How Far Is Atlanta, Georgia? A Practical Mileage Guide for Travelers and Locals

If you’re planning a trip to Atlanta, Georgia or trying to figure out how many miles it is from Atlanta to other major cities, the answer depends entirely on where you’re starting from. There’s no single “mileage to Atlanta” – but there are common routes and distances most travelers ask about.

Below is a clear guide to typical driving distances to Atlanta, plus how to estimate your own mileage and plan your trip efficiently.

Understanding “How Many Miles Is It to Atlanta, Georgia?”

When people ask this question, they usually mean one of three things:

1. How far is Atlanta from my city or state?
2. How many miles is it to downtown Atlanta or a major landmark like Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport?
3. How long will it take to drive or travel those miles?

Most mileage estimates are measured to the center of the metro area, often around Downtown Atlanta (near the Georgia State Capitol and Five Points area). For air travel, distances are often measured to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) on the south side of the city.

Approximate Miles to Atlanta From Major U.S. Cities

These are rough driving distances to downtown Atlanta (not exact door-to-door mileage). They’re helpful if you’re comparing trips or planning a road journey.

*Driving times assume typical freeway speeds with light to moderate traffic and minimal stops. Atlanta traffic can add time, especially during rush hours.

Key Distances Within Metro Atlanta

If you’re already in the Atlanta metro area, you may want to know how many miles it is between some of the region’s most common points.

Downtown Atlanta to Popular Atlanta Areas

All distances are approximate and measured from the central downtown area:

• Midtown Atlanta: ~2–3 miles
• Buckhead: ~7–8 miles
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL): ~10–12 miles south of Downtown
• Decatur Square (City of Decatur): ~6 miles east
• Sandy Springs (City Center): ~15 miles north
• Cumberland / The Battery Atlanta (Cobb County): ~12–14 miles northwest
• Dunwoody / Perimeter Center: ~15–16 miles north
• Stone Mountain Park: ~20–25 miles east
• Six Flags Over Georgia: ~12–15 miles west

These distances can feel longer or shorter depending on traffic on I‑75, I‑85, I‑20, GA‑400, and I‑285, which are the main corridors.

Atlanta’s Main Reference Points for Measuring Distance

When people say “miles to Atlanta,” they usually mean one of these areas:

1. Downtown Atlanta

• Rough center is near Five Points and the Georgia State Capitol.
• Popular reference spots:
  • Georgia State Capitol (206 Washington St SW, Atlanta, GA 30334)
  • Mercedes-Benz Stadium (1 AMB Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313)
  • State Farm Arena (1 State Farm Dr, Atlanta, GA 30303)

Many online maps default to this area when you type “Atlanta, GA.”

2. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

• Located about 10–12 miles south of downtown.
• Address: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
• If you’re flying, mileage is often measured to the airport, not downtown.

3. Perimeter of Metro Atlanta

Sometimes people mean “How far to the Atlanta area?”, not necessarily downtown. In that case, the edge is commonly thought of as the I‑285 loop (“The Perimeter”). A trip might reach the Atlanta suburbs several miles before downtown.

How to Find Exact Miles to Atlanta From Your Location

To get a precise answer to “How many miles is it to Atlanta, Georgia?” from your specific address:

1. Choose your Atlanta end point

   • For downtown: you can use “Georgia State Capitol, Atlanta, GA” or “Downtown Atlanta, GA.”
   • For flying: use “Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).”

2. Use a map or navigation app

   • Enter your starting address and destination.
   • Check both miles and estimated travel time.

3. Check alternative routes

   • From many directions, you may see more than one route, such as:
     • I‑75 vs. US‑41 (coming from the south or north)
     • I‑20 vs. US‑278 (coming from east or west)
   • Some routes are slightly longer in miles but faster in time because they use interstates.

4. Account for Atlanta traffic

   • Rush hours in Atlanta are typically weekday mornings (roughly 6:30–9:30 a.m.) and late afternoons (roughly 3:30–7:00 p.m.).
   • If your mileage seems short but your travel time seems long, traffic is usually why.

Common Driving Corridors Into Atlanta and Their Distances

If you’re planning a road trip, here are the primary interstate routes that funnel into Atlanta, with rough mileage from nearby states.

I‑75 Corridor (North–South)

• From the South (Florida & South Georgia)

  • From Valdosta, GA to Atlanta: ~230 miles
  • From Tifton, GA: ~180 miles
  • From Macon, GA: ~85 miles
  • From Jacksonville, FL (via I‑10 & I‑75/I‑16): ~340–360 miles

• From the North (Tennessee & Midwest)

  • From Chattanooga, TN: ~120 miles
  • From Knoxville, TN: ~200 miles
  • From Cincinnati, OH: ~450–475 miles
  • From Detroit, MI: ~720–750 miles

I‑85 Corridor (Northeast–Southwest)

• From the Northeast (Carolinas & Mid-Atlantic)

  • From Greenville, SC: ~145 miles
  • From Charlotte, NC: ~245 miles
  • From Raleigh, NC (via I‑85): ~400 miles
  • From Washington, D.C.: ~640 miles

• From the Southwest (Alabama & Gulf region)

  • From Montgomery, AL: ~160 miles
  • From New Orleans, LA (via I‑10 & I‑85/I‑65): ~470–500 miles

I‑20 Corridor (East–West)

• From the East

  • From Augusta, GA: ~150 miles
  • From Columbia, SC: ~215 miles
  • From Florence, SC (via I‑20): ~330–340 miles

• From the West

  • From Birmingham, AL: ~150 miles
  • From Jackson, MS: ~380 miles
  • From Dallas, TX (via I‑20): ~780 miles

Flying Distance vs. Driving Distance to Atlanta

If you’re flying, you might care more about straight-line (“as-the-crow-flies”) distance than driving miles.

• Driving miles follow highways and roads and are always longer than straight-line distance.
• Airline miles or flight distance is usually calculated between major airports and is often 100–200 miles shorter than the driving distance for long trips.

Examples (approximate):

• New York City to Atlanta

  • Driving: ~860 miles
  • Flight distance: ~750 miles

• Chicago to Atlanta

  • Driving: ~715 miles
  • Flight distance: ~600–610 miles

• Miami to Atlanta

  • Driving: ~660 miles
  • Flight distance: ~600 miles

When booking flights, look at ATL (Atlanta) as your destination and your departure airport’s code (for example, LGA or JFK for New York, ORD or MDW for Chicago, MIA or FLL for South Florida).

Estimating Travel Time From Miles to Atlanta

As a general rule of thumb for road travel to Atlanta:

• On open interstate highways, many drivers plan around 60–70 miles per hour of actual progress, including quick fuel or bathroom stops.
• For shorter trips (under 150 miles), you can often assume about 2–3 hours.
• For medium trips (150–350 miles), you might expect 3–6 hours.
• For long trips (350–700+ miles), most people break the drive into a full day or more.

Factors That Affect Time More Than Miles

• Atlanta Rush Hour Traffic:
  Routes on I‑75/85 through downtown, I‑20, and I‑285 can slow dramatically during peak times.
• Construction Zones:
  Work zones along major corridors into Atlanta can add time even if the mileage doesn’t change.
• Weather:
  Heavy rain, occasional winter ice, or summer storms can reduce speeds on interstates into the city.
• Urban vs. Rural:
  The last 10–20 miles approaching Atlanta can take longer than the earlier, more rural portions of your drive.

Distances to Major Atlanta Landmarks and Neighborhoods

Once you reach Atlanta, you might still wonder how many miles it is between key spots inside the city.

From Downtown Atlanta

Approximate one-way distances:

• Downtown → Hartsfield-Jackson Airport (ATL): 10–12 miles
• Downtown → Midtown (Piedmont Park area): 2–3 miles
• Downtown → Buckhead Village area: 7–8 miles
• Downtown → Emory University / CDC area: 6–7 miles
• Downtown → Truist Park / The Battery Atlanta: 12–14 miles
• Downtown → Georgia Tech (main campus entrance): 1–2 miles
• Downtown → Zoo Atlanta (Grant Park): about 2 miles

Using MARTA to Complement Driving Distance

If you’re arriving by car but want to limit driving inside Atlanta:

• MARTA Rail & Bus
  • Main downtown hub stations include Five Points, Peachtree Center, and Georgia State.
  • Airport Station is adjacent to the Domestic Terminal at ATL.
• One common strategy is to park at a MARTA station outside central Atlanta and ride the train into downtown or Midtown, reducing both miles driven in heavy traffic and parking hassles.

Helpful Local Points of Contact

If you need local help planning how far it is to Atlanta or navigating once you arrive, these public resources can be useful:

• Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB)

  • Offices in downtown Atlanta (check current address and hours before visiting).
  • Provides visitor maps, attraction information, and guidance on getting around the city.

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Information

  • Address: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
  • Airport information desks inside the terminals can help direct you to ground transportation, MARTA, and rental car centers.

• Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT)

  • Publishes updated information on interstates and highways leading into Atlanta, including construction and major incidents that could affect travel time, even if the mileage is fixed.

Quick Reference: How Many Miles Is It to Atlanta?

If you just want a fast snapshot:

• From nearby Georgia cities:

  • Athens: ~75 miles
  • Macon: ~85 miles
  • Augusta: ~150 miles
  • Columbus: ~110 miles
  • Savannah: ~250 miles

• From neighboring-state cities:

  • Birmingham, AL: ~150 miles
  • Chattanooga, TN: ~120 miles
  • Nashville, TN: ~250 miles
  • Greenville, SC: ~145 miles
  • Charlotte, NC: ~245 miles
  • Jacksonville, FL: ~345 miles

For an exact answer to “How many miles is it to Atlanta, Georgia?” from your location, use a navigation app with your address and a central Atlanta destination such as Downtown Atlanta or Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and review both total miles and estimated time, especially if you’ll be arriving during Atlanta’s busy traffic hours.