Getting From Auburn, AL to Atlanta, GA: A Practical Guide for Atlanta Travelers

Planning a trip from Auburn, Alabama to Atlanta, Georgia is very common for Atlanta-area residents, students, sports fans, and visitors. Whether you live in Atlanta, are hosting someone coming in from Auburn, or you’re doing the round trip yourself, it helps to understand the best routes, transportation options, timing, and what to expect when you arrive in Atlanta.

Below is a clear guide focused on how this trip works in real life, with Atlanta as your main hub or destination.

How Far Is Auburn, AL from Atlanta, GA?

The trip from Auburn, AL to Atlanta, GA is:

• Distance: About 110–120 miles, depending on your starting point in Auburn and your destination in Atlanta
• Typical driving time: Around 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes in normal traffic
• Main route:I-85 North directly into the Atlanta metro area

For most people, this is a straightforward interstate drive, making it a popular route for:

• Auburn students and families coming to Atlanta
• Atlanta residents visiting Auburn for games or campus events
• Travelers connecting through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport after driving up from Auburn

Best Driving Route: Auburn, AL to Atlanta, GA

Primary Route via I-85 North

The most common and usually fastest way to drive from Auburn to Atlanta:

1. Leave Auburn heading east on US-29 / AL-147 or I-85 (depending on your exact starting point).
2. Merge onto I-85 North toward Atlanta.
3. Stay on I-85 North as you cross from Alabama into Georgia.
4. Continue on I-85 into the Atlanta metro area:
   • For Downtown Atlanta, follow signs for I-75/I-85 (the Downtown Connector).
   • For Midtown, use exits near 10th Street/14th Street.
   • For Buckhead, connect to GA-400 North or use surface streets from I-85 (such as Peachtree Road/Buford Highway access).
   • For Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, follow signs for I-285 or airport exits directly from I-85, depending on your lane and approach.

Typical Atlanta Arrival Hotspots

Depending on your plans in Atlanta, you may be heading to:

• Downtown Atlanta – For events at State Farm Arena, the Georgia World Congress Center, or Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• Midtown – For Georgia Tech, museums, and major office buildings
• Buckhead – For shopping, dining, and business meetings
• Airport area – For flights or picking up incoming travelers

Because Atlanta traffic can be heavy, especially on I-85 and the Downtown Connector, it’s smart to add buffer time if you’re arriving during:

• Weekday morning rush: roughly 6:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
• Weekday evening rush: roughly 3:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Game days and large events: traffic near downtown and the stadiums can be especially slow

Travel Time: What to Expect, Auburn to Atlanta

Here’s a general idea of what the trip can look like, door to door:

📝 Tip: If you’re catching a flight from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport after driving from Auburn, plan to be at the airport at least 2 hours before a domestic flight’s departure time.

Non-Driving Options: Auburn, AL to Atlanta, GA

There is no direct intercity rail line between Auburn and Atlanta, and public transit is limited. Most people drive themselves or arrange a ride.

Common alternatives include:

1. Ridesharing or Carpooling

Some travelers:

• Carpool from Auburn to Atlanta for games, concerts, or college moves
• Use rideshare apps for parts of the trip (for example, from an Atlanta arrival point to a Midtown or Buckhead hotel)

This can help avoid driving in Atlanta traffic, even if you or someone else drives the Auburn → Atlanta leg.

2. Bus or Shuttle (Varies by Provider and Season)

From time to time, there may be:

• Charter buses or game-day shuttles between Auburn and Atlanta for major sporting events
• Private shuttle services that serve Auburn and drop off in Atlanta or at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport

Because these services change frequently, people usually:

• Check Auburn University transportation listings or local bulletin boards for student-oriented trips
• Coordinate with event organizers or sports fan groups

Once you’re in Atlanta, you can connect to MARTA (Atlanta’s rail and bus system) from the airport or several in-town stations.

Arriving in Atlanta: Getting Around the City

Once you’ve made the Auburn to Atlanta drive, you still need to get around the city itself. Travel within Atlanta works differently depending on whether you’re heading downtown, to the airport, or to the suburbs.

Driving and Parking in Atlanta

If you bring your car:

• Downtown & Midtown: Expect paid parking in decks and surface lots near major destinations like:
  • Georgia Aquarium / World of Coca-Cola / Centennial Olympic Park
  • Mercedes-Benz Stadium
  • State Farm Arena
  • Georgia World Congress Center
• Neighborhoods like Virginia-Highland, Inman Park, Grant Park: Often have a mix of street parking and paid lots.

Because traffic can be intense on I-85, I-75, I-20, and the Downtown Connector, many visitors choose to park once and use rideshare or MARTA for shorter hops.

Using MARTA in Atlanta

MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) runs rail and bus service, especially helpful if:

• You’re arriving near Hartsfield-Jackson Airport
• You want an easy way to reach Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or Decatur

Key MARTA rail stops for Auburn-to-Atlanta travelers include:

• Airport Station – Inside Hartsfield-Jackson’s Domestic Terminal
• Five Points Station – Central transfer point for all rail lines, in Downtown Atlanta
• Peachtree Center, Civic Center, and North Avenue Stations – For Downtown/Midtown access
• Arts Center Station – For Midtown art venues and some bus/ride connections
• Buckhead, Lenox, Brookhaven/Oglethorpe Stations – For Buckhead area visits

MARTA Headquarters / Main Office
2424 Piedmont Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30324
General info line: often published publicly and easily found through MARTA’s official channels

Many Atlantans park at a MARTA Park & Ride station and then use the train to avoid downtown congestion and parking fees.

Auburn, AL to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

For many people, the main reason to travel from Auburn to Atlanta is to catch a flight.

Driving Directly to the Airport

From Auburn:

1. Take I-85 North toward Atlanta.
2. Follow signs for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
3. Use the appropriate exit for:
   • Domestic Terminal North or South
   • International Terminal (Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal)
   • Airport Parking or Rental Car Center

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

Parking options typically include:

• Hourly and daily parking near the terminals
• Economy and park-ride lots connected by shuttle
• Rental Car Center accessible via SkyTrain

🕒 Time planning tip: Add extra time if:

• You’re unfamiliar with Atlanta’s airport layout
• You’re traveling during morning or evening rush hour
• There’s bad weather along I-85

Connecting to Atlanta from the Airport

Once at the airport, you can quickly get into Atlanta itself:

• MARTA Airport Station is inside the Domestic Terminal, providing train access to Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead.
• Taxis and rideshare services have designated pickup areas at the airport.
• Many major Atlanta hotels offer shuttle services from or near the airport.

Atlanta Neighborhoods and Destinations Popular With Auburn Travelers

People driving from Auburn to Atlanta often plan their trip around specific neighborhoods or venues. Here are some of the most common Atlanta destinations and how they relate to the Auburn route via I-85:

Downtown Atlanta

Good for:

• Mercedes-Benz Stadium (football, soccer, concerts)
• State Farm Arena (basketball, concerts)
• Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, College Football Hall of Fame
• Georgia World Congress Center (conventions, trade shows)

From I-85 northbound:

• Continue into the city and follow signs for the Downtown Connector (I-75/85).
• Use exits for Andrew Young Intl Blvd, Courtland St, or Williams St depending on your venue and parking area.

Midtown Atlanta

Good for:

• Georgia Tech campus
• Fox Theatre
• Museums, restaurants, and nightlife

From I-85 northbound:

• Exit toward 10th Street / 14th Street or North Avenue to reach the heart of Midtown.

Buckhead

Good for:

• Shopping and dining areas near Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza
• Business meetings and high-rise hotels

From I-85 northbound:

• Connect to GA-400 North or use exits that connect to Lenox Road, Peachtree Road, or nearby major surface streets.

Practical Tips for a Smooth Auburn to Atlanta Trip

To make your Auburn, AL to Atlanta, GA travel as stress-free as possible:

• Check traffic before you leave. Congestion on I-85 near Atlanta is common during peak hours.
• Allow extra time if you’re heading to:
  • The airport
  • A major event (Falcons game, Atlanta United match, big concert)
  • A weekday morning meeting in Downtown or Midtown
• Fuel up before you hit the metro area. Gas stations are plentiful along the route, but many drivers prefer to fill up before heavy traffic areas.
• Know your parking plan. For downtown attractions and stadiums, look up parking lots and decks in advance or plan to use MARTA from a Park & Ride.
• Plan for the return trip to Auburn. Evening departures from Atlanta after events can be slow; many people wait out post-event traffic with a meal or coffee before starting the drive back.

Key Atlanta Services and Hubs for Auburn Travelers

Here are some major, stable Atlanta locations that often anchor Auburn–Atlanta trips:

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

• City of Atlanta City Hall (general city info)
  55 Trinity Avenue SW, Atlanta, GA 30303

• MARTA Headquarters (for Atlanta transit info)
  2424 Piedmont Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30324

These points connect you to flights, transit, and city services once you’ve made the drive from Auburn.

Traveling from Auburn, AL to Atlanta, GA is a relatively short interstate trip, but understanding Atlanta’s traffic patterns, major destinations, and transit options can make a big difference. With a good route plan, smart timing, and a sense of where you’re headed in the city, the drive into Atlanta becomes much easier to manage.