How Far Is Lawrenceville From Atlanta? A Local’s Guide to Distance, Time, and Travel Options

If you spend time in Atlanta, Georgia, you’ll hear Lawrenceville come up a lot—whether it’s for work, court, shopping, or visiting friends in the suburbs. Understanding how far Lawrenceville is from Atlanta, and how to get between the two, can help you plan your day much more realistically.

The Basic Distance: Atlanta to Lawrenceville

Lawrenceville is about 30–35 miles northeast of Downtown Atlanta, depending on your exact start and end points.

• Downtown Atlanta (near Five Points) to Downtown Lawrenceville:
  Typically 32–35 miles via I‑85 North and GA‑316 East.
• Midtown Atlanta to Lawrenceville:
  Usually 30–33 miles, again using I‑85 and GA‑316.
• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport to Lawrenceville:
  Roughly 40–45 miles, depending on route and traffic.

Because Atlanta is a spread-out metro area, your actual distance will shift a bit if you’re starting from neighborhoods like Buckhead, Decatur, or the Westside. But for most people, planning around a 30–40 mile trip is accurate.

How Long Does It Take to Get From Atlanta to Lawrenceville?

The distance isn’t the whole story in metro Atlanta—traffic matters just as much.

Here’s a simple overview of typical drive times in normal conditions:

*Times vary based on traffic, weather, and road work. Rush hour can significantly increase travel time.

Best and Worst Times to Drive

Heaviest traffic tends to be:

• Weekday mornings: roughly 6:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m., heading toward Atlanta on I‑85 South
• Weekday evenings: roughly 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., heading away from Atlanta on I‑85 North and GA‑316

If you can, aim for:

• Late mornings to early afternoons on weekdays
• Mid-morning to mid-afternoon on weekends (avoiding big event times, like major games or concerts)

Even a 15–30 minute difference in departure can have a big impact on how long the drive feels.

Main Driving Routes Between Atlanta and Lawrenceville

Most people traveling between Atlanta and Lawrenceville use some combination of I‑85 and GA‑316.

Common Route: I‑85 North → GA‑316 East

From Downtown or Midtown Atlanta:

1. Get on I‑85 North from your in-town location.
2. Continue on I‑85 North, passing areas like Brookhaven and Norcross.
3. Take the exit for GA‑316 East (University Parkway) toward Lawrenceville/Athens.
4. Continue on GA‑316 East and follow signs for Lawrenceville (you’ll transition onto local roads into downtown).

This is usually the fastest and most direct route.

Alternate Routes via Surface Streets

In heavy traffic, some drivers use a mix of:

• Buford Highway (US‑23)
• Jimmy Carter Boulevard
• Pleasant Hill Road
• Sugarloaf Parkway

These routes can occasionally help you avoid bottlenecks on I‑85, but they include more traffic lights and local congestion, especially near major shopping areas.

Is There Public Transportation From Atlanta to Lawrenceville?

Yes, but it’s not as direct as a car. Lawrenceville is in Gwinnett County, while most of Atlanta’s core transit (MARTA rail) is centered in Fulton and DeKalb Counties.

MARTA + Gwinnett County Transit (GCT)

You can generally combine MARTA with Gwinnett County Transit bus routes:

• Take MARTA rail (for example, the Gold Line) to a northeast station like:
  • Doraville Station (6000 New Peachtree Rd, Doraville, GA 30340)
• From there, connect to Gwinnett County Transit buses that serve the Lawrenceville area.

Because specific routes and schedules can change, it’s best to:

• Check the latest MARTA rail and bus maps at any MARTA station.
• Review current Gwinnett County Transit schedules for buses serving Lawrenceville and nearby park-and-ride lots.

Public transit is generally:

• More affordable than driving
• Slower and less flexible in terms of timing
• Better suited if you’re not in a rush or if you want to avoid driving and parking.

Ride Share, Taxi, and Shuttle Options

If you don’t want to drive yourself:

Ride Share (Uber, Lyft, etc.)

• Readily available in most parts of Atlanta and typically accessible in Lawrenceville.
• Travel time will be similar to driving yourself (40–60+ minutes depending on traffic).
• Costs vary by demand, time of day, and exact pickup/drop-off locations.

Taxi Services

• Traditional taxis are more common near Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and the airport.
• A taxi from Hartsfield–Jackson Airport to Lawrenceville will usually be a long ride, so it’s wise to confirm fare estimates in advance.

Private or Hotel Shuttles

• Some medical facilities, schools, or organizations might offer shuttles between Atlanta and Lawrenceville for specific purposes (such as patient transport or campus shuttles).
• Availability is usually limited to eligible riders (patients, students, employees, etc.), so check directly with the organization.

How Lawrenceville Fits Into the Atlanta Metro Area

When people in Atlanta talk about “going to Lawrenceville,” they’re usually thinking of destinations like:

• Downtown Lawrenceville – home to the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, local restaurants, and events.
• The Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center –
  75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville, GA 30046
  A major reason many Atlanta-area residents travel there for court dates, jury duty, or county business.
• Georgia Gwinnett College –
  1000 University Center Lane, Lawrenceville, GA 30043
  A frequent destination for students and visitors coming from Atlanta.
• Shopping areas and medical centers around GA‑316, Sugarloaf Parkway, and Lawrenceville–Suwanee Road.

For many Atlantans, Lawrenceville is a regular commute for work, school, or court, so planning for both distance and traffic is important.

Tips for Planning Your Trip From Atlanta to Lawrenceville

To make your trip smoother:

• Build in buffer time.
  For court appearances, medical appointments, or interviews in Lawrenceville, many locals aim to arrive 20–30 minutes early to account for traffic and parking.
• Check traffic before you leave.
  Real-time traffic apps can help you decide between I‑85/GA‑316 and alternate routes.
• Know your parking options.
  Around Downtown Lawrenceville, there are designated lots and street parking near the courthouse and main square. Signs on-site will usually guide you.
• Consider reverse-commute timing.
  If you live in Atlanta but work in Lawrenceville, heading from Atlanta to Lawrenceville in the morning and back in the evening may be a bit lighter than the typical flow toward Atlanta in the morning and away in the evening—but I‑85 can still be slow in either direction.

Quick Answer Recap

• How far is Lawrenceville from Atlanta?
  Generally about 30–35 miles from central Atlanta; closer to 40–45 miles from the airport.
• How long does it take?
  Usually 40–60 minutes by car, but rush hour can push that higher.
• What’s the main route?
  Most drivers use I‑85 North and GA‑316 East.
• Is public transit available?
  Yes, using MARTA + Gwinnett County Transit, but expect a longer, less direct trip than driving.

With these basics, you can better judge whether a trip between Atlanta and Lawrenceville fits into your schedule, whether you’re commuting, visiting, or planning your day around the metro area.