Atlanta, GA on the Map: Where It Is, How to Find It, and What’s Around It

When you search for “Atlanta GA on map,” you’re usually trying to answer one of a few questions:
Where exactly is Atlanta in Georgia? How is the city laid out? What areas, neighborhoods, and landmarks should I know? And how do I navigate it easily?

This guide walks through where Atlanta sits on the map, how the city is organized, and what that means for local travel, commuting, and exploring.

Where Is Atlanta, Georgia on the Map?

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

• State: Georgia
• Region: North Georgia / Piedmont region
• Approximate coordinates:33.7° N latitude, 84.4° W longitude
• Nearby major cities by road:
  • About 2 hours west of Augusta, GA
  • About 1.5 hours southeast of Chattanooga, TN
  • About 4 hours east of Birmingham, AL
  • About 4 hours north of Savannah, GA

On a map of Georgia, Atlanta sits roughly in the upper-middle portion of the state, slightly to the west, not on the coast and not in the mountains, but between the two.

Atlanta on a Georgia Map vs. a Metro Map

When people say “Atlanta,” they may mean:

1. The City of Atlanta – the official city limits
2. Metro Atlanta – the larger region of surrounding counties and suburbs

City of Atlanta (Official City Limits)

The City of Atlanta is mostly in Fulton County, with a smaller portion in DeKalb County. It includes popular intown areas like:

• Downtown Atlanta (Centennial Olympic Park, State Capitol)
• Midtown (Piedmont Park, Fox Theatre, many offices and condos)
• Buckhead (Lenox Square, high-end retail and dining)
• Intown neighborhoods (Grant Park, Inman Park, Virginia-Highland, West End, Old Fourth Ward, etc.)

On a detailed street map, city limits form a somewhat irregular shape, but you’ll notice I-285 (the Perimeter) roughly encircling much of the urban core.

Metro Atlanta (Greater Atlanta Region)

The Atlanta metropolitan area extends far beyond the city line. Commonly included counties on regional maps are:

• Fulton County (includes most of Atlanta)
• DeKalb County
• Cobb County
• Gwinnett County
• Clayton County
• Plus surrounding counties like Cherokee, Henry, Douglas, Fayette, Rockdale, and others

When you see “Atlanta” labeled on national or airline route maps, they typically mean the metro region centered on Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, even if you’re staying in a nearby suburb.

How Atlanta Is Positioned in the U.S.

On a map of the United States, Atlanta is:

• In the Southeast region
• North of Florida
• East of Alabama
• South of Tennessee and the Appalachian highlands
• West of South Carolina and the Atlantic coast

This central Southeast location is a big reason Atlanta is a major transportation hub, especially for air travel and interstate highways.

Key Highways and Roads That Put Atlanta on the Map

If you look at a road map, Atlanta jumps out because it’s a major crossroads of interstates.

Interstates Through and Around Atlanta

• I-75 – Runs north–south through Atlanta

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

• I-85 – Also runs northeast–southwest through the city

  • Northeast toward Gwinnett County and the Carolinas
  • Southwest merging with I-75 toward LaGrange and Alabama

• I-20 – Runs east–west through Atlanta

  • East toward Augusta and South Carolina
  • West toward Douglasville, Birmingham (AL)

• I-285 (The Perimeter) – A loop around Atlanta

  • Encloses the primary “intown” area
  • Divides what locals often call “ITP” (Inside the Perimeter) and “OTP” (Outside the Perimeter)

On a map, I-285 is the donut-shaped ring, with I-75, I-85, and I-20 cutting through it and intersecting near Downtown.

Atlanta’s Neighborhoods on the Map: Intown vs. Suburbs

Understanding Atlanta on a map is easier if you think in zones.

Intown Atlanta (Inside the Perimeter – ITP)

These are neighborhoods inside I-285, closer to the city center. Examples:

• Downtown – Government buildings, convention center, tourist attractions
• Midtown – High-rises, arts district, tech and business offices
• Buckhead – Northern upscale business and shopping district
• West Midtown / Upper Westside – Redeveloped industrial area with dining and lofts
• Eastside neighborhoods – Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, Edgewood, Kirkwood
• South Atlanta neighborhoods – West End, Cascade, Lakewood, Pittsburgh

Intown areas are typically more walkable and dense on the map, with shorter distances between landmarks.

Suburban Atlanta (Outside the Perimeter – OTP)

These are areas beyond I-285, usually in surrounding counties:

• Cobb County: Marietta, Smyrna, Kennesaw
• Gwinnett County: Duluth, Lawrenceville, Norcross
• DeKalb County (OTP portions): Tucker, Stone Mountain, Lithonia
• Clayton County: Forest Park, Riverdale
• North Fulton: Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta, Johns Creek

On a metro map, you’ll see business centers and shopping areas scattered all around the Perimeter, especially near I-75, I-85, GA 400, and I-20.

Major Atlanta Landmarks and Where They Are on the Map

Here’s a quick-map style reference to some central Atlanta landmarks:

You’ll see many of these clustered along Peachtree Street and major MARTA stations when you view a city map.

Using Maps to Navigate Atlanta: Practical Tips

1. Finding Atlanta by Address

If you’re entering an address into a GPS or map app, city names commonly used include:

• “Atlanta, GA” – For locations in the city proper
• Nearby cities may appear as “Smyrna, GA,” “Decatur, GA,” “Sandy Springs, GA,” etc., even though locals often still say “Atlanta.”

Look for ZIP codes starting with 303 for many City of Atlanta addresses, though some nearby areas share similar prefixes.

2. Understanding “Peachtree” on the Map

Atlanta is famous for having many “Peachtree” streets. On maps, you’ll commonly see:

• Peachtree Street NE / NW – Major north–south spine through Downtown and Midtown
• Peachtree Road NE – Continues north through Buckhead
• Other variations: Peachtree Center Ave, Peachtree Industrial Blvd, Peachtree Park Dr, etc.

When using a map, pay attention to suffixes and directional labels (NE, NW, etc.), as they matter for navigation.

3. Reading Directions by Quadrants (NW, NE, SW, SE)

Atlanta uses directional quadrants tied to Downtown:

• NW, NE, SW, SE appear at the end of street names
• The dividing lines generally run along Peachtree Street (east/west) and a set of east–west rail/road lines (north/south)

Two addresses with the same street name but different quadrants can be in completely different parts of the city, so always include the quadrant when entering an address into a map.

Public Transit on the Map: MARTA Rail and Bus

When you zoom in on a transit map of Atlanta, the main system you’ll see is MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority).

MARTA Rail

MARTA’s rail lines are commonly color-coded and run through:

• Downtown & Midtown – Central spine
• Airport station – At Hartsfield-Jackson Airport (south end)
• North line – Up GA 400 corridor (Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody areas)
• Other lines branching east and west through intown neighborhoods

For planning routes, many people use rail stations as landmarks: Five Points, Peachtree Center, North Avenue, Arts Center, Buckhead, Lindbergh Center, College Park, etc.

MARTA Headquarters (for in-person info, maps, and passes):
MARTA Headquarters
2424 Piedmont Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30324
Customer Service: 404‑848‑5000 (commonly listed contact)

MARTA Bus

MARTA buses fill in many areas between and beyond rail stops. On an area map, bus corridors usually follow major roads like:

• Peachtree St / Rd
• Moreland Ave
• Memorial Dr
• Ponce de Leon Ave
• Buford Hwy
• Metropolitan Pkwy

Checking a MARTA system map or printed schedule can help you see how buses and trains overlay the city grid.

Locating Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on the Map

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is a key point on any Atlanta map:

• Location: Just south of Downtown Atlanta
• Access by road:
  • Directly off I-85 (Domestic Terminal)
  • Easy access to I-285 loop
• MARTA Rail: Airport Station at the south end of the Red and Gold lines

Address commonly used on maps:

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
6000 N Terminal Pkwy
Atlanta, GA 30320

When you look at a satellite or street map, you’ll see large runways and terminals stretching across the southern edge of the metro core.

Government, City Services, and “Official Atlanta” on the Map

If you’re trying to find official city locations on a map, these are some core reference points:

City of Atlanta Government

• Atlanta City Hall
  55 Trinity Avenue SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303

This is near the Georgia State Capitol, just south of the central Downtown grid and visible on most detailed city maps.

Fulton County Government (Downtown Complex)

• Fulton County Government Center
  141 Pryor Street SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303

Useful for locating courts, records, and some public services; it appears clearly labeled on most local government or downtown maps.

Parks, Greenways, and Trails: How They Appear on the Map

Atlanta has a growing network of parks and trails that show up as green spaces and linear paths on city maps.

The Atlanta BeltLine

The Atlanta BeltLine is a ring of multi-use trails and transit corridors encircling much of intown Atlanta. On maps, parts of it appear as:

• Curved trail segments labeled “Eastside Trail,” “Westside Trail,” etc.
• Often connecting neighborhoods like Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, West End, and Midtown

Major Parks

You’ll see several large green zones within the city:

• Piedmont Park – Major park in Midtown, easily found east of Peachtree Street
• Grant Park – Southeast of Downtown, home to Zoo Atlanta
• Freedom Park – Linear park connecting intown eastside neighborhoods
• Westside Park – Northwest of Downtown, near the Upper Westside

Using a map to locate these parks can help you plan walking routes, bike rides, and picnic spots throughout the city.

Practical Map Tips for Atlanta Visitors and Residents

Here are some quick checks when looking at Atlanta, GA on a map:

• ✅ Verify “Atlanta, GA” vs. nearby city names. Many suburbs are close but have different city names in mapping apps. This matters for deliveries, rideshares, and mailing.
• ✅ Check if a destination is ITP or OTP. It affects travel time and transit options. Inside the Perimeter is often more transit-friendly; outside usually requires driving.
• ✅ Note nearby interstates. If your address is near I‑75, I‑85, I‑20, or I‑285, this can help you understand how quickly you can reach other parts of the metro.
• ✅ Pay attention to NE, NW, SE, SW. In Atlanta, the quadrant is not optional; it often points you to a completely different part of town.
• ✅ Use landmarks as anchors. When the map feels overwhelming, locate Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and the Airport first, then orient everything else around those points.

Once you understand where Atlanta, GA sits on the map—in Georgia, in the Southeast, and within its own metro layout—it becomes much easier to plan commutes, select neighborhoods, schedule appointments, and explore the city with confidence.