How to Get to Atlanta Motor Speedway: Exact Location, Directions, and Local Tips
If you’re in Atlanta and wondering “Where is Atlanta Motor Speedway?”, the short answer is: it’s in Hampton, Georgia, a small city south of Atlanta in Henry County.
Here’s everything you need to know to actually find it, get there smoothly, and understand how it fits into the Atlanta area.
Where Atlanta Motor Speedway Is Located
Atlanta Motor Speedway (AMS) is located at:
Atlanta Motor Speedway
1500 Tara Place
Hampton, GA 30228
Phone: (770) 946-4211
Key location details:
- About 25–30 miles south of Downtown Atlanta
- In Hampton, near the City of McDonough and Lovejoy
- Just off U.S. Highway 19/41 (Tara Boulevard)
So even though it’s called “Atlanta” Motor Speedway, it’s not inside the City of Atlanta. It’s part of the greater metro Atlanta area, in the southern suburbs.
How Far Is Atlanta Motor Speedway From Popular Atlanta Areas?
Use this quick reference if you’re planning from different parts of Atlanta:
| Starting Point (Atlanta Area) | Approx. Distance | Typical Drive Time* | Main Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Atlanta (Five Points area) | 27–30 miles | 35–50 minutes | I-75 South → GA-20/GA-81 or Jonesboro Rd |
| Midtown (near Tech/Arts Center) | 30–33 miles | 40–55 minutes | Connector → I-75 South |
| Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta Airport | 20–22 miles | 25–40 minutes | I-285 East or West → I-75 South |
| Buckhead | 33–37 miles | 45–60+ minutes | GA-400 → I-85/75 → I-75 South |
| Decatur (City of Decatur) | 28–32 miles | 40–55 minutes | I-285 South → I-75 South |
| McDonough | 10–12 miles | 15–25 minutes | Local roads → Jonesboro Rd or GA-20 |
*Travel times vary significantly on race days and during rush hour.
Driving Directions From Around Atlanta
From Downtown or Midtown Atlanta
Get on I-75 South (via the Downtown Connector / I-75/85).
Continue on I-75 South toward Macon.
You have two common options:
Option A – Jonesboro Road (often used for events):
- Take Exit 235 for US-19/41 South / Tara Boulevard.
- Continue south on US-19/41 toward Jonesboro and Hampton.
- Follow signs for Atlanta Motor Speedway; the track is just off US-19/41 in Hampton.
Option B – GA-20/GA-81 through McDonough:
- Take Exit 218 for GA-20/GA-81 (McDonough/Hampton).
- Turn right onto GA-20/GA-81 West toward Hampton.
- Follow signs into Hampton and toward Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Locals often check navigation apps on race weekends to see which route is flowing better, since event traffic can heavily affect both.
From Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Atlanta Motor Speedway is south of the airport, so you don’t need to go into the city.
- From the airport area, get onto I-285 or I-75 South.
- If you get on I-75 South directly:
- Continue on I-75 South toward Macon.
- Use either Exit 235 (US-19/41 Tara Blvd) or Exit 218 (GA-20/GA-81) as described above.
- If you’re routed onto I-285:
- Take I-285 East or West (depending on which side you start from) to I-75 South.
- Then follow the same exits for US-19/41 or GA-20/GA-81.
Typical non-event travel time from the airport is about 25–40 minutes, depending on traffic.
From North Atlanta (Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody)
- Head toward the Downtown Connector (I-75/85 South).
- Merge onto I-75 South.
- Continue and use:
- Exit 235 for US-19/41 (Tara Blvd), or
- Exit 218 for GA-20/GA-81
depending on current traffic and your navigation app.
Traffic through central Atlanta can be heavy during weekday rush hours, so give yourself extra time if you’re heading to an evening or weekend event.
From East or West Metro Atlanta
If you’re already on I-285 on the south side of Atlanta:
- From I-285 East or West, take Exit 58 for I-75 South toward Macon.
- Then use Exit 235 (US-19/41) or Exit 218 (GA-20/GA-81) to reach Hampton and the speedway.
This avoids driving through Downtown, which many locals prefer when coming from places like Decatur, East Point, College Park, or Mableton.
Can You Get to Atlanta Motor Speedway Without a Car?
Atlanta Motor Speedway is in a suburban/outer metro area, and options are more limited than in-town.
MARTA and Public Transit
- There is no direct MARTA rail service to Hampton or Atlanta Motor Speedway.
- Regular MARTA bus routes do not extend to the speedway.
- For major events, there may occasionally be special shuttles or charter services run by private operators, but those are not standard MARTA services and can vary by event.
If you rely fully on MARTA while in Atlanta, you’ll likely need to combine:
- MARTA rail to a Southside station (such as Hartsfield–Jackson / Airport Station, East Point, or College Park), and
- Then use a rideshare, taxi, or pre-arranged shuttle for the rest of the trip.
Rideshare, Taxi, and Car Services
From much of metro Atlanta, rideshare (Uber, Lyft) or a traditional taxi/car service is often the most practical non-driving option, especially:
- From Downtown, Midtown, or the Airport
- If you don’t want to deal with parking
- If you plan to stay late or avoid driving in heavy post-race traffic
💡 Tip: On major race weekends, pickup and drop-off areas can be clearly marked but also crowded. Give yourself extra time, and plan where you’ll meet your driver after the event, away from the most congested areas if possible.
Parking and Event-Day Traffic Around the Speedway
If you’re driving from Atlanta, it helps to understand the local traffic patterns near the speedway:
- Event traffic can be intense. For big NASCAR races and major concerts, traffic can back up for miles on US-19/41, especially close to start time and right after events end.
- Official parking lots surround the track, including large grass and gravel areas. Pricing and rules may vary by event.
- Local law enforcement (often Hampton Police, Henry County Sheriff, and sometimes Georgia State Patrol) may direct traffic and convert some roads to one-way flows in or out to help move cars.
Helpful habits locals use:
- Arrive early (sometimes several hours before the event) to avoid the worst inbound traffic.
- Check navigation apps for slowdowns on I-75, US-19/41, and GA-20/GA-81 before you leave home or your hotel.
- Know your parking lot before you go; this reduces circling and confusion once you’re near the track.
Landmarks and Areas Near Atlanta Motor Speedway
For orientation, Atlanta Motor Speedway sits in a part of metro Atlanta that includes:
- Hampton, GA – The small city where the speedway is located.
- McDonough, GA – A larger nearby city with many hotels, restaurants, and stores, just east via GA-20/GA-81.
- Lovejoy and Jonesboro – Along US-19/41 north of the track, between the speedway and the Atlanta city limits.
- Henry County – The county Atlanta Motor Speedway is in; the northern parts of the county are closer to the I-75 corridor.
If your navigation app has trouble, searching for “Atlanta Motor Speedway” or “1500 Tara Place, Hampton, GA 30228” typically works reliably.
Practical Tips for Atlanta Visitors Going to the Speedway
Staying in Atlanta?
Many visitors stay in Downtown, Midtown, or near the Airport and drive or rideshare down to Hampton for events.Staying closer to the track?
Hotels and short-term rentals in McDonough, Stockbridge, or Locust Grove can shorten your drive and sometimes reduce traffic time.Weather & timing:
The speedway area is open and exposed; on hot summer days, locals often arrive early, park, and take time to get settled, hydrate, and prepare before the event begins.
In everyday Atlanta terms, Atlanta Motor Speedway is “down south in Hampton, off 19/41”, roughly a half-hour drive from Downtown when traffic is light. Knowing the exact address, the main highway routes (I-75 and US-19/41), and the limited transit options will help you plan your visit smoothly from anywhere in the Atlanta area.