How Far Is Roswell from Atlanta? Your Local Distance and Travel Guide

If you live in Atlanta or you’re visiting the city and curious about nearby suburbs, Roswell, Georgia is one of the easiest day trips you can make. It’s close enough for a quick drive, but far enough to feel like a change of scenery.

Here’s exactly how far Roswell is from Atlanta, plus realistic drive times, route options, and what to expect when getting there from different parts of the metro area.

The Short Answer: Distance from Atlanta to Roswell

The distance between Downtown Atlanta and Roswell is:

• Approximate driving distance:20–25 miles
• Typical drive time:30–50 minutes, depending on traffic and your exact starting point

Roswell is located north of Atlanta, in Fulton County, along the GA-400 corridor.

Because both Atlanta and Roswell are spread out, your actual distance will depend on where you start and where you’re headed:

• From Downtown / Five Points to Historic Roswell: about 22–24 miles
• From Midtown Atlanta to Roswell City Hall (38 Hill St, Roswell, GA 30075): about 20–22 miles
• From Buckhead to Roswell: often 16–20 miles

Main Driving Routes from Atlanta to Roswell

Most Atlanta residents reach Roswell by car. Here are the most common routes and what to expect.

1. GA-400 North (Fastest for Most of Intown Atlanta)

For many people inside the Perimeter, GA-400 North is the simplest and fastest way to get to Roswell.

Basic route from central Atlanta:

1. Get onto I-85 North or I-75/85 toward Downtown/Midtown.
2. Connect to I-85 North (if not already there).
3. Take GA-400 North toward Buckhead/Sandy Springs/Cumming.
4. Use exits typically between Exit 6 (Northridge Rd) and Exit 7 (Holcomb Bridge Rd) or Exit 8 (Mansell Rd), depending on your destination in Roswell.

Why people use this route:

• Usually the quickest option from Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead.
• Direct connection to major Roswell roads like Holcomb Bridge Rd and Mansell Rd.
• Well-marked exits for Roswell-area destinations.

⚠️ Heads-up:
Traffic can be heavy on GA-400 during weekday rush hours (roughly 7–9 a.m. and 4–7 p.m.), especially near the I-285 interchange and main exits serving Roswell and Sandy Springs.

2. I-285 + GA-400 (For West or South Atlanta)

If you’re starting from Westside, South Atlanta, or near the airport, you’ll probably use I-285 to reach GA-400.

Typical pattern:

• From the airport / South Atlanta:
  • Take I-85 North → merge onto I-285 West → then onto GA-400 North.
• From Westside (e.g., West Midtown, Smyrna, Vinings):
  • Take I-285 East → then GA-400 North.

This route often adds a few miles but can be more straightforward than cutting through surface streets inside the city.

3. Surface Streets (For a More Scenic, Local Route)

Some Atlanta drivers avoid highways and use surface streets instead, especially on weekends or off-peak times.

Common surface roads to Roswell include:

• Roswell Road / SR-9 from Buckhead heading north
• Piedmont Rd connecting from Midtown into Roswell Rd
• Johnson Ferry Rd (if you’re coming from East Cobb / Sandy Springs and then crossing toward Roswell)

These routes:

• Can be more scenic and pass through neighborhoods and local retail areas.
• May take longer during busy hours, but sometimes help avoid freeway backups.

How Long Does It Really Take to Get from Atlanta to Roswell?

The distance may be around 20–25 miles, but in Atlanta, time matters more than miles. Here’s a realistic breakdown of drive times under typical conditions.

Typical Drive Times (One Way)

*Times can vary significantly with traffic, weather, and construction.

When Traffic Is Heaviest

Expect longer drive times during:

• Weekday mornings: about 7:00–9:00 a.m. (Roswell-bound traffic increasing on GA-400 and main arterials)
• Weekday evenings: about 4:00–7:00 p.m. (heavier Atlanta-bound and Roswell-area congestion)
• Rainy days or accidents: delays can be substantial on GA-400 and I-285

If you can, try to schedule your Roswell visit midday on weekdays or late mornings/early afternoons on weekends for smoother travel.

Getting to Roswell from Different Parts of Atlanta

Because Atlanta is spread out, here’s how distance and routes look from several key areas.

From Downtown Atlanta

• Distance: around 22–24 miles
• Main route: I-85 North → GA-400 North → exit for Holcomb Bridge Rd / Mansell Rd / Northridge Rd
• Time: usually 35–50 minutes

This is the most direct path for visitors staying near Downtown attractions like the Georgia Aquarium or State Farm Arena.

From Midtown Atlanta

• Distance: about 20–22 miles
• Route: Use surface streets like 10th St or 14th St to reach I-75/85, then GA-400 North, or go Piedmont Rd → Roswell Rd (SR-9) north.
• Time: about 30–45 minutes, depending on peak hours.

Midtown drivers sometimes choose Roswell Rd (SR-9) if GA-400 is especially congested.

From Buckhead

Buckhead is one of the closest major Atlanta neighborhoods to Roswell.

• Distance: often 16–20 miles
• Routes:
  • GA-400 North from the Lenox/Phipps area, or
  • Roswell Rd (SR-9) North directly into the Roswell area.
• Time: around 25–40 minutes.

Using Roswell Rd can be a simple, almost straight line from parts of Buckhead into Roswell.

From the Atlanta Airport (Hartsfield–Jackson)

If you’re flying into Atlanta and heading to Roswell:

• Distance: approx. 35–40 miles
• Typical route:
  • I-85 North → I-75/85 through Downtown → I-85 North → GA-400 North → exit toward Roswell.
• Time: usually 45–70 minutes, with big swings depending on traffic through Downtown and along GA-400.

Because airport traffic is unpredictable, many travelers allow at least an hour to get from ATL to Roswell.

Can You Reach Roswell from Atlanta Without a Car?

Atlanta is very car-oriented, but there are some transit options to get you closer to Roswell.

MARTA Rail + Bus Combinations

Roswell is not directly served by MARTA rail, but you can get near Roswell using:

• MARTA Red Line to North Springs Station or North Point area buses
• Then a local bus, rideshare, or taxi into Roswell

Key access point:

• North Springs MARTA Station
  7010 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd
  Sandy Springs, GA 30328

From there, passengers often:

• Use rideshare services for the last 6–10 miles into Roswell, or
• Check current MARTA and regional bus routes that operate near Holcomb Bridge Rd, Mansell Rd, or Old Alabama Rd (routes are subject to change, so schedules should be checked shortly before travel).

Rideshare and Taxis

If you don’t want to rent a car, rideshare services and taxis commonly operate between Atlanta and Roswell.

• From Downtown to Roswell: cost will depend on traffic, time of day, and exact pickup/drop-off points.
• Many visitors combine MARTA + rideshare to reduce the time spent in paid car travel.

Parking and Getting Around Once You’re in Roswell

Once you’ve covered the distance from Atlanta to Roswell, the next question is where to park and how to get around.

Parking in Roswell

In and around Historic Roswell (along Canton St, Atlanta St, and the Roswell Square area):

• There are public parking lots, street parking, and city-operated spaces near restaurants, shops, and parks.
• Weekends and evenings can be busy, so it may take a few extra minutes to find a spot close to popular dining areas.

For some larger city facilities, such as near Roswell City Hall:

• Roswell City Hall
  38 Hill St
  Roswell, GA 30075

Public buildings and parks typically have designated parking areas that are easy to access from main roads.

Getting Around Within Roswell

Most visitors rely on:

• Driving between different parts of Roswell
• Walking around concentrated areas like Historic Roswell or specific park complexes
• Rideshare for short hops if they prefer not to move their car

Roswell’s layout is more spread out than many small towns but more compact than central Atlanta, so distances inside the city are shorter than your initial drive from Atlanta.

Quick Reference: Roswell–Atlanta Distance Snapshot

Key Takeaways

• Distance from central Atlanta to Roswell: about 20–25 miles
• Drive time: roughly 30–50 minutes in typical conditions
• Main routes:GA-400 North, I-285 + GA-400, or Roswell Rd (SR-9)
• Best times to travel: mid-mornings, mid-afternoons, and non-rush-hour weekends
• Without a car: use MARTA Red Line to North Springs + rideshare or bus to complete the trip

If you’re in Atlanta and looking for a nearby destination with historic charm, parks, and restaurants, Roswell is close enough for a spontaneous half-day or full-day visit, as long as you plan around the usual Atlanta traffic patterns.