How Far Is Doraville from Atlanta? A Local’s Guide to Distance and Travel Time

Doraville is closer to Atlanta than many people realize. If you live in the metro area or you’re visiting and trying to get your bearings, understanding the distance between Doraville and Atlanta helps you plan commuting, errands, or trips around the city.

Quick Answer: Distance from Atlanta to Doraville

Doraville is about 15–18 miles from Downtown Atlanta, depending on your exact starting point and route.

• From Downtown Atlanta (Five Points area) to Doraville:
  About 16 miles by car via I-85 North.
• From Midtown Atlanta to Doraville:
  Around 14–15 miles via I-85 North.
• From Buckhead to Doraville:
  Roughly 10–12 miles via GA-400 and I-285 or Peachtree Industrial/Buford Highway.

In normal traffic, the drive usually takes 20–30 minutes, but during peak rush hours it can stretch closer to 35–45 minutes.

Where Is Doraville in Relation to Atlanta?

Doraville is a northeastern suburb of Atlanta, located in DeKalb County.

• It sits just outside the I-285 Perimeter, along I-85 North.
• It’s directly north of Chamblee and southwest of Norcross.
• The area is well known for Buford Highway, with its diverse restaurants and markets.

For many Atlanta residents, Doraville is part of the everyday metro commute zone, similar in distance to places like Tucker, Smyrna, or Sandy Springs, depending on your starting neighborhood.

Driving from Atlanta to Doraville

Common Driving Routes

From Downtown Atlanta:

• Take I-85 North toward Greenville.
• Continue on I-85 North until you reach Exit 95–102 area (depending on where in Doraville you’re going, such as Buford Highway or Peachtree Industrial).
• Total distance: around 16 miles.

From Midtown Atlanta:

• Enter I-85 North from either the Brookwood interchange or North Avenue access.
• Continue on I-85 North directly toward Doraville.
• Total distance: about 14–15 miles.

From Buckhead:

• Depending on your exact location, you may:
  • Take GA-400 North to I-285 East, then connect to I-85 South for certain Doraville exits; or
  • Use Peachtree Road and then Buford Highway (US-23) going northeast into Doraville.
• Total distance: about 10–12 miles.

Typical Travel Times by Car

💡 Tip: Morning rush (7–9 a.m.) and evening rush (4–7 p.m.) on I-85 and I-285 can be heavy. If you’re on a tight schedule, build in extra time.

Taking MARTA from Atlanta to Doraville

If you don’t want to drive, Doraville is one of the easiest suburbs to reach by MARTA rail.

MARTA Rail Distance and Time

• Doraville is the northern end of the Gold Line.
• From Five Points Station (Downtown Atlanta) to Doraville Station:
  • Travel time: typically 25–30 minutes.
  • No transfers required if you board a Gold Line train.
• From Midtown or Arts Center:
  • Travel time: 20–25 minutes on the Gold Line.
• From Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport:
  • Take the Red or Gold Line north from Airport Station.
  • If you board a Gold Line train, stay on it all the way to Doraville.
  • Total travel time: often 45–55 minutes, depending on train timing.

Key Stations and Connections

• Doraville MARTA Station
  6000 New Peachtree Road
  Doraville, GA 30340

From Doraville Station, you can connect to:

• Local MARTA bus routes serving Doraville, Chamblee, and nearby areas.
• Short rideshare or taxi trips to Buford Highway restaurants, Peachtree Industrial Blvd, and nearby neighborhoods.

Atlanta Neighborhoods Closest to Doraville

If you’re wondering whether Doraville is “far” from where you are in Atlanta, here’s a quick sense of relative proximity:

• Brookhaven / North Druid Hills – Very close; often under 10 miles.
• Chamblee – Direct neighbor; some areas are only a few minutes from Doraville.
• Perimeter Center / Dunwoody area – Generally 10–15 minutes by car via I-285.
• Decatur – Usually 25–35 minutes by car depending on route and traffic.

Doraville can feel more accessible than some in-town trips, especially if you live north or northeast of Downtown and near I-85.

When Doraville Feels “Far” vs. “Close”

Even though the mileage is modest, Atlanta traffic patterns affect how “far” Doraville feels:

Doraville feels close when:

• You live in north Atlanta, Brookhaven, Chamblee, or Buckhead.
• You commute outside standard rush hours.
• You take MARTA Gold Line, especially from Midtown or Downtown.

Doraville can feel farther when:

• You’re coming from South Atlanta, West Atlanta, or the Airport during peak traffic.
• There are incidents or delays on I-85, I-285, or nearby connectors.
• Weather or events (like big sports games or concerts) slow traffic across the city.

For many Atlanta residents, Doraville is part of a normal 20–30 minute travel radius, especially for dining on Buford Highway, visiting markets, or commuting to jobs along I-85 and I-285.

Practical Tips for Traveling Between Atlanta and Doraville

• Plan around rush hour:
  If possible, schedule trips between 10 a.m.–3 p.m. or after 7 p.m. to avoid the heaviest traffic.
• Use MARTA for predictable timing:
  The Gold Line provides a fairly consistent 25–30 minute ride from Downtown to Doraville, which can be easier than driving in bad traffic.
• Know your destination in Doraville:
  Some places are closer to I-85 exits, others are closer to Peachtree Industrial Blvd or New Peachtree Road. This can shift your ideal route by a few miles.
• Check parking options:
  If you’re using MARTA, Doraville Station has parking, which some commuters use as a park-and-ride option from the northeast side.

In day-to-day Atlanta terms, Doraville is not far from Atlanta at all—generally within a 20–30 minute reach from many central neighborhoods, and directly linked by MARTA’s Gold Line, making it an easy part of the greater Atlanta area to access.