Where Is Atlanta on the Map? A Local-Friendly Guide to Finding the City

If you’re new to the area, planning a trip, or just trying to picture where everything is, it helps to understand exactly where Atlanta, Georgia sits on the map—in the state, in the region, and in relation to major highways, airports, and nearby cities.

This guide breaks that down in clear, Atlanta-focused terms so you can better navigate getting here and getting around.

Atlanta’s Location in Georgia and the U.S.

Atlanta is the capital and largest city in Georgia, located in the north-central part of the state.

On a U.S. map, you’ll find Atlanta:

• In the Southeastern United States
• Roughly between the Appalachian Mountains to the north and the coastal plains to the south
• West of the Atlantic coast (it’s an inland city, not on the ocean)

On a Georgia state map, Atlanta sits:

• North of Macon
• South of the North Georgia mountains
• East of Alabama
• West of Augusta and the South Carolina border

If you look at a map and draw a rough “X” over Georgia from corner to corner, Atlanta lands slightly north of the center point of that X.

Key Map Coordinates and Elevation

If you like precise map details:

• Approximate latitude: 33.75° N
• Approximate longitude: 84.39° W
• Elevation: Around 1,000 feet above sea level

These coordinates place Atlanta in the Piedmont region, a hilly area between the mountains and the flatter coastal plains. That’s why the city has so many ups and downs—those rolling hills are part of everyday driving here.

Where Atlanta Sits in the Metro Region

When people say “Atlanta,” they often mean the Atlanta metropolitan area (or “metro Atlanta”), which includes the city itself plus many surrounding suburbs.

On a regional map, the City of Atlanta is near the center of a ring of counties and cities, including:

• North: Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta, Dunwoody
• East: Decatur, Stone Mountain, Tucker
• South: East Point, College Park, Union City, Hapeville, Forest Park
• West: Smyrna, Mableton, Austell

The City of Atlanta primarily sits in Fulton County, with a portion extending into DeKalb County.

Atlanta’s Location by Major Highways

One of the easiest ways to “see” Atlanta on the map is by its highway system. The city is a major regional hub, and several interstates cross or circle it:

Interstates Through and Around Atlanta

• I-75: Runs north–south through Atlanta

  • North toward Marietta, Kennesaw, Chattanooga
  • South toward Macon, Tifton, Florida

• I-85: Also runs north–south and merges with I-75 in downtown

  • North toward Norcross, Gainesville, Greenville, SC
  • South toward LaGrange, Montgomery, AL

• I-20: Runs east–west through the city

  • East toward Conyers, Covington, Augusta
  • West toward Douglasville, Tallapoosa, Birmingham, AL

• I-285 (The Perimeter): A loop highway that circles Atlanta

  • Locals often describe locations as “inside the Perimeter” (ITP) or “outside the Perimeter” (OTP)

If you look at a map:

• Atlanta’s downtown is where I-75, I-85, and I-20 intersect or run very close together
• I-285 forms a big oval around the city, connecting suburbs and serving as a rough boundary for “metro Atlanta”

Where Is Downtown Atlanta on the Map?

Within the city, Downtown Atlanta is often your main reference point.

On a city map, Downtown sits:

• Just south of Midtown
• Just north of the I-20 corridor
• To the east of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium / State Farm Arena area
• Around the Five Points area (a major MARTA station)

Notable nearby landmarks that help you “see” Downtown on the map include:

• Georgia State Capitol (206 Washington St SW, Atlanta, GA 30334)
• Mercedes-Benz Stadium (1 AMB Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313)
• State Farm Arena (1 State Farm Dr, Atlanta, GA 30303)
• Georgia World Congress Center (285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313)

If you drop a pin roughly between these spots, you’re looking at the heart of Downtown Atlanta.

Midtown and Buckhead: North of Downtown

Going north on the map from Downtown, you’ll see two major districts:

Midtown Atlanta

• Just north of Downtown, mainly along Peachtree Street NE
• Roughly between North Avenue and I-85
• Known for Piedmont Park, the Fox Theatre, and a dense mix of offices, apartments, and arts venues

Buckhead

• Further north of Midtown, centered around Peachtree Road and Piedmont Road
• Bounded by I-75 on the west and I-85 on the east
• A major commercial and residential district with tall office towers and large shopping areas

Simple mental map:

• Start at Downtown
• Move north a few miles: Midtown
• Keep going north a few more miles: Buckhead

Where Is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on the Map?

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is one of the easiest reference points when locating Atlanta.

• Located just south of the City of Atlanta
• Primarily in Clayton County, touching the southern limits of the city
• Right off I-75 and I-285, near College Park and Hapeville

Key address:

• 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320

On a map:

• Downtown Atlanta is roughly 10 miles north of the airport
• You can follow I-75/85 North straight into the downtown core

If you’re orienting yourself:
✈️ Airport at the bottom, Downtown up above, Midtown and Buckhead even farther up.

Atlanta’s Location Relative to Other Major Cities

When you zoom out to a regional map, Atlanta is a central hub in the Southeast. Approximate road distances:

On maps of the Southeast, Atlanta usually appears:

• Near the center of a triangle formed by Birmingham, Chattanooga, and Macon
• As a major connecting point for highways and rail routes

Finding Atlanta on Different Types of Maps

On a Road Atlas or Printed Map

• Look for Georgia in the Southeast region of the U.S.
• Within Georgia, locate the intersection of I-75, I-85, and I-20
• The major city at that crossroads is Atlanta

On a Digital Map or GPS

• Search for “Atlanta, GA” or “City of Atlanta”
• Zoom out slightly to see:
  • The I-285 Perimeter loop
  • The airport to the south
  • Midtown and Buckhead to the north

This will give you a quick visual of how the city and its neighborhoods are arranged.

How Locals Talk About Place and Direction in Atlanta

Once you know where Atlanta is on the map, it helps to understand how Atlantans describe locations:

• Inside vs. Outside the Perimeter (ITP vs. OTP)

  • ITP: Inside I-285 (includes most of Atlanta, Decatur, some nearby cities)
  • OTP: Outside I-285 (larger suburbs and exurbs)

• Quadrants and Sides of Town
  People often refer to:

  • Westside / West End
  • East Atlanta / East Side
  • South Atlanta / Southside
  • North Atlanta / Northside

These aren’t always strict map boundaries, but they give a general sense of direction from the Downtown/Midtown core.

Official Map and Location Resources in Atlanta

If you need official or detailed maps focused on Atlanta:

• City of Atlanta Planning Department (City Hall)

  • 55 Trinity Ave SW
  • Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Provides zoning maps, neighborhood maps, and planning documents.

• Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC)

  • 229 Peachtree St NE, Suite 100
  • Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Regional maps covering metro transportation, land use, and demographics.

• MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority)

  • Headquarters: 2424 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
  • Offers detailed rail and bus system maps to help you see how transit connects the city and suburbs.

These resources are helpful if you’re moving to Atlanta, planning development, or just want a deeper understanding of how the city is laid out.

Quick Ways to “See” Atlanta in Your Head

To recap, if you’re trying to picture where Atlanta is on the map:

• Think north-central Georgia, in the Southeastern U.S.
• Visualize a crossroads of I-75, I-85, and I-20
• Imagine a loop (I-285) around the city
• Place Downtown near the center of that loop
• Put Midtown and Buckhead directly to the north
• Put Hartsfield-Jackson Airport directly to the south

With that simple mental map, you can quickly orient yourself whether you’re driving into the city, flying in for a visit, or learning how the Atlanta area fits into the broader region.