How Common Are Car Accidents Around the Atlanta Airport?

If you drive to or from Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) regularly, it’s natural to wonder: how many accidents, on average, happen by the Atlanta airport—and how risky are the roads in that area?

There isn’t a single public number that says “exactly X crashes per week at the Atlanta airport.” But you can understand the relative risk, the most accident‑prone roads, and how to navigate the area more safely whether you live in Atlanta, are visiting, or just passing through.

Is the Area Around Atlanta Airport Accident‑Prone?

Around ATL, traffic volumes are very high, especially on:

• I‑75
• I‑85
• I‑285 near the airport
• Surface roads such as Camp Creek Parkway, Airport Boulevard, Sullivan Road, and Virginia Avenue

These highways and arterials carry a mix of:

• Commuter traffic from south metro Atlanta
• Airport employees
• Rideshare, taxis, hotel shuttles, and buses
• Out‑of‑town drivers unfamiliar with exits and lane patterns

Because of this mix, the corridors around ATL consistently see a high number of crashes compared with quieter parts of metro Atlanta. However:

• Most crashes are minor fender‑benders or congestion‑related rear‑end collisions.
• Serious injury or fatal crashes are far less common, but they do occur, especially at high speed or in bad weather.

You should think of the airport area as “busy and higher‑risk than average,” not necessarily “dangerous”—with risks that can be managed by driving carefully and planning your route.

What Types of Crashes Happen Most Often Near ATL?

Drivers around Atlanta’s airport encounter a few predictable trouble spots.

1. Rear‑End Collisions in Congested Traffic

Common in:

• Merge areas on I‑75, I‑85, and I‑285
• Exit ramps leading to Domestic Terminal, International Terminal, and rental car center
• Camp Creek Parkway near hotel clusters and shopping areas

Why they happen:

• Stop‑and‑go traffic
• Sudden braking when drivers realize they’re about to miss an exit
• Distracted driving (phones, GPS adjustments, looking for signage)

2. Lane‑Change and Sideswipe Crashes

Especially where:

• I‑75 and I‑85 split or join
• Express lanes, HOV lanes, and exit‑only lanes converge
• Drivers weave to reach Airport exits at the last moment

These crashes are often tied to last‑second lane changes by drivers unfamiliar with the area or reacting late to airport signage.

3. Intersection and Turning Crashes on Local Roads

On roads such as:

• Virginia Avenue
• Sullivan Road
• Old National Highway
• Riverdale Road
• Camp Creek Parkway

Common scenarios:

• Left‑turn conflicts at busy intersections
• Drivers rolling through red lights or stop signs
• Pedestrian and shuttle traffic around hotels and parking facilities

4. Parking Lot and Curbside Incidents

At:

• Domestic and International terminal curbside areas
• Airport parking decks and economy lots
• Off‑site parking lots along Camp Creek Parkway and surrounding roads

Often low‑speed incidents:

• Backing into another car
• Door dings
• Minor scrapes from tight spaces or confusing flow patterns

When Are Crashes Most Likely Near Atlanta Airport?

While crashes can happen at any time, some patterns are common around ATL.

Busiest Times of Day

Accidents tend to increase during:

• Morning rush: roughly 6:30–9:30 a.m.
• Evening rush: roughly 3:30–7:00 p.m.
• Periods of heavy flight arrival/departure waves, especially holidays and Mondays/Fridays

During these times, you’ll see:

• Heavier congestion on I‑75, I‑85, and I‑285
• Long lines at terminal curbside
• Frequent stops on the ramps and connectors to the terminals

Weather and Visibility

Crashes increase when:

• Heavy rain reduces visibility and causes hydroplaning on interstates
• Fog affects early‑morning drivers, especially on I‑285 and near open areas around the runways
• Nighttime driving makes signs harder to read for visitors

In these conditions, at‑speed rear‑end and single‑vehicle crashes (e.g., hitting barriers or leaving the roadway) become more likely.

Seasonal and Event‑Related Peaks

You may notice more incidents during:

• Summer travel season
• Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s
• Major events (sports championships, large conventions) drawing visitors who aren’t used to Atlanta traffic patterns

These periods bring more rental cars, more distracted tourists, and more congestion, especially near the terminals and major airport exits.

How Risky Is Driving to ATL Compared With the Rest of Atlanta?

From a local perspective, here’s how the airport area compares:

The roads around Hartsfield–Jackson are in the “high crash potential” category, similar to downtown Atlanta and the heaviest parts of the Perimeter.

For someone driving to or from the airport:

• You’re not automatically unsafe, but
• You should treat the trip with the same caution you would give downtown freeway driving at rush hour.

Specific Roads and Interchanges to Use Extra Caution

While exact crash counts change year by year, certain known busy segments around ATL consistently demand extra attention.

Major Highways Around the Airport

• I‑75 near Exit 239–242 (Aviation Blvd/International/Turner Field)
  • Complex interchanges, frequent lane changes.
• I‑85 near Exit 71–75 (Riverdale Rd/Virginia Ave/Airport)
  • High density of airport‑bound traffic, shuttles, and rideshares.
• I‑285 on the south side (between I‑75 and I‑85 interchanges)
  • Heavily traveled by trucks; sudden slowdowns are common.

Key Surface Roads

• Camp Creek Parkway (SR 6)
  • Links to hotels, parking, shopping; high traffic and mixing of locals and visitors.
• Virginia Avenue
  • Connects I‑85 to hotels, restaurants, and office parks near the airport.
• Sullivan Road & Old National Highway
  • Serve airport‑area neighborhoods; busy intersections and commercial driveways.

If you’re not familiar with these roads, give yourself extra time, avoid last‑second lane changes, and rely on audio GPS cues so you can keep your eyes on traffic.

Practical Safety Tips for Driving Near Atlanta Airport

You can’t control other drivers, but you can reduce your own risk.

Before You Go

• Plan your route ahead of time.
  Identify your exact exit (e.g., “Domestic Terminal – North” via Exit 72 on I‑85) before getting on the highway.
• Add extra time.
  Build in at least 15–30 minutes of buffer if you’re driving during rush hours or bad weather.
• Set GPS before you start moving.
  Adjust routes only when you’re fully stopped in a safe place.

On the Highway

• Stay in the correct lane early.
  Signs for Domestic vs. International terminals appear well in advance—move over calmly rather than cutting across at the last second.
• Watch for sudden slowdowns.
  Be ready on I‑75, I‑85, and I‑285 for rapid changes from 65 mph to stop‑and‑go.
• Avoid tailgating.
  Leave more following distance than usual; rear‑end crashes are very common near the airport.

On Surface Roads and Near Terminals

• Slow down near hotels and parking facilities.
  Expect pedestrians, shuttles crossing lanes, and cars changing direction unexpectedly.
• Follow signage closely.
  At the Domestic and International terminals, lane markings and overhead signs dictate which levels and lanes you can use.
• Use designated pick‑up/drop‑off areas.
  Avoid stopping in travel lanes—curbside congestion leads to sudden swerves and fender‑benders.

Consider Alternatives to Driving Yourself

If you’d rather avoid navigating heavy airport traffic altogether, consider:

• MARTA:
  • Airport Station is directly connected to the Domestic Terminal (6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320).
  • You can ride the Red or Gold line from downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead.
• Hotel or airport shuttles from locations near Camp Creek Parkway, Virginia Avenue, and surrounding areas.
• Rideshare or taxis, if you’re uncomfortable driving in dense traffic at peak times.

Using transit or a shuttle can significantly reduce your exposure to high‑stress, high‑volume driving around ATL.

What To Do If You’re In a Crash Near the Airport

If a crash happens around Hartsfield–Jackson, treat it like any other crash in Georgia, but remember you’re in a high‑traffic corridor where safety and quick action matter.

Immediate Steps

1. Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt or if vehicles can’t be moved.
2. If safe, move vehicles out of travel lanes to the shoulder or a nearby parking lot.
   • On interstates, the “Steer It, Clear It” approach is encouraged in Georgia when vehicles are drivable.
3. Turn on hazard lights and stay out of moving traffic.

Who Responds?

Depending on your exact location, response may come from:

• Atlanta Police Department (APD) – city streets in the City of Atlanta
  • Non‑emergency: (404) 614‑6544
• College Park Police Department – many areas just west/northwest of the airport
• Clayton County Police Department – some areas south and east of the airport
• Georgia State Patrol (GSP) – interstates and major state routes

For non‑life‑threatening incidents on the interstate, GSP or local agencies often coordinate response and traffic control.

Documentation

If it’s safe:

• Exchange names, phone numbers, insurance information, and license plate numbers.
• Take photos of damage, positions of vehicles (if still in place), and surrounding road conditions.
• Make note of time, location (road and nearest exit), and weather.

For minor, no‑injury crashes where cars are drivable, officers may instruct you to self‑report or exchange information instead of waiting in a dangerous location.

How To Stay Informed About Traffic and Crashes Near ATL

Atlanta drivers often use a combination of real‑time tools to avoid crash sites and congestion:

• Local traffic apps and navigation tools with real‑time incident alerts
• Atlanta‑area radio traffic reports, especially during rush hours
• Overhead message boards on I‑75, I‑85, and I‑285 that note crashes and lane closures

If you’re catching a flight, checking traffic 30–60 minutes before leaving can help you decide whether to:

• Change routes (for example, using I‑285 south instead of downtown Connector)
• Leave earlier to account for a crash or lane closure
• Opt for MARTA or a shuttle instead of driving yourself

The Bottom Line: How Many Accidents Happen by the Atlanta Airport?

There isn’t a simple, fixed number published for “how many accidents on average happen by the Atlanta airport,” but from a practical standpoint:

• The interstates and main access roads around Hartsfield–Jackson are among the busier crash corridors in metro Atlanta due to high traffic volumes and many unfamiliar drivers.
• Most incidents are minor, but the combination of speed, congestion, and complex interchanges means you should treat the area as higher risk than a typical neighborhood or lightly traveled suburban road.
• Careful route planning, extra time, defensive driving, and, when possible, using MARTA or shuttles can significantly reduce the chance you’ll be involved in a crash on the way to or from ATL.

Understanding these patterns and planning accordingly is the most useful way to approach the question of accident risk near the Atlanta airport as a local resident, a visitor, or a frequent flyer.