How Far Is Lithonia From Atlanta? A Local’s Guide to Distance, Driving Time, and Transit

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and trying to figure out how far Lithonia is—and how practical it is to get there—here’s a clear breakdown tailored to how people actually move around the metro area.

Quick Answer: Distance From Downtown Atlanta to Lithonia

In everyday Atlanta terms:

• Distance (by road): About 17–22 miles from Downtown Atlanta to Lithonia, depending on your exact starting and ending points
• Typical drive time: Around 25–40 minutes in normal traffic
• Major route:I-20 East is the most direct highway connection

Lithonia is in DeKalb County, just east of the Perimeter (I-285), and is considered part of the Atlanta metro area. So it’s not far, but traffic can make it feel longer than the mileage suggests.

Where Exactly Is Lithonia in Relation to Atlanta?

To understand the distance, it helps to picture where Lithonia sits on the map:

• Atlanta: Centered around Downtown (Five Points, Peachtree Center, the Georgia State Capitol)
• I-285 (The Perimeter): Loops around the city; Lithonia is outside the Perimeter on the east side
• Lithonia: East of Atlanta, near the Stonecrest area and Stonecrest Mall, off I-20 East

In everyday language, people often say Lithonia is:

• “Out I-20 East past Decatur and Stone Mountain”
• “Near Stonecrest in east DeKalb”

Common Starting Points in Atlanta and Approximate Distances

Here’s a simple overview of how far Lithonia is from some key Atlanta areas:

*Times vary based on traffic, time of day, and construction.

Driving From Atlanta to Lithonia

Main Route: I-20 East

For most people, the fastest and simplest way from Atlanta to Lithonia is:

1. Get onto I-20 East from downtown or via the Connector (I-75/85).
2. Continue east past:
   • Moreland Avenue
   • Gresham Road
   • Panola Road
3. Use exits near:
   • Evans Mill Road
   • Turner Hill Road
   • Lithonia Industrial Boulevard
4. Head into Lithonia or the Stonecrest area depending on your destination.

Typical Traffic Patterns

Atlanta traffic has clear “personality traits,” and the drive to Lithonia feels them:

• Morning rush (toward Atlanta): Westbound (Lithonia → Atlanta) is usually heavier.
• Evening rush (leaving Atlanta): Eastbound (Atlanta → Lithonia) can slow down, especially:
  • Around I-285 and I-20 interchange
  • Near busy exits like Panola Road and Turner Hill Road

🔹 Tip: If you can, avoid peak rush hours (roughly 7–9 a.m. and 4–7 p.m.) for a smoother 25–30 minute ride.

How Far Is Lithonia From the Atlanta Airport?

Many visitors and residents need to know the distance between Lithonia and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport:

• Distance: About 25–30 miles
• Drive time: Generally 35–50 minutes
• Typical route:
  • Take I-285 East / North around the east side of Atlanta
  • Connect to I-20 East toward Lithonia
    or
  • Go through Downtown via I-75/85 North, then I-20 East

When planning for flights, build in extra time for unpredictable I-285 and I-20 traffic, especially during rush hours or bad weather.

Is Lithonia Considered Part of Atlanta?

Lithonia is a separate city in DeKalb County, not part of the City of Atlanta government. That said:

• It’s strongly tied into the Atlanta metro area
• Many residents work or go to school in Atlanta and commute back and forth
• You’ll often hear locals refer to Lithonia as being “in Atlanta” in a metro sense, even if it’s not inside the city limits

So while it’s not Atlanta proper, it’s close enough that day-to-day life and commuting are deeply connected.

Getting From Atlanta to Lithonia Without a Car

If you don’t want to drive, you do have transit and rideshare options. Exact routes can change, so always confirm schedules with MARTA or Xpress services, but here’s the general picture.

1. Using MARTA Rail + Bus

There’s no MARTA rail station directly in Lithonia, but you can combine rail and bus:

Typical pattern:

1. Take MARTA rail (Blue or Green line, depending where you start) toward East.
2. Connect to MARTA bus routes that run along I-20 East or to the Stonecrest/Lithonia area.
3. Ride the bus east toward your final Lithonia stop.

Common starting rail stations from Atlanta:

• Five Points Station (Downtown)
• Peachtree Center Station (Downtown)
• Midtown Station
• North Avenue Station

From these, you may transfer to the Eastbound rail line, then connect to a bus route heading toward Lithonia or Stonecrest.

📌 Key agency for transit info:
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA)
Customer information: (404) 848-5000

Ask about current bus connections serving Lithonia or Stonecrest from the East line stations.

2. Regional Commuter Options

There may also be commuter buses serving the east DeKalb corridor, especially weekday service catering to workers coming into Atlanta in the morning and returning to Lithonia in the evening.

These services can change, so they’re best confirmed directly through:

• MARTA
• Regional transit agencies coordinated with the Atlanta-Region Transit Link Authority (ATL)

Rideshare and Taxi Distance Considerations

For Uber, Lyft, or taxis:

• Base distance: ~17–22 miles from central Atlanta to Lithonia
• Time: 25–40 minutes depending on traffic
• Cost factors:
  • Time of day (rush hour, late night)
  • Surge pricing during big events (concerts, games, conventions)
  • Exact pickup and drop-off locations (e.g., Midtown high-rise vs. Airport vs. Buckhead)

Because Lithonia is not far but is outside the Perimeter, rides can be notable but manageable in cost compared to long cross-metro trips.

Is Lithonia a Reasonable Daily Commute From Atlanta?

Many people do commute daily between Lithonia and various parts of Atlanta:

• To Downtown Atlanta:
  ~17–20 miles, often 30–45 minutes during rush hour
• To Midtown/Buckhead:
  Add a few miles and an extra 10–15 minutes in busy times

Things to consider:

• Rush hour reliability: Travel times vary; some commuters leave earlier (before 7 a.m.) or later (after 9 a.m.) to avoid the worst traffic.
• Weather and incidents: Rain and wrecks on I-20 can quickly add 10–30 minutes.
• Park-and-ride/transit options: Some residents drive to a MARTA station or park-and-ride closer into the city and take rail or bus from there.

If you’re moving to Lithonia but working in Atlanta, expect your commute to feel like a typical suburban Atlanta commute: doable, but traffic-sensitive.

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Residents and Visitors

• How far is Lithonia from Atlanta?
  Roughly 17–22 miles from central Atlanta, typically 25–40 minutes by car via I-20 East.
• Is it part of the Atlanta area?
  Yes, Lithonia is in the Atlanta metro, though it’s a separate city in DeKalb County.
• How to get there?
  • Fastest: Drive via I-20 East
  • Without a car: Use MARTA rail + bus combinations or rideshare/taxi
• From the airport:
  Plan on 35–50 minutes for the ~25–30 mile trip, depending on traffic.

Understanding these distances and routes makes it much easier to plan commutes, visits, and trips between Atlanta and Lithonia.