How Far Is Atlanta, Georgia? A Practical Guide to Distances In and From the City

When people search for “Atlanta Georgia distance”, they’re usually trying to figure out one of three things:

1. How far Atlanta is from another city or state
2. How big Atlanta is and how long it takes to get around
3. Typical drive times and distances to popular Atlanta-area destinations

This guide walks through all of that from an Atlanta-focused point of view, whether you live in the metro area, are planning a visit, or are deciding if a trip here is realistic by car, bus, train, or plane.

Key Distances to and from Atlanta at a Glance

Atlanta sits in north-central Georgia, making it a major hub for the Southeast. Below are approximate driving distances from downtown Atlanta (Five Points area) to other key cities.

*Drive times assume normal conditions and moderate traffic. Atlanta rush hour, weather, and construction can add substantial delays, especially on I‑285, I‑75, I‑85, and GA‑400.

Understanding Distances Within Atlanta

Atlanta’s metro area is spread out. Even if two places are both “in Atlanta,” the distance and travel time can vary a lot depending on:

• Which neighborhood or suburb you’re coming from
• Whether you’re using I‑285, local streets, or MARTA
• Time of day (rush hour vs. late night)

Approximate Distances from Downtown Atlanta

Using Five Points / Downtown as the starting point:

• Midtown Atlanta (Peachtree St / Arts Center area):
  • Distance: ~2–3 miles
  • Drive: 5–15 minutes
• Buckhead (Lenox Square / Peachtree Rd):
  • Distance: ~7–9 miles
  • Drive: 15–30 minutes
• Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL):
  • Distance: ~10–12 miles south of downtown
  • Drive: 15–30 minutes outside rush hour
• Cumberland / The Battery Atlanta (Cobb County):
  • Distance: ~12–15 miles northwest
  • Drive: 20–40 minutes
• Sandy Springs:
  • Distance: ~15–18 miles north
  • Drive: 25–45 minutes
• Decatur Square (City of Decatur):
  • Distance: ~6–8 miles east
  • Drive: 15–30 minutes
• Stone Mountain Park:
  • Distance: ~18–20 miles east
  • Drive: 30–45 minutes
• Six Flags Over Georgia:
  • Distance: ~13–15 miles west
  • Drive: 20–35 minutes

🚦 Rush hour tip: In heavy traffic, drive time matters more than raw distance. A 7‑mile trip up GA‑400 at 5 p.m. can take as long as a 20‑mile off‑peak drive.

Atlanta to Major Georgia Cities

If you’re in Atlanta and want to understand distances to other cities in Georgia, here’s what to know.

Atlanta to Athens, Georgia

• Distance: ~70 miles northeast
• Typical route: I‑85 N → GA‑316 E
• Drive time: 1.25–1.5 hours

Common for:

• UGA events and game days
• Day trips from metro Atlanta

Atlanta to Savannah, Georgia

• Distance: ~250 miles southeast
• Typical route: I‑75 S → I‑16 E
• Drive time: 4–4.5 hours

Savannah is a popular weekend and vacation destination if you’re based in Atlanta and want coastal access without leaving the state.

Atlanta to Augusta, Georgia

• Distance: ~150 miles east
• Typical route: I‑20 E
• Drive time: 2–2.5 hours

Augusta is reachable in a half‑day, often used for golf events or visiting family from the Atlanta metro.

Atlanta to Macon, Georgia

• Distance: ~85 miles south
• Typical route: I‑75 S
• Drive time: Around 1.5 hours

Macon is one of the closest major cities to Atlanta and an easy same‑day round trip.

Atlanta to Columbus, Georgia

• Distance: ~110 miles southwest
• Typical route: I‑85 S → I‑185 S
• Drive time: 1.75–2 hours

Common reasons to drive this route include Fort Moore access, riverfront activities, and regional events.

Atlanta’s Position in the Southeast

From a distance standpoint, Atlanta functions as a regional hub. Many people decide whether Atlanta is drivable from neighboring states.

Atlanta to Nearby Out‑of‑State Cities

• Chattanooga, Tennessee:

  • Distance: ~120 miles north
  • Route: I‑75 N
  • Time: 2–2.25 hours

• Birmingham, Alabama:

  • Distance: ~150 miles west
  • Route: I‑20 W
  • Time: 2–2.5 hours

• Greenville, South Carolina:

  • Distance: ~145 miles northeast
  • Route: I‑85 N
  • Time: 2.5–3 hours

• Charlotte, North Carolina:

  • Distance: ~245 miles northeast
  • Route: I‑85 N
  • Time: 3.5–4 hours

If you live in Atlanta, these cities are realistically reachable for weekend trips without needing to fly.

Atlanta to Florida Destinations

• Atlanta to Orlando:

  • Distance: ~440 miles
  • Route: I‑75 S → Florida Turnpike
  • Time: 6.5–7 hours

• Atlanta to Tampa:

  • Distance: ~455 miles
  • Route: I‑75 S
  • Time: 7–7.5 hours

• Atlanta to Miami:

  • Distance: ~660 miles
  • Route: I‑75 S (often via Alligator Alley) or I‑95 S via I‑16
  • Time: 9.5–10.5 hours

These are common road‑trip routes for Atlanta families and college students heading to beaches and theme parks.

How Distance Affects Daily Life in Atlanta

Because Atlanta’s metro area spreads across multiple counties, distance planning is part of normal life here.

Commuting Distances

Typical one‑way commutes in the Atlanta area often range from 10 to 30 miles, such as:

• Kennesaw → Midtown
• Lawrenceville → Perimeter / Sandy Springs
• Fayetteville → Downtown

Even when the mileage seems modest, I‑285, GA‑400, and I‑75/I‑85 can turn these into 45–60+ minute drives at peak times.

If you’re relocating within metro Atlanta, it’s worth mapping:

• Home to work distance
• Home to school distance
• Home to MARTA stations (e.g., North Springs, Doraville, College Park, Five Points)

Using MARTA to Shrink Practical Distance

In some parts of Atlanta, using MARTA rail or bus can make distance feel shorter, especially to and from:

• Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
• Downtown Atlanta (Five Points, Peachtree Center)
• Midtown (Arts Center, North Avenue)
• Buckhead / Lenox / Lindbergh Center

Core MARTA rail lines run north–south and east–west, reducing travel time during rush hour even if the physical distance stays the same.

Distance to Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

For travelers and residents alike, the distance to ATL is one of the most important local measurements.

Airport address:
Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport
6000 N Terminal Pkwy
Atlanta, GA 30320

Typical Distances to ATL

Approximate road distances to the airport:

• Downtown Atlanta: 10–12 miles
• Midtown: 12–14 miles
• Buckhead: 17–20 miles
• Cumberland / The Battery: 22–25 miles
• Sandy Springs: 25–28 miles
• Alpharetta: 35–40 miles
• Decatur: 18–20 miles
• Stone Mountain area: 28–32 miles
• Marietta: 25–30 miles

Travel times to ATL can range from 15 minutes to over an hour, depending on congestion on I‑75/85 and the Downtown Connector.

Quick Ways to Estimate Distance in Atlanta

If you’re planning errands, moves, or trips in or out of Atlanta, these approaches can help:

1. Use Major Interstates as Reference Lines

Atlanta is ringed and crossed by several key highways:

• I‑285: The Perimeter loop around the city
• I‑75 / I‑85: Run through downtown as the Downtown Connector
• I‑20: Runs east–west across the city

If your route involves crossing I‑285, expect longer distances and more variable drive times.

2. Measure from a Known Landmark

Many locals estimate from:

• Downtown (Five Points)
• Midtown (Peachtree & 10th)
• Lenox / Buckhead area
• Cobb Galleria / The Battery

Once you know your distance from one of these spots, it’s easier to judge how “far” you are from other parts of metro Atlanta.

3. Consider Time-of-Day Multipliers

People in Atlanta often think in terms of time, not only miles:

• Off-peak: Miles roughly match minutes for close trips
• Rush hour: 10 miles can take 30–40 minutes, especially on the Connector or GA‑400
• Late night: You can sometimes cross large distances (20–25 miles) in under 25 minutes

Distances to Popular Atlanta Attractions

If you’re visiting or planning outings, here are approximate distances from Downtown Atlanta:

• Georgia Aquarium / World of Coca‑Cola / Centennial Olympic Park:

  • Within 1 mile of central downtown; easily walkable

• Mercedes‑Benz Stadium:

  • ~0.5–1 mile west of central downtown

• Piedmont Park (Midtown):

  • ~2–3 miles north

• Atlanta Botanical Garden:

  • ~3 miles north

• Zoo Atlanta (Grant Park):

  • ~2–3 miles southeast

• Ponce City Market / BeltLine Eastside Trail:

  • ~2–3 miles northeast

• Truist Park / The Battery Atlanta (Cobb County):

  • ~12–15 miles northwest

• Stone Mountain Park:

  • ~18–20 miles east

• Atlanta History Center (Buckhead):

  • ~7–9 miles north

Knowing these distances helps with itinerary planning, especially if you’re trying to group attractions that are close together to avoid unnecessary driving.

When You Need Precise Distance Information in Atlanta

For many people, “how far is it?” ties into moving, zoning, voting, schools, and transit. A few official resources can help you pin down exact distances and jurisdictions.

City and County Offices

• City of Atlanta City Hall
  55 Trinity Avenue SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Main information line: 404‑330‑6000

• Fulton County Government Center
  141 Pryor Street SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  General information: 404‑612‑4000

These offices can help you determine if a specific address is within city limits or a particular county or district, which may matter if you’re calculating distances for school zones, voting precincts, or city services.

Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT)

For highway distances, construction zones, and route planning:

• Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) – Atlanta area
  One Georgia Center
  600 West Peachtree Street NW
  Atlanta, GA 30308
  General information: 404‑631‑1990

GDOT provides up‑to‑date details about interstate routes in and out of Atlanta, which can affect how long your trips will take, even if the mileage is fixed.

Key Takeaways About Atlanta, Georgia Distances

• Atlanta is centrally located in Georgia and the Southeast, making many regional cities drivable within a half day.
• Distances within metro Atlanta can be short in miles but long in time because of traffic and highway patterns.
• Major Georgia cities like Athens, Macon, Augusta, Columbus, and Savannah sit within roughly 1.5 to 4.5 hours’ drive from Atlanta.
• Popular out‑of‑state cities such as Chattanooga, Birmingham, Greenville, and Charlotte are common weekend road trips from Atlanta.
• For everyday life, understanding the distance between home, work, school, and MARTA is just as important as knowing how far you are from other cities.

If you’re living in or visiting Atlanta, thinking about both distance and drive time will give you the most realistic picture of how far things truly feel.