Getting From Jonesboro, GA to Atlanta, GA: Local’s Guide to Routes, Times, and Options

Traveling from Jonesboro, GA to Atlanta, GA is a common trip for commuters, students, and visitors. Whether you live on the southside, are staying near Hartsfield–Jackson, or planning a day in Downtown or Midtown Atlanta, it helps to understand your options clearly.

This guide walks through driving, transit, rideshare, shuttles, and practical tips specifically for people moving between Jonesboro and Atlanta.

How Far Is Jonesboro from Atlanta?

Jonesboro is in Clayton County, south of Atlanta. The distance and travel time depend on your exact starting and ending points, but in general:

• Distance: About 17–22 miles from central Jonesboro to Downtown Atlanta
• Typical drive time:
  • 25–35 minutes in lighter traffic
  • 40–60+ minutes during rush hours or if there’s a crash on I‑75

Most people use I‑75 North to reach the city, but you do have alternatives.

Main Driving Routes from Jonesboro to Atlanta

If you’re driving yourself, here are the most common choices.

1. I‑75 North (Fastest in Most Cases)

For most Jonesboro–to–Atlanta trips, I‑75 North is the primary corridor.

Typical route:

1. From central Jonesboro, take US‑19/41 (Tara Boulevard) or S. Main St./Jonesboro Rd toward I‑75.
2. Enter I‑75 North.
3. Continue north toward Atlanta.
4. Depending on your destination:
   • For Downtown Atlanta: Exit onto I‑85 North / I‑20 / Downtown Connector, then follow signs to Courtland St, Piedmont Ave, or Central Ave.
   • For Midtown: Stay on the Downtown Connector (I‑75/85 N) and use exits like 10th/14th Street or 17th Street.
   • For Buckhead: Continue north onto I‑85 and follow exits to GA‑400 or surface streets like Peachtree Road.

Best for:

• Commuters heading into Downtown or Midtown
• Travelers driving to city attractions (State Farm Arena, Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca‑Cola, Georgia State, Georgia Tech area)

Watch out for:

• Heavy congestion during morning (6:30–9:30 a.m.) and evening (3:30–7:00 p.m.) rush hours
• Sudden slowdowns caused by minor accidents or stalled vehicles

2. Jonesboro Road / US‑19/41 / Local Surface Routes

If I‑75 is heavily backed up, some southside drivers opt for surface roads into the city.

Common local corridors include:

• US‑19/41 (Tara Boulevard) toward Hapeville / Atlanta
• Jonesboro Road (GA‑54) heading north
• Forest Parkway / Old Dixie Highway in certain segments

These can sometimes help you avoid standstill interstate traffic, but they usually take longer in pure drive time because of:

• Lower speed limits
• Traffic lights
• School zones and local congestion

Best for:

• Drivers familiar with southside backroads
• Times when I‑75 is at a complete stop due to a major incident

3. Airport–Area Routing (If You’re Heading to or From ATL)

If you’re traveling between Jonesboro and Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (which then connects to Atlanta by MARTA):

• Jonesboro to ATL Airport by car:
  • Roughly 15–25 minutes in average traffic
  • Usually via I‑75 North or US‑19/41 to Airport Blvd / Aviation Blvd

From the airport, you can then get into the city via:

• The MARTA Red/Gold rail lines from Airport Station directly into Downtown and Midtown Atlanta

This option is especially useful if you prefer to avoid driving into the core city or don’t want to pay for parking.

Public Transit: Can You Take MARTA from Jonesboro to Atlanta?

There is no MARTA rail station in Jonesboro itself. However, you can combine local travel with MARTA to reach Atlanta without driving all the way.

1. Park-and-Ride + MARTA Rail

A common strategy is:

1. Drive from Jonesboro to a MARTA rail station with parking.
2. Park and take MARTA rail into Downtown or Midtown.

Popular MARTA rail stations for southside and Jonesboro-area residents include:

• East Point Station

  • Address: 2848 East Main St, East Point, GA 30344
  • On the Red/Gold Lines
  • Easy access to Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and the Airport

• Airport Station (inside Hartsfield–Jackson)

  • Address: Airport Blvd, Atlanta, GA 30320 (accessed inside the Domestic Terminal)
  • Directly connects to Downtown and Midtown via MARTA rail

Typical steps:

• Jonesboro → Drive 15–25 minutes to East Point or Airport area.
• Park (check posted parking rules at the station).
• Ride MARTA rail:
  • Northbound to Five Points (Downtown), Peachtree Center, Civic Center, North Avenue, Midtown, Arts Center, etc.

This can save time and stress during peak hours, since Atlanta’s Downtown Connector is often congested.

2. Bus Connections (Clayton County and MARTA)

Clayton County transit is integrated with MARTA through MARTA bus routes that serve parts of Clayton County. While exact routes may change over time, the general pattern is:

• Clayton–area buses connect you to:
  • College Park Station
  • Airport Station
  • Other MARTA nodes on the southside

Once you reach a MARTA station, you can transfer to:

• MARTA Rail heading into Downtown/Midtown
• Additional bus routes serving specific neighborhoods

If you live in Jonesboro and want to avoid driving entirely, you can:

1. Use a local bus (where available) or rideshare to a Clayton–served MARTA link.
2. Connect to Airport or College Park Station.
3. Take MARTA rail into Atlanta.

Because bus coverage and schedules can change, many residents:

• Check current bus route numbers and timetables directly through official MARTA and Clayton County transit channels before relying on this for daily commuting.

Rideshare, Taxis, and Shuttles Between Jonesboro and Atlanta

If you prefer not to drive or deal with parking, rideshare and taxi services are widely used on this corridor.

1. Rideshare (e.g., App-Based Services)

From most addresses in Jonesboro, you can request a rideshare to Downtown, Midtown, or the Airport.

Typical patterns:

• Jonesboro → Downtown Atlanta:

  • Travel time similar to driving yourself (25–45+ minutes depending on traffic).
  • Cost varies by time of day, demand, and exact pickup/dropoff.

• Jonesboro → MARTA Station (East Point, College Park, or Airport):

  • Some travelers rideshare just to the nearest rail station, then use MARTA to finish the trip and save money.

Pros:

• No need to manage parking in crowded areas like Downtown or Midtown.
• Door-to-door convenience, especially for late-night events.

Cons:

• Can be more expensive during peak times or big events in Atlanta.
• Subject to the same traffic delays as driving.

2. Taxis and Airport Shuttles

• Traditional taxi services are more common at the Airport or major hotels in Atlanta than directly in Jonesboro.
• Some private shuttle companies operate in the south metro area, often focusing on:
  • Airport transfers
  • Group trips to central Atlanta

If you’re going Jonesboro → ATL Airport → Atlanta by MARTA, your steps might look like:

1. Taxi or rideshare from Jonesboro to ATL.
2. Enter the Airport MARTA Station in the Domestic Terminal.
3. Take the northbound MARTA train into the city.

Typical Travel Times: Jonesboro, GA to Atlanta, GA

The table below gives rough ranges for common options. Actual times can vary with traffic, construction, weather, and events.

When Should You Leave Jonesboro for Atlanta?

If you have a time-sensitive appointment in Atlanta—such as:

• A court date in Downtown
• A concert or game at State Farm Arena or Mercedes‑Benz Stadium
• A class at Georgia State or Georgia Tech
• A flight connection with ground travel in Atlanta afterward

Plan with buffer time:

• For weekday mornings (heading northbound):
  • Aim to leave Jonesboro by 6:00–6:30 a.m. for an 8:00–8:30 a.m. arrival in central Atlanta.
• For weekday evenings into the city:
  • Try for before 3:30 p.m. or after the main peak when possible.

If your schedule is flexible, midday (10:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m.) and later evenings usually mean lighter traffic on I‑75.

Parking in Atlanta When Coming from Jonesboro

If you do drive all the way into Atlanta, you’ll want to factor in parking availability and cost, especially in:

• Downtown (around Peachtree Center, Five Points, government buildings)
• Midtown (near Peachtree St, the Fox Theatre, arts venues)
• Buckhead (Lenox, Phipps area)

Common parking options:

• Parking decks and garages attached to office buildings and attractions
• Surface lots scattered throughout Downtown and Midtown
• Street parking with meters in certain neighborhoods

Many Jonesboro residents choose to:

• Park at a MARTA station (East Point, College Park, Airport)
• Take rail into high‑density areas to avoid heavy parking fees and tight downtown lots

Key Atlanta Destinations You Can Reach Easily from Jonesboro

From Jonesboro, you can connect quickly to many of Atlanta’s major hubs:

• Downtown Atlanta
  • Government buildings, Georgia State University, State Farm Arena, Mercedes‑Benz Stadium
• Midtown Atlanta
  • Georgia Tech, Piedmont Park, Fox Theatre, arts and museum district
• Airport / Airport Area
  • Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Airport hotels, Airport business parks
• Southside Industrial and Logistics Areas
  • Warehouses and logistics centers clustered off I‑75 and nearby corridors

Most of these are along or close to I‑75, I‑85, and the Downtown Connector (I‑75/85), which is why understanding traffic patterns on this route is important if you’re traveling from Jonesboro.

Practical Tips for a Smoother Jonesboro–Atlanta Trip

Here are simple ways to make the commute or visit easier:

• Leave early whenever possible: Especially on weekdays; small delays on I‑75 add up fast.
• Check real‑time traffic before you go: Look for crashes or construction on I‑75 North and the Downtown Connector.
• Consider a hybrid approach:
  • Drive or rideshare from Jonesboro to a MARTA station.
  • Take rail into Downtown or Midtown to avoid parking and inner‑city traffic.
• Plan for return traffic: Southbound traffic leaving the city in late afternoon can be just as heavy as northbound in the morning.
• Have a backup route in mind: Know at least one surface road (like stretches of Jonesboro Road or US‑19/41) in case the interstate is blocked.

Travel between Jonesboro, GA and Atlanta, GA is straightforward once you understand the main routes and options. Whether you’re commuting daily, visiting for events, or just figuring out how the southside connects to the city, combining good timing, route planning, and (when useful) MARTA can make the trip much more manageable.