How Far Is Suwanee From Atlanta? A Local’s Guide to Distance, Drive Time, and Best Routes

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and wondering how far Suwanee is—whether for commuting, a day trip, or checking out the suburbs—you’re really asking about both miles and minutes. This guide breaks it down in practical, Atlanta-specific terms.

Quick Answer: Distance From Atlanta to Suwanee

The distance from Downtown Atlanta (around Five Points) to Suwanee, Georgia is:

• By driving (most common):
  About 30–35 miles one way, depending on your exact starting and ending points.
• Typical drive time:
  35–60 minutes, heavily influenced by Atlanta traffic and time of day.

Both cities are in the metro Atlanta area, with Suwanee located in Gwinnett County, northeast of the city.

At-a-Glance Distance & Time

*Travel times vary a lot with rush hour, road work, and weather—always check live navigation before you go.

Where Exactly Is Suwanee in Relation to Atlanta?

Think of Atlanta’s layout as a hub with spokes:

• Suwanee sits to the northeast of Atlanta.
• It’s along the I‑85 corridor, beyond Doraville, Norcross, and Duluth.
• It’s in Gwinnett County, one of the major suburban counties in the metro area.

If you’re familiar with Atlanta suburbs:

• Traveling from the Downtown Connector (I‑75/85), you’ll head northeast on I‑85.
• You’ll pass the I‑285 Perimeter, then continue up toward Suwanee exits (around Exits 109–111, such as Old Peachtree Road and Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road).

Main Driving Routes From Atlanta to Suwanee

1. I‑85 North (Most Direct Route)

For most people in central Atlanta, the fastest way is:

1. Get on I‑75/85 North (Downtown Connector).
2. Merge onto I‑85 North when the highways split.
3. Continue past the I‑285 interchange.
4. Stay on I‑85 North toward Gwinnett County.
5. Use one of the main Suwanee-area exits, such as:
   • Exit 109 – Old Peachtree Road
   • Exit 111 – Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road
6. From there, follow local roads to your specific Suwanee destination (parks, neighborhoods, schools, or businesses).

Good for:

• People leaving from Downtown, Midtown, or Old Fourth Ward.
• Most visitors staying near Downtown hotels or around Georgia State or Georgia Tech.

2. GA‑400 + Local Roads (Sometimes Better From North Atlanta)

If you’re starting from Buckhead, Sandy Springs, or Perimeter Center, another option is:

1. Take GA‑400 North.
2. Cut across via east-west connectors such as:
   • McGinnis Ferry Road
   • Abbotts Bridge Road/GA‑120
   • Peachtree Parkway/GA‑141 (which runs toward Suwanee and Johns Creek)
3. Head into the Suwanee area using local roads.

This route may or may not be faster than I‑85 depending on:

• Time of day
• Traffic backups on I‑85
• Any accidents or construction

Many locals will check a navigation app before leaving and decide between I‑85 and GA‑400 + connectors based on live traffic.

How Long Does It Really Take? (Atlanta Traffic Reality Check)

On paper, 30–35 miles sounds easy. In metro Atlanta, traffic patterns matter just as much as distance.

Typical Drive Times

• Midday / Late Morning / Early Afternoon
  • Often 35–45 minutes from central Atlanta to Suwanee.
• Morning Rush Hour (around 7–9 a.m.) heading north
  • Commonly 45–60+ minutes, especially if you’re leaving from in-town neighborhoods.
• Evening Rush Hour (around 4–7 p.m.) heading south back to Atlanta
  • Can also stretch to 45–60+ minutes, sometimes longer if there are crashes on I‑85.
• Late Night / Very Early Morning
  • Sometimes around 30–35 minutes with light traffic and smooth interchanges.

Tips for Managing the Drive

• Leave extra buffer time if you have an appointment in Suwanee (sports events, school meetings, medical visits, etc.).
• Check traffic on I‑85 and GA‑400 before picking your route.
• If you have flexibility, avoid peak rush travel times when possible.

Is There Public Transit From Atlanta to Suwanee?

This is a key difference between traveling inside Atlanta and going out to Suwanee.

MARTA and Gwinnett: What to Expect

• MARTA heavy rail does not extend into Suwanee or Gwinnett County.
• You can ride MARTA rail or bus to the Doraville Station (6000 New Peachtree Rd, Doraville, GA 30340), which is the closest MARTA rail stop in that direction.
• From Doraville, you’d still need a car, rideshare, or other bus service to get to Suwanee.

Gwinnett County Transit (GCT)

Gwinnett County operates its own transit system, but:

• Routes and schedules change over time.
• Service from central Atlanta directly into Suwanee is limited and may require transfers and longer travel times compared to driving.

If you’re relying on transit:

• Plan for a much longer trip than driving—often well over an hour including transfers.
• Expect to combine MARTA + Gwinnett transit + walking/rideshare.

For current route info, residents usually check the Gwinnett County Transit website or call their customer service line, as specifics can change.

Using Rideshare or Taxis Between Atlanta and Suwanee

If you don’t have a car while visiting Atlanta, you can still get to Suwanee:

• Rideshare services (operating across metro Atlanta) commonly serve trips to and from Suwanee.
• Traditional taxi services may also arrange a pre-scheduled, longer-distance trip but are less commonly used for this route.

Things to keep in mind:

• It’s roughly a 30+ mile ride, so fares will usually be noticeably higher than typical in-town Atlanta trips.
• Costs can increase with surge pricing, traffic, and time of day.
• For round trips (e.g., going to a game, visiting friends, or checking out Suwanee Town Center), consider whether you’ll have reliable coverage and how you’ll get back, especially late at night.

Commuting Between Atlanta and Suwanee

Many people in the Atlanta metro area live in Suwanee and work in or near Atlanta, or vice versa. If you’re considering this as a regular commute, plan for:

• Daily drive times hovering around 45–60 minutes during typical rush hours, sometimes more if there are incidents on the interstate.
• Frequent slowdowns around:
  • The I‑85 / I‑285 interchange (the Perimeter)
  • Certain Suwanee-area exits during morning and evening peaks

Commuter Tips

• Explore flexible work hours or partial remote work if possible.
• Check if your employer offers telework options or compressed schedules to avoid the highest-traffic windows.
• Some commuters use park-and-ride lots and carpool to split driving time and fuel cost.

Day Trips: Is Suwanee a Reasonable Outing From Atlanta?

For Atlanta residents or visitors staying in the city, Suwanee is a very doable half-day or full-day trip.

Once you make the 30–35 mile drive, you’ll find:

• Parks and outdoor spaces
  • Suwanee Town Center (a popular park and amphitheater area)
  • Greenways and trails used for biking, walking, and jogging
• Family-friendly events hosted by the City of Suwanee and community groups
• A more suburban feel than in-town Atlanta, with plenty of neighborhoods and local spots to explore

If you’re coming from Downtown Atlanta, Midtown, or Buckhead, factor in:

• About 35–45 minutes each way outside rush hour
• Parking is generally easier and more available than in city-center Atlanta, especially around park and town center areas

Is Suwanee Considered “Far” From Atlanta by Local Standards?

In metro Atlanta terms:

• 30–35 miles is often viewed as “metro distance”, not long-distance.
• Many locals regularly travel similar distances between suburbs (for work, school, sports, or shopping).

However:

• Your perception will depend on your usual driving habits.
• If you’re used to in-town neighborhoods where most trips are 10–20 minutes, a rush-hour drive to Suwanee can feel far.
• If you’re accustomed to commuting across the metro area, Suwanee will likely feel reasonable and familiar in both distance and time.

Key Takeaways

• Distance: Suwanee is about 30–35 miles northeast of central Atlanta.
• Drive time: Plan on 35–60 minutes, with traffic being the main variable.
• Main route:I‑85 North from Atlanta is the standard path, with GA‑400 + local roads as an alternative from northside neighborhoods.
• Transit: No direct MARTA rail service to Suwanee; getting there by public transit requires multiple steps and more time.
• Practical use: Suwanee is close enough for daily commuting (with traffic planning) and very manageable for day trips from Atlanta.

If you’re staying or living in Atlanta, consider your schedule, traffic tolerance, and transportation options when planning a visit or commute to Suwanee.