Where Atlanta Is Located—and Why Its Location Matters

Atlanta’s location shapes almost everything about the city: how you get here, how you get around, and how it fits into the rest of Georgia and the Southeast. Whether you live in metro Atlanta, are planning a visit, or are just trying to understand where Atlanta sits on the map, it helps to see the city from a few different angles.

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

Atlanta is located in north-central Georgia, in the southeastern region of the United States.

• State: Georgia
• Region: North-central Georgia / Metro Atlanta
• Country: United States
• Approximate coordinates:33.7° N latitude, 84.4° W longitude

Atlanta is not on the coast. It sits inland, roughly:

• 250 miles north of the Gulf of Mexico
• 260 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean
• 90 miles southwest of the Blue Ridge Mountains

It’s often described as a transportation hub of the Southeast, sitting at the crossroads of major interstates, rail lines, and air routes.

Where Atlanta Sits Within Georgia

Within Georgia, Atlanta is roughly:

• 1–1.5 hours southwest of Athens
• 1–1.5 hours southeast of Chattanooga, Tennessee
• 1–2 hours west of Augusta
• 3–4 hours northwest of Savannah

Atlanta is located in Fulton County, with parts of the city extending into DeKalb County. The broader “metro Atlanta” area includes multiple surrounding counties, such as:

• Cobb
• Gwinnett
• Clayton
• DeKalb
• Fulton
• And others in the 10+ county metropolitan region

If you look at a map of Georgia, Atlanta sits a bit below the top third of the state, slightly west of center.

Key Geographic Features Around Atlanta

Atlanta’s geography affects its weather, traffic patterns, and even neighborhood layouts.

• Piedmont Region: Atlanta lies in the Piedmont, a gently rolling plateau between the Appalachian Mountains and the Coastal Plain.
• Elevation: The city’s elevation is around 1,000 feet above sea level in many areas, which contributes to relatively mild winters compared to more northern cities.
• Watersheds: Several small rivers and creeks run through metro Atlanta, including the Chattahoochee River to the northwest of the city.

This geography means Atlanta is hilly rather than flat, which you’ll notice when driving, cycling, or riding MARTA buses across different neighborhoods.

Atlanta’s Location in Relation to Major Highways

For drivers, Atlanta’s location is often defined by its interstate system. Three major interstates meet in or near downtown:

Atlanta’s downtown “Connector” (where I‑75 and I‑85 merge) is a major reference point for anyone navigating the city. Locals commonly refer to areas as:

• Inside the Perimeter (ITP): Inside I‑285, generally closer to central Atlanta
• Outside the Perimeter (OTP): Outside I‑285, often in suburban cities and counties

If you’re trying to understand where a neighborhood or city is relative to Atlanta, knowing whether it’s ITP or OTP is very helpful.

Where Atlanta Is in Relation to the Airport

Atlanta is closely tied to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), one of the busiest airports in the world.

• Location of ATL: Just south of downtown Atlanta, primarily in Clayton County
• Distance from Downtown: Roughly 10 miles south of central Atlanta
• Typical drive time: About 15–30 minutes from Downtown or Midtown in normal traffic

Airport address:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
6000 N Terminal Pkwy
Atlanta, GA 30320
Main information line: (800) 897-1910

If you’re flying into Atlanta, you are already in the metro area the moment you land. From the airport, you can reach:

• Downtown Atlanta: via I‑75/85 North or MARTA rail
• Midtown & Buckhead: via I‑85 North or MARTA rail
• Southside suburbs: via I‑285 or I‑85 South

Where Atlanta Is on the MARTA System

For getting around without a car, MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) is centered on the city.

• Rail lines converge in Downtown and Midtown, making these areas the transit core of Atlanta.
• The Airport Station is at the southern end of the Red and Gold lines, directly inside the airport terminal.
• From downtown stations like Five Points, you can reach many intown neighborhoods without driving.

MARTA Headquarters (administrative):
2424 Piedmont Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30324
Customer service: (404) 848-5000

When you hear locals mention “in-town” or “transit-friendly” areas, they’re usually referring to neighborhoods within the MARTA rail and frequent bus network, radiating out from central Atlanta.

Atlanta’s Relationship to Surrounding Cities and Suburbs

Atlanta isn’t just a single city on its own—it’s the core of a large metropolitan area. If you’re trying to understand where “Atlanta” is, you may also see or hear these surrounding cities and communities:

• To the north: Sandy Springs, Roswell, Dunwoody, Alpharetta, Johns Creek
• To the east: Decatur, Stone Mountain, Tucker
• To the south: East Point, College Park, Hapeville, Union City
• To the west: Smyrna, Mableton, Austell

Many people say they are “from Atlanta” even if they technically live in one of these nearby cities. All of them are part of metro Atlanta, with the city of Atlanta at the center.

How to Pinpoint Atlanta on a Map (Practical Tips)

If you’re trying to find Atlanta quickly on a physical or digital map, these landmarks and references help:

• Look for Georgia in the southeastern U.S.
• Find the cluster of interstates where I‑75, I‑85, and I‑20 intersect—that’s central Atlanta.
• Look for Hartsfield-Jackson Airport just south of that intersection.
• Use “Atlanta, GA 30303” (a central downtown ZIP code) as a reference point when searching.

For official geographic and planning information, you can also contact:

City of Atlanta – Department of City Planning
55 Trinity Ave SW, Suite 3350
Atlanta, GA 30303
Main line: (404) 330-6070

Why Atlanta’s Location Matters for Getting Here and Getting Around

Because of where Atlanta is located:

• It’s a convenient regional hub for road trips across the Southeast.
• Direct flights connect the city to most major U.S. destinations and many international cities.
• The interstate network makes it a central point for trucking, commuting, and weekend trips to the mountains, lakes, or coast.
• Inside the city, its ITP/OTP structure and central Connector shape how people talk about traffic, commuting, and where they live or work.

If you know that Atlanta sits in north-central Georgia, at the junction of major interstates, just north of one of the world’s busiest airports, you have the essential picture of where Atlanta is—and how it connects to everywhere else.