Getting From Buford, GA to Atlanta, GA: Routes, Times, and Local Tips

Traveling from Buford, Georgia to Atlanta, Georgia is a common trip for commuters, visitors, and shoppers in the metro area. Whether you live in Atlanta and need to get up to Buford, or you’re in Buford heading into the city, it helps to understand your route options, typical drive times, traffic patterns, and transit choices.

This guide walks through the main ways to travel between Buford and Atlanta, with a focus on what’s most useful if your destination is Atlanta’s core areas like Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or nearby neighborhoods.

Where Buford Is in Relation to Atlanta

Buford is a northeastern suburb of metro Atlanta, primarily in Gwinnett County, roughly 35–40 miles from Downtown Atlanta, depending on your exact starting and ending points.

Most trips from Buford to Atlanta funnel into the city via:

• I‑85 South
• I‑985 South (near Lake Lanier) connecting to I‑85 South
• Secondary routes like Peachtree Industrial Boulevard (GA‑141) toward Chamblee/Doraville, then into the city

Which route is best depends on:

• Time of day
• Your final destination in Atlanta (Downtown vs. Midtown vs. Buckhead vs. Perimeter)
• How comfortable you are with interstate vs. surface streets

Typical Drive Time: Buford, GA to Atlanta, GA

Driving is the most common way people travel between Buford and Atlanta.

Approximate driving times

These are typical ranges many drivers experience; actual times vary with traffic, weather, and road work.

*Rush hour in Atlanta is generally 6:30–9:30 a.m. and 3:30–7:00 p.m., with Fridays often worse.

Key takeaway: If you’re heading from Buford into Atlanta on a weekday, building in extra buffer time is essential.

Main Driving Routes from Buford to Atlanta

1. Fastest freeway route: I‑985 / I‑85 South

This is the most direct and most used path, especially if you’re near the Mall of Georgia or Lake Lanier area.

Basic route:

1. From central Buford, get on I‑985 South (also labeled US‑23 in stretches).
2. Continue south until I‑985 ends and merges into I‑85 South near Suwanee.
3. Stay on I‑85 South toward Atlanta.
4. For Downtown Atlanta, stay straight on I‑85 and follow signs toward I‑75/I‑85 South into the Downtown Connector.
5. Exit as needed for Georgia State Capitol, Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, Five Points, Georgia State University, or other Downtown destinations.

Best for:

• Downtown and Midtown Atlanta
• Events at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium or State Farm Arena
• Government buildings like the Georgia State Capitol or Atlanta City Hall

Things to watch:

• Heavy congestion near Spaghetti Junction (I‑85/I‑285 interchange) and as you approach Midtown/Downtown.
• Accidents and lane closures can add significant time.
• HOV/Express lanes may be available in some segments—these can help if you qualify and choose to use paid express lanes.

2. Buford Drive / I‑85 South (without I‑985)

If you’re close to the Mall of Georgia or central Buford:

1. Take GA‑20 (Buford Drive) west/south to the I‑85 interchange (Exit 115 on I‑85).
2. Get onto I‑85 South.
3. Continue toward Atlanta, following signs for Downtown/Midtown.

This avoids a short stretch of I‑985 but feeds directly into I‑85 South.

Best for:

• Buford residents near Mall of Georgia
• Trips to Buckhead, Midtown, or Downtown via a straightforward I‑85 approach

3. Peachtree Industrial Boulevard (GA‑141) to Atlanta

This route can be useful if you prefer surface streets or are headed to Chamblee, Doraville, Brookhaven, or Buckhead.

Basic route:

1. From Buford, head toward Peachtree Industrial Boulevard (GA‑141) via GA‑20 or local roads.
2. Take Peachtree Industrial Boulevard South.
3. Continue through Duluth, Norcross, and Chamblee.
4. From there, you can:
   • Connect to I‑285 (Perimeter) then to GA‑400 or I‑85, or
   • Continue on Peachtree Industrial / Peachtree Road toward Brookhaven and Buckhead, then into the city of Atlanta.

Best for:

• Avoiding some portions of I‑85 during incidents
• Reaching Chamblee, Doraville, Brookhaven, or Buckhead
• Drivers who are more comfortable with major surface roads than long interstate runs

Trade‑offs:

• More traffic lights and variable speed limits
• Can be slow during peak commuter periods through Norcross and Chamblee

Traffic Patterns to Know (Atlanta Perspective)

If you’re based in Atlanta and planning a trip to Buford—or you live in Buford and regularly drive into the city—recognizing Atlanta traffic rhythms matters.

Busiest times inbound to Atlanta (Buford → Atlanta):

• Weekday mornings: 6:30–9:30 a.m., particularly:
  • I‑85 South approaching Pleasant Hill Road, Jimmy Carter Boulevard, Spaghetti Junction, and then into the Downtown Connector.
• Special events: before major games or concerts at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, or major Downtown conferences.

Busiest times outbound to Buford (Atlanta → Buford):

• Weekday afternoons/evenings: 3:30–7:30 p.m., sometimes later on Fridays.
• After evening events in Downtown and Midtown.

Local tips to reduce stress:

• ✅ Leave earlier or later than the peak window if possible.
• ✅ Use traffic apps or navigation systems to check backups before you commit to I‑85.
• ✅ Consider park‑and‑ride + MARTA if your main destination is in the urban core and parking is limited or expensive.

Public Transit Options: From Buford to Atlanta

Transit between Buford and central Atlanta is more limited than suburb‑to‑suburb travel closer in, but there are still some bus and rail combinations people use.

Understanding the system: Gwinnett + MARTA

• Buford is in Gwinnett County, which operates its own transit services.
• MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) operates heavy rail and buses primarily in Fulton, DeKalb, and Clayton counties, with some limited connections in/out of neighboring counties.
• To go from Buford to Downtown or Midtown Atlanta without a car, most riders:
  1. Use a local or regional bus (or rideshare) from Buford to a MARTA‑accessible area (such as Doraville, Chamblee, or Norcross).
  2. Transfer to MARTA rail or bus heading into Atlanta.

Because routes and schedules can change, it’s wise to check current timetables and maps from:

• Gwinnett County Transit / Gwinnett County Government
• MARTA (rail and bus)

Park‑and‑Ride + MARTA Approach

Many people driving in from the northeast suburbs prefer a hybrid approach:

1. Drive from Buford to a MARTA station with reliable parking.
2. Park their car for the day.
3. Take MARTA rail into Atlanta (Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, Airport, etc.).

Common MARTA rail stations used by people coming from the Buford area include:

• Doraville Station (Gold Line)
  • Address: 6000 New Peachtree Rd, Doraville, GA 30340
  • Easy access from I‑285 and Peachtree Industrial Boulevard / Buford Highway.
• Chamblee Station (Gold Line)
  • Address: 5200 New Peachtree Rd, Chamblee, GA 30341
• Brookhaven/Oglethorpe Station (Gold Line)
  • Address: 4047 Peachtree Rd NE, Brookhaven, GA 30319

From these stations, Gold Line trains run through:

• Lenox/Buckhead area
• Arts Center Station (Midtown)
• Civic Center and Peachtree Center (Downtown Atlanta)
• Continuing south through other stations

Why this helps:

• Avoids the most congested Downtown Connector portion of I‑75/85.
• Simplifies parking—many Atlanta destinations near MARTA stations are walkable.
• Useful for Atlanta events, festivals, or workdays when Downtown parking is tight or expensive.

Riding Into Atlanta for Specific Destinations

1. Downtown Atlanta (Government, Arenas, Attractions)

Driving target: Use signs for Downtown Atlanta / I‑75/I‑85 South, then choose exits depending on your destination:

• Georgia State Capitol & government buildings
  • Look for exits labeled Capitol Ave / Memorial Dr / Courtland St.
• Mercedes‑Benz Stadium & State Farm Arena
  • Follow signs for Northside Dr, MLK Jr. Dr, or Centennial Olympic Park Dr.

Transit target:

• Take MARTA rail (Gold Line into transfer points) and use Five Points Station or GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Center Station depending on your exact location.

2. Midtown Atlanta (Arts, Tech, Universities)

Midtown is a common destination for people commuting from Buford for work, classes, or events.

Driving target:

• Continue on I‑85 South, then follow signs for I‑75/I‑85 South (Downtown Connector).
• For Midtown, exits typically include 10th St/14th St, 17th St, or similar, depending on your exact arrival point.

Transit target:

• From Gold Line MARTA, transfer at Lindbergh Center or Five Points to reach Midtown Station, Arts Center Station, or North Avenue Station.

3. Buckhead & Lenox Area

Common for shopping, offices, and dining.

Driving options from Buford:

• I‑85 South → GA‑400 North
  • Exit for Lenox Rd, Peachtree Rd, and surrounding Buckhead business/shopping districts.
• Peachtree Industrial / GA‑141 South → Peachtree Rd into Buckhead
  • A bit slower but more direct for some neighborhoods and surface‑street drivers.

Transit target:

• Lenox Station (Gold Line) or Buckhead Station (Red Line)
• Many choose to park at a Gold Line station closer to Atlanta and ride in to Buckhead to avoid local congestion.

Practical Tips for a Smoother Buford–Atlanta Trip

1. Plan around peak traffic when possible

• If you have flexibility, aim for mid‑morning (after 9:30 a.m.) or mid‑afternoon (before 3:30 p.m.).
• Evening trips after 7:30–8:00 p.m. are usually smoother going either direction.

2. Know your parking situation in Atlanta

When you arrive in Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead, parking varies:

• Downtown: Many paid decks and surface lots near government buildings, sports venues, and offices. Street parking is limited and regulated.
• Midtown: Mix of decks, garages, and some metered street parking.
• Buckhead: Larger shopping centers (like Lenox Square area) have their own parking structures, plus paid decks near offices.

Because daily parking costs can add up, some commuters from Buford use:

• Park‑and‑ride lots near MARTA
• Carpooling to share tolls and parking fees

3. Consider weather and events

• Heavy rain can slow Atlanta traffic dramatically.
• Large events (Falcons games, concerts, major conventions, festivals) can create unusual congestion, especially on weekends or evenings.

4. Have a backup route

On days when I‑85 South backs up severely, some drivers:

• Drop down to Peachtree Industrial Boulevard earlier
• Use Buford Highway (US‑23) in parts of Gwinnett/DeKalb
• Take I‑285 around to a different entry point into Atlanta, depending on where they’re headed

Having at least one alternate route in mind can help you adapt quickly.

Key Atlanta‑Area Contacts and Reference Points

These official locations can be useful reference points when planning a Buford–Atlanta trip:

• Atlanta City Hall

  • 55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303

• Georgia State Capitol

  • 206 Washington St SW, Atlanta, GA 30334

• MARTA Headquarters (for general MARTA information)

  • 2424 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30324

• Doraville MARTA Station (popular park‑and‑ride gateway into Atlanta from the northeast)

  • 6000 New Peachtree Rd, Doraville, GA 30340

These are central landmarks many navigation tools recognize; routing your trip “Buford, GA to [specific building or station]” can improve arrival accuracy.

Traveling from Buford, GA to Atlanta, GA is straightforward once you know your primary routes (I‑85, I‑985, GA‑141), typical time ranges, and your options for combining driving with MARTA. With a bit of planning around Atlanta’s traffic patterns, the trip can be made much more predictable and less stressful.