How Far Is Decatur From Atlanta? A Local’s Guide to Distance, Time, and Getting Around

If you spend any time in metro Atlanta, you’ll hear people talk about Decatur almost like it’s another neighborhood of the city. But technically, Decatur is its own city in DeKalb County. So how far is Decatur from Atlanta, really—and what does that mean for driving, MARTA, and getting around?

Here’s a clear, Atlanta-focused breakdown.

Quick Answer: Distance From Atlanta to Decatur

The distance between downtown Atlanta and downtown Decatur is relatively short:

*Drive times vary a lot with Atlanta traffic and time of day.

Key point:
Decatur is very close to Atlanta. For most people living, working, or visiting inside the Perimeter (I‑285), Decatur is just a short drive or MARTA ride away.

Where Exactly Is Decatur in Relation to Atlanta?

Think of the city like this:

• Atlanta’s core: Downtown, Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, Westside, etc.
• Decatur: Just east of Atlanta, inside I‑285, centered around the Decatur Square.

Decatur borders or sits close to several Atlanta neighborhoods and nearby communities, including:

• Druid Hills
• Candler Park
• East Lake
• Kirkwood
• North Decatur / Medlock area

From many eastside neighborhoods in Atlanta, Decatur feels like the next stop over rather than a separate trip.

Driving From Atlanta to Decatur

Main Driving Routes

Depending on where you are in Atlanta, you’ll likely use one of these common routes:

From Downtown Atlanta:

• I‑20 East → Moreland Ave / Candler Rd → Decatur
• Ponce de Leon Ave NE straight east (a popular surface-street route)

From Midtown Atlanta:

• Ponce de Leon Ave NE east through Poncey-Highland and Druid Hills into Decatur
• Freedom Parkway → Moreland Ave → Ponce de Leon or local streets into Decatur

From Buckhead:

• GA‑400 → I‑85 South → Clifton Rd / North Druid Hills Rd → Decatur
• Or local streets: Peachtree Rd → Briarcliff Rd → North Decatur Rd → Decatur

How Long Does It Actually Take?

Without heavy traffic, you can often drive:

• Downtown Atlanta → Decatur Square: about 15 minutes
• Midtown Atlanta → Decatur Square: about 15–20 minutes

With rush-hour traffic, especially:

• Weekday mornings (7:00–9:30 a.m.)
• Weekday late afternoons (4:00–7:00 p.m.)

…travel times can stretch to 25–35 minutes or more, depending on your route.

Tips for Driving Between Atlanta and Decatur

• Avoid peak rush on Ponce de Leon Ave if you can; it’s a major east‑west corridor and can back up.
• Use I‑20 East if you’re coming from downtown and prefer highway driving.
• Watch for school zones and pedestrian crossings near Emory, Agnes Scott College, and around Decatur Square—these areas can slow you down but are more walkable and scenic.
• Parking in downtown Decatur is generally available in city decks and street parking, but time limits and pay requirements are common.

Getting From Atlanta to Decatur on MARTA

For many locals and visitors, MARTA is the easiest way to get from Atlanta to Decatur, especially during rush hour or for events.

MARTA Train Lines Serving Decatur

Decatur is served by the Blue Line of MARTA, which runs east–west.

Key stations relevant to Atlanta–Decatur trips:

• Atlanta core stations (West to East):

  • Five Points
  • Peachtree Center
  • Georgia State
  • King Memorial
  • Inman Park/Reynoldstown

• Decatur-area stations:

  • Decatur Station (downtown Decatur, under the Square)
  • East Lake
  • Avondale

How Long Is the MARTA Ride?

Approximate train travel time from central Atlanta:

• Five Points Station → Decatur Station: about 12–15 minutes once you’re on the train
• Peachtree Center → Decatur Station: around 15–18 minutes

You’ll want to add extra time for:

• Walking or transferring to the station
• Waiting on the next train (usually every 10–20 minutes depending on day and time)

Why Many People Prefer MARTA for This Trip

• 🚗 No dealing with traffic or parking in Decatur’s busy downtown.
• 💵 Cost‑effective, especially compared with rideshare during peak times.
• 🌧️ Reliable in bad weather when driving can be slow or stressful.

If you’re staying in a downtown or Midtown Atlanta hotel, you can typically:

1. Walk to the nearest MARTA station (Peachtree Center, Civic Center, or Five Points).
2. Take the Blue Line eastbound toward Indian Creek.
3. Get off at Decatur Station, which opens right onto the Decatur Square area.

Rideshare, Taxis, and Other Options

Rideshare (Uber, Lyft, etc.)

Rideshare services are widely used between Atlanta and Decatur.

• Downtown or Midtown → Decatur:
  • Typically 15–25 minutes, depending on traffic.
  • Pricing varies by time of day and surge demand.

Rideshare is especially practical if:

• You’re planning a night out around the Decatur Square and don’t want to drive back.
• You’re traveling in a group and want door‑to‑door service.

Taxis

Traditional taxi service exists but is less common than rideshare for intra‑metro trips. You’ll usually find taxis:

• At Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport
• Near downtown hotels and major event venues

For most local trips from Atlanta neighborhoods to Decatur, rideshare is typically easier to arrange.

Airport to Decatur: How Far Is It?

If you’re flying into Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport and heading straight to Decatur:

• Distance: roughly 13–16 miles, depending on your route.
• Drive time: about 25–40 minutes, depending on traffic on I‑75/85 and I‑20.

MARTA From the Airport to Decatur

You can also take MARTA directly from the airport:

1. Board the Red or Gold Line at the Airport Station (inside the domestic terminal).
2. Ride to Five Points Station.
3. Transfer to the Blue Line eastbound.
4. Exit at Decatur Station or East Lake / Avondale, depending on where you’re staying.

Total travel time often ranges from 35–50 minutes, depending on train frequency and transfer timing.

How “Separate” Is Decatur From Atlanta in Daily Life?

Although Decatur is its own city with its own government, many people in the region treat the Atlanta–Decatur area as a single connected community:

• People who live in Decatur often work in Atlanta (Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, Emory/CDC area).
• Many Atlanta residents go to Decatur for restaurants, bars, shops, and festivals, especially around:
  • Decatur Square (East Ponce de Leon Ave & Church St area)
  • West Ponce de Leon corridor
• Emory University and the CDC nearby create a lot of movement between Druid Hills, Atlanta, and Decatur.

From a practical standpoint, if you’re staying in intown Atlanta, Decatur is usually close enough for:

• A dinner outing
• A half‑day exploring shops and cafes
• A quick meet‑up with friends

Travel Time Considerations Specific to Atlanta

Because this is Atlanta, distance alone doesn’t tell the whole story. A few local realities:

• Rush Hour Is a Major Factor
  A simple 6‑mile drive can be 15 minutes at 11 a.m. and 30+ minutes at 5:30 p.m.

• Events Can Slow Things Down
  Big events downtown (games, concerts, conventions) can clog up:

  • The Downtown Connector (I‑75/85)
  • Surface streets leading out toward Decatur

• Eastside Routes Are Busy but Direct
  Ponce de Leon Ave, DeKalb Ave, and College Ave are popular east–west connectors and may run slow at peak times but keep you out of freeway gridlock.

If you need to be right on time for something in Decatur—like a reservation, a performance, or a government office visit—it’s smart to pad your schedule by at least 15–20 extra minutes during busy periods.

Local Landmarks to Help You Visualize the Distance

To better picture how close Decatur is to Atlanta, here are some approximate drive times in light traffic:

• Georgia State Capitol (downtown Atlanta) → Decatur Square:
  About 15–20 minutes.

• Fox Theatre (Midtown) → Decatur Square:
  About 15–25 minutes via Ponce de Leon Ave or Freedom Parkway.

• Mercedes‑Benz Stadium → Decatur Square:
  About 20–30 minutes depending on route and event traffic.

• Ponce City Market → Decatur Square:
  Often around 15–20 minutes via Ponce de Leon Ave heading east.

These are estimates, but they’re helpful for trip planning if you’re hopping between popular Atlanta and Decatur spots in one day.

When Decatur Might Be More Convenient Than Atlanta (and Vice Versa)

Because the distance is short, you can choose based on what’s most convenient, not just what’s “close.”

Decatur can be more convenient if:

• You’re already on the eastside (Inman Park, Candler Park, Kirkwood, East Atlanta Village).
• You prefer a walkable, small‑city feel with a central square.
• You plan to take MARTA’s Blue Line directly into downtown Decatur.

Staying in Atlanta can be more convenient if:

• You’re going to multiple neighborhoods spread out across the city (Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead).
• You’re attending events at venues like Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, or the Georgia World Congress Center.
• You rely heavily on the Red and Gold MARTA lines, which serve more of central Atlanta.

Either way, the short distance means you don’t have to “choose” one over the other—visitors and locals regularly experience both in the same day.

Key Takeaways: How Far Is Decatur From Atlanta?

• Physical distance: usually 5–7 miles from downtown Atlanta to downtown Decatur.
• Drive time: often 15–25 minutes, but can be longer in rush hour.
• MARTA access: about 12–20 minutes on the Blue Line once you’re on the train.
• Practical reality: Decatur is very close to Atlanta and feels like part of the same intown area, especially for dining, work, and everyday trips.

If you’re in Atlanta and wondering whether a visit to Decatur is worth the trip, the distance and travel time are small enough that it’s easy to fit into your plans—whether for a quick dinner, a full day, or as a convenient place to stay just east of the city.