How Far Is It? Your Practical Distance Guide From Atlanta, Georgia

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and find yourself wondering “how far is it?” to nearby cities, beaches, mountains, airports, or even within the metro area, you’re not alone. Atlanta is a major transportation hub, and distance and travel time can change a lot depending on traffic, route, and even time of day.

This guide breaks down how far Atlanta is from popular destinations, plus how long it usually takes to get around the city and metro area.

Key Distances From Atlanta at a Glance

The distances below are approximate, measured from Downtown Atlanta (near the Georgia State Capitol).

*Drive times assume normal conditions; Atlanta traffic can add significant time, especially during weekday rush hours.

How Far Is Atlanta From Major Georgia Cities?

If you live in Atlanta or you’re visiting and planning day trips, knowing how far Atlanta is from other Georgia cities is essential.

Atlanta to Athens, GA

• Distance: About 70 miles northeast
• Drive time: Around 1.5 hours via I-85 N and GA-316 E
• Why go: College-town vibe, live music, dining, University of Georgia events, and historic neighborhoods.
• Good for: Day trips or overnight stays from Atlanta.

Atlanta to Macon, GA

• Distance: About 85 miles southeast
• Drive time: Around 1.5 hours via I-75 S
• Why go: Music history, museums, and architecture.
• Tip: Traffic on I-75 S can back up leaving metro Atlanta; leaving off-peak can save time.

Atlanta to Augusta, GA

• Distance: About 150 miles east
• Drive time:2–2.5 hours via I-20 E
• Why go: Golf events, Savannah River, historic sites.
• Day trip or overnight: Both are realistic from Atlanta.

Atlanta to Savannah, GA

• Distance: About 250 miles southeast
• Drive time: About 3.5–4 hours via I-75 S and I-16 E
• Why go: Historic downtown, riverfront, and coastal access.
• Realistic plan: Better as a weekend trip than a same-day turnaround from Atlanta.

How Far Is Atlanta From Beaches?

Atlanta isn’t on the coast, so any beach trip is going to be a drive or a flight. Here’s how far the closest popular beaches typically are.

Closest Georgia Beaches to Atlanta

Tybee Island (near Savannah)

• Distance from Atlanta: About 265 miles
• Drive time: Roughly 4–4.5 hours
• Route: I-75 S → I-16 E → US-80 E
• Good to know: Many people from Atlanta pair Tybee with a Savannah stay.

Jekyll Island / St. Simons Island

• Distance from Atlanta: Around 310–325 miles
• Drive time: About 4.5–5 hours via I-75 S and I-16 E/US-341/US-25
• Why go: Quieter beaches compared with some Florida spots.

Popular Florida Beaches From Atlanta

Jacksonville / Jacksonville Beach

• Distance: Around 350 miles
• Drive time:5–5.5 hours via I-75 S and I-10 E

Panama City Beach (Florida Panhandle)

• Distance: About 300 miles
• Drive time: Around 5 hours depending on route (often US-431 S or I-85 S/US-231 S)

Destin / 30A Area

• Distance: Around 330–360 miles
• Drive time: Roughly 5.5–6 hours

For most Atlanta residents, beaches are long-weekend trips, not quick day drives.

How Far Is Atlanta From the Mountains?

If you’re in Atlanta and want cooler air, hiking, or scenic drives, the North Georgia mountains are relatively close.

North Georgia Mountain Towns

Dahlonega

• Distance: Around 65 miles north
• Drive time: About 1.25–1.5 hours via GA-400 N
• Good for: Wineries, small-town square, nearby hiking.

Helen

• Distance: About 90 miles northeast
• Drive time: Around 1.75–2 hours
• Notes: Can be slower on weekends and during festivals.

Blue Ridge

• Distance: Around 90 miles north
• Drive time: About 1.75–2 hours via I-575/GA-515 N
• Popular for: Cabins, train rides, lake and river activities.

Appalachian Access From Atlanta

Amicalola Falls State Park (approach to the Appalachian Trail)

• Distance: Around 75 miles
• Drive time:1.5–2 hours
• Why it matters: Common starting point for hikers from Atlanta.

These destinations are realistic day trips from Atlanta, especially if you leave early to avoid traffic on GA-400 and I-575.

How Far Is Atlanta From Other Major US Cities?

If you’re planning a road trip or comparing driving vs. flying, these rough distances help.

Nearby Regional Cities

• Chattanooga, TN

  • Distance: ~120 miles northwest
  • Drive: About 2 hours via I-75 N

• Birmingham, AL

  • Distance: ~150 miles west
  • Drive: 2–2.5 hours via I-20 W

• Greenville, SC

  • Distance: ~145 miles northeast
  • Drive: About 2.5 hours via I-85 N

Longer Drives From Atlanta

• Charlotte, NC

  • Distance: ~245 miles northeast
  • Drive: Around 3.5–4 hours via I-85 N

• Nashville, TN

  • Distance: ~250 miles northwest
  • Drive: About 4–4.5 hours via I-75 N and I-24 W

• Jacksonville, FL

  • Distance: ~350 miles south
  • Drive: 5–5.5 hours

Beyond these, many travelers from Atlanta choose to fly instead of drive, especially to cities like New York, Chicago, Dallas, or Los Angeles.

How Far Is It Around Atlanta Itself?

Inside metro Atlanta, “how far” isn’t just about miles—it’s also about interstate access and traffic patterns. Two places can be fairly close in miles but far in minutes if you’re crossing multiple interstates at rush hour.

Within the City of Atlanta

Approximate distances from Downtown Atlanta:

• Midtown Atlanta: ~2–3 miles north (5–15 minutes)
• Buckhead: ~7–9 miles north (15–30 minutes) via I-85 or Peachtree Rd
• West Midtown: ~3–5 miles northwest (10–20 minutes)
• East Atlanta / East Atlanta Village: ~4–5 miles southeast (10–20 minutes)
• Atlanta BeltLine segments: Many are within 2–6 miles of downtown, but travel time varies based on local streets.

Popular Metro Atlanta Suburbs

These distances assume you’re starting from Downtown:

• Decatur: ~6–7 miles east (15–25 minutes)
• Sandy Springs: ~15 miles north (20–35 minutes) via GA-400 N
• Alpharetta: ~25 miles north (30–50 minutes)
• Roswell: ~20 miles north (30–45 minutes)
• Marietta: ~20 miles northwest (25–45 minutes) via I-75 N
• Smyrna / Cumberland / The Battery area: ~12–15 miles northwest (20–35 minutes)
• Duluth / Gwinnett Place area: ~25–30 miles northeast (35–55 minutes) via I-85 N
• Stone Mountain: ~15–20 miles east (25–45 minutes)

👉 Rush hour warning: Weekday peaks (roughly 7–9 a.m. and 4–7 p.m.) can add 20–40 minutes or more, especially on I-75, I-85, I-285, and GA-400.

How Far Is Downtown Atlanta From the Airport?

For locals and visitors, one of the most common questions is “How far is Atlanta from the airport?”

Distance to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

• From Downtown Atlanta:

  • Distance: About 10 miles south
  • Drive time: Usually 15–30 minutes via I-75/85 S

• From Midtown:

  • Distance: Around 12–14 miles
  • Drive time: About 20–35 minutes

• From Buckhead:

  • Distance: ~18–20 miles
  • Drive time: Often 25–40 minutes, longer at peak times

Transit Distance: MARTA to the Airport

MARTA rail is one of the most predictable ways to get to ATL from inside the city:

• From Five Points Station (Downtown) to Airport Station:

  • Distance: About 9–10 miles by rail
  • Time: ~15–20 minutes once you’re on the train

• From Midtown Station:

  • Time: About 20–25 minutes to Airport Station

Airport Station is directly attached to the Domestic Terminal, so there’s no additional shuttle distance once you arrive.

For schedules and current fares, riders typically check Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) information before heading out.

How To Estimate Travel Distance and Time in Atlanta

Because Atlanta has multiple interstates and heavy commuter traffic, miles alone don’t always tell the full story. When you’re trying to figure out “how far is it from Atlanta to X?”, a few local patterns help:

1. Use Interstates vs. Surface Streets

• Interstates (I-75, I-85, I-20, I-285, GA-400) usually cover distance faster, but can clog during rush hours or around construction zones.
• Inside the city, surface streets like Peachtree Street, Ponce de Leon Ave, or North Avenue may be slower in miles-per-hour, but can sometimes beat a jammed freeway over short distances.

2. Add Extra Time During These Windows

Expect slower travel from or through Atlanta during:

• Weekday mornings: About 6:30–9:30 a.m.
• Weekday evenings: About 4–7:30 p.m.
• Holiday weekends and Fridays can also stretch drive times to and from Atlanta significantly.

3. Typical Radius vs. Time From Atlanta

A practical rule many locals use:

• 30–40 minutes from central Atlanta: Often keeps you within 15–20 miles, depending on direction and interstate access.
• 1 hour: Can reach many outlying suburbs (Cumming, Newnan, Conyers, etc.) in light to moderate traffic.
• 2 hours: Puts you into another region altogether—North Georgia mountains, Macon, Chattanooga, parts of Alabama and South Carolina.

Atlanta Distances and Government / Transit Contacts

If you need official information about transportation distances, routes, or options connected to Atlanta:

Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT)

• Typical role: Highway conditions, construction, major route information affecting how far/long trips from Atlanta may take.
• Main office (Atlanta): Often located near downtown government complexes.

MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority)

• Role: Rail and bus service within Atlanta and parts of the metro area.
• Provides maps, travel times, and connections that help you understand distance by transit rather than by car.

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport

• Role: Flight distances, airport layout, and terminal-to-terminal travel within ATL (which can feel like its own “city” distance-wise).

Residents and visitors generally confirm the latest travel details directly with these organizations, especially if timing is tight.

Quick Reference: Common “How Far From Atlanta?” Questions

• How far is Atlanta from the airport (ATL)?
  About 10 miles, generally 15–30 minutes by car from downtown, or 15–20 minutes by MARTA train from Five Points.

• How far is Atlanta from the beach?
  The closest commonly visited beaches (Tybee Island, some Florida Panhandle spots) are roughly 4–6 hours away by car.

• How far is Atlanta from the mountains?
  North Georgia mountain towns like Dahlonega, Helen, and Blue Ridge are around 65–90 miles, typically 1.5–2 hours by car.

• How far is it across metro Atlanta?
  Crossing from one side of the metro to another can be 30–60 miles, often 45–90 minutes or more in traffic.

Understanding these typical distances helps you plan trips, commuting, or sightseeing in and around Atlanta with more realistic expectations for both miles and minutes.