Where Is “Spaghetti Junction” in Atlanta? A Local’s Guide to Finding It

If you spend any time driving in metro Atlanta, you’ll eventually hear someone mention “Spaghetti Junction.” Locals use the nickname all the time, but if you’re new to the city or visiting, it’s not obvious where it actually is or what it connects.

Here’s exactly where Spaghetti Junction is in Atlanta, how to recognize it, and what you should know about driving near it.

What and Where Is Spaghetti Junction in Atlanta?

Spaghetti Junction is the local nickname for the massive highway interchange where:

• I‑285 (the Perimeter)
• I‑85 (Northeast Expressway)

cross each other in northeast Atlanta, near the Doraville and Tucker area.

Approximate Location

• General area: Northeast side of metro Atlanta
• Nearest city areas: Doraville, Chamblee, Tucker
• Main roads involved: I‑285, I‑85, and several local access roads

You’ll find Spaghetti Junction in the area around:

• I‑285 exit for I‑85 North/South (and vice versa)
• Close to Pleasantdale Road, Chamblee‑Tucker Road, and Buford Highway (US‑23)

On most maps or GPS apps, you’ll see it where I‑285 and I‑85 intersect, often labeled as:

• “I‑285 / I‑85 Interchange”
• Or shown as a dense cluster of ramps and loops in northeast Atlanta

Why Is It Called “Spaghetti Junction”?

The nickname comes from how the interchange looks from above: a tangled mass of:

• Curving ramps
• Stacked bridges
• Weaving lanes

To drivers and pilots, it resembles a plate of spaghetti, with roads looping and twisting over each other. Locals adopted the name “Spaghetti Junction,” and it’s now one of the most recognized traffic landmarks in the Atlanta area.

Key Highways and Exits at Spaghetti Junction

To understand where you are when you approach Spaghetti Junction, it helps to know which highways it connects and the directions each one leads.

Main Highways

• I‑285 (The Perimeter)

  • Loops all the way around Atlanta
  • At Spaghetti Junction, you’re on the northeast arc of that loop
  • Directions:
    • I‑285 West heads toward I‑75, Cumberland/Vinings, and eventually the northwest suburbs
    • I‑285 South from this area continues to the east side and then toward I‑20 East/West

• I‑85 (Northeast/Southwest)

  • Runs from South Carolina through northeast metro Atlanta down into downtown and south Atlanta
  • Directions:
    • I‑85 South takes you toward downtown Atlanta, Midtown, and Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport
    • I‑85 North heads toward Gwinnett County, Duluth, Suwanee, and Braselton

How to Get to Spaghetti Junction From Key Atlanta Areas

Here’s a quick guide if you’re trying to drive to (or through) Spaghetti Junction from common parts of the city.

From Downtown or Midtown Atlanta

1. Get on I‑85 North.
2. Continue past North Druid Hills Road and Shallowford Road.
3. Follow signs for I‑285 East/West — you are entering Spaghetti Junction.

You’ll see large overhead signs for I‑285 East / Augusta / Greenville and similar destinations.

From Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport

1. Take I‑85 North from the airport area.
2. Stay on I‑85 North past downtown and Midtown.
3. Continue until you reach the I‑285 interchange — that’s Spaghetti Junction.

From Buckhead / North Atlanta (GA 400 area)

1. Take local surface streets or I‑85 North (if you connect via I‑75/85).
2. Continue on I‑85 North until you reach I‑285.
3. The large multi-level interchange is Spaghetti Junction.

From Gwinnett County (Duluth, Norcross, Lawrenceville)

1. Take I‑85 South toward Atlanta.
2. As you enter the inside‑Perimeter area, you’ll see signs for I‑285 East/West.
3. Those ramps and bridges form Spaghetti Junction.

Nearby Landmarks and Neighborhoods

If you’re trying to picture where Spaghetti Junction sits on the map relative to other local spots, these nearby areas help anchor it.

Nearby Cities and Communities

• Doraville – Just north/northwest of the interchange
• Chamblee – West and southwest of the junction
• Tucker – East and southeast of the interchange
• Norcross – A bit farther northeast along I‑85

Major Nearby Roads

You’ll find Spaghetti Junction near several busy surface streets and exits, including:

• Pleasantdale Road
• Chamblee‑Tucker Road
• Buford Highway (US‑23)
• Mountain Industrial Boulevard (a bit farther east along I‑285)

What to Expect When Driving Through Spaghetti Junction

Because Spaghetti Junction connects two of Atlanta’s most important highways, it’s known for:

• Heavy traffic, especially during weekday rush hours
• Multiple lane changes over short distances
• Complex signage, with options for I‑285 East/West and I‑85 North/South

Common Driving Tips 👍

• Use GPS navigation. Voice guidance is helpful so you can focus on the road.
• Get in the correct lane early. Exit-only and split lanes appear quickly.
• Avoid peak rush if possible. Morning and evening commute times can slow to a crawl.
• Watch for trucks. I‑285 especially carries a lot of commercial traffic.

If you’re uncomfortable with large interchanges, consider planning your route to enter or exit before Spaghetti Junction and use surface streets instead, depending on where you’re headed.

Simple Reference: Where Spaghetti Junction Is and What It Connects

Who Manages Spaghetti Junction?

Spaghetti Junction, like the rest of Georgia’s interstates, is maintained and managed by the:

Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT)
600 West Peachtree Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30308
Main phone (Atlanta area): (404) 631‑1990

For traffic updates, road work alerts, or incident information around Spaghetti Junction, many Atlanta drivers rely on:

• 511 Georgia (by phone): Dial 511 in Georgia for real-time road conditions
• Radio and local news traffic segments that frequently mention “Spaghetti Junction” by name

When You’ll Hear Locals Say “Spaghetti Junction”

In everyday Atlanta conversations, “Spaghetti Junction” usually comes up when people talk about:

• Commute routes (“I cut over before Spaghetti Junction to avoid traffic.”)
• Accidents or delays (“There’s a wreck at Spaghetti Junction backing up I‑85.”)
• Giving directions (“Take I‑85 North until you hit Spaghetti Junction, then jump on 285.”)

If someone says “Spaghetti Junction,” they almost always mean the I‑285/I‑85 interchange on the northeast side of Atlanta, not any other interchange.

In summary, Spaghetti Junction in Atlanta is the large I‑285/I‑85 interchange in northeast metro Atlanta, near Doraville and Tucker. If your GPS shows you approaching that intersection of I‑285 and I‑85, you’re headed right for it.