Getting Around Atlanta, Georgia: Directions, Routes, and Local Tips

Finding your way in Atlanta, Georgia can feel confusing at first. The city has major interstates, winding neighborhood streets, several “Peachtree” roads, and a busy airport. With a little local knowledge, though, navigating to, from, and around Atlanta becomes much easier.

This guide walks through the main ways to get directions in Atlanta—by car, transit, bike, walking, or from out of town—plus key landmarks, road names, and practical tips that locals actually use.

Understanding Atlanta’s Layout

Before you look up directions, it helps to know how Atlanta is organized.

The Core: Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead

Atlanta’s “center” is generally thought of as three connected areas running north–south along Peachtree Street:

• Downtown Atlanta – Government buildings, State Capitol, major arenas, some hotels.
• Midtown – Arts, dining, office towers, Georgia Tech.
• Buckhead – Northern commercial district with shopping and business centers.

Most directions will reference how far something is from one of these areas.

The Perimeter (I‑285)

I‑285, known locally as “the Perimeter,” is a large loop highway that circles the city.

• Inside the Perimeter (ITP) – Areas closer to the city core, like Midtown, Virginia-Highland, West End, and East Atlanta.
• Outside the Perimeter (OTP) – Suburbs and surrounding cities like Sandy Springs, Marietta, Decatur (city of), and Stone Mountain.

When someone gives directions in Atlanta, they often say whether a place is inside or outside the Perimeter.

The Major Interstates

Three interstates shape most driving directions:

• I‑75 – Runs northwest–south through the city.
• I‑85 – Runs northeast–south and merges with I‑75 through Downtown (called the Downtown Connector).
• I‑20 – Runs east–west across the city, crossing the Connector near Downtown.

Knowing these will help you understand and follow turn‑by‑turn directions more confidently.

Driving Directions in Atlanta

Key Highways and What They Connect

Here’s a quick reference for the main roads people mention when giving directions:

Common Driving Routes to Know

From Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport to Downtown

• Follow signs for I‑85 North / I‑75 North.
• Stay on the Downtown Connector (I‑75/85).
• Exits for Downtown include Courtland St, Williams St, and Central Ave, depending on your destination.

From Downtown to Midtown

• Drive north on Peachtree Street or use I‑75/85 North.
• Midtown stretches roughly from North Avenue up to Pershing Point (near 17th St).

From Downtown to Buckhead

• Take I‑75/85 North, then GA‑400 North or exits for Peachtree Street NE and follow Peachtree north.
• Buckhead’s core is around Peachtree Rd NE near Lenox and Phipps areas.

From Downtown to Decatur (city of Decatur)

• Take I‑20 East, exit on Moreland Ave North and then Ponce de Leon Ave East, or
• Use Freedom Parkway to Ponce de Leon Ave and continue east.
• Decatur’s square is along East Ponce de Leon Ave.

Local Driving Tips 🚗

• Traffic is heavy during rush hours. Plan for congestion on I‑75/85, GA‑400, and I‑285 between roughly 7–10 a.m. and 3:30–7 p.m. on weekdays.
• Left exits and lane drops are common on the Downtown Connector; read overhead signs early.
• There are many “Peachtree” streets (Peachtree Street, Peachtree Road, Peachtree Industrial, Peachtree Battle, etc.). Always double‑check the full street name plus ZIP or neighborhood.
• For dense areas like Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead, consider parking once and walking, using MARTA, or taking a rideshare instead of driving block to block.

Using MARTA: Transit Directions in Atlanta

Atlanta’s primary public transit system is MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority). It includes rail and buses covering much of the city and close‑in suburbs.

MARTA Rail Lines and Major Stops

MARTA rail has Red, Gold, Blue, and Green lines:

• Airport Station (South end of Red/Gold Line) – Located inside the Domestic Terminal of the airport.
• Five Points Station (Downtown) – Central hub where all lines intersect.
• Peachtree Center, Civic Center, and North Ave – Convenient for Downtown and Midtown destinations.
• Arts Center Station – Access to Midtown’s arts district and some bus connections.
• Lindbergh Center, Buckhead, Lenox – Serve Buckhead area.

Example: Airport to Midtown by MARTA

• Board Red or Gold Line train at Airport Station (only one direction available: northbound).
• For Midtown, exit at Midtown Station, North Ave, or Arts Center, depending on your destination.

Getting Directions with MARTA

To navigate Atlanta with MARTA:

• Identify your starting station (or bus route) and destination station.
• Check:
  • Line color (Red, Gold, Blue, Green)
  • Direction (northbound, southbound, eastbound, westbound)
  • Transfer points (often Five Points)

You can also get route planning help from MARTA in person or by phone:

• MARTA Headquarters and Customer Service Center
  2424 Piedmont Rd NE
  Atlanta, GA 30324
  Main customer service: (404) 848‑5000

When MARTA Works Best

MARTA can be especially useful when:

• Traveling from the airport to Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead.
• Attending events at State Farm Arena, Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, Georgia World Congress Center, Georgia Tech, or in Downtown/Midtown where parking is limited.
• You want to avoid driving and parking in heavy traffic corridors.

Walking and Biking Directions in Atlanta

Atlanta is not fully walkable end‑to‑end, but certain neighborhoods and paths make walking and biking practical.

Walkable Neighborhoods

Areas where walking directions make the most sense include:

• Downtown and Midtown – Many hotels, offices, and attractions clustered within a short walk.
• Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, Virginia‑Highland, Little Five Points – Dense, neighborhood‑style streets with shops and restaurants.
• Decatur (ITP) – Compact downtown square and surrounding streets.

When walking:

• Watch for wide arterial roads like Peachtree Street, Ponce de Leon Ave, or North Ave; cross only at marked crosswalks and signals.
• In some areas, sidewalks may be uneven or missing on smaller side streets; use main roads where sidewalks are better maintained.

Atlanta BeltLine Directions

The Atlanta BeltLine is a network of multi‑use trails circling the core of the city. It’s useful for walking, biking, and getting between neighborhoods without using major roads.

• Popular segments: Eastside Trail (Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, Ponce City Market area), Westside Trail, and connecting spurs.
• You can often get directions like “Walk on the Eastside Trail from Ponce City Market to Krog Street Market” instead of driving a short distance.

For orientation and maps, the main public information office is:

• Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.
  100 Peachtree St NW, Suite 2300
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Main phone: (404) 477‑3003

Biking Tips 🚲

• Use trails (like the BeltLine) and neighborhood streets where possible, not just major arteries.
• When biking near Downtown and Midtown, expect bus traffic, turning cars, and one‑way streets; plan your route ahead of time.

Getting Directions to Major Atlanta Landmarks

Below are simplified direction patterns to some well‑known Atlanta destinations. Always adjust based on where you’re starting from and current traffic conditions.

Downtown Landmarks

Georgia State Capitol

• Address: 206 Washington St SW, Atlanta, GA 30334
• General pattern by car from the north:
  • Take I‑75/85 South, exit toward Fulton St / Turner Field, and follow signs toward Capitol / Memorial Dr.
• By MARTA:
  • Use Georgia State Station (Blue/Green Line); walk a few blocks southeast.

Mercedes‑Benz Stadium & State Farm Arena

• Both sit near the western side of Downtown.
• By car:
  • From I‑20, use Exit 56B (for the stadium area) or follow signs for Centennial Olympic Park Dr.
• By MARTA:
  • Use GWCC/CNN Center/State Farm Arena Station (Blue/Green Line) or Vine City Station.

Midtown Landmarks

Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)

• Located mainly north of North Avenue, west of the Connector.
• By car from Downtown:
  • Head north on I‑75/85, exit at North Ave, and head west over the Connector.
• By MARTA:
  • North Ave or Midtown Station, then campus shuttles or a short walk.

Piedmont Park

• Near 10th St NE and Piedmont Ave NE in Midtown.
• By MARTA:
  • Exit at Midtown Station, walk east along 10th St to the park’s entrance.

Buckhead Landmarks

Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza

• Major shopping area in Buckhead along Peachtree Rd NE.
• By MARTA rail:
  • Lenox Station (Gold Line) for Lenox Square.
  • Buckhead Station (Red Line) for the Peachtree Rd area west of GA‑400.

Directions From Outside Atlanta

If you’re coming from outside metro Atlanta, your directions usually start on a major interstate:

• From the north (Chattanooga, Tennessee or north Georgia):
  • Use I‑75 South into the city. For Downtown, stay on the Connector and follow Downtown exits.
• From the northeast (Greenville, South Carolina):
  • Use I‑85 South into Atlanta, merging onto the Connector toward Downtown.
• From the east (Augusta, Georgia):
  • Use I‑20 West; follow signs for Downtown or connect to I‑75/85 as needed.
• From the west (Birmingham, Alabama):
  • Use I‑20 East into Atlanta; exits near Downtown provide access to central neighborhoods.
• From the south (Macon, Georgia):
  • Use I‑75 North; for the airport, exit at Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport before reaching the city core, or continue on to the Connector for Downtown.

When approaching Atlanta, many drivers use I‑285 (the Perimeter) to circle around and then exit toward their specific destination rather than driving directly through the center.

Finding and Verifying Directions in Atlanta

Address and Grid Quirks

Atlanta’s street system doesn’t follow a perfect grid. Keep in mind:

• Directional suffixes matter: NW, NE, SW, SE can all exist for similar street names (e.g., Ponce de Leon Ave NE vs Ponce de Leon Ave Ave NE, and various segments of Peachtree).
• City of Atlanta vs nearby cities: You might see addresses in Sandy Springs, Decatur, College Park, East Point, etc., which are separate municipalities but part of the Atlanta metro. Check that you’re navigating to the right city.

Where to Get In‑Person Direction Help

If you prefer speaking to someone directly:

• Atlanta Visitor Information Center (Downtown – commonly near Centennial Olympic Park / convention area)
  Staff can usually provide maps, printed directions, and neighborhood guidance.

• Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport Information Desks
  Located in the terminals, these desks help with directions to hotels, convention sites, and MARTA routes.

• Atlanta City Hall (for civic locations)
  55 Trinity Ave SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Main line: (404) 330‑6000
  While they’re not a general navigation service, they can help with directions to city offices and municipal services.

Practical Tips for Smooth Navigation in Atlanta

• Confirm the full address: Include street name, direction (NE/NW/SE/SW), and ZIP when searching for directions.
• Check traffic before you leave: Allow extra time when using I‑75/85, I‑285, GA‑400, and I‑20, especially during peak hours.
• Combine modes: For central areas, a common strategy is:
  1. Drive or rideshare to a MARTA station with parking.
  2. Take MARTA rail into Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead.
  3. Walk or use a short rideshare trip for the final few blocks.
• Know landmark‑based directions: Locals often describe routes relative to landmarks (e.g., “near Georgia Tech,” “on the Eastside BeltLine,” “inside the Perimeter near Decatur”) rather than only by street numbers.

Understanding Atlanta’s main roads, transit options, and neighborhood layout will make any set of directions—digital or spoken—much easier to follow, whether you live in the city, are visiting, or are planning a trip into town.