If you live in Atlanta or you’re visiting and you keep hearing people talk about “Bankhead”, it can be confusing to pin down exactly where it is and what it includes today. The name shows up in music, on MARTA maps, and in conversations about the Westside—but what does that mean on an actual map?
This guide explains where Bankhead is in Atlanta, how the name is used today, and how to get to and around the area by car, MARTA, and nearby major roads.
In Atlanta, “Bankhead” usually refers to a historic Westside neighborhood area located northwest of Downtown Atlanta, centered around the corridor formerly known as Bankhead Highway.
Today, the main physical anchors most people mean when they say “Bankhead” are:
If you’re trying to place it on a map, Bankhead is generally:
It’s not a tightly drawn official boundary like a city council district, but more of a commonly understood Westside area with strong historical roots.
While different Atlantans may draw the borders a bit differently, Bankhead is usually associated with parts of these corridors and neighborhoods:
Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway NW
Formerly Bankhead Highway, this is the core east‑west road associated with the name. It runs from near Downtown out toward the city’s western edge and into unincorporated areas.
Joseph E. Lowery Blvd NW, Joseph E. Boone Blvd NW, Hamilton E. Holmes Dr NW, and Holmes Dr NW
These north‑south and east‑west routes connect Bankhead to Vine City, English Avenue, and other Westside neighborhoods.
William H. Borders Sr. Dr NW / Chappell Rd NW / Hollywood Rd NW
Often used as reference points when people describe the broader Bankhead/Westside area.
Bankhead is part of or closely associated with Atlanta’s Westside and Northwest neighborhoods, including:
These areas sit between Downtown/Midtown and the western edge of the city, with the Bankhead name most strongly tied to the neighborhoods hugging Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy NW and the Bankhead MARTA Station.
If you want a clear, official point on the map, use the Bankhead MARTA Station as your anchor.
From a practical standpoint, when locals say they’re “getting off at Bankhead,” they’re talking about this station and the immediately surrounding area.
If you’re navigating by transit or rideshare, using “Bankhead MARTA Station” is often the fastest way to get to the heart of what people mean when they say “Bankhead.”
Bankhead is one of the easiest Westside areas to reach by train, especially from Downtown and the Eastside.
From Downtown Atlanta (Five Points Station):
From the Eastside (Decatur, Avondale, East Lake, etc.):
From Midtown or Buckhead:
Once you arrive, you’ll be in the core Bankhead area, with local bus routes and surface streets connecting you to surrounding neighborhoods.
Several MARTA bus routes serve the Bankhead area, generally traveling along Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy NW and connecting to Bankhead Station or nearby rail stops.
While bus numbers and routes can change, buses in this area typically:
When planning a trip, Atlantans commonly check:
If you’re driving, it helps to think of Bankhead in relation to three major pieces of infrastructure: Downtown Connector (I‑75/85), I‑20, and I‑285.
| Starting Point | Approx. Distance to Bankhead Area | Typical Travel Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Atlanta (Five Points) | ~3–4 miles | Northwest |
| Midtown Atlanta (Arts Center) | ~4–5 miles | West / Southwest |
| Hartsfield-Jackson Airport | ~12–14 miles | North / Northwest |
| Buckhead (Lenox area) | ~8–9 miles | Southwest |
Travel times vary with traffic, but Bankhead is generally within a 10–25 minute drive from these major hubs, depending on time of day.
The name “Bankhead” in Atlanta comes from Bankhead Highway, a historic route that once ran across several Southern states. Over time, parts of this highway within Atlanta were renamed to Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway NW, in honor of a prominent civil rights attorney.
Even though the official street name changed, many locals still use “Bankhead” to describe:
So, if you see “Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy NW” on a street sign and someone calls it “Bankhead,” they’re talking about the same general corridor, just using the older, more familiar neighborhood name.
Because Bankhead is more of a local identity than a tightly drawn boundary, you’ll hear it used in a few common ways:
Transit usage:
“Get off at Bankhead Station and walk up Hollowell.”
Neighborhood description:
“I grew up in Bankhead, over by Grove Park.”
General Westside reference:
“He’s from the Westside, around Bankhead.”
In normal conversation, Atlantans use “Bankhead” to describe an area on the Northwest/Westside, not just a single block or one apartment complex. If you’re not sure what someone means, you can always ask, “Do you mean near Bankhead Station or farther out on Hollowell?”
If you’re heading to Bankhead for the first time:
Use a precise destination.
Plug in a specific address, business, park, or Bankhead MARTA Station, rather than just “Bankhead,” to avoid confusion.
Check your route before you go.
Traffic patterns on the Westside can change quickly, especially around rush hours, major events, or construction zones.
Use landmarks.
Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy NW, Bankhead Station, and nearby interchanges with I‑285 or Northside Dr NW are common navigation touchpoints.
If using MARTA, confirm transfer points.
Most trips to Bankhead by rail run through Five Points, with a Green Line transfer there.
If you’re trying to understand how Bankhead fits into Atlanta overall:
If your map app doesn’t highlight “Bankhead” as a labeled neighborhood, look for:
All of these will put you in or around what Atlantans commonly mean when they say “Bankhead.”
