How Far Is Marietta, Georgia From Atlanta? A Local’s Guide to Distance, Drive Times, and Routes

If you spend any time in metro Atlanta, you’ll hear Marietta come up a lot — for work, ball games, shopping, or Cobb County errands. So how far is Marietta, Georgia from Atlanta, really, and what does that distance feel like in everyday life?

Below is a practical, Atlanta-focused guide that breaks down miles, drive times, routes, transit options, and local tips so you know exactly what to expect going between the two.

Quick Answer: Distance Between Atlanta and Marietta

The distance between Downtown Atlanta and Downtown Marietta is roughly:

• 17–21 miles
  • via I-75 North: about 17–18 miles
  • via I-75 + GA-120 Loop or surface streets: around 19–21 miles

In normal conditions, the drive time is usually:

• 20–30 minutes outside rush hour
• 35–60+ minutes during peak traffic (especially weekday mornings and late afternoons)

Simple Distance & Time Overview

*Times vary significantly with traffic and weather.

Understanding the Route: How You Actually Get From Atlanta to Marietta

Main Highway Route: I-75 North

For most people, the most direct way from Atlanta to Marietta is:

1. Get on I-75/I-85 in Downtown or Midtown Atlanta.
2. Stay on I-75 North after the Downtown Connector splits.
3. Continue past Cumberland/Vinings (Cobb Galleria area).
4. Use exits for:
   • GA-120 Loop / N Marietta Pkwy
   • South Marietta Pkwy
   • Delk Road / South Marietta Parkway
     depending on where in Marietta you’re going.

This interstate route is fastest in light traffic, but can be heavily congested during:

• Weekday morning rush heading into Atlanta
• Weekday evening rush heading out toward Cobb County and Marietta
• Game days or big events at Truist Park / The Battery Atlanta

Alternative Surface-Street Routes

If I-75 is backed up, many locals use surface streets, especially from intown neighborhoods:

• From West Midtown / Georgia Tech area:
  • North on Northside Dr or Howell Mill Rd, then connect to US-41 (Cobb Pkwy) and continue into the Marietta area.
• From Downtown / Westside:
  • US-41/Cobb Pkwy can be used as an alternative to I-75, though it has more lights.

These routes can be more predictable when the interstate is at a standstill, but usually aren’t faster in completely clear conditions.

How Traffic Affects the Atlanta–Marietta Trip

Living in or visiting Atlanta means planning around traffic, especially on the I-75 corridor.

Typical Drive Time Ranges

• Early morning (before ~6:30 a.m.):
  • 20–25 minutes is common from Downtown to Marietta.
• Morning rush (approx. 6:30–9:30 a.m.):
  • Marietta → Atlanta: can stretch to 40–60 minutes or more.
  • Atlanta → Marietta: often 30–45 minutes depending on direction and incidents.
• Midday (10 a.m.–3 p.m.):
  • Often 20–35 minutes each way.
• Evening rush (approx. 3:30–7 p.m.):
  • Atlanta → Marietta typically 35–60+ minutes.
• Late night (after 8 p.m.):
  • Often close to 20 minutes if roads are clear.

⚠️ Game-Day Impact:
If the Atlanta Braves are playing at Truist Park (just inside Cobb County off I-75), traffic between Atlanta and Marietta can spike before and after games, especially near:

• Cobb Parkway (US-41)
• I-285 / I-75 junction
• Cumberland Blvd area

If you’re traveling from Atlanta to Marietta around game time, leaving earlier than normal or using surface-street detours around Truist Park can help.

Atlanta Neighborhoods: How Far Are They From Marietta?

The “feel” of the trip can change depending on where you start in Atlanta.

From Downtown Atlanta

Landmarks: Five Points, State Capitol, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Georgia State

• Distance to Downtown Marietta: ~17–18 miles
• Primary route: I-75 North
• Typical time:
  • Off-peak: ~20–30 minutes
  • Rush hour: 35–50+ minutes

From Midtown Atlanta

Landmarks: Georgia Tech, Midtown MARTA station, Piedmont Park (east of I-75/85)

• Distance: ~18–20 miles
• Primary route:
  • I-75/I-85 Connector → I-75 North
• Typical time:
  • Off-peak: 25–35 minutes
  • Rush hour: 35–50+ minutes

From Buckhead

Landmarks: Lenox Square, Peachtree Rd corridor

• Distance: ~16–18 miles
• Routes:
  • GA-400 → I-285 West → I-75 North; or
  • Surface streets west to I-75 North
• Typical time:
  • Off-peak: 20–30 minutes
  • Rush hour: 30–45+ minutes

From the Airport (ATL) to Marietta

• Distance: ~27–30 miles
• Primary route:
  • I-85 North → I-75/85 → I-75 North; or
  • I-285 West → I-75 North
• Typical time:
  • Off-peak: 35–45 minutes
  • Rush hour: 45–70+ minutes

Public Transit Between Atlanta and Marietta

Unlike some metro areas, MARTA rail does not extend into Marietta. However, you can mix MARTA + CobbLinc (Cobb County’s bus system) to travel between the two.

MARTA Rail + Bus to Marietta

A typical rail–bus combo might look like:

1. Take MARTA Rail to:
   • Arts Center Station (Midtown), or
   • Five Points Station (Downtown)
2. Transfer to a CobbLinc bus that serves the Marietta area, such as:
   • Routes that go to the Marietta Transfer Center near Downtown Marietta.

This option is slower than driving but can be helpful if you don’t want to deal with parking or traffic.

CobbLinc Basics (Marietta Area)

CobbLinc operates bus routes with major stops including:

• Marietta Transfer Center
  800 S Marietta Pkwy SE
  Marietta, GA 30060

From there, local CobbLinc routes connect to Marietta Square, government offices, and shopping areas.

If you’re staying in Atlanta without a car and need to reach Marietta for:

• Court at a Cobb County building
• An event around Marietta Square
• Work in a Marietta office

combining MARTA + CobbLinc or using a rideshare from a MARTA station (such as Arts Center or Midtown) can help keep costs down.

Why People in Atlanta Often Travel to Marietta

Knowing why you’re going can help you plan your timing and route.

1. Government and Court Visits

Many Atlanta-area residents travel to Marietta for Cobb County government or court business, including:

• Superior, State, and Magistrate Courts
  Cobb County Superior Court
  70 Haynes St
  Marietta, GA 30090

If you have a morning court time, traffic from Atlanta can be heavy. It’s common to:

• Allow at least an hour to travel and park if you’re leaving Atlanta during rush hour.
• Arrive early to navigate parking and security at the courthouse complex.

2. Events at Marietta Square

Marietta Square (the downtown historic district) hosts:

• Festivals and art walks
• Seasonal markets and holiday events
• Restaurants and local shops

On weekends or event days, traffic immediately around the Square can slow down, and parking gets tight. The 17–20 mile distance from Atlanta can feel longer once you add time for:

• Finding parking
• Walking a few blocks to the Square

3. Work and Commuting

Many people who live in Intown Atlanta work in Marietta (and vice versa). The 17–20 mile commute can feel very different depending on your schedule:

• Standard 9–5 hours: Expect heavier congestion, especially on I-75.
• Shift work or flexible hours: Going before or after peak times can cut your commute significantly.

How the Distance Feels: Occasional Trip vs. Daily Commute

Even though Marietta is only 17–20 miles from Atlanta, the experience varies.

For Visitors to Atlanta

If you’re visiting Atlanta and considering a day trip to Marietta, the distance is reasonable:

• Plan 30–45 minutes each way to account for moderate traffic.
• If you’re coming from Downtown or Midtown hotels, I-75 North is straightforward.
• Rideshares are common; just expect higher prices in heavy traffic or during events.

For Atlanta Residents

If you live in:

• Intown neighborhoods (Old Fourth Ward, West End, Inman Park) and only visit Marietta occasionally
  • The distance is manageable, especially outside rush hour.
• Closer-to-I-75 neighborhoods (West Midtown, Upper Westside, Northside)
  • Access to I-75 can shave some time off the trip.
• Southeast/Southwest Atlanta
  • You may need to cross the Downtown Connector first, adding extra commute time.

Practical Tips for Traveling Between Atlanta and Marietta

Here are locally useful ways to make that 17–20 mile stretch feel easier:

• Avoid peak times when possible
  Aim for leaving before 6:30 a.m. or after 9:30 a.m., and before 3:30 p.m. or after 7 p.m. on weekdays.

• Watch Braves schedules ⚾
  If you see a home game at Truist Park, anticipate extra traffic along I-75 and Cobb Pkwy.

• Know your exit
  Marietta has several exits; picking the right one can save backtracking:

  • Delk Rd / South Marietta Pkwy: often used for parts of east/south Marietta.
  • North Marietta Pkwy: good for Marietta Square and nearby neighborhoods.

• Plan parking in advance
  For Marietta Square or the courthouse area, allow time to find a spot in public decks or lots.

• Consider park-and-ride + transit
  Some travelers drive to a MARTA station with parking (such as Arts Center or Lindbergh Center) or to a CobbLinc park-and-ride in Cobb County and then use transit for the rest.

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Travelers

• Marietta is roughly 17–20 miles northwest of central Atlanta.
• In light traffic, the drive is often about 20–30 minutes.
• In rush hour or on busy event days, it can stretch to 35–60+ minutes.
• There’s no MARTA rail to Marietta, but MARTA buses + CobbLinc can get you there.
• For court, government, or Square events, it’s smart to build in extra time for both traffic and parking.

For anyone living in or visiting Atlanta, Marietta is close enough to be a regular destination, but far enough that traffic planning matters just as much as distance in miles.