How Far Is Cumming, GA From Atlanta? A Local’s Guide to Distance, Drive Time, and Routes

If you live in Atlanta or you’re visiting the city and planning a trip to Cumming, Georgia, you’re really just talking about a short drive up into Forsyth County, on the north side of the metro area. The two places are closely connected through major highways and daily commuting patterns.

Here’s exactly how far Cumming is from Atlanta, how long it takes to get there, and what you should know about the drive.

The Basics: Distance Between Atlanta and Cumming, GA

The distance between Downtown Atlanta (near the Georgia State Capitol) and Downtown Cumming is:

• Approximate distance:40–45 miles
• Average drive time (no heavy traffic):40–55 minutes
• Typical drive time in rush hour:60–90+ minutes, depending on traffic and accidents

The exact distance and time can change slightly depending on:

• Where in Atlanta you start (Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, the Airport, etc.)
• Which route you choose (GA 400 vs. surface streets)
• Time of day and traffic conditions

Main Driving Route: Atlanta to Cumming via GA 400

For most people, the main route between Atlanta and Cumming is Georgia 400 (GA 400), a major north–south artery on the north side of the metro area.

Typical Route From Central Atlanta

From Downtown or Midtown Atlanta, most drivers go:

1. I-75/I-85 North from Downtown
2. Exit onto I-85 North or use the I-75/85 connector to reach
3. GA 400 North (sometimes referred to as US 19 in some maps)
4. Continue on GA 400 through Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta
5. Stay on GA 400 until you reach the Cumming / Forsyth County exits

Once you’re in Forsyth County, you can exit toward:

• Exit 14 – SR 20 / Buford Hwy for Downtown Cumming
• Other exits if you’re heading to residential neighborhoods, Lake Lanier, or business parks

Quick Reference: Distance and Time From Key Atlanta Areas to Cumming

Use this as a rough guide; actual times vary depending on traffic.

Key takeaway:
The farther north you already are in Atlanta (Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Perimeter), the shorter the drive to Cumming.

What to Expect With Traffic

Metro Atlanta drivers know that time of day is everything when heading up GA 400.

Busiest Times

GA 400 north of Atlanta often backs up:

• Morning rush (heading south): Cumming ➝ Atlanta can be slow from about 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
• Evening rush (heading north): Atlanta ➝ Cumming is often congested from about 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Fridays and holiday weekends: Extra heavy traffic, especially northbound toward the lake and the mountains

In these windows, your 45-minute drive can easily stretch to an hour or more.

Lighter Traffic Times

You’re more likely to see smoother traffic:

• Midday on weekdays (roughly 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.)
• Later in the evening on weekdays (after 7:30 or 8:00 p.m.)
• Weekend mornings (before mid-day crowds head out)

Atlanta-area navigation apps typically do a good job rerouting around wrecks or construction on GA 400, but there are limited alternatives in some sections, so delays can still add up.

Are There Alternate Routes Besides GA 400?

Most Atlantans use GA 400 for speed and simplicity, but there are a few alternate routes you might consider if you want to avoid a particular stretch of highway.

1. Surface-Street Route Through Roswell / Alpharetta

You can use a combination of:

• Peachtree Road / Peachtree Industrial,
• Roswell Road (SR 9), and
• SR 9 / Atlanta Highway continuing north

This keeps you off GA 400 for more of the trip. It’s usually slower in pure drive time but sometimes more reliable if there’s a major backup or accident on 400.

2. From the East Side of Atlanta

If you’re starting from Decatur, Stone Mountain, or the I-85 east corridor, you may:

• Take I-285 west or north to connect to GA 400, or
• Use Peachtree Industrial Boulevard / SR 141 north and then cut west toward Cumming via SR 20

This route can be reasonable for people already on the northeast side of the metro area.

Using Public Transportation

There is no direct MARTA rail line from Atlanta to Cumming, and MARTA buses do not run all the way to Cumming. However, there are a few transit options that can get you part of the way.

MARTA Rail + Local Rideshare

A common approach is to ride MARTA rail north, then use a car service for the rest:

1. Take MARTA rail to:
   • North Springs Station (Red Line) – at the northern end of the rail system
2. From North Springs, use:
   • Rideshare (such as app-based car services)
   • Taxi services
3. Travel the remaining 20–25 miles to Cumming by car

This setup can make sense if you don’t want to drive through central Atlanta traffic or if you’re coming straight from the airport via MARTA.

Regional Express and Park-and-Ride Options

Some regional commuter services and park-and-ride lots exist around the North Fulton and Forsyth County areas. Service patterns can change, so it’s wise to:

• Check local county transportation or transit agency websites
• Confirm current routes and schedules before planning a commute-heavy routine

For most visitors and many residents, however, driving remains the primary way to get between Atlanta and Cumming.

Why People Travel Between Atlanta and Cumming

Understanding the connection between the two places can help you plan your trip.

People commonly travel:

• Cumming ➝ Atlanta

  • For work in Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and Perimeter business districts
  • For major entertainment, concerts, sports events, and museums
  • For flights from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

• Atlanta ➝ Cumming

  • To visit Lake Lanier and outdoor recreation areas nearby
  • To see family and friends in Forsyth County
  • For shopping, dining, or events at local Cumming venues
  • For youth sports tournaments, parks, or seasonal festivals

Because of this regular back-and-forth, Atlanta and Cumming function like parts of the same metro ecosystem, even though Cumming itself is a smaller city.

Driving Tips for Atlanta–Cumming Trips

A few practical pointers if you’re heading between Atlanta and Cumming:

• Plan around rush hour when you can.
  If you’re flexible, leaving before 3 p.m. or after 7 p.m. for a northbound evening trip can make a noticeable difference.

• Watch speed transitions along GA 400.
  Speed limits change as you move from dense urban areas to more suburban stretches. Enforcement can be active, especially in certain zones.

• Use navigation with live traffic.
  Conditions on GA 400 can change quickly due to wrecks or construction. Real-time traffic info is especially helpful if you’re on a schedule.

• Build in extra time for airport transfers.
  If you’re going Cumming ↔ Atlanta Airport, treat it as a full-hour trip at minimum, and add extra buffer for rush hour or security lines at the airport.

• Consider where you’re going in Atlanta.
  Getting from Cumming to Downtown or Midtown is a different experience than going only as far as Sandy Springs or Buckhead. The closer your destination is to GA 400’s northern end, the easier the drive.

Is Cumming Considered “Far” From Atlanta?

In metro Atlanta terms, Cumming is usually thought of as:

• On the outer northern edge of the metro area
• A commuter-friendly distance for many people who work in North Fulton (Alpharetta, Roswell, Sandy Springs)
• A longer but still common commute for those who work in Downtown/Midtown Atlanta

If you’re used to shorter inner-city drives, it may feel like a bit of a haul. But for many Atlanta-area residents, the 40–45-mile trip is simply part of the normal north–south flow of the region.

Key Takeaways at a Glance

• Distance: About 40–45 miles between central Atlanta and Cumming
• Typical drive time:
  • 45–55 minutes in light traffic
  • 60–90+ minutes in rush hour or heavy congestion
• Main route:GA 400 North from the Atlanta area into Forsyth County
• Transit: No direct rail or bus all the way to Cumming; MARTA to North Springs + rideshare is the most common partial-transit option
• Use case: Very common for commuting, visiting family, and accessing outdoor recreation north of Atlanta

If you’re in Atlanta and wondering whether a trip to Cumming, GA is doable for a day, the answer is yes—it’s close enough for regular commuting, dinners, events, and quick getaways, as long as you keep Atlanta-area traffic patterns in mind.