How Far Is Clayton County from Atlanta? A Local’s Guide to Distance, Drive Time, and Getting Around

If you live in Atlanta or you’re visiting and looking at surrounding areas, you’ll run into Clayton County a lot—especially around Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Understanding how far Clayton County is from Atlanta depends on where in Atlanta you’re starting and where in Clayton County you’re going, because both cover a wide area.

Below is a clear breakdown of distance, drive times, and the most common ways people travel between Atlanta and Clayton County.

How Far Is Clayton County from Downtown Atlanta?

Clayton County borders the southern edge of the City of Atlanta, so in many spots, you’re only a short drive away.

Quick Distance Overview

Most people asking “How far is Clayton County from Atlanta?” are thinking of travel from Downtown or Midtown Atlanta to key Clayton County locations like Forest Park, Morrow, Jonesboro, or the airport area.

Approximate distances from Downtown Atlanta:

Key takeaway:
Clayton County starts less than 10 miles from central Atlanta and stretches to about 25 miles away at its farthest southern edge.

What Part of Atlanta Are You Starting From?

Atlanta is spread out, and drive times to Clayton County can change a lot depending on whether you’re in:

• Downtown / Midtown – closest to the I-75/I-85 connector and MARTA heavy rail
• Buckhead – adds roughly 5–8 extra miles compared with Downtown
• Westside / West Midtown – usually routes via I-20 and I-285 or the Downtown Connector
• East Atlanta / Decatur area – often routed via I-20 and I-285 or I-675

As a quick rule:

• From Downtown/Midtown Atlanta to northern Clayton County (Forest Park, airport area):
  ➤ 15–25 minutes, depending on traffic
• From Buckhead to northern Clayton County:
  ➤ Usually 25–35 minutes
• From Atlanta neighborhoods to southern Clayton County (Lovejoy, southern Jonesboro area):
  ➤ Often 35–50 minutes, especially in rush hour

Main Routes Between Atlanta and Clayton County

Most trips between Atlanta and Clayton County use a few core highways.

1. I‑75 South

I‑75 South is the primary route from central Atlanta into much of Clayton County.

You’ll likely use I‑75 South if you’re heading to:

• Forest Park
• Morrow / Southlake Mall
• Parts of Jonesboro
• Clayton State University area

From Downtown Atlanta, you merge onto the Downtown Connector (I‑75/85) and continue south until the split, following I‑75 South into Clayton County.

2. I‑85 South / Airport Routes

I‑85 South runs through the airport area, which straddles Fulton and Clayton counties.

You’ll use I‑85 South or nearby roads if you’re going to:

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
• Airport hotels and rental car centers
• Areas near Riverdale Road and parts of Riverdale

Many locals also connect between I‑20, I‑285, and I‑85 South depending on where in Atlanta they’re coming from.

3. I‑285 and I‑675

If you’re coming from East Atlanta, Decatur, Stone Mountain, or the eastern suburbs, you may use:

• I‑285 (East or South) to loop around Atlanta
• I‑675, which connects I‑285 to I‑75 in northern Clayton County

These routes can help you avoid Downtown traffic while still reaching Clayton County fairly quickly.

Typical Drive Times: Atlanta to Clayton County

Drive time depends heavily on time of day and traffic on the Downtown Connector and I‑75.

General Drive Time Ranges

From central Atlanta:

• To northern Clayton County (Forest Park, airport-area neighborhoods):

  • Off-peak: 15–20 minutes
  • Rush hour: 25–35+ minutes

• To central Clayton County (Morrow, Jonesboro):

  • Off-peak: 20–30 minutes
  • Rush hour: 35–45+ minutes

• To southern Clayton County (Lovejoy, Hampton-area edges in Henry County):

  • Off-peak: 35–40 minutes
  • Rush hour: 45–60 minutes or more

🕒 Rush hour to watch for:

• Morning: roughly 6:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
• Afternoon/evening: roughly 3:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Traffic on I‑75 South can back up significantly during these windows.

Is Clayton County Considered Part of Metro Atlanta?

Yes. Clayton County is one of the core counties in the Atlanta metropolitan area.

A few local context points:

• The airport—one of the busiest in the world—sits on land spanning both Clayton County and the City of Atlanta in Fulton County.
• Many people live in Clayton County and commute into Atlanta daily for work or school.
• Clayton is directly connected to Atlanta by interstates, surface streets, and transit.

So even though the distance can range from about 8 to 25 miles, Clayton County is very much part of “greater Atlanta” in day-to-day life.

Getting From Atlanta to Clayton County Without a Car

If you don’t want to drive, you still have several practical ways to travel between Atlanta and Clayton County.

1. MARTA Rail + Bus

There is no MARTA heavy rail station inside Clayton County, but you can get very close and then transfer to a bus.

A common option:

1. Take MARTA rail (Red or Gold line) from Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or North Atlanta to:

   • Airport Station (inside Hartsfield-Jackson), or
   • East Point Station or College Park Station

2. Transfer to a MARTA bus that serves routes heading into or near Clayton County, depending on where you’re going.

Travel time from Downtown Atlanta to the Airport Station is typically 15–20 minutes by train, then add bus travel time into Clayton County.

2. Local Bus Service in Clayton County

Clayton County transit is operated through MARTA bus routes serving areas like:

• Forest Park
• Morrow
• Jonesboro
• Riverdale

You can generally:

• Ride MARTA rail from central Atlanta to a southside station
• Transfer to a bus route that continues into Clayton County

Bus ride times will vary by route, distance, and transfers. Many Clayton routes funnel through airport-adjacent areas or connect with rail stations on the south line.

3. Rideshare and Taxis

Rideshare services and taxi companies operate throughout the Atlanta area and routinely serve:

• Trips from Downtown/Midtown Atlanta to Clayton County
• Airport pickups and drop-offs on both the domestic and international terminal sides
• Commutes between Clayton neighborhoods and central Atlanta jobs

These are often the fastest door-to-door options, especially if you’re carrying luggage or traveling late at night when transit is less frequent.

Key Landmarks That Help You Visualize the Distance

If you’re trying to picture how far Clayton County really is from Atlanta, it helps to think in terms of familiar landmarks.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

• The airport is located directly south of Downtown Atlanta.
• Parts of the airport property lie in Clayton County, even though the City of Atlanta owns and operates it.
• From Downtown Atlanta to the airport:
  • About 10–12 miles
  • Often 15–25 minutes by car outside of peak rush hours
• Once you’re at the airport, you’re already at the northern edge of Clayton County.

Clayton County Seat: Jonesboro

• Jonesboro is the county seat of Clayton County.
• From Downtown Atlanta to Jonesboro:
  • About 18–20 miles
  • 25–35 minutes in light-to-moderate traffic
• Many county-level services and courts are based in or near Jonesboro.

Driving Tips for Traveling Between Atlanta and Clayton County

Because the distance is relatively short but traffic can be intense, a few practical tips can make your trip smoother:

• Plan around rush hour:
  If you can, avoid starting your drive on I‑75 South right in the middle of peak commute times.

• Watch the airport exits:
  Around Hartsfield-Jackson, exits for airport terminals, rental cars, and surrounding hotels can create quick slowdowns—plan lane changes early.

• Check traffic apps before you leave:
  Accidents and construction are common along the Downtown Connector and I‑75, which may add 10–20 minutes or more.

• Know your exact destination:
  “Clayton County” covers multiple cities and neighborhoods, so plug in the exact address in Forest Park, Morrow, Riverdale, Jonesboro, Lovejoy, or other communities for more precise time estimates.

Helpful County Information for Visitors and Residents

If you’re heading into Clayton County for official business, services, or to explore, it can help to know where the county government is centered.

Clayton County Government (Central Area – Jonesboro)
Many county offices are around the Jonesboro area, which is roughly 18–20 miles south of Downtown Atlanta by I‑75 South and local roads.

Before you go, it’s a good idea to:

• Confirm office hours
• Check if you can complete services online instead of traveling
• Verify which building or department you need, as county services are often spread across multiple nearby facilities

Quick Summary: How Far Is Clayton County from Atlanta?

• Closest edge to Atlanta:
  Clayton County starts roughly 8–10 miles south of Downtown Atlanta, near Forest Park and the airport area.

• Farthest points:
  Southern parts of Clayton County can be 22–25 miles from central Atlanta.

• Typical drive times:

  • Northern Clayton (Forest Park / airport area): ~15–25 minutes from Downtown
  • Central Clayton (Morrow / Jonesboro): ~20–35 minutes from Downtown
  • Southern Clayton (Lovejoy area): ~35–45+ minutes from Downtown

• Transit options:

  • MARTA rail to southside stations (especially Airport Station)
  • MARTA buses serving Clayton County
  • Rideshare/taxis for direct door-to-door trips

In everyday terms, Clayton County is very close to Atlanta—functionally part of the same metro area—with distances that feel more like cross-town travel than an out-of-town trip, especially if you plan carefully around traffic.