How Far Is Dunwoody From Atlanta? A Local’s Guide to Distance, Drive Time, and Transit Options

If you live in Atlanta or you’re visiting and looking at the northern suburbs, Dunwoody comes up a lot. It’s home to Perimeter Center, major office towers, shopping, and plenty of apartments and neighborhoods. But how far is Dunwoody from Atlanta in real, day-to-day terms?

Here’s what to expect when you’re traveling between Atlanta and Dunwoody—whether you’re driving, riding MARTA, or using a rideshare.

The Short Answer: Distance Between Atlanta and Dunwoody

The exact distance depends on where you start and end, but in general:

• From Downtown Atlanta (Five Points area) to Dunwoody City Hall:
  About 15–17 miles by car via GA-400 or I-285.
• From Midtown Atlanta (around Peachtree & 10th) to central Dunwoody:
  Around 13–15 miles.
• From Buckhead (Lenox/Phipps area) to Dunwoody/Perimeter Center:
  Often just 8–10 miles.

In everyday Atlanta terms, Dunwoody is considered:

• A north metro suburb
• Just outside the Atlanta city limits, but still very much part of the metro Atlanta area

How Long Does It Take To Get From Atlanta to Dunwoody?

Because of traffic, time matters more than pure mileage in Atlanta. Here’s a general guide:

Typical Drive Times (One Way)

Assuming normal conditions:

• From Downtown Atlanta to Dunwoody:
  • Off-peak: 18–25 minutes
  • Rush hour (morning/evening): 30–45+ minutes
• From Midtown Atlanta to Dunwoody:
  • Off-peak: 15–22 minutes
  • Rush hour: 25–40+ minutes
• From Buckhead to Dunwoody:
  • Off-peak: 10–18 minutes
  • Rush hour: 20–30+ minutes

Travel times can vary based on:

• Incidents on I-285 or GA-400
• Weather and visibility
• Events or construction

Quick Comparison: Atlanta–Dunwoody Travel Options

Driving From Atlanta to Dunwoody

Main Routes You’ll Use

Most drivers use some combination of:

• GA-400 North – Major connector between Atlanta and the north suburbs
• I-285 (The Perimeter) – The loop highway that circles Atlanta
• Peachtree Road / Roswell Road / Hammond Drive – For more local access

Common paths:

1. From Downtown/Midtown Atlanta:
   • Typically: I-85 N → GA-400 N → I-285 W → Ashford Dunwoody Rd / Peachtree Dunwoody Rd exits, depending on your destination in Dunwoody.
2. From Buckhead:
   • Often: GA-400 N → I-285 W → Dunwoody exits, or local roads like Roswell Road → Abernathy Road.

What To Expect With Traffic

Atlanta’s northern highways can be busy, especially:

• Weekday mornings (about 7–9 a.m.) heading into Atlanta
• Weekday evenings (about 4–7 p.m.) heading out of Atlanta toward Dunwoody and beyond

On I-285 near GA-400, it’s common to see:

• Stop-and-go conditions during rush hours
• Slower speeds near major exits like Ashford Dunwoody Road, Chamblee Dunwoody Road, and Peachtree Dunwoody Road

🚗 Tip: If your schedule is flexible, traveling after 10 a.m. and before 3 p.m. on weekdays usually means a smoother drive between Atlanta and Dunwoody.

Taking MARTA Between Atlanta and Dunwoody

For many people, the most predictable way to get from Atlanta to Dunwoody is using MARTA rail.

Which MARTA Line Serves Dunwoody?

Dunwoody is served by the Red Line (North-South) of MARTA. Key stations on this line for Atlanta-to-Dunwoody travel:

• Downtown / Midtown stations (for boarding):
  • Five Points
  • Peachtree Center
  • Civic Center
  • North Avenue
  • Midtown
  • Arts Center
• North side stations serving the Dunwoody/Perimeter area:
  • Dunwoody Station
  • Sandy Springs Station
  • North Springs Station (farther north)

Approximate MARTA Travel Times

From Five Points (Downtown) to Dunwoody Station:

• Usually about 22–28 minutes of train time

From Midtown Station to Dunwoody Station:

• Usually around 18–25 minutes

Add a few extra minutes for:

• Walking to/from the station
• Waiting for the next train

Trains typically run more frequently during peak commute times.

Using Park-and-Ride to Reach Dunwoody

If you’re driving from another part of metro Atlanta, you can:

1. Park at a MARTA station closer to Dunwoody, such as Sandy Springs or North Springs
2. Ride the Red Line south or north just one or two stops

This can help you:

• Avoid the most congested parts of I-285 or GA-400
• Skip the parking crunch at major job centers in Perimeter Center

Where Exactly Is Dunwoody in Relation to Atlanta?

Understanding the geography helps make sense of the distance.

• Atlanta (city limits): Sprawls across much of Fulton County and parts of DeKalb County.
• Dunwoody: A separate city in DeKalb County, just north of the city of Atlanta.

Key points:

• Dunwoody sits roughly inside the northeast arc of I-285, near the intersection of GA-400 and I-285.
• It includes and borders the Perimeter Center area—one of Atlanta’s largest employment and shopping districts.
• Many locals think of Dunwoody as part of “North Atlanta,” even though it has its own city government.

Common Starting and Ending Points: Real-World Examples

Here’s how the distance plays out if you’re heading to some popular spots.

Downtown Atlanta → Perimeter Center / Dunwoody

• Destination examples:
  • Offices around Perimeter Center Parkway
  • Shopping near Perimeter Mall
• Distance: Generally 15–17 miles
• Drive time (no major delays): Around 20–30 minutes
• Transit: MARTA Red Line to Dunwoody Station

Midtown / Tech Square → Dunwoody

• Distance: Often 13–15 miles
• Drive time:
  • Off-peak: 15–25 minutes
  • Rush hour: 25–40+ minutes
• Transit: Short walk or bus to Midtown or Arts Center Station, then Red Line north to Dunwoody Station

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport → Dunwoody

While this starts south of the city, it’s a common route:

• Distance: Around 30–35 miles, depending on the exact Dunwoody address
• Driving time:
  • Off-peak: 30–40 minutes
  • Rush hour: 45–60+ minutes
• Transit option:
  • Take MARTA from Airport Station (attached to the airport terminal)
  • Ride North on the Red Line (may involve a train change at Lindbergh Center, depending on direction)
  • Continue to Dunwoody Station

This route avoids the often heavy traffic through Downtown and on I-285.

Rideshare, Taxi, and Other Options

Rideshare (Uber, Lyft, etc.)

Rideshares are widely used for trips between Atlanta and Dunwoody. They can be convenient if:

• You don’t want to deal with parking in Perimeter Center
• You’re visiting Atlanta and staying without a car
• You’re returning late when train frequencies may be lower

Travel time by rideshare is essentially the same as driving yourself, but you can use the time to work, read, or relax.

Taxi Services

Traditional taxi service is available in both Atlanta and Dunwoody, though most residents and visitors rely more heavily on rideshares or MARTA for this specific corridor.

Biking or Walking Between Atlanta and Dunwoody

Because of:

• The distance (roughly 10–17 miles)
• High-speed sections of I-285 and GA-400
• Limited fully connected protected bike infrastructure along the whole route

Most people do not bike or walk the entire way between central Atlanta and Dunwoody for daily travel.

However:

• Shorter bike trips within Dunwoody or between Dunwoody and nearby neighborhoods (like Sandy Springs, Chamblee, or Brookhaven) are more realistic for experienced cyclists.
• Some riders combine bike + MARTA, using bike racks on buses or bringing bikes on MARTA trains during permitted hours.

Why Dunwoody Feels “Close” to Atlanta Despite Being Another City

Even though Dunwoody is its own city, many Atlanta residents treat it as an extension of the metro core because:

• It’s part of the same commuting pattern as Buckhead and Sandy Springs.
• MARTA Red Line connects downtown and Midtown directly to Dunwoody.
• Major Atlanta employers have offices in the Perimeter Center/Dunwoody area.
• Many people live in Dunwoody and work in Atlanta, or vice versa.

In daily life, Dunwoody is often thought of as:

• “About 20 minutes north of Atlanta, without traffic”
• “Right up GA-400, near the Perimeter”

That’s usually accurate for how the trip feels, even if rush hour can stretch it out.

Key Takeaways for Getting Between Atlanta and Dunwoody

• Distance: Typically 10–17 miles, depending on where in Atlanta you start.
• Driving time: Anywhere from 15 minutes off-peak to 40+ minutes during rush hour.
• Best traffic-avoiding option:MARTA Red Line between central Atlanta and Dunwoody Station.
• Practical use: Dunwoody is close enough to Atlanta for daily commuting, shopping, dining, and entertainment, and many locals move back and forth between the two areas regularly.

If you’re planning where to stay, work, or spend time in metro Atlanta, you can think of Dunwoody as a nearby northern extension of the city, connected by both highways and MARTA, and generally within half an hour or so of most intown neighborhoods outside of peak congestion.