Getting from Fairburn, GA to Atlanta, GA: Local Routes, Options, and Tips

Traveling from Fairburn, GA to Atlanta, GA is a common trip for commuters, students, and visitors. Whether you’re heading to Downtown Atlanta, Midtown, the airport, or a specific neighborhood, you have several practical options depending on your budget, schedule, and comfort level.

This guide focuses on how the Fairburn–Atlanta trip works from an Atlanta consumer’s perspective—what routes people actually use, what to expect with traffic, and how to plan the trip by car, transit, or rideshare.

Where Is Fairburn in Relation to Atlanta?

Fairburn is a southwest suburb of Atlanta, located in Fulton County. It sits roughly:

• 20–25 miles from Downtown Atlanta (Five Points area)
• Just southwest of Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
• Along Interstate 85 (I-85)

For most people going Fairburn, GA to Atlanta, GA, the destination is one of a few common hubs:

• Downtown Atlanta (Government, State Capitol, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Georgia State)
• Midtown Atlanta (Georgia Tech, arts district, major offices)
• Buckhead (Lenox area, commercial and shopping district)
• Atlanta Airport area (for flights or airport-area offices)

Your exact destination in Atlanta will slightly change your route choice and travel time.

Driving from Fairburn to Atlanta

Driving is the most common way to travel between Fairburn and Atlanta, especially for work commutes and appointments.

Main Driving Routes

1. I-85 North (Most Direct for Downtown/Midtown)
This is the standard route:

• Start in Fairburn (often from Senoia Rd, Highway 74, or US-29 depending on your location).
• Get onto I-85 North toward Atlanta.
• Stay on I-85 North and follow signs for:
  • I-85 N / I-75 N into Downtown Atlanta, or
  • I-85 N toward Midtown/Buckhead (via the Downtown Connector split).

This route typically takes:

• 25–40 minutes in light to moderate traffic
• 45–60+ minutes during peak rush hours

2. GA-74 / US-29 / Local Roads (Alternate Routes)
Some drivers use local roads to avoid heavy interstate delays:

• US-29 (Roosevelt Highway / Main Street) can carry you toward the Airport area and South Atlanta.
• From there, you can connect to roads like:
  • Camp Creek Parkway
  • Metropolitan Parkway
  • Lee Street / Murphy Avenue
• These routes can help when I-85 is heavily backed up, but they involve:
  • More traffic lights
  • Lower speeds
  • More unpredictable congestion

They’re often used by locals who know the timing of traffic patterns.

Typical Travel Times (Fairburn → Atlanta)

Approximate one-way times by car:

*Rush hour generally includes weekdays 7–9 AM (northbound into Atlanta) and 4–7 PM (southbound leaving Atlanta).

Atlanta Traffic Considerations

If you regularly travel from Fairburn to Atlanta, it helps to know typical Atlanta traffic behavior:

• Morning: Heavy northbound traffic from suburbs (including Fairburn) into the city.
• Evening: Heavy southbound traffic leaving Atlanta.
• Construction projects on I-85, I-75, or the Downtown Connector can quickly add 15–30 minutes.
• Game days and events at:
  • Mercedes-Benz Stadium
  • State Farm Arena
  • Georgia World Congress Center
    can cause major spikes in Downtown area congestion, especially near exit ramps.

✅ Tip: When your schedule is flexible, leaving 30–45 minutes earlier than necessary can make the drive less stressful, especially for morning appointments in Atlanta.

Using MARTA and Public Transit (Fairburn to Atlanta)

Fairburn itself is not directly on MARTA rail, but you can combine driving and MARTA or use regional bus services where available.

Closest MARTA Rail Stations to Fairburn

Most Fairburn residents who want to use transit into Atlanta drive or rideshare first to a MARTA station, then take the rail into the city. Common park-and-ride options include:

• College Park Station (Red/Gold Line)
  3800 Main St, College Park, GA 30337

  • One of the most popular for southside residents
  • Large parking area
  • Direct rail access to:
    • Airport Station (one stop south)
    • Downtown (Five Points)
    • Midtown (North Avenue, Midtown, Arts Center)
    • Buckhead and beyond (Lenox, etc.)

• East Point Station (Red/Gold Line)
  2848 East Main St, East Point, GA 30344

  • Another nearby option, often used by commuters
  • Similar access northbound into Atlanta

From Fairburn, drive or use a local ride service to one of these stations, then continue by train.

MARTA Rail into Atlanta

From College Park or East Point stations:

• To Downtown Atlanta (Five Points):
  10–15 minutes by train once you’re on board.
• To Midtown:
  15–25 minutes, depending on the exact station (North Avenue, Midtown, Arts Center).
• To Buckhead area (Lenox):
  Typically 30–40 minutes from College Park station, with no bus transfers if you stay on the Gold Line where applicable.

✅ Why Atlanta riders use MARTA for this trip:

• Avoid Downtown Connector parking and congestion
• Predictable travel time from the rail portion of the trip
• No need to navigate city streets or pay for Atlanta parking garages

Regional/Local Bus Options

Bus coverage from Fairburn directly into Atlanta is more limited than within the Atlanta core. However, you may find:

• Local bus routes connecting Fairburn to College Park or East Point
• Regional services coordinated through metro Atlanta transit agencies

Because specific routes and schedules change over time, many Atlanta-area riders:

• Check current bus maps and schedules before relying on a bus for daily commuting.
• Combine a short drive (or rideshare) with MARTA rail for a more reliable connection into the heart of Atlanta.

Rideshare, Taxis, and Shuttles

If you prefer not to drive yourself from Fairburn to Atlanta, rideshare and taxi services are widely used.

When Rideshare Makes Sense

Residents and visitors often use rideshare for:

• Trips to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
  (for flights or to connect with MARTA Airport Station)
• Evening events in Downtown, Midtown, or West Midtown
• Situations where parking in Atlanta is limited or expensive

Travel time by rideshare is similar to driving times:

• Around 20–30 minutes to the airport from Fairburn in light traffic
• 25–45 minutes to Downtown Atlanta, depending on time of day

Because pricing changes with distance, time, and demand, many people compare driving + parking vs. rideshare when planning trips to busy Atlanta venues.

Fairburn to Atlanta for the Airport

For Atlanta residents and visitors, airport access is a major factor when considering Fairburn:

• Fairburn is located southwest of the Airport, slightly farther out than College Park.
• Many travelers:
  • Drive from Fairburn to the Airport terminals directly via I-85 North and Airport Blvd exits, or
  • Drive to College Park Station and take the train one stop to Airport Station, avoiding airport parking costs.

Airport Station (MARTA) is inside the airport’s main terminal area and connects directly to the baggage claim and check-in areas. This is convenient if you want to avoid highway traffic or long-term parking fees.

Parking in Atlanta (If You Drive In)

If you’re driving from Fairburn into the city, think ahead about where you’ll park in Atlanta. Common options include:

Downtown Atlanta

Areas near:

• Georgia State Capitol / Government offices
• Five Points / Peachtree Street
• Mercedes-Benz Stadium / State Farm Arena

Expect:

• Surface lots and garages with daily rates
• Heavier demand on game days, during conventions, and weekday office hours

Midtown Atlanta

Areas near:

• Peachtree Street (Midtown business district)
• Arts Center area
• Georgia Tech corridors

You’ll find:

• Garage parking attached to office towers and residential buildings
• Visitor parking at Georgia Tech for campus access

Using MARTA as Parking Strategy

Some drivers from Fairburn skip Downtown/Midtown garages entirely and:

1. Drive to College Park or East Point Station
2. Park there
3. Take MARTA into Atlanta

This can reduce both parking and congestion headaches, especially during major events or business hours.

Fairburn to Atlanta: What Locals Often Choose

For someone who lives in Atlanta or regularly travels between Fairburn and the city, decisions usually come down to time of day, destination, and tolerance for traffic.

Here’s how many people think about it:

• I need to be in Downtown by 8:30 AM on a weekday.
  • Consider driving very early or parking at College Park Station and using MARTA.
• I’m going to an evening game or concert near the stadium.
  • Many choose park-and-ride + MARTA to avoid stadium traffic and event parking.
• I’m visiting from out of town, staying in Fairburn, and sightseeing in Atlanta.
  • Driving to College Park or East Point and using MARTA can be simpler than learning downtown street layouts.
• I work in Midtown and live in Fairburn.
  • Some commute entirely by car, while others reduce stress by combining short drive + MARTA to avoid Midtown parking.

Simple Planning Checklist for the Fairburn–Atlanta Trip

Before heading from Fairburn, GA to Atlanta, GA, it helps to quickly review:

• 🚗 How comfortable are you driving in Atlanta traffic?
  If you’d rather not deal with the Downtown Connector, consider a drive + MARTA approach.

• ⏰ What time are you traveling?
  For weekday rush hours, build in extra time or lean on MARTA for more predictable timing into Downtown/Midtown.

• 🎯 Where exactly in Atlanta are you going?

  • Downtown/Midtown: MARTA rail is highly convenient.
  • Buckhead and Lenox: Still very workable by MARTA, especially from the Gold Line.
  • More suburban or office-park areas: Driving often remains the most direct.

• 💵 Are you trying to avoid high parking costs?
  Consider parking at College Park Station and riding rail into the city center.

Traveling from Fairburn, GA to Atlanta, GA is straightforward once you understand the main corridors—especially I-85 North and the southside MARTA stations. With a bit of planning around traffic, parking, and transit, you can choose the combination of driving, MARTA, and rideshare that best fits your schedule and comfort level in the Atlanta area.