How Far Is Midtown Atlanta From Downtown Atlanta? A Local’s Guide to Distance and Getting Around

Midtown and Downtown Atlanta sit right next to each other at the core of the city, so they’re much closer than many visitors expect. Whether you live here or you’re planning a trip, understanding how far Midtown is from Downtown—and how to move between them—can make getting around Atlanta a lot easier.

The Short Answer: Distance Between Midtown and Downtown Atlanta

In everyday terms, Midtown Atlanta is about 1.5 to 3 miles from Downtown Atlanta, depending on exactly where you start and end.

• Five Points (Downtown) to Midtown MARTA Station: roughly 2 miles
• Centennial Olympic Park area (Downtown) to Piedmont Park area (Midtown): about 2–2.5 miles
• Georgia State Capitol (Downtown) to North Ave or Midtown: around 1.5–2 miles

In normal traffic, that’s typically:

• 5–10 minutes by car or rideshare
• 5 minutes by MARTA train
• 10–15 minutes by bike or scooter
• 30–40 minutes walking (if you like a longer walk)

Because the two neighborhoods directly border each other, locals often go back and forth in the same outing—living in one and working, dining, or going to events in the other.

How Midtown and Downtown Connect on the Map

Key Landmarks That Show the Distance

Think of Midtown and Downtown as two halves of central Atlanta:

• Downtown Atlanta includes:

  • Georgia State Capitol
  • Georgia State University campus
  • Mercedes-Benz Stadium
  • State Farm Arena
  • Centennial Olympic Park
  • Georgia World Congress Center

• Midtown Atlanta includes:

  • Piedmont Park
  • The Fox Theatre
  • High Museum of Art
  • Woodruff Arts Center
  • Midtown business district along Peachtree Street NE

The Peachtree Street corridor runs straight through both areas. If you stand near Five Points in Downtown and travel north along Peachtree Street, you’ll pass through:

1. Downtown
2. SoNo (South of North Ave, a small connector area)
3. Midtown

The continuous feel of Peachtree is why many people are surprised by how quick the trip is.

Travel Time by Different Modes of Transportation

Here’s a quick comparison of typical one-way travel times between central points in Midtown and Downtown.

Times can stretch during rush hour, large events, or bad weather, particularly if you’re driving.

Getting Between Midtown and Downtown by MARTA

For many people, MARTA is the easiest way to move between Midtown and Downtown Atlanta.

Main MARTA Rail Stations

• Downtown stations (North–South line):

  • Five Points Station – central hub downtown
  • Peachtree Center Station – convenient to Peachtree Street, hotels, and offices
  • Georgia State Station – near Georgia State University and the Capitol
  • Garnett Station – closer to the south side of Downtown

• Midtown stations (north of Downtown):

  • North Avenue Station
  • Midtown Station
  • Arts Center Station

All of these are on the Red and Gold rail lines, so you can travel from Downtown to Midtown without transferring.

Typical MARTA Trip Example

• From Five Points Station (Downtown) to Midtown Station:
  • Board a northbound Red or Gold line train
  • Ride about 3 stops
  • Travel time is usually under 10 minutes on the train itself

You’ll need a Breeze Card or Breeze ticket, which you can purchase at any MARTA station. Station entrances are clearly marked, especially along Peachtree Street in both Downtown and Midtown.

Driving Between Midtown and Downtown Atlanta

If you’re driving, the distance is short, but traffic and parking matter more than miles.

Typical Routes

Common ways to drive between Midtown and Downtown:

• Via I-75/85 (Downtown Connector)
  • Fastest during lighter traffic
  • Example: Enter near Midtown, exit a couple of exits later into Downtown
• Via Peachtree Street
  • More scenic and straightforward
  • Often slower due to lights, pedestrians, and local traffic
• Via Spring Street / West Peachtree Street / Williams Street
  • Useful alternatives depending on your exact start and end points

Parking Considerations

Both Midtown and Downtown have:

• Public parking decks
• Surface lots
• Limited street parking

Expect:

• Event days (Falcons games, concerts, conventions, big shows at the Fox) to significantly slow traffic and raise parking costs.
• To build in extra time if you’re going to the Georgia World Congress Center, Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, or State Farm Arena from a Midtown hotel, or vice versa.

If you want to avoid the hassle, many locals drive to a MARTA station outside the core and then take the train into Midtown or Downtown.

Walking Between Midtown and Downtown

If you’re comfortable walking in an urban environment, it is possible to walk between central parts of Downtown and Midtown.

• Rough walking distance: about 1.5–2 miles between most central points.
• Example: Peachtree Center (Downtown) to Midtown Station:
  • North on Peachtree Street
  • Typically 30–35 minutes, depending on pace and stops

What to Expect on the Walk

• The route along Peachtree Street is straightforward—you’ll see a mix of offices, hotels, shops, and restaurants.
• Sidewalks are continuous, but:
  • Traffic can be busy
  • Intersections may feel large if you’re not used to city walking
• Many people prefer to walk during daylight hours when offices and shops are active.

For a more park-focused walk, you can combine this with a stroll through Piedmont Park once you’re in Midtown.

Biking and Scootering Between Midtown and Downtown

Short distance and direct streets make Midtown–Downtown a common bike and scooter route.

Options You’ll Commonly See

• Personal bikes – especially along Peachtree Street and surrounding roads.
• Shared scooters and bikes – frequently seen in central Atlanta, especially around:
  • Midtown business district
  • Georgia Tech area
  • Downtown attractions

Route Tips

• Peachtree Street is a clear north–south spine, but traffic can be heavy.
• Some riders prefer nearby streets with:
  • Less traffic
  • Dedicated or shared bike facilities where available

Always be cautious of:

• Cars turning across bike lanes or scooter paths
• Road construction (which is common in the city core)
• Uneven pavement or tracks

If you’re new to riding in Atlanta, starting midday or on weekends can feel less stressful than rush hour.

When Midtown Feels “Farther” From Downtown

Even though the actual distance is short, a few factors can make Midtown and Downtown feel farther apart than they are:

• Rush hour traffic
  Morning and late afternoon on weekdays can slow car and bus travel significantly on the Downtown Connector and major surface streets.

• Major events

  • Falcons games, major concerts, or large conventions can clog streets and fill parking decks in both areas.
  • It’s common for locals to switch to MARTA in these cases.

• Weather
  Heavy rain or summer heat can make walking or biking less appealing, even though the distance is walkable.

Because of these variables, many Atlantans use MARTA or rideshare to avoid driving between Midtown and Downtown during the busiest times.

Practical Examples: Midtown–Downtown Trip Scenarios

Here are a few real-world scenarios that show how close the two areas are:

• Staying at a Midtown hotel, attending a conference Downtown

  • Take MARTA (Midtown → Peachtree Center or Five Points): about 5–10 minutes on the train.
  • Or use a rideshare: usually under 15 minutes outside heavy traffic.

• Going from a Downtown event to dinner in Midtown

  • From State Farm Arena to the Midtown dining district:
    • Rideshare: typically 10–15 minutes, depending on post-event crowds.
    • MARTA: walk to GWCC/CNN Center Station → transfer at Five Points → north to Midtown.

• Commuting from Downtown job to Midtown apartment

  • Many people use MARTA rail daily for this; the short ride and no parking hassle are the main perks.

Key Takeaways for Getting Between Midtown and Downtown Atlanta

• Distance: Generally 1.5–3 miles, depending on your exact start and end points.
• Time:
  • 5–10 minutes by MARTA train
  • 5–15 minutes by car
  • 10–15 minutes by bike/scooter
  • 30–40 minutes walking
• Best for reliability: MARTA rail between Downtown and Midtown.
• Best for flexibility: Car or rideshare, especially later at night or if you’re carrying luggage.
• Walkable and bikeable for those comfortable with a short city-distance trip.

For most people in Atlanta—residents and visitors alike—Midtown and Downtown function as two closely connected parts of one central urban area, not distant neighborhoods. Understanding that they’re only a couple of miles apart makes planning your day in the city much simpler.