How Far Is Atlanta From Where You Are? A Local Guide to Distances, Drive Times, and Getting Here

When someone asks “How far to Atlanta from here?”, the real answer usually depends on two things:

1. Where “here” actually is, and
2. How you plan to get to Atlanta (driving, flying, bus, train, or rideshare).

This guide is written specifically for Atlanta, Georgia, so you can quickly estimate distance, travel time, and best routes whether you’re:

• Already inside metro Atlanta and trying to get downtown,
• Driving in from a nearby Georgia city,
• Coming from another state or major city, or
• Landing at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and heading into town.

Understanding “Atlanta” on a Map: City vs. Metro Area

Before you calculate how far Atlanta is, it helps to know what people mean by “Atlanta.”

Atlanta Can Mean Two Different Things

1. City of Atlanta (proper)

   • Official city boundaries
   • Includes Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, Westside, and many Intown neighborhoods.
   • Atlanta City Hall: 55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303

2. Metro Atlanta / The Atlanta Area

   • Includes surrounding cities and counties such as:
     • Sandy Springs, Marietta, Decatur, College Park, East Point, Alpharetta, Roswell, Smyrna, and others
   • Many people in the suburbs still say they are “in Atlanta,” even if they’re technically in a different city.

💡 Key tip:
When you ask “how far to Atlanta from here,” decide whether you mean Downtown Atlanta, Midtown, the airport, or just the edge of the metro area. Most distance tools use Downtown Atlanta (near Five Points and the Georgia State Capitol) as the default center point.

Quick Distance Estimates to Central Atlanta

Below is a simple reference using Downtown Atlanta as the destination point.

If You’re Already in Atlanta: Getting Around Inside the City

How Far Is It Across the City?

Within the city limits, most major areas are:

• 5–25 minutes by car in light traffic
• 10–45 minutes during busy rush hours

Approximate driving distances to Downtown Atlanta:

• Midtown Atlanta: 1–2 miles
• Buckhead (Peachtree & Lenox Rd area): about 8 miles
• West Midtown (Howell Mill Rd): 3–5 miles
• East Atlanta Village: about 4 miles
• Little Five Points / Inman Park: about 2–3 miles
• Cascade Heights (SW Atlanta): about 7–9 miles

Using MARTA Inside Atlanta

If you’re wondering how far something is without driving, MARTA is often your best frame of reference.

Key MARTA rail stations close to major areas:

• Five Points Station (Downtown) – central hub for all lines
• Peachtree Center – key Downtown hotels and offices
• Midtown & Arts Center Stations – Midtown business district and arts venues
• Buckhead, Lenox, Brookhaven Stations – Buckhead and nearby
• Airport Station – inside Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Travel time by MARTA rail from Airport Station:

• To Five Points (Downtown): about 15–20 minutes
• To Midtown Station: about 25–30 minutes
• To Buckhead Station: about 35–40 minutes

If You’re Coming From Nearby Georgia Cities

Here are approximate distances and driving times to Downtown Atlanta from common starting points around Georgia.

North of Atlanta

• Marietta: ~20 miles | 25–40 minutes via I-75
• Kennesaw: ~28 miles | 35–50 minutes via I-75
• Woodstock: ~30 miles | 35–55 minutes via I-575 & I-75
• Alpharetta: ~26–30 miles | 35–55 minutes via GA-400
• Gainesville: ~55–60 miles | 1–1.25 hours via I-985 & I-85

East of Atlanta

• Decatur: ~6–7 miles | 15–25 minutes via Ponce de Leon Ave or DeKalb Ave
• Stone Mountain (City): ~15 miles | 25–40 minutes
• Athens: ~70–75 miles | 1.25–1.5 hours via GA-316 or US-78

South of Atlanta

• Hartsfield-Jackson Airport: 10–12 miles | 15–25 minutes
• College Park: ~8–10 miles | 15–25 minutes
• Union City: ~15–18 miles | 20–35 minutes via I-85
• Peachtree City: ~30–35 miles | 45–60 minutes
• Macon: ~80–85 miles | 1.25–1.5 hours via I-75

West of Atlanta

• Smyrna: ~12–14 miles | 20–35 minutes via I-75 or I-285
• Douglasville: ~22–25 miles | 30–45 minutes via I-20
• Carrollton: ~50 miles | 1–1.25 hours via US-27 & I-20

If You’re Traveling From Other Major Cities

If your “here” is another major U.S. city, these are typical road distances to Atlanta (Downtown):

• Birmingham, AL: ~145 miles | about 2–2.5 hours via I-20
• Chattanooga, TN: ~120 miles | about 2–2.25 hours via I-75
• Nashville, TN: ~250 miles | about 3.5–4 hours via I-24 & I-75
• Charlotte, NC: ~245 miles | about 3.5–4 hours via I-85
• Savannah, GA: ~250 miles | about 3.5–4 hours via I-16 & I-75
• Orlando, FL: ~440 miles | about 6–7 hours via I-75
• Miami, FL: ~660–680 miles | about 9.5–11 hours via I-75

Flying will almost always be faster from these distances, and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is a major hub with frequent flights.

From the Airport: How Far Is It to the Rest of Atlanta?

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
6000 N Terminal Pkwy
Atlanta, GA 30320

ATL sits on the south side of Atlanta, just off I-85. Here’s how far it is from the airport to popular parts of town:

• To Downtown Atlanta: 10–12 miles | 15–25 minutes
• To Midtown: 12–14 miles | 20–30 minutes
• To Buckhead (Lenox area): ~17–20 miles | 25–40 minutes
• To Decatur Square: ~14–16 miles | 25–35 minutes
• To Cobb Galleria / Truist Park area: ~22–25 miles | 30–45 minutes

Getting From the Airport Without a Car

• MARTA Rail:

  • Airport Station is at the end of the Red/Gold lines inside the Domestic Terminal.
  • Direct ride to Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead with no train changes for most stops.

• Rideshare / Taxi:

  • Dedicated pickup areas at the airport.
  • Travel time can vary widely depending on rush hour on I-75/I-85 (“Downtown Connector”).

How to Quickly Find “How Far to Atlanta From Here” in Real Time

If you want to know right now how far you are from Atlanta:

1. Decide your destination point in Atlanta

   • Example: “Downtown Atlanta,” “Midtown,” “Atlanta Airport,” or a specific address (like a hotel or attraction).

2. Use your phone’s map app or in-car navigation

   • Type in “Atlanta, GA” or the specific neighborhood or address.
   • The app will show distance in miles and estimated travel time based on current traffic.

3. Use MARTA’s tools if you’re transit-focused

   • Check the nearest rail or bus stop and plan a trip to your preferred station (like Five Points, Midtown, or Airport).

Factors That Change How Long It Takes to Get to Atlanta

Even if the distance stays the same, travel time in and around Atlanta can change a lot depending on:

• Rush hour traffic

  • Morning: roughly 6:30–9:30 a.m.
  • Evening: roughly 3:30–7:00 p.m.
  • Heaviest on I-75, I-85, I-20, I-285, and GA-400

• Weather

  • Heavy rain can significantly slow traffic.
  • Rare winter weather (ice, snow) can cause major delays.

• Events

  • Big games or concerts at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, Georgia World Congress Center, Truist Park, or Georgia Tech can add extra time on nearby roads.

• Construction

  • Lane closures on interstates or major arterials can cause backups; navigation apps usually reflect these.

Because of this, two trips of the same distance—say, 15 miles from a suburb to Downtown—might take 20 minutes at midday and 50+ minutes at rush hour.

Using Landmarks as Reference Points

If someone tells you “you’re about 10 minutes from Atlanta,” they often mean one of these key hubs:

• Downtown Atlanta – near Government buildings, State Capitol, Five Points, major hotels
• Midtown Atlanta – Peachtree St corridor near Piedmont Park and corporate offices
• Buckhead – commercial and shopping area around Lenox Square / Phipps Plaza
• Hartsfield-Jackson Airport – major reference for South Atlanta

Knowing which landmark they mean makes distance estimates much clearer.

If You Live in Metro Atlanta: Estimating Daily Commutes

For Atlanta-area residents, “How far to Atlanta from here?” often really means “How long is my commute?”

Common commute patterns into central Atlanta:

• From Marietta / Kennesaw / Smyrna via I-75:
  • 12–30 miles | 30–70 minutes depending on time of day
• From Alpharetta / Roswell / Sandy Springs via GA-400:
  • 15–30 miles | 30–60+ minutes
• From Decatur / Stone Mountain via US-78 or Ponce / DeKalb Ave:
  • 6–18 miles | 20–50 minutes
• From Southside (College Park, Union City, Riverdale) via I-85 or SR-85:
  • 10–25 miles | 25–55 minutes

Many locals use a combination of:

• MARTA Park-and-Ride lots
• Driving to a rail station, then taking the train into Downtown/Midtown

to reduce both drive time and parking hassles.

When “Atlanta” Is Your Point of Reference for Somewhere Else

If you’re already in Atlanta and wondering how far another place is “from here”, you can think in reverse:

• For example:
  • “How far is Athens from Atlanta?” → about 70–75 miles east
  • “How far is Savannah from Atlanta?” → about 250 miles southeast
  • “How far is the North Georgia mountains (Blue Ridge, Dahlonega) from Atlanta?”
    • Generally 60–100+ miles north, typically 1–2 hours by car.

Using Downtown Atlanta or Hartsfield-Jackson Airport as your starting point gives you a consistent frame of reference.

In practical terms, to answer “How far to Atlanta from here?” in the most accurate way, you’ll want:

• Your exact starting point,
• A clear destination within Atlanta (Downtown, Midtown, airport, or a specific neighborhood), and
• A quick check on current traffic or transit conditions using a map or transit-planning tool.

From there, you’ll have a precise distance in miles and a realistic estimate of how long it will take to get into Atlanta.