Getting From Roswell, GA to Atlanta, GA: Routes, Timing, and Local Tips

Traveling from Roswell, GA to Atlanta, GA is a common part of daily life for many metro-area residents. Whether you’re commuting to a job in Downtown Atlanta, heading to a game at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, catching a flight at Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport, or visiting friends in Midtown or Buckhead, it helps to know your options.

This guide walks through the main ways to get from Roswell to Atlanta, typical travel times, and practical tips tailored to how things really work in and around Atlanta.

How Far Is Roswell From Atlanta?

Roswell is a northern suburb of Atlanta in Fulton County.

• Approximate distance:
  • Roswell City Hall to Downtown Atlanta: about 20–24 miles
  • Roswell to Midtown Atlanta: about 18–22 miles
  • Roswell to Buckhead: about 14–18 miles

Travel times vary a lot based on traffic, time of day, and your exact starting and ending points.

Main Driving Routes From Roswell to Atlanta

If you’re driving, you have a few primary route options. Which is “best” usually depends on traffic and where in Atlanta you’re going.

1. GA‑400 South: The Most Direct Route

For most people, GA‑400 South is the main route from Roswell to Atlanta.

Typical pattern:

• Start near Holcomb Bridge Rd, Mansell Rd, or Haynes Bridge Rd in the Roswell/Alpharetta area.
• Enter GA‑400 South.
• Continue toward I‑285 and then into the city.

For common Atlanta destinations:

• To Buckhead
  • Stay on GA‑400 South to exits around Lenox Rd/Peachtree Rd.
  • Buckhead is clustered around Peachtree Rd NE, Lenox Square, and Phipps Plaza.
• To Midtown
  • You can continue on GA‑400 and connect to I‑85 South or use surface streets from Buckhead (such as Peachtree Rd or Piedmont Rd) into Midtown.
• To Downtown
  • Many drivers continue on GA‑400 to I‑85 South, then connect via:
    • I‑75/85 Downtown Connector, or
    • Major surface streets (like Peachtree St heading south).

Pros:

• Usually the fastest and most straightforward.
• Clearly signed.
• Familiar to most commuters, rideshare drivers, and delivery services.

Cons:

• Heaviest congestion during weekday rush hours:
  • Roughly 6:30–9:30 a.m. (Roswell → Atlanta)
  • Roughly 4:00–7:00 p.m. (Atlanta → Roswell)
• Traffic can back up near I‑285 and around major exits in Buckhead.

2. Roswell Road / SR‑9: Slower, But Sometimes More Predictable

Instead of GA‑400, you can take surface streets:

• Follow Roswell Rd / SR‑9 south through Sandy Springs into Buckhead.
• From Buckhead, continue on Peachtree Rd, Piedmont Rd, or connecting streets to reach Midtown or Downtown.

Why some locals choose this:

• Backup option when GA‑400 is heavily congested or there’s an accident.
• Gives easier access to local stops (shops, restaurants, gas, errands) along the way.

Tradeoffs:

• More traffic lights, lower speed limits.
• Can be slower than the highway, especially at busy intersections in Sandy Springs and Buckhead.

3. Using I‑285 and Other Connectors

Sometimes navigating around the top end of the Perimeter helps:

• From Roswell, you may access GA‑400 South or I‑575 / I‑75 depending on where you start.
• Then connect onto I‑285 and loop east or west before heading into Atlanta via:
  • I‑75 South
  • I‑85 South
  • Or main arterial roads like Peachtree Industrial Blvd or Chamblee‑Tucker Rd (if you’re going to specific parts of the city).

This route can make sense for:

• Travel to Westside Atlanta, the Cobb border, or locations near Vinings or Smyrna.
• Times when a major incident makes GA‑400 directly into the city unusually slow.

Typical Travel Times: Roswell to Atlanta

Times are estimates and assume normal traffic and weather. Always expect variation.

Key timing tips:

• Weekday early mornings into Atlanta: usually busy starting around 6:45–7:00 a.m.
• Friday afternoons can be slower than other weekdays, especially leaving the city.
• Game days and events (Falcons, Hawks, Atlanta United, big concerts) add extra congestion around Downtown and Midtown.

Public Transportation Options (Roswell to Atlanta)

Roswell itself doesn’t have a MARTA rail station, but you can connect to the MARTA system easily by driving or using local buses to nearby stations in North Fulton.

1. Park-and-Ride to a MARTA Rail Station

This is a popular option for people who don’t want to drive all the way into the city or pay for in‑town parking.

Common nearby stations:

• North Springs Station (Red Line)
  • Address: 7010 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd, Sandy Springs, GA 30328
  • Typically used by commuters from Roswell and Alpharetta.
  • Offers parking and direct rail access to:
    • Sandy Springs
    • Buckhead
    • Midtown
    • Downtown
• North Point area bus connections (for some riders in Roswell/Alpharetta) can link to North Springs as well.

How it works:

1. Drive or rideshare from Roswell to North Springs Station.
2. Park at the station if you’re driving.
3. Take the Red Line MARTA train south:
   • For Buckhead: exit at Buckhead, Lenox (transfer needed), or Lindbergh Center depending on destination.
   • For Midtown: exit at Arts Center, Midtown, or North Avenue.
   • For Downtown: exit at Peachtree Center, Five Points, or Civic Center.

🚆 Typical MARTA ride times from North Springs:

• To Buckhead: about 10–15 minutes
• To Midtown: about 20–25 minutes
• To Downtown: about 25–30 minutes

(Plan extra time for parking, walking, and train wait times.)

2. Using MARTA Buses From Roswell

The MARTA bus system serves parts of Roswell and connects to rail:

• Bus routes can change, but in general, they:
  • Travel along major corridors like Holcomb Bridge Rd and Roswell Rd.
  • Link to nearby rail stations such as North Springs.

If you prefer to avoid driving:

• Check current MARTA bus services that connect Roswell to North Springs Station or other nearby hubs in Sandy Springs.
• Expect a longer total travel time than driving + rail, but you won’t need to park or drive in traffic.

Rideshare and Taxi Options

If you don’t want to drive at all, rideshare and taxis are widely used between Roswell and Atlanta.

Rideshare (e.g., app-based services)

Pros:

• Door‑to‑door travel from Roswell to specific Atlanta neighborhoods (Buckhead, Midtown, Downtown, Westside).
• No parking or navigating downtown streets.
• Can be convenient for late-night trips, when transit options are less frequent.

Cons:

• Cost varies with distance and demand; expect significantly higher prices during:
  • Rush hour
  • Major events
  • Late‑night bar and concert exit times
• Travel time is still affected by the same GA‑400 and Connector traffic.

Traditional Taxi Services

• Less commonly hailed on the street from Roswell, but can be arranged via dispatch or hotel connections if you’re staying in certain parts of town.
• More typically used from Downtown Atlanta back to Roswell if you prefer a metered car service.

Getting From Roswell to Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Many travelers in Roswell are specifically asking, “How do I get from Roswell, GA to Atlanta Airport?”

You have three main options:

1. Drive Yourself

Typical car route:

1. Drive GA‑400 South from Roswell.
2. Connect to I‑85 South, then the I‑75/85 Downtown Connector.
3. Follow signs for Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Travel time:

• Light traffic: ~45–60 minutes.
• Rush hour / busy times: 1–1.5+ hours.

Plan extra time for:

• Parking at airport lots or off‑site parking.
• Riding a shuttle to your terminal if needed.
• Security screening and check‑in.

2. Drive or Rideshare to MARTA and Then Ride to the Airport

This is often more predictable and can avoid parking costs.

Common pattern:

1. Drive or rideshare from Roswell to North Springs Station (Red Line).
2. Ride the Red Line south to Five Points Station.
3. At Five Points, transfer to the Southbound (Gold or Red) line to Airport Station.
4. Exit directly inside the Domestic Terminal.

Overall timing:

• Roswell → North Springs: 15–25 minutes in light traffic, longer in rush hour.
• North Springs → Airport by MARTA: around 45–55 minutes (train time plus transfer).
• Add time for parking or bus transfers.

3. Rideshare or Car Service Directly to the Airport

• Door‑to‑door from Roswell to your specific airport terminal area.
• Often chosen for:
  • Early‑morning or late‑night flights
  • Travelers with heavy luggage
  • Those who prefer not to deal with parking

Cost increases with distance and demand, so many travelers compare this with the drive + MARTA option.

Cost and Practical Considerations

Comparing Options: Drive vs. Transit vs. Rideshare

Driving yourself:

• Best for: Flexibility, irregular schedules, and errands before/after your trip.
• Costs to consider: Gas, parking (especially in Downtown/Midtown/airport), wear and tear.

MARTA (drive or bus + rail):

• Best for: Predictable commute into central Atlanta, avoiding parking fees and heavy driving stress.
• Tradeoffs: Less flexible schedule, longer door‑to‑door time from many Roswell neighborhoods.

Rideshare/taxi:

• Best for: Occasional trips, nights out in Atlanta when you don’t want to drive, airport runs.
• Tradeoffs: Higher per‑trip cost, especially when traffic and demand are high.

Local Tips for a Smoother Roswell–Atlanta Trip

A few patterns Atlanta‑area residents often rely on:

• Leave earlier than you think you need. Traffic incidents on GA‑400 or the Connector can drastically change your arrival time.
• Check real‑time traffic before choosing between GA‑400 and Roswell Rd / SR‑9.
• Use park‑and‑ride stations like North Springs if you’re working or staying in Buckhead, Midtown, or Downtown for the day.
• Mind event schedules for:
  • Mercedes‑Benz Stadium (Downtown)
  • State Farm Arena (Downtown)
  • Major Midtown or Buckhead events
• Know your parking options in Atlanta:
  • Garages and lots near Downtown or Midtown offices, attractions, and venues
  • Residential/visitor parking rules in neighborhoods like Virginia‑Highland, Inman Park, or Old Fourth Ward if you’re visiting friends.

When Living in Roswell and Working in Atlanta

Many people choose to live in Roswell and commute into Atlanta for work or school.

Common patterns include:

• Driving GA‑400 daily to Buckhead or Midtown offices.
• Driving or ridesharing to North Springs and taking MARTA rail to avoid downtown driving and parking.
• Hybrid schedules (driving some days, MARTA other days) depending on:
  • Weather
  • Meetings and after‑work plans
  • Event schedules and traffic forecasts

If you’re deciding whether this commute works for you:

• Pay attention to your specific work hours (traditional 9–5 vs. flexible).
• Try the route at your actual commute time a few times.
• Consider whether regular park‑and‑ride via MARTA may make the routine less stressful.

Travel between Roswell, GA and Atlanta, GA is part of everyday life in the metro area. Once you know your main routes—GA‑400, Roswell Rd, MARTA park‑and‑ride options—and how traffic typically behaves, it becomes much easier to choose the best way to get into and out of the city for work, events, and travel.