How Long Does It Take To Drive to Atlanta? A Practical Guide for Visitors and Locals

If you’re planning a trip to Atlanta by car—or you live here and want to explain the drive to friends and family—travel time can vary a lot depending on where you’re coming from, when you’re driving, and which part of metro Atlanta you’re heading to.

This guide breaks down typical drive times to Atlanta, tips for dealing with local traffic, and what to expect once you’re near the city.

Key Factors That Affect How Long It Takes to Drive to Atlanta

Before looking at specific routes, it helps to understand what usually changes how long the drive to Atlanta really takes:

• Time of day:
  Atlanta’s heaviest traffic is typically:

  • Morning rush: about 6:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
  • Evening rush: about 3:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
    Driving into or through the city during these times can add 30–60+ minutes.

• Direction you’re coming from:

  • I‑75, I‑85, I‑20, and I‑285 are the main highways.
  • Each can move quickly late at night or get very slow in peak periods and during bad weather.

• Your final destination in metro Atlanta:

  • Getting to Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead may take extra time once you exit the interstate because of city traffic, one-way streets, and lights.
  • Reaching Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (south of the city) is often faster from I‑75 or I‑285 than driving all the way into Downtown.

• Weather and construction:

  • Heavy rain, fog, or road work—especially on I‑285 (“the Perimeter”)—can add unexpected delays.

💡 Tip: Always check a real-time navigation app before you leave; estimated drive times to Atlanta can change quickly, especially on weekdays.

Typical Driving Times to Atlanta From Major Nearby Cities

Below is a general guide to how long it takes to drive to Atlanta from commonly connected cities. These times assume normal traffic and weather and are based on driving to the Downtown Atlanta area.

Approximate Drive Times (One-Way)

*These are general ranges, not guarantees. Rush hour, accidents, or construction can add significant time.

How Far Is Atlanta From Nearby Georgia Cities?

If you live in Georgia and are wondering how long it takes to drive into Atlanta for a day trip, work, or a flight, here are some common starting points:

• Athens → Atlanta:
  • Distance: about 70–80 miles
  • Time: 1.5–2 hours (longer in rush hour)
• Macon → Atlanta:
  • Distance: about 85–100 miles
  • Time: 1.5–2 hours
• Augusta → Atlanta:
  • Distance: about 140–150 miles
  • Time: 2–2.5 hours
• Columbus → Atlanta:
  • Distance: about 110–120 miles
  • Time: 1.5–2 hours
• Savannah → Atlanta:
  • Distance: about 250–260 miles
  • Time: 3.5–4 hours

If you’re headed to a specific part of metro Atlanta—like Alpharetta, Marietta, Decatur, or College Park—add another 15–45 minutes depending on where in the metro area you’re going and the time of day.

Driving to Different Parts of Atlanta

“Atlanta” can mean different things depending on your plans. The time to drive to Atlanta changes if you’re going to:

1. Downtown Atlanta

Includes attractions like:

• Georgia State Capitol
• State Farm Arena
• Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• Georgia World Congress Center
• Downtown hotels and office towers

Highways used:
I‑75/85 (the Downtown Connector), I‑20, and I‑285.

What to expect:

• The Downtown Connector often slows to a crawl during rush hour.
• Add 20–40 minutes to your total drive time if you’re arriving:
  • Weekdays 7–9 a.m. or 4–6:30 p.m.
  • During large events or game days

2. Midtown and Buckhead

Midtown Atlanta includes:

• Georgia Tech
• Piedmont Park
• Midtown offices and high-rises

Buckhead includes:

• Major business districts
• High-end shopping and hotels

Highways used:
I‑75/85 into Midtown, GA‑400 to Buckhead.

What to expect:

• Surface streets like Peachtree Street, 10th Street, and Piedmont Avenue can be slow.
• From Downtown, driving to Midtown may be 10–20 minutes; to Buckhead 20–35 minutes, longer at rush hour.

3. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

• Located at: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
• South of Downtown just off I‑75, with access via I‑285 as well.

Typical drive times to ATL (no major delays):

• From Downtown Atlanta: 15–25 minutes
• From Midtown Atlanta: 20–30 minutes
• From Buckhead: 25–40 minutes
• From Marietta: 35–55 minutes
• From Alpharetta / Roswell: 45–70 minutes

For flights, many travelers add:

• At least 30–45 extra minutes beyond the usual drive time to allow for:
  • Traffic
  • Parking or rental car return
  • Getting through security

How Atlanta Traffic Changes Your Drive Time

Because many people asking “How long to drive to Atlanta?” are really asking “How bad is the traffic going to be?,” here’s what locals typically see:

Busiest Times on Major Atlanta Highways

• I‑75 / I‑85 (Downtown Connector):

  • Heaviest congestion when people commute into and out of Downtown and Midtown.
  • Fridays can be worse, especially leaving town in the afternoon.

• I‑285 (The Perimeter):

  • Often crowded most of the day, especially on the northern arc near Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, and Perimeter Center.
  • When there’s a crash or construction, delays can be significant.

• I‑20 (East–West):

  • Congestion increases where it meets I‑75/85 and I‑285.
  • Evening rush tends to be heavier heading east out of the city.

How Much Time to Add for Traffic

To estimate how long it will take to drive to Atlanta, many locals automatically pad their time:

• Driving into the city during peak rush hours:
  Add 30–60 minutes beyond the “no-traffic” estimate.
• Driving through Atlanta on I‑75, I‑85, or I‑20 in the daytime:
  Add 15–30 minutes.
• Late-night or early-morning trips (10 p.m.–5 a.m.):
  You may be close to the fastest possible time, unless there is overnight construction or closures.

Planning Your Drive Into Atlanta: Practical Tips

If you’re trying to make a specific arrival time in Atlanta—whether for a meeting, event, or flight—use these guidelines to estimate when to leave.

1. Start With a Base Estimate

• Look up your route into “Downtown Atlanta” or “Midtown Atlanta” using a navigation app at a non-rush time.
• Note the no-traffic estimate—for example, “Chattanooga to Downtown Atlanta: 2 hours.”

2. Adjust for Time of Day

Add:

• 0–15 minutes if:
  • You’re arriving late at night or very early morning.
• 15–30 minutes if:
  • You’ll reach the metro area during midday (10 a.m.–3 p.m.) on a weekday.
• 30–60+ minutes if:
  • You’re entering or crossing Atlanta during typical rush hours.
  • You’re driving in on a Friday afternoon or Sunday evening when many weekend travelers are on the road.

3. Consider Event Days

Big events in Atlanta can seriously change how long it takes to drive into the city, especially near:

• Mercedes-Benz Stadium (NFL, soccer, concerts)
• State Farm Arena
• Georgia World Congress Center
• Georgia Tech or Georgia State University game days

On those days, add at least 30 extra minutes, especially if you’re arriving within 2–3 hours of a major event’s start time.

Getting Around Once You’re in Atlanta

Even after you’ve finished your drive to Atlanta, you might still need time to reach your exact destination.

Street Traffic Inside the City

• Downtown and Midtown:

  • Expect traffic lights, one-way streets, and limited parking.
  • It can easily take 10–20 minutes to go just a couple of miles, especially at busy times.

• Buckhead / Lenox area:

  • Peachtree Road and Lenox Road are busy shopping and office corridors.
  • Plan 15–25 minutes to move a few miles when traffic is heavy.

• Intown neighborhoods like Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, Virginia-Highland, and Grant Park:

  • Narrow streets and on-street parking can slow you down.
  • Still usually more predictable than the interstate at rush hour.

Using MARTA to Save Driving Time

If you’d rather avoid driving into the core of the city, you can drive to a MARTA rail station and take the train in.

Some larger MARTA stations with parking include:

• North Springs Station – 7010 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd, Sandy Springs, GA 30328
• Doraville Station – 6000 New Peachtree Rd, Doraville, GA 30340
• Indian Creek Station – 3901 Durham Park Rd, Stone Mountain, GA 30083
• College Park Station – 3800 Main St, College Park, GA 30337

This can shorten your drive time into heavy traffic areas like Downtown or Midtown and reduce the stress of finding parking.

Helpful Local Points for Driving to Atlanta

If you need road information or navigation help once you’re close to Atlanta:

• Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT)

  • Main Atlanta office: 600 W Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30308
  • Offers statewide road information and updates on major projects.

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (for those driving in for flights)

  • Address: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
  • Road signs along I‑75, I‑85, and I‑285 clearly mark exits for domestic and international terminals.

These resources can’t guarantee your drive time to Atlanta, but they can help you stay aware of major construction or route changes that might affect your trip.

In practical terms, how long it takes to drive to Atlanta depends on distance, direction, and timing, but planning around rush hours, using real-time navigation, and knowing which part of the city you’re headed to will give you a much more accurate estimate of your total travel time.