is a practical, Atlanta-focused guide to help you plan the trip—whether you’re a local, a first-time visitor, or helping someone navigate the city.

How Many Miles Is Buckhead From Atlanta Airport?

Because Buckhead is a large neighborhood rather than a single point, the distance varies slightly. Here are typical “airport to Buckhead” distances:

• ATL to central Buckhead (around Peachtree Rd & Piedmont Rd):
  ✅ About 18–20 miles
• ATL to north Buckhead (near Lenox Square / Phipps Plaza):
  ✅ About 20–22 miles
• ATL to south Buckhead (closer to Midtown):
  ✅ About 17–19 miles

These distances assume a route using I‑85 or I‑75/I‑85 north through Downtown and Midtown.

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

Distance in Atlanta is one thing; traffic is another. Your travel time can change a lot based on the time of day and whether you’re driving or using MARTA.

Typical Drive Times

By car, rideshare, or taxi:

• Light traffic (late evening, early morning, weekends off-peak):
  ⏱️ Around 25–30 minutes
• Normal daytime (mid-morning to mid-afternoon on weekdays, many weekends):
  ⏱️ Around 30–40 minutes
• Rush hour (weekday mornings and late afternoons/early evenings):
  ⏱️ Around 40–60+ minutes, especially if there are accidents or construction

Atlanta’s busiest times are usually:

• Morning rush: about 7:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
• Evening rush: about 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

If your flight lands right in the middle of those windows, plan extra time to reach Buckhead.

Quick Comparison: Travel Options Between ATL and Buckhead

Here’s a simple snapshot of your main options:

*Time ranges assume fairly normal conditions; heavy traffic or delays can add time.

Driving From Atlanta Airport to Buckhead

Main Driving Routes

Most people use one of three main routes between ATL and Buckhead:

1. I‑85 North (most common)

   • From the airport, follow signs to I‑85 N via I‑75/85.
   • Continue north through Downtown and Midtown.
   • For central Buckhead, you’ll usually exit around GA‑400 North, Lenox Rd, or Piedmont Rd depending on your destination.
   • This is the most direct and frequently used route.

2. I‑75/85 North, then GA‑400 North

   • Take I‑75/85 N from the airport.
   • Transition to GA‑400 N toward Buckhead/Sandy Springs.
   • Exit at Lenox Rd, Lenox Rd/Peachtree Rd, or nearby.
   • Slightly longer in miles for some locations but can be smoother at times.

3. Surface street alternatives (inside the Perimeter)

   • Some locals cut over using Metropolitan Pkwy, Peachtree St, or Piedmont Rd to avoid backups.
   • These routes are slower in pure distance but sometimes more predictable if the highway is at a standstill.

Things That Affect Travel Time

• Accidents and construction on I‑75/85, I‑85, or GA‑400
• Weather (heavy rain can slow traffic across the city)
• Events in Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead (concerts, sports, conventions)
• Peak commuting hours

If you need to catch a flight from Buckhead back to ATL, many locals try to leave Buckhead 1.5–2 hours before domestic flights during busy times—this includes drive + parking or rental car return + security.

Using MARTA From Atlanta Airport to Buckhead

If you want to avoid traffic, MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) is a straightforward option.

How Far Is Buckhead by MARTA?

The Red and Gold rail lines connect Atlanta Airport and Buckhead without changing systems—just one transfer within the MARTA rail network for most Buckhead stops.

• Airport Station is directly inside the airport, at the Domestic Terminal (south side, near baggage claim).
• Buckhead-area stations on MARTA’s Red and Gold lines include:
  • Buckhead Station (Red line) – near Peachtree Rd and Piedmont Rd
  • Lenox Station (Gold line) – closest to Lenox Square
  • Lindbergh Center Station (Red/Gold) – south of Buckhead, a key connection point
  • Brookhaven/Oglethorpe (Gold) and Medical Center (Red) for north Buckhead edges

Typical MARTA Travel Time

• Airport Station to Lindbergh Center: around 20–25 minutes
• Airport to Buckhead or Lenox stations: roughly 25–30 minutes on the train
• Add 5–15+ minutes for:
  • Walking to your final destination
  • Waiting for the next train (they usually run every several minutes, frequency varies by time of day)

So overall, Airport to Buckhead by MARTA = usually 30–45 minutes door-to-door, depending on how close you are to a station on each end.

Basic MARTA Rail Steps From ATL to Buckhead

1. From baggage claim, follow signs for Ground Transportation / MARTA.
2. Enter Airport Station.
3. Board a Northbound train:
   • Red Line: toward North Springs
   • Gold Line: toward Doraville
4. Choose your Buckhead-area stop:
   • Buckhead Station (Red): good for much of central Buckhead along Peachtree Rd.
   • Lenox Station (Gold): best for Lenox Square and nearby offices/shops.
   • Lindbergh Center (Red/Gold): major hub, lots of buses and connections.

MARTA is especially useful if:

• You’re traveling during rush hour
• You don’t want to deal with parking or a rental car
• You’re staying at a hotel close to a Buckhead station

Taxis, Rideshare, and Shuttles Between ATL and Buckhead

Rideshare (Uber, Lyft)

Rideshare is one of the most common ways to go between the airport and Buckhead.

• Pickup is typically at the Rideshare/Passenger Pickup area in the airport’s designated zone (follow the overhead signs from baggage claim).
• Travel time is similar to driving yourself: 25–45 minutes, more in heavy traffic.
• Pricing varies based on time of day, demand, and the type of ride you choose.

📝 Tip: For early-morning or late-night flights, rideshare is often easier than navigating MARTA if you’re unfamiliar with the system.

Taxis

Atlanta has a dedicated taxi queue at the airport.

• Follow signs to Taxi from the terminal.
• Taxis offer flat-rate or metered fares to certain zones in the city; Buckhead often falls into a common airport fare area that many drivers know well.
• Expect similar travel times as rideshare: 25–45 minutes, depending on traffic.

Hotel and Private Shuttles

Some Buckhead hotels, corporate offices, and private car services offer transportation between ATL and Buckhead.

• These usually need to be booked in advance.
• Can be convenient for groups, business travelers, or those who prefer a set pickup time and fixed cost.

Renting a Car to Drive Between Buckhead and ATL

If you’re planning to explore more of metro Atlanta, a rental car can make sense.

• The ATL Rental Car Center is at:
  • 2200 Rental Car Center Parkway, College Park, GA 30337
• You reach it from the terminal via the SkyTrain, a free elevated train that runs continuously.

From the Rental Car Center:

• Follow signs to I‑85 North or I‑75/85 North.
• Use GPS/phone navigation to route to your Buckhead hotel, apartment, or office.

📝 Considerations:

• Buckhead is busy and developed, with limited free parking in many areas.
• Expect:
  • Paid parking at malls, offices, and some residential buildings
  • Valet parking at many hotels and restaurants
  • Residential streets with permit or time limits

If you mainly plan to stay in Buckhead and visit central Atlanta, compare the cost of a rental car + parking vs. MARTA, rideshare, and taxis.

How Locals Decide: Driving vs. MARTA vs. Rideshare

People in Atlanta often choose based on time of day, budget, and comfort with transit:

• Driving or rideshare

  • Best if:
    • You have a lot of luggage
    • You’re traveling with kids or a group
    • You’re arriving late at night or very early
  • Flexible but subject to I‑85 traffic.

• MARTA

  • Best if:
    • You’re comfortable using transit
    • Your hotel or destination is close to a Buckhead-area station
    • You’re arriving during weekday rush hours, when highways are slow
  • Avoids parking fees and can be more predictable in peak traffic.

Many locals use MARTA one way (into the city during afternoon/evening traffic) and rideshare the other way if they’re tired or traveling at off-peak times.

Practical Planning Tips for Your Airport–Buckhead Trip

• Build in buffer time.
  If you have a meeting, dinner reservation, or event in Buckhead after landing, allow at least:

  • 1–1.5 hours from landing to arrival in Buckhead in normal conditions
  • Longer during bad weather or heavy traffic

• Check live traffic or train schedules.
  Before you leave the airport or Buckhead, quickly look at:

  • Traffic conditions on I‑75/85, I‑85, and GA‑400
  • MARTA status and next-train times

• Know your exact address.
  “Buckhead” covers everything from Lindbergh up past Lenox, Phipps Plaza, and toward Chastain Park. Have the street address handy so your navigation app can choose the best exit.

• If you’re heading back to the airport from Buckhead:

  • On weekday mornings or late afternoons, many locals leave earlier than they think they need to—often 1.5–2 hours before a domestic flight and longer for international, to account for:
    • Drive time
    • Rental car return or parking
    • Check-in and security lines

In summary: Buckhead is roughly 18–22 miles from Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and most trips between them take about 25–45 minutes, depending heavily on Atlanta traffic. You can choose between driving, rideshare, taxis, MARTA, or shuttles, and the best option will depend on your schedule, budget, and comfort level with navigating the city.