How Far Is It To Atlanta, GA? A Practical Distance & Travel Guide

If you’re planning a trip to Atlanta, Georgia—or you live here and want to understand how far Atlanta is from other places—distance can mean several things: miles, drive time, flight time, and even commute time across the metro area.

This guide breaks down how far it is to and around Atlanta, with realistic travel times, local context, and tips for choosing the best route.

Understanding “How Far to Atlanta, GA?”

When people ask “How far to Atlanta?”, they usually mean one of three things:

  1. How far is Atlanta from other major cities?
  2. How far is it to downtown Atlanta from different parts of the metro area?
  3. How long will it actually take to get there, considering traffic and airport time?

Because Atlanta is a major transportation hub—with Interstate highways (I‑75, I‑85, I‑20, I‑285) and Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)—your options and timing can vary a lot depending on when and how you travel.

Key Distances To Atlanta From Major Nearby Cities

Below is a simple overview of approximate driving distances and times to Atlanta, GA, measured to downtown Atlanta (around Five Points / Peachtree St area) in normal traffic.

Driving Distance to Atlanta from Popular Cities

From CityApprox. Distance to AtlantaTypical Drive Time*Main Route
Birmingham, AL~150 miles2.5–3 hoursI‑20 East
Chattanooga, TN~120 miles1.75–2.5 hoursI‑75 South
Greenville, SC~145 miles2.5–3 hoursI‑85 South
Charlotte, NC~245 miles3.5–4.5 hoursI‑85 South
Nashville, TN~250 miles4–4.5 hoursI‑24 East → I‑75 South
Savannah, GA~250 miles3.75–4.5 hoursI‑16 West → I‑75 North
Augusta, GA~150 miles2–2.5 hoursI‑20 West
Macon, GA~85 miles1.25–1.75 hoursI‑75 North
Columbus, GA~110 miles1.75–2.25 hoursI‑185 North → I‑85 North
Jacksonville, FL~350 miles5–6 hoursI‑95 North → I‑16 West → I‑75
Orlando, FL~440 miles6.5–7.5 hoursI‑75 North

*Drive times are rough estimates in light-to-moderate traffic. Atlanta traffic—especially weekday rush hours—can add significant time.

How Far Is It To Downtown Atlanta From Around Metro Atlanta?

If you live in the Atlanta metro area or are staying in a suburb, “How far to Atlanta?” usually really means “How far to downtown or Midtown?”

Below are approximate distances and drive times to central Atlanta (downtown/Midtown) from common metro areas.

North of the City

  • Buckhead (Lenox / Peachtree area)
    • Distance: ~6–8 miles to downtown
    • Drive: 10–25 minutes depending on traffic
  • Sandy Springs
    • Distance: ~12–15 miles
    • Drive: 20–35 minutes via GA‑400 or Roswell Rd
  • Dunwoody / Perimeter Center
    • Distance: ~15–18 miles
    • Drive: 25–40 minutes via GA‑400 or I‑285 → I‑85/I‑75
  • Alpharetta
    • Distance: ~25–30 miles
    • Drive: 35–55 minutes via GA‑400
  • Cumming
    • Distance: ~40–45 miles
    • Drive: 50–75 minutes via GA‑400

East of the City

  • Decatur (City of Decatur)
    • Distance: ~5–7 miles to downtown
    • Drive: 10–20 minutes via Ponce de Leon Ave or E. College Ave
  • Stone Mountain
    • Distance: ~15–18 miles
    • Drive: 25–40 minutes via US‑78 or Memorial Dr
  • Conyers
    • Distance: ~25–30 miles
    • Drive: 35–50 minutes via I‑20 West

South of the City

  • Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
    • Distance: ~10–12 miles to downtown
    • Drive: 15–25 minutes via I‑75/85 North
  • College Park / East Point
    • Distance: ~8–12 miles
    • Drive: 15–25 minutes via I‑85 or MARTA
  • Jonesboro
    • Distance: ~18–22 miles
    • Drive: 30–45 minutes via I‑75 North
  • Fayetteville
    • Distance: ~25–30 miles
    • Drive: 40–60 minutes via GA‑85 or GA‑54

West of the City

  • West Midtown / Atlantic Station
    • Distance: ~2–4 miles to downtown
    • Drive: 5–15 minutes depending on surface streets
  • Smyrna
    • Distance: ~12–15 miles
    • Drive: 20–35 minutes via I‑285 or I‑75
  • Marietta (Historic Square)
    • Distance: ~20–22 miles
    • Drive: 30–45 minutes via I‑75 South
  • Douglasville
    • Distance: ~22–25 miles
    • Drive: 30–45 minutes via I‑20 East

These ranges assume normal weekday conditions. During major events (sporting events, concerts, conventions) around Downtown, Midtown, or the Georgia World Congress Center, expect longer travel times.

How Far Is Atlanta By Plane?

Atlanta is one of the busiest air hubs in the world. If you’re asking “How far to Atlanta?” from another state or region, your flight time may matter more than road distance.

Typical Nonstop Flight Times To Atlanta (ATL)

  • From New York City (NYC): about 2–2.5 hours in the air
  • From Washington, D.C.: about 1.5–2 hours
  • From Chicago: about 1.75–2.25 hours
  • From Dallas: about 2–2.5 hours
  • From Miami: about 1.5–2 hours
  • From Los Angeles: about 4–4.5 hours
  • From Seattle: about 4.5–5 hours

These times are flying time only. When planning, you’ll also want to add:

  • 60–90 minutes for check-in and security at your departure airport
  • 15–30 minutes to deplane and reach ground transportation at ATL
  • 15–25 minutes to get from ATL to downtown Atlanta by car or train

Getting From Hartsfield–Jackson Airport to Atlanta

If your real question is “How far is it from the airport to Atlanta?”, here’s what to know.

Airport location:

  • Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
    6000 N Terminal Pkwy
    Atlanta, GA 30320

Airport to Downtown Distance & Time

  • Distance: about 10–12 miles to downtown Atlanta
  • Typical drive: 15–25 minutes via I‑75/85 North, longer in rush hour
  • MARTA train: roughly 15–20 minutes from Airport Station to Five Points (downtown) or Peachtree Center (downtown/Midtown edge)

Public Transit Option: MARTA

MARTA is often the most predictable way to measure “how far” the airport is from the city:

  • MARTA Airport Station is located inside the domestic terminal.
  • Trains run on the Red and Gold lines toward Downtown and Midtown.
  • Most downtown stops (like Five Points, Peachtree Center) are within 15–20 minutes of the airport station.

If you’re staying in Midtown (Arts Center, Midtown Station) or near Buckhead, your total MARTA ride will typically be 20–30 minutes.

Rush Hour: How “Far” Atlanta Feels in Real Time

In Atlanta, rush hour can make a short distance feel much farther. The number of miles and the time it takes can be very different.

Typical Rush-Hour Patterns

  • Morning (roughly 6:30–9:30 a.m.)
    Heavy inbound traffic toward Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead on I‑75, I‑85, GA‑400, and I‑20.
  • Evening (roughly 3:30–7:00 p.m.)
    Heavy outbound traffic away from the city center, especially north on GA‑400 and I‑75/I‑85, and east/west on I‑20.

Because of this:

  • A 10-mile commute can be 15 minutes in light traffic or 45+ minutes at peak.
  • Travel between two suburbs sometimes takes longer going through Atlanta’s core (e.g., I‑285) than using alternate side roads.

How Far Is It Around the City Itself?

“Atlanta” can mean the City of Atlanta, or it can mean the larger metro area that stretches across multiple counties.

Within the City of Atlanta

The city itself is fairly compact in miles, though surface-street traffic can slow you down:

  • Downtown to Midtown:
    • Distance: ~2 miles
    • Time: 5–15 minutes by car, ~10–25 minutes by MARTA or walking
  • Midtown to Buckhead (Lenox area):
    • Distance: ~4–5 miles
    • Time: 10–20 minutes by car, ~10–15 minutes by MARTA
  • Downtown to West Midtown:
    • Distance: ~2–4 miles
    • Time: 5–15 minutes depending on routes and signals

Using I‑285 (The Perimeter)

I‑285, known locally as “the Perimeter,” circles much of the city:

  • Full loop distance: roughly 60–65 miles
  • Drive time: 60–90+ minutes around the full loop, heavily dependent on traffic and direction

Understanding where your destination sits in relation to I‑285 (inside vs. outside the Perimeter) can help you estimate how far it feels from central Atlanta.

Estimating How Far You Are From Atlanta: Step-by-Step

If you’re not sure exactly how far you are from Atlanta, this simple approach can help:

  1. Identify Your Starting Point

    • City and state if you’re far away
    • Suburb or neighborhood if you’re nearby (e.g., Marietta, Decatur, Duluth)

  2. Choose Your Target in Atlanta

    • Downtown Atlanta (common reference point)
    • Midtown, Buckhead, or Hartsfield–Jackson Airport, depending on your plans

  3. Decide Travel Mode

    • Driving: Consider interstates leading into Atlanta (I‑75, I‑85, I‑20, I‑285, GA‑400).
    • Flying: Estimate flight time to ATL, plus 1–2 hours for airport processes.
    • Transit: Use MARTA if you’re near metro Atlanta.

  4. Adjust for Timing

    • Add more time for weekday rush hours or major events.
    • Late evenings and weekends often move faster on the interstates, but construction can affect routes.

  5. Plan an Extra Cushion

    • For meetings, games, concerts, or flights, many locals routinely add 30+ minutes to whatever the app predicts, especially during peak times.

Local Reference Points That Define “Atlanta Distance”

For planning, it’s often helpful to think in terms of well-known Atlanta landmarks:

  • Downtown Atlanta: Near Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, and Georgia World Congress Center
  • Midtown Atlanta: Around Piedmont Park, Fox Theatre, and Georgia Tech
  • Buckhead: Around Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza
  • Airport area (ATL): South of downtown along I‑75/85

Many residents and visitors use these spots as mental “targets” when they measure how far they are from Atlanta in everyday conversation.

When Exact Distance to Atlanta Matters

People often need precise distance or time to or within Atlanta for:

  • Commuting decisions (where to live vs. where they work in the city)
  • Event planning (weddings, conferences, concerts, sports games)
  • College visits (Georgia Tech, Georgia State University, SCAD Atlanta, Morehouse, Spelman, Clark Atlanta)
  • Medical appointments at major centers (e.g., around Emory Midtown, Emory Clifton campus, or Northside Hospital)

In these cases, it helps to:

  • Use downtown or Midtown Atlanta as your baseline for “Atlanta,” and
  • Factor in both miles and typical traffic patterns, not just straight-line distance.

Atlanta can feel close or far depending on where you’re starting, when you travel, and how you get here. In miles, many nearby cities are just a few hours away by car, and much of the metro area sits within 30 miles of downtown. In practice, traffic, time of day, and route choice are what really define how far Atlanta is for you.