Getting From Lithonia, GA to Atlanta, GA: Routes, Commutes, and Local Tips

Traveling from Lithonia, GA to Atlanta, GA is a common trip for commuters, students, shoppers, and visitors. Lithonia is an eastern suburb of Atlanta in DeKalb County, and the two are closely connected by highways, surface streets, and limited transit options.

This guide walks through how to get from Lithonia to Atlanta, how long it usually takes, what routes locals commonly use, and what to consider if you commute this way regularly.

How Far Is Lithonia from Atlanta?

Lithonia sits about 15–20 miles east of Downtown Atlanta, depending on your exact starting point and route.

Typical drive time from central Lithonia (near Main Street) to Downtown Atlanta:

• Off-peak hours: about 20–30 minutes
• Rush hour (morning and evening): commonly 35–60 minutes, sometimes longer when there are crashes or heavy congestion on I‑20

Travel time can vary a lot because you’ll be using major commuter corridors that many Atlanta-area drivers rely on daily.

Main Driving Routes: Lithonia, GA to Atlanta, GA

For most people, driving is the fastest and most flexible way to get between Lithonia and Atlanta. Here are the routes locals typically use.

1. I‑20 West: The Primary Route

The main way to get from Lithonia to Atlanta is Interstate 20 West.

Basic route overview:

1. From Lithonia, get on I‑20 West (commonly via Turner Hill Road, Evans Mill Road, or Panola Road).
2. Stay on I‑20 West toward Atlanta.
3. Depending on your destination, you can exit for:
   • Downtown Atlanta: exits near Capitol Avenue, Downtown Connector (I‑75/85), or Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
   • Midtown: connect from I‑20 to I‑75/85 North
   • Westside or Bankhead: exit near Joseph E. Lowery Blvd or Hamilton E. Holmes Dr (with local navigation)

Why this route is popular:

• Most direct interstate connection from Lithonia to central Atlanta
• Clear signage pointing to Atlanta / Birmingham on I‑20 West
• Connects easily to I‑75/85, I‑285, and major city streets

What to watch out for:

• Heavy congestion during weekday morning commutes (toward Atlanta) and evening commutes (leaving Atlanta)
• Slowdowns approaching the Downtown Connector (I‑75/85)
• Lane shifts and speed changes through construction areas when projects are active

2. Covington Highway / U.S. 278: Slower but Sometimes Steadier

If you want to avoid interstate traffic, you can use surface streets like Covington Highway (U.S. 278).

Basic idea:

• Travel along Covington Highway from Lithonia west toward Decatur and the east side of Atlanta.
• From there, connect to local streets (such as Candler Road, Memorial Drive, or Glenwood Avenue) into Atlanta neighborhoods and then downtown.

Pros:

• More consistent speeds on days when I‑20 is heavily backed up
• Access to local businesses, gas stations, and food along the way
• Sometimes preferred by drivers uncomfortable with heavy interstate traffic

Cons:

• More traffic lights, lower speeds, and more local congestion
• Often not faster than I‑20 in normal conditions
• Harder to predict travel time

3. Using I‑285 for Certain Destinations

If your destination is not downtown, you may combine I‑20 with I‑285.

For example:

• To the airport area:
  • Take I‑20 West, then I‑285 South, then connect to I‑85 North/South depending on your terminal area.
• To Perimeter Center / Sandy Springs:
  • Use I‑20 West to I‑285 North, then exit near GA‑400 or Ashford Dunwoody Road.

This usually doesn’t help much for Downtown Atlanta, but it’s useful for reaching other parts of the metro area.

Typical Travel Times: Quick Comparison

Use this as a rough guide from central Lithonia to central Atlanta. Actual times vary with traffic, accidents, and weather.

These ranges are approximate and meant only for planning.

Taking Transit: Is MARTA an Option from Lithonia?

Lithonia does not have a MARTA rail station, but you can combine driving or rideshare with MARTA rail to reduce downtown parking hassles.

Nearest MARTA Rail Stations from Lithonia

From Lithonia, most people head to one of these East Line or South DeKalb stations:

• Indian Creek Station
  3901 Durham Park Rd, Stone Mountain, GA 30083

• Kensington Station
  3350 Kensington Rd, Decatur, GA 30032

• Avondale Station
  915 E Ponce de Leon Ave, Decatur, GA 30030

You can:

1. Drive from Lithonia to one of these stations (15–25 minutes in light traffic).
2. Park at the station (many have daily parking).
3. Ride the Blue Line (East/West) into Downtown or Midtown Atlanta.

From Indian Creek or Kensington, downtown stations like Five Points, Peachtree Center, or Georgia State are usually around 15–25 minutes by train once you’re on board.

Why Some Commuters Use the Car + MARTA Combo

• 🚗 Avoid downtown parking fees and searching for spaces
• 🚆 More predictable travel time into central Atlanta, especially during big events
• 🧠 Less stress dealing with stop‑and‑go traffic near the Downtown Connector

It may not always be faster door‑to‑door than just driving, but it can feel easier and more cost‑effective if you work or visit frequently in the core of the city.

Rideshare and Taxi Options

If you don’t want to drive yourself, rideshare services and traditional taxis operate between Lithonia and Atlanta.

What to Expect

• Pickup in Lithonia: Usually available throughout the day; wait times may be longer late at night or very early mornings compared with central Atlanta.
• Cost:
  • Varies by time of day, distance, and traffic.
  • Rush hour and major events (concerts, sports at State Farm Arena or Mercedes‑Benz Stadium) can increase prices.
• Drop‑off flexibility: You can go directly to:
  • Downtown Atlanta office buildings
  • Hotels
  • Event venues
  • Neighborhoods like Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, or West End

If you’re flying, a rideshare from Lithonia to Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport usually uses I‑20 and I‑285 or I‑20 and the Downtown Connector (I‑75/85).

Planning a Daily Commute from Lithonia to Atlanta

Many people live in Lithonia and work or study in Atlanta. If that’s you, planning around Atlanta’s traffic patterns is essential.

Peak Traffic Times

On weekdays, traffic toward Atlanta typically peaks:

• Morning: roughly 6:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m., with the heaviest flow into the city
• Evening: roughly 3:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., with the heaviest flow leaving the city

Traffic incidents on I‑20, I‑285, or the Downtown Connector can quickly add 15–30 minutes or more to your trip.

Practical Commute Tips

• Leave earlier or later when possible. Even 20–30 minutes can make a noticeable difference on I‑20.
• Have an alternate route in mind. Know how to switch to:
  • Covington Highway
  • Memorial Drive
  • Other eastside corridors if the interstate is at a standstill.
• Consider park‑and‑ride at a MARTA station on days with big events downtown or bad weather.
• Plan parking ahead of time if you’re driving all the way downtown. Rates and availability can vary around:
  • Peachtree Center
  • Georgia State University area
  • Government buildings near Mitchell Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive

Key Destinations in Atlanta From Lithonia

Depending on why you’re traveling, your route from Lithonia might change slightly.

1. Downtown Atlanta

Common destinations include:

• Georgia State University (GSU)
• Georgia State Capitol
• Mercedes‑Benz Stadium
• State Farm Arena
• City of Atlanta government offices

Most drivers:

• Take I‑20 West, then merge onto or under the Downtown Connector, exiting for Central Ave, Capitol Ave, or nearby streets.
• Or exit from I‑20 directly into the downtown street grid near the Capitol/Georgia State.

2. Midtown Atlanta

Midtown includes:

• Georgia Tech
• Midtown business district
• Piedmont Park
• Arts venues near Peachtree Street

To reach Midtown by car:

• Take I‑20 West
• Merge onto I‑75/85 North (Downtown Connector)
• Exit near 10th/14th Street, North Avenue, or Spring Street, depending on your destination

By MARTA:

• Park at an east‑side station like Kensington or Indian Creek
• Ride westbound and transfer or ride through to Midtown Station, North Avenue Station, or Arts Center Station

3. Atlanta Airport (Hartsfield‑Jackson)

From Lithonia to Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL):

• By car:
  • Often: I‑20 West → I‑285 South → I‑85 North/South to airport exits
  • Or: I‑20 West → I‑75/85 South (Downtown Connector) → Airport exits
• By MARTA:
  • Park at an east‑side station
  • Take MARTA into downtown
  • Transfer to the South (Red/Gold) Line to Airport Station, which is directly inside the main terminal

Safety and Local Driving Considerations

When traveling between Lithonia and Atlanta:

• Speed changes: Watch for sudden changes in speed limits around:
  • On‑ramps and off‑ramps
  • Construction zones
• Weather: Heavy rain can slow travel significantly; hydroplaning and reduced visibility are common issues on I‑20.
• Night driving: Some stretches of road are darker than central Atlanta; be mindful of road work and lane closures.

If you need local law enforcement or road assistance information along the route, agencies such as:

• DeKalb County Police Department
• Georgia State Patrol

are the primary responders on many portions of I‑20 and nearby corridors.

When Is Transit or Carpooling Worth It?

From Lithonia to Atlanta, you might consider alternatives to solo driving if:

• You work or attend school near a MARTA rail station
• You frequently arrive during the busiest rush hours
• Downtown parking and fuel costs are adding up
• You prefer to read, work, or relax instead of dealing with stop‑and‑go traffic

Options include:

• Carpooling with coworkers or classmates traveling from Lithonia or nearby areas like Stonecrest or Snapfinger
• Driving to a MARTA park‑and‑ride station and finishing the trip by rail
• Using rideshare selectively—such as when you don’t want to drive home late or during major events

Traveling from Lithonia, GA to Atlanta, GA is a straightforward trip, but the experience changes dramatically based on the time of day, your destination in the city, and whether you combine driving with MARTA. With a clear sense of routes, timing, and alternatives, you can choose the option that best fits your schedule and comfort level in Atlanta traffic.