How Far Is Six Flags From Atlanta? Your Easy Distance & Travel Guide

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and wondering how far Six Flags Over Georgia is from the city, the answer is: not very far at all. The park is just outside the city limits and is one of the quickest major attractions to reach from downtown.

Quick Answer: Distance From Atlanta to Six Flags Over Georgia

Six Flags Over Georgia is located at:
275 Riverside Parkway, Austell, GA 30168

From Downtown Atlanta (around Peachtree Center/Centennial Olympic Park):

  • Distance: about 12–15 miles
  • Drive time (no heavy traffic): about 15–20 minutes
  • Drive time (rush hour): often 30–45 minutes, sometimes longer

From Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL):

  • Distance: about 18–20 miles
  • Drive time: generally 20–30 minutes, depending on traffic on I‑285 and I‑20

From Midtown Atlanta (around Tech Square/Piedmont Park):

  • Distance: about 13–16 miles
  • Drive time: roughly 20–30 minutes, depending on I‑75/85 and I‑20 traffic

At-a-Glance Distance & Time

Starting Area in AtlantaApprox. Distance to Six FlagsTypical Drive Time*
Downtown (Centennial Park)12–15 miles15–20 min (off‑peak)
Midtown (Tech, Piedmont)13–16 miles20–30 min
Buckhead16–20 miles25–35 min
Hartsfield–Jackson Airport18–20 miles20–30 min
Decatur / East Atlanta18–22 miles25–40 min

*Times vary with traffic, construction, and weather.

How to Get From Atlanta to Six Flags: Main Driving Routes

Most people reach Six Flags Over Georgia by car. The park sits just off Interstate 20 (I‑20) west of Atlanta.

From Downtown or Midtown Atlanta

  1. Get onto I‑20 West

    • From Downtown: connect via the Downtown Connector (I‑75/85), then merge onto I‑20 West.
    • From Midtown: go south toward Downtown on I‑75/85, then take I‑20 West.
  2. Follow I‑20 West for about 10–12 miles.

  3. Take the exit for Six Flags Parkway / Riverside Parkway.
    Road signs for “Six Flags Over Georgia” are clearly marked on I‑20.

  4. Follow the signs directly into the park entrance and parking areas.

From Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport

  1. Leave the airport area and take I‑285 North or I‑285 West (Outer Perimeter).

  2. Continue on I‑285 and merge onto I‑20 West toward Birmingham.

  3. Take the Six Flags Parkway / Riverside Parkway exit.

  4. Follow the posted signs into the park.

From Buckhead or North Atlanta

  1. Take GA‑400 South or I‑75/85 South toward Downtown.

  2. Merge onto I‑20 West.

  3. Exit at Six Flags Parkway / Riverside Parkway and follow signs.

Can You Get to Six Flags From Atlanta Without a Car?

There is no MARTA rail line that goes directly to Six Flags Over Georgia, but there are bus options and rideshare services that many Atlanta visitors and residents use.

MARTA + Bus Options

MARTA does not operate a station at the park entrance, but CobbLinc (the Cobb County transit system) has historically provided service from the MARTA West End Station toward Six Flags during parts of the year.

Because bus routes and seasonal service can change, it’s best to:

  • Check current CobbLinc bus routes that mention Six Flags or Austell/Riverside Parkway.
  • Start your trip at a MARTA rail station like:
    • West End Station
    • Ashby Station
    • Hamilton E. Holmes Station
  • Transfer to an appropriate CobbLinc or other regional bus if a route is running to or near Six Flags.

📝 Tip: Many Atlanta riders plan to get close by bus and then use a short rideshare trip for the last leg if the bus doesn’t stop directly at the park gate.

Rideshare and Taxi

From much of in-town Atlanta, a rideshare (Uber/Lyft) is often the simplest non-driving option:

  • From Downtown Atlanta:
    • Travel time: around 15–30 minutes, traffic-dependent.
  • From Midtown:
    • Travel time: around 20–35 minutes.
  • From Airport:
    • Travel time: typically 20–30 minutes.

If you’re staying at a Downtown or Midtown hotel, staff can usually help you estimate cost and timing or schedule a traditional taxi if you prefer that over rideshare.

When Is the Drive From Atlanta to Six Flags Quickest?

The distance may be short, but Atlanta traffic can stretch your travel time if you hit peak periods.

Busier Times on I‑20 West

Expect heavier traffic:

  • Weekday mornings: roughly 7:00–9:00 a.m.
  • Weekday late afternoons/evenings: roughly 3:30–6:30 p.m.
  • Holiday weekends and big event days in the city

If you’re starting in central Atlanta, these busy times can easily double your drive time from 15–20 minutes to 30–45 minutes or more.

Better Times to Travel

You’ll usually see:

  • Lighter traffic in late morning (around 9:30–11:30 a.m.)
  • Moderate traffic in early afternoon on weekdays
  • Variable conditions on weekends—often smoother early in the day

🎢 Local tip: If you want to be at the park near opening, leave at least 30–45 minutes before opening time from most in-town neighborhoods to allow for traffic, parking, and walking to the entrance.

Parking, Drop-Off, and Being “Travel Time Smart”

Once you reach Six Flags from Atlanta, factor in a few extra minutes for:

  • Parking: The main lots are just off the park road; parking areas are spread out and can fill toward the back on busy days.
  • Walking time: Expect a 5–15 minute walk from your parking space to the main gate, depending on where you park and crowd levels.
  • Drop-off: If you’re being dropped off by rideshare, follow the park’s posted signs for guest drop-off and pick-up areas, which are generally near the entrance.

To keep the trip smooth:

  • Build in a buffer of 15–20 extra minutes on busy weekends, holidays, or during summer.
  • Check for accidents or construction on I‑20 West before you leave; conditions can change quickly.

How Far Is Six Flags From Popular Atlanta Neighborhoods?

While the park is often described as being “just west of Atlanta,” the actual distance depends on where in the metro area you start.

Here’s a rough guide from a few spots locals and visitors commonly stay:

  • Downtown Atlanta (CNN Center, State Farm Arena area)
    • ~12–15 miles | ~15–25 minutes in light traffic
  • Midtown (Georgia Tech, Atlantic Station, Piedmont Park)
    • ~13–16 miles | ~20–30 minutes
  • Old Fourth Ward / Inman Park
    • ~15–20 miles | ~25–35 minutes, usually via the Downtown Connector and I‑20 West
  • Buckhead (Lenox, Phipps area)
    • ~16–20 miles | ~25–35 minutes, depending on I‑75/85 traffic
  • Decatur / East Lake
    • ~18–22 miles | ~25–40 minutes, often via I‑20 West
  • West Midtown / Georgia Tech West Campus area
    • ~10–14 miles | ~15–25 minutes, often one of the quickest in-town starting points

These are approximate and can shift with traffic and route choice.

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Visitors and Locals

  • Distance: Six Flags Over Georgia is only about 12–20 miles from many central Atlanta locations.
  • Typical drive: Plan for 15–30 minutes door-to-door from much of Downtown/Midtown, longer during rush hour.
  • Best route: Use I‑20 West and follow signs for Six Flags Parkway / Riverside Parkway.
  • Without a car: Combine MARTA rail, regional bus service (when available), and/or rideshare.
  • Timing matters: Leaving slightly before or after peak rush hours usually makes the trip faster and less stressful.

For anyone living in or visiting Atlanta, Six Flags Over Georgia is one of the most accessible big attractions—close enough to make a half‑day or full‑day trip without leaving the metro area.