Traveling from Covington, GA to Atlanta, GA: Routes, Timing, and Local Tips

Getting from Covington, GA to Atlanta, GA is a regular trip for many metro-area commuters, students, and visitors. Whether you live in Atlanta, are staying in the city, or are considering a move and want to understand how this route works day to day, it helps to know your options, timing, and what to expect on the road.

How Far Is Covington from Atlanta?

Covington is an east-metro city located along I‑20 East, and it connects directly to Downtown Atlanta by highway.

• Approximate distance:35–40 miles (depending on your starting and ending points)
• Typical drive time (no heavy traffic):40–50 minutes
• Rush hour drive time: often 1–1.5 hours or more

Most people traveling from Covington to Atlanta are heading toward:

• Downtown Atlanta (around the Georgia State Capitol and Five Points)
• Midtown Atlanta (around Peachtree Street, the Arts Center area)
• Buckhead (north of Midtown along GA‑400)

Travel times can vary based on which part of Atlanta you’re going to and the time of day.

Main Driving Route: Covington to Atlanta

Primary Route via I‑20 West

For almost everyone making this trip, the main route is:

1. Get on I‑20 West in Covington.
2. Continue on I‑20 W toward Atlanta.
3. As you approach the city, you can:
   • Stay on I‑20 W to reach Downtown Atlanta exits.
   • Connect to I‑75/85 (Downtown Connector) for Midtown and many in-town neighborhoods.
   • Use other connectors (like I‑285, Moreland Ave, or Boulevard) depending on your final destination.

Key exits in Atlanta along I‑20 West:

• Exit 59A–B – For I‑285 (Perimeter) around the city
• Exit 59A – Moreland Avenue SE (for the East Atlanta and Reynoldstown areas)
• Exit 58A–B – Hill St / Capitol Ave / Memorial Dr (Georgia State Capitol area)
• Further west you can access Downtown, Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, and Westside areas

Typical Drive Times by Time of Day

For anyone living in Atlanta and commuting to Covington (or vice versa), planning around these windows makes a big difference.

Alternatives and Back Roads

Most commuters stick to I‑20, but there are a few alternatives when traffic backs up:

• U.S. 278 / GA‑12
  Runs roughly parallel to I‑20 through Conyers and Lithonia. It’s slower but can sometimes be more consistent when I‑20 has a major backup.

• State Route 36 / local connectors
  Depending on where you are in Covington, you may use local routes to reach I‑20 or U.S. 278.

These alternatives are more useful if you’re already caught in a jam and know the area well. For most Atlanta visitors, sticking with I‑20 and watching a traffic app is simpler.

Public Transportation Options Between Covington and Atlanta

Currently, there is no direct MARTA rail connection between Covington and Atlanta, and Covington itself is not inside MARTA’s core service area. However, people sometimes combine regional buses and MARTA to complete the trip.

MARTA in Atlanta

Once you reach Atlanta, MARTA is the main public transit system:

• Rail lines: Red, Gold, Blue, and Green serving Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, the airport, and several east/west neighborhoods.
• Key Atlanta hubs:
  • Five Points Station – Central hub in Downtown Atlanta
  • Peachtree Center, Civic Center, Arts Center – Midtown and central city
  • Garnett & West End – South of Downtown
  • H.E. Holmes & Indian Creek – Western and eastern ends of the Blue Line

Many commuters from outside counties drive to a MARTA rail station, park, and ride into central Atlanta.

Park-and-Ride Strategy From the East

If you’re coming from Covington into Atlanta and want to avoid driving all the way in, a common approach is:

1. Drive west from Covington along I‑20.
2. Park at or near an east-side MARTA station, typically on the Blue Line, such as:
   • Indian Creek Station – 3901 Durham Park Rd, Stone Mountain, GA 30083
   • Kensington Station – 3350 Kensington Rd, Decatur, GA 30032
3. Take a MARTA train into Downtown or Midtown.

This can:

• Reduce time spent in heavy in-town traffic
• Cut down on downtown parking costs
• Make commutes to Peachtree Center, Midtown offices, Georgia State University, and similar destinations more predictable

Check current MARTA schedules and parking information before planning a regular commute this way.

Commuting Considerations for Atlanta Residents

If you live in Atlanta and need to travel regularly to Covington, here are a few practical points:

1. Choosing an Atlanta Neighborhood With I‑20 Access

Easier I‑20 access from Atlanta generally comes from:

• East Atlanta / Edgewood / Kirkwood / Reynoldstown
• Areas near Memorial Drive SE, Moreland Ave SE, and Glenwood Ave SE
• Neighborhoods close to I‑285 East and I‑20 East interchanges

These communities can make the daily drive to Covington a bit shorter and more predictable compared to living on the far north or west sides of the metro.

2. Parking in Covington

Covington’s center is smaller and easier to navigate than Atlanta’s core. Typically:

• Downtown Covington and nearby streets offer ample surface parking, especially near the Covington Square area.
• Employers, schools, and medical centers in Covington often have on-site or nearby parking, unlike some heavily urban parts of Atlanta.

If you’re coming from Atlanta for work or appointments, it’s still smart to confirm parking rules for your exact destination.

3. Weather and Traffic Around Atlanta

Weather can significantly affect travel:

• Heavy rain and thunderstorms often slow I‑20 near I‑285 and closer in to Downtown.
• Occasional winter weather (ice or snow) can make the Covington–Atlanta route challenging; roads may become congested well beyond normal levels.
• Major events in Downtown or Midtown (sports, concerts, conventions) can back up the I‑20 corridor approaching the city.

Local Atlantans often check traffic conditions before leaving, particularly during peak hours or on days with big events.

Using Rideshare or Taxis Between Covington and Atlanta

Rideshare services sometimes operate between Covington and Atlanta, but this is typically:

• More expensive than daily commuting by car
• More practical for occasional trips, visitors, or those without personal vehicles

If you’re staying in Atlanta and need to get to Covington for a one-time visit (for example, a filming tour or a specific appointment), rideshare may be more straightforward than renting a car, especially if:

• You’re unfamiliar with Atlanta’s highways
• You’re only making a single round trip rather than commuting regularly

For regular travel, most residents find that owning or sharing a vehicle is more realistic.

Frequently Asked Questions: Covington, GA to Atlanta, GA

How long does it really take to drive from Covington to Downtown Atlanta?

On a clear day outside rush hour, many drivers report about 40–50 minutes door to door, using I‑20 West. During peak rush hour, especially heading west into Atlanta in the morning or east in the evening, the trip can extend to an hour or more.

Is there a direct bus from Covington to Atlanta?

At this time, there is not a widely used, direct, daily commuter bus that runs straight from Covington into central Atlanta comparable to MARTA rail. Most people:

• Drive the full distance, or
• Drive partway and then transfer to MARTA rail or bus closer to Atlanta

Checking with local Newton County and regional transit services can provide the most current options if new routes or pilot services are introduced.

What’s the best time to leave Covington to get to a morning appointment in Atlanta?

For a 9:00 a.m. appointment in Downtown or Midtown Atlanta, many commuters from the east side aim to:

• Leave Covington no later than 7:00 a.m., and sometimes earlier
• Build in a buffer for crashes or construction on I‑20 or near I‑285

If your schedule is flexible, arriving in the city early and spending time at a nearby coffee shop or workspace is often less stressful than cutting it close.

Are there toll roads between Covington and Atlanta?

There are no tolls on I‑20 between Covington and central Atlanta. However, other express lanes in the metro (such as on parts of I‑75 or I‑85) do use tolls; these are not part of the standard Covington–I‑20 route.

Simple Planning Checklist for the Covington–Atlanta Trip

Use this quick checklist to make your Covington–Atlanta travel smoother:

• ✅ Confirm your destination neighborhood in Atlanta (Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, etc.).
• ✅ Map your route using I‑20 West into the city.
• ✅ Check current traffic conditions before leaving, especially near I‑285.
• ✅ If you want to avoid central-city driving, plan a park-and-ride at a MARTA station like Indian Creek or Kensington.
• ✅ For regular commuting, experiment with earlier or later departure times to reduce time in traffic.
• ✅ If you live in Atlanta and travel often to Covington, consider neighborhoods with good I‑20 access on the east side.

Understanding how the Covington, GA to Atlanta, GA route works day to day—traffic patterns, transit options, and key interchanges—helps you plan better, whether you’re a local Atlanta resident, a visitor staying in the city, or someone evaluating a potential move across the metro.