How Far Is Buckhead From Downtown Atlanta? A Local’s Guide to Distance, Time, and the Best Ways to Get There

If you spend any time in Atlanta, you’ll move between Buckhead and Downtown Atlanta sooner or later—whether for work, shopping, nightlife, or a game at State Farm Arena or Mercedes‑Benz Stadium. Knowing how far Buckhead is from Downtown (and how long it really takes) can save you time and stress.

The Short Answer: Distance Between Buckhead and Downtown Atlanta

In everyday Atlanta terms:

• Driving distance: About 6–8 miles between the heart of Downtown Atlanta (around Peachtree St NW & Marietta St NW) and the heart of Buckhead (around Peachtree Rd NE & Lenox Rd NE).
• Typical drive time: Around 12–25 minutes in light to moderate traffic; often 25–40+ minutes during rush hour.
• MARTA rail: About 10–15 minutes of train time between core Downtown stations and Buckhead-area stations, plus walking/wait time.

Because Atlanta is spread out and traffic-heavy, the real issue usually isn’t the miles—it’s time of day and how you travel.

What Counts as “Downtown Atlanta” vs. “Buckhead”?

Understanding where each area starts and ends helps you estimate your actual trip.

Downtown Atlanta

When people say Downtown, they usually mean the dense area roughly around:

• Peachtree St NW / Marietta St NW
• Centennial Olympic Park
• Georgia State Capitol
• State Farm Arena and Mercedes‑Benz Stadium

Key landmarks in Downtown:

• Georgia World Congress Center
• CNN Center area
• Georgia State University campus
• Underground Atlanta
• Government buildings and courthouses

Buckhead

Buckhead is a major business and shopping district in north Atlanta, centered around:

• Peachtree Rd NE
• Lenox Rd NE and Phipps Blvd NE
• The Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza shopping areas
• A large cluster of office towers, condos, and hotels

Key Buckhead landmarks:

• Lenox Square (3393 Peachtree Rd NE)
• Phipps Plaza (3500 Peachtree Rd NE)
• Buckhead Village District (near Peachtree Rd NE & Bolling Way NE)
• High-rise offices along Peachtree Rd NE and around Piedmont Rd NE

Because both areas are big and somewhat spread out, your exact start and end addresses can add or subtract a couple of miles and several minutes from your trip.

Buckhead to Downtown by Car: Time and Route Options

Driving is one of the most common ways to travel between Buckhead and Downtown, but your experience will vary a lot with traffic.

Typical Driving Distance & Time

From central Buckhead (Lenox Square area) to central Downtown (Centennial Olympic Park / Five Points):

• Distance: About 7–8 miles
• Light traffic:12–20 minutes
• Rush hour (weekday mornings & late afternoons):25–40+ minutes
• During major events or bad weather: Expect significant delays

Common Driving Routes

Most drivers use one of these three general routes:

1. GA‑400 → I‑85 → I‑75/I‑85 (Downtown Connector)

   • From Lenox area, head toward GA‑400 South
   • Merge onto I‑85 South
   • Continue onto I‑75/85 South toward Downtown
   • Exit near Courtland St, Spring St, or Williams St depending on your Downtown destination
   • Best for: Faster highway travel outside peak gridlock

2. Peachtree Street Route (Surface Streets)

   • Take Peachtree Rd NE south from Buckhead
   • It becomes Peachtree St NE/NW and runs straight into Downtown
   • Passes through Midtown on the way
   • Best for: Avoiding interstates or when you’re already on Peachtree; more traffic lights but sometimes comparable time in heavy freeway traffic

3. Piedmont Road / Local Cut-Throughs

   • Use Piedmont Rd NE or parallel streets to get south toward Midtown
   • Connect to Downtown via streets like 10th St, North Ave, or Ponce de Leon Ave, then head south
   • Best for: Local drivers who know alternate routes and want to avoid I‑75/85 backups

When Traffic Is Usually Worst

Atlanta traffic patterns are fairly consistent:

• Morning rush hour: Roughly 6:30–9:30 a.m. heading toward Downtown
• Evening rush hour: Roughly 4:00–7:00 p.m. heading away from Downtown toward Buckhead and the suburbs
• Event times:
  • Weeknight games or concerts at State Farm Arena or Mercedes‑Benz Stadium
  • Major conventions at Georgia World Congress Center

👉 Tip: If you need a more reliable arrival time during rush hour, consider MARTA instead of driving, especially for work commutes or events.

Buckhead to Downtown by MARTA: Fast and Predictable

For many people, the MARTA rail line is the easiest way to travel between Downtown Atlanta and Buckhead, especially when traffic is heavy or parking is expensive.

How Far Is Buckhead by MARTA (Time, Not Miles)?

Train distance is less important than time:

• Approximate train time:10–15 minutes of actual riding between Downtown and Buckhead-area stations
• Add:
  • 5–10 minutes for waiting on the platform
  • 5–15 minutes for walking to/from stations

Total door-to-door time is usually around 20–35 minutes, depending on how close you are to stations and your transfer needs.

Key MARTA Stations for Downtown and Buckhead

Downtown Atlanta stations (North–South line):

• Five Points – main hub; connects all rail lines
• Peachtree Center – near hotels, Peachtree St, and offices
• Georgia State – near Georgia State University, Capitol area
• Garnett – south side of Downtown

Buckhead-area stations:

• Buckhead Station (N7) – on Peachtree Rd NE, good for nearby offices & hotels
• Lenox Station (NE7) – near Lenox Square on the Gold Line
• Lindbergh Center Station (N6) – major transfer point with bus connections, south Buckhead area

Simple MARTA Trip Examples

• Downtown (Peachtree Center) → Buckhead Station

  • Take Red Line northbound toward North Springs
  • Get off at Buckhead Station
  • Train ride: about 10–12 minutes

• Five Points → Lenox Station

  • Take Gold Line northbound toward Doraville
  • Get off at Lenox Station
  • Train ride: about 12–15 minutes

Why Many Locals Prefer MARTA for This Trip

• Predictable travel time vs. uncertain highway traffic
• Avoids parking costs in both Buckhead and Downtown
• Walkable connections to major destinations and offices
• Helpful for:
  • Workers commuting between central business districts
  • Visitors staying in Buckhead hotels but attending events Downtown
  • Locals heading to concerts, games, or conventions

Walking, Biking, or Rideshare Between Buckhead and Downtown

Walking

While 6–8 miles is technically walkable for some, it’s not a practical everyday walk between Buckhead and Downtown for most people:

• Often 2–2.5 hours on foot, depending on your pace
• Sidewalk coverage can be inconsistent along some stretches
• Busy intersections and limited shade in some areas

Walking is more realistic within Downtown or within Buckhead, or between Buckhead and nearby neighborhoods like Brookhaven or North Buckhead.

Biking & Scooters

For confident cyclists, biking between Downtown, Midtown, and parts of Buckhead can be an option, but:

• Route planning matters; you may rely on:
  • Peachtree St/Peachtree Rd
  • Parallel neighborhood streets
  • Some protected bike lanes in Midtown and segments connecting to the Atlanta BeltLine
• Elevation changes and heavy traffic require extra care

Shared scooters and bikes are more commonly used for short trips inside Downtown or Midtown, not usually for full trips all the way to Buckhead.

Rideshare & Taxis

Uber, Lyft, and taxis are widely used between Buckhead and Downtown:

• Time: Typically 15–30+ minutes depending on traffic
• Cost: Varies with time of day, demand, and special events
• Useful when:
  • You’re traveling late at night when MARTA trains run less frequently
  • You’re carrying luggage
  • You want door-to-door service between specific addresses

Travel Time Snapshot: Buckhead ↔ Downtown Atlanta

Here’s a simple overview to help you compare options:

When You Might Choose One Option Over Another

Choose Driving If…

• You need flexibility and are traveling outside peak rush hours
• You’re going somewhere not close to a MARTA station
• You have multiple stops or passengers to drop off across town

Choose MARTA If…

• You’re traveling during rush hour between central Buckhead and central Downtown
• You’re attending:
  • A Falcons, United, or Hawks game
  • A large concert or convention
• You want to avoid parking fees in both areas

Choose Rideshare If…

• It’s late at night and rail service is less frequent
• You’re carrying luggage or equipment
• You’re going from a residential street in Buckhead to a specific building Downtown without convenient MARTA access

Practical Tips for Moving Between Buckhead and Downtown Atlanta

• Account for Midtown: Any route between Buckhead and Downtown basically passes through Midtown, which can add delays but also offers extra MARTA stations and street options.
• Check event schedules: Big events at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, or Georgia World Congress Center can dramatically slow driving times into Downtown.
• Know your nearest MARTA station:
  • In Buckhead, that’s often Buckhead, Lenox, or Lindbergh Center
  • In Downtown, it’s usually Peachtree Center or Five Points
• Plan parking in advance: Downtown garages and Buckhead decks can be busy and pricey, especially near high-demand areas like Lenox Square or stadiums.
• Build in a buffer: If you have a timed appointment, meeting, or event ticket, add at least 15–20 extra minutes to your planned travel time, especially at peak hours.

In everyday Atlanta terms, Buckhead is close to Downtown in miles but not always in minutes. Expect around 6–8 miles, with travel times ranging from a quick 15-minute hop in light traffic to a 30–40+ minute trek in rush hour. For the most predictable trip between Buckhead and Downtown Atlanta, MARTA rail is often the most reliable option.