How Far Is Carrollton, GA from Atlanta? A Local’s Guide to the Drive

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and wondering how far it is to Carrollton, GA, the answer is straightforward:

• Distance by road: About 50–55 miles
• Typical drive time: Around 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, depending on traffic and your starting point in Atlanta

Carrollton is a small city in Carroll County, located west of Atlanta, not far from the Alabama state line. For many Atlanta residents, it’s a realistic day trip, commuter route, or weekend getaway.

Where Carrollton Is in Relation to Atlanta

Carrollton sits:

• West-southwest of Downtown Atlanta
• Close to Interstate I‑20, but reached mainly via US-27 and state routes
• Near cities like Douglasville, Villa Rica, and Newnan

If you imagine a map of metro Atlanta, Carrollton is roughly:

• About 30–35 miles west of Douglasville
• About 15–20 miles south of I‑20 near Villa Rica

It’s outside the densest part of the metro area, which is why the drive feels more rural once you leave the city.

Driving from Atlanta to Carrollton: Main Routes

For most people in Atlanta, driving is the primary way to get to Carrollton. Here are the most common routes.

From Downtown or Midtown Atlanta

Most drivers use I‑20 West:

1. Get on I‑20 W from your location (via I‑75/85, Spring St, or Northside Dr).
2. Continue on I‑20 W toward Birmingham.
3. Exit near Villa Rica or Douglasville depending on your preferred route:
   • Many people take Exit 24 (Carrollton/Villa Rica) and then follow GA-61/GA-101/GA-166 toward Carrollton.
4. Follow signs for Carrollton and US-27.

• Approximate drive time:
  • Light traffic: 1 hour
  • Peak traffic (weekday mornings/evenings): 1 hour 15–30 minutes

From Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

If you’re flying into Atlanta and heading to Carrollton:

1. From the airport, take I‑285 W/N or I‑85 N to I‑285 W, then connect to I‑20 W.
2. Continue on I‑20 W.
3. Use the same exits toward Carrollton/Villa Rica and follow state routes to Carrollton.

• Distance: Around 55–60 miles
• Estimated time: About 1 hour 15 minutes, depending on airport traffic and time of day

From North Atlanta (Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody)

1. Take I‑285 W toward I‑20 W.
2. Merge onto I‑20 W toward Birmingham.
3. Exit at Carrollton/Villa Rica and continue on state routes to Carrollton.

This avoids going through Downtown if you’re already near the Perimeter.

Quick Reference: Atlanta to Carrollton by Car

*Times assume typical conditions; rush hour, accidents, or construction can add more time.

What to Expect on the Drive

From Atlanta to Carrollton, the drive has a few distinct segments:

• Urban/metro stretch: Leaving Atlanta on I‑20 W can mean heavy traffic, especially:
  • Weekday mornings (toward Atlanta) and evenings (outbound)
  • Around major interchanges, like I‑285 and I‑75/85
• Suburban corridor: As you pass Douglasville and Lithia Springs, traffic usually eases, but you may still see congestion around major exits and shopping areas.
• Rural/highway segment: Once you leave I‑20 for state routes (like GA-61 or GA-166), the drive becomes more open and rural, with fewer lanes and occasional slower sections near small towns or traffic signals.

Typical Traffic Patterns from Atlanta

• Morning (6:30–9:00 a.m.)
  • Heavier eastbound toward Atlanta, lighter outbound toward Carrollton, but I‑20 can still back up around interchanges.
• Evening (4:00–7:00 p.m.)
  • Heavier westbound leaving Atlanta, so plan extra time if heading to Carrollton after work.
• Weekends
  • Generally smoother, but special events, construction, or holiday travel can still cause slowdowns.

🛣 Tip: If you’re on a tight schedule (like a campus tour or appointment in Carrollton), it’s wise to plan an extra 15–20 minutes on top of your GPS estimate, especially if you’re leaving from central Atlanta.

Are There Public Transportation Options from Atlanta to Carrollton?

There is no direct MARTA rail or bus route running all the way from Atlanta to Carrollton.

Here’s what to know:

• MARTA (serving Atlanta and some nearby suburbs) does not extend to Carrollton or Carroll County.
• There is no direct intercity bus or commuter rail routinely connecting Downtown Atlanta to Carrollton in the way some people might expect for closer suburbs.

Most people traveling from Atlanta to Carrollton rely on:

• Personal vehicles
• Car rentals (often picked up from the airport or in-town Atlanta locations)
• Rideshare services (may be available but can be costly for the full distance)
• Pre-arranged shuttles or carpools for specific events, school programs, or work

If you need help combining local transit + car:

• You can use MARTA to get closer to I‑20 (for example, to a station where you can be picked up by a friend/family member driving from Atlanta to Carrollton).
• Some people living in Carrollton but working in Atlanta may park at an I‑20 exit and carpool the rest of the way, but this is arranged privately, not as a formal service.

Day Trip Planning from Atlanta to Carrollton

For someone based in Atlanta, Carrollton is close enough for a day trip. Many Atlanta residents go for:

• Visits to University of West Georgia
• Outdoor recreation in nearby areas
• Events, festivals, or to see family and friends

How Long Should You Plan?

If you’re going just for the day:

• Driving each way: About 1–1.25 hours
• Reasonable visit window:
  • Leave Atlanta around 8–9 a.m.
  • Spend 5–7 hours in or around Carrollton
  • Return in the late afternoon or evening

If you want to avoid heavier traffic:

• Leave after 9:30 a.m. and head back before 4 p.m. or after 7 p.m., when possible.

Commuting from Carrollton to Atlanta (or Vice Versa)

Some people live in Carrollton and commute into Atlanta, or occasionally make the trip for work.

Key points for commuters:

• Daily commute time:
  • Often 1 to 1.5 hours each way, depending on your exact start and end points and traffic.
• Most common commuter route:
  • US-27 / GA-166 / GA-61 to I‑20 E, then onward into Atlanta.
• Challenges:
  • Rush hour congestion near I‑285, Downtown Connector (I‑75/85), and major interchanges.
  • Weather-related delays (especially heavy rain) can slow I‑20 significantly.

Because of the distance and traffic patterns, many people who have to be in Atlanta very early or very frequently from Carrollton may choose:

• Hybrid schedules (in-office some days, remote others)
• Carpooling to share the driving load
• Park-and-ride or meeting spots near key exits for coworkers traveling in together

Comparing Atlanta–Carrollton Distance to Other Metro Atlanta Drives

For local context, the drive from Atlanta to Carrollton is:

• Farther than going from Downtown Atlanta to Marietta, Smyrna, or Decatur
• Somewhat comparable in time, in heavy traffic, to:
  • Downtown Atlanta to Cumming
  • Downtown Atlanta to McDonough
• Often quicker in free-flow traffic than those drives, because:
  • The route west on I‑20 can be smoother than some northern and eastern corridors at off-peak times.

So, while Carrollton is its own distinct city and not a close-in suburb, it still feels well within Atlanta’s broader travel orbit.

Practical Tips for Atlanta Travelers Heading to Carrollton

To make your trip smoother:

• Check traffic before you leave.
  Look at current conditions on I‑20 and around your preferred exits.
• Account for parking time.
  If you’re going to a campus, hospital, or event venue in Carrollton, give yourself a buffer for finding parking.
• Plan fuel stops on I‑20.
  There are multiple gas stations and services at exits like Douglasville and Villa Rica, which are convenient midpoints from Atlanta to Carrollton.
• Consider time of day.
  Leaving Atlanta in the middle of the day or later in the evening tends to be less stressful than fighting peak-hour traffic.

In summary, Carrollton, GA is roughly 50–55 miles west of Atlanta, and for most Atlanta-area travelers, it’s about a one-hour drive each way under typical conditions. For anyone living in, visiting, or planning around Atlanta, Carrollton is close enough for day trips, work visits, and school-related travel, as long as you plan around I‑20 traffic and peak hours.