A Local’s Guide to the Atlanta Suburbs (With a Mental Map You Can Actually Use)

When people talk about the “Atlanta suburbs”, they usually mean a wide ring of cities and communities that surround the City of Atlanta and spread across several counties. Because Atlanta doesn’t sit neatly in one corner, it’s easiest to think about the suburbs by direction from Downtown: north, east, south, and west.

This guide walks you through the major Atlanta suburbs, how they relate to the city on a map, and what each area is generally known for, so you can quickly orient yourself whether you’re moving here, visiting, or just trying to understand the metro layout.

How the Atlanta Suburbs Are Laid Out

If you look at a map of metro Atlanta, you’ll notice a few key reference points:

• Downtown / Midtown Atlanta are the center of the map.
• I-285 (“the Perimeter”) is the loop highway that circles the city.
• Suburbs inside I‑285 are often called “ITP” (Inside the Perimeter).
• Suburbs outside I‑285 are “OTP” (Outside the Perimeter).

Most suburbs line up along the big interstates:

• I‑75 north: Marietta, Kennesaw, Acworth
• I‑85 north: Doraville, Norcross, Duluth, Suwanee, Buford
• GA‑400 north: Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta, Cumming
• I‑20 west: Lithia Springs, Douglasville
• I‑20 east: Decatur, Lithonia, Conyers
• I‑75 south: Morrow, Stockbridge, McDonough
• I‑85 south: East Point, College Park, Fairburn, Union City, Newnan

If you keep those highways in mind, the suburban “map” starts to feel a lot more organized.

Quick Overview: Major Atlanta Suburbs by Direction

Here’s a simple reference table to help you mentally map the main suburban areas around Atlanta:

Inside vs. Outside the Perimeter: Where the Suburbs Start

Inside the Perimeter (ITP) Suburbs and Near-Suburbs

Even inside the I‑285 loop, you’ll find areas that feel more suburban than “city.”

Common ITP or near-ITP suburban-style communities:

• Decatur (City of Decatur & nearby unincorporated areas) – East of Atlanta, around the intersection of Ponce de Leon Ave and Clairemont Ave. Walkable downtown, neighborhood streets, and MARTA access.
• Brookhaven – Just northeast of Buckhead along Peachtree Road and Buford Highway. Mix of single-family homes, townhomes, and apartments.
• Sandy Springs (southern area) – Sections inside I‑285, especially near Glenridge Drive and Roswell Road, have a mix of offices and suburban neighborhoods.
• Tucker – East of I‑285 along Lawrenceville Highway. Residential, with a traditional main street.

These communities are a good starting point if you want suburban living but still want relatively quick access to Downtown, Midtown, and major job centers.

Outside the Perimeter (OTP) – Classic Atlanta Suburbia

Once you cross I‑285, you’re in the OTP suburbs—what many people picture when they think “Atlanta suburbs”:

• More single-family neighborhoods
• Larger shopping centers and office parks
• Commute patterns focused on major interstates (I‑75, I‑85, GA‑400, I‑20)

OTP suburbs stretch across multiple counties, which is why you’ll often hear people say they live in “north Fulton,” “Cobb,” or “Gwinnett” rather than simply “Atlanta.”

North Atlanta Suburbs: Along GA‑400 and I‑75

The north side is one of the most heavily developed suburban areas on the map.

GA‑400 Corridor (North Fulton & Forsyth)

Moving north from Buckhead and Sandy Springs, follow GA‑400 and you’ll pass:

• Sandy Springs (north) – Major office buildings, apartments, and neighborhoods. City offices are generally in the City Springs area off Roswell Road.
• Roswell – Centered near Historic Roswell along Canton Street. Suburban neighborhoods, parks, and a defined downtown.
• Alpharetta – Around GA‑400 exits 8–12. Large office parks, shopping at Avalon and North Point area, and suburban communities spreading west and east of the highway.
• Johns Creek (northeast of Alpharetta) – Residential neighborhoods with local retail centers along Medlock Bridge Road (GA‑141).
• Cumming – Further north in Forsyth County, centered near Market Place Blvd and Buford Dam Road, close to Lake Lanier.

On a map, these cities line up almost in a north-south column just to the west of the Chattahoochee River.

I‑75 Northwest Corridor (Cobb & Beyond)

Heading northwest from Atlanta on I‑75:

• Smyrna – Just outside I‑285 along Cobb Parkway and Concord Road. Mix of older and newer neighborhoods, close to Truist Park area.
• Marietta – Centered around Marietta Square. Large, established neighborhoods surrounding a historic downtown.
• Kennesaw – Further up I‑75, home to suburban communities and Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park.
• Acworth – Near Lake Allatoona, with residential neighborhoods and lake access.

This northwest arc is easy to follow: start from the Downtown Connector (I‑75/85), head northwest on I‑75, and you’ll encounter these cities in order.

Northeast Suburbs: Gwinnett, North DeKalb, and Beyond

The northeast suburbs extend along I‑85 and Buford Highway, and they’re some of the most diverse and fast-growing areas on the map.

DeKalb County (Northeast ITP/OTP)

Moving north and northeast from Atlanta:

• Brookhaven – Along Peachtree Road and Buford Highway, just northeast of Buckhead.
• Chamblee – Slightly farther up, around Peachtree Blvd and Chamblee-Tucker Road, with a central downtown and growing residential areas.
• Doraville – Near the junction of I‑285 and I‑85, with significant industrial and commercial zones and surrounding neighborhoods.

These three line up in a southwest-to-northeast strip from Buckhead up toward the Perimeter and beyond.

Gwinnett County Along I‑85 and Peachtree Industrial

Continuing along I‑85 north from Doraville:

• Norcross – Close to I‑85 and Peachtree Industrial Blvd, with a historic downtown and surrounding subdivisions.
• Duluth – Farther northeast, with a central town green and residential areas stretching both sides of I‑85.
• Suwanee – Centered around Suwanee Town Center and areas west and east of I‑85.
• Buford – Near I‑985, with neighborhoods and access to Lake Lanier.

On a map, these Gwinnett suburbs form a northeast spine that generally follows I‑85, with some communities also extending along Peachtree Industrial Blvd / Buford Highway.

East Atlanta Suburbs: Decatur to Conyers

The east side is a mix of close-in “near suburbs” and farther-out communities that feel more traditional suburban or semi-rural.

Close-In East: Decatur, Avondale, and Tucker

Immediately east of the City of Atlanta:

• Decatur (City of Decatur) – Roughly centered at the intersection of Ponce de Leon Avenue and Clairemont Avenue. Walkable, with surrounding residential streets.
• Avondale Estates – Just east of Decatur along College Avenue, with Tudor-style buildings and nearby neighborhoods.
• Tucker – North of Decatur, roughly along Lawrenceville Highway and Main Street. Suburban homes and shopping centers.

On a map, Decatur and Avondale sit almost directly east of Downtown, while Tucker is more northeast.

Farther East: Stone Mountain, Lithonia, Conyers

Continuing east and east-northeast:

• Stone Mountain – South of Tucker and east of Decatur; the city sits near Stone Mountain Park, one of the area’s most recognizable landmarks.
• Lithonia – Farther southeast along I‑20, with residential neighborhoods and commercial areas.
• Conyers – In Rockdale County, located along I‑20 east. Suburban neighborhoods clustered around exit points and the old town area.

If you trace I‑20 east from Downtown, you map a chain that generally goes from Downtown → Decatur area → Stonecrest/Lithonia → Conyers.

South and Southwest Atlanta Suburbs: Airport, Film Studios, and Master-Planned Communities

South of the city, the suburbs trace I‑75 and I‑85, along with state highways connecting smaller towns.

Near the Airport: South Fulton & Clayton

Directly south and southwest of Atlanta:

• East Point – Just southwest of Downtown, near Fort McPherson and Camp Creek Parkway.
• College Park – West of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, roughly bounded by Main Street and Virginia Avenue.
• Hapeville – East of the airport, near I‑75.
• Forest Park – Southeast of the airport along I‑75 in Clayton County.

On a map, these suburbs sit in a cluster tightly packed around the airport and the I‑75 / I‑85 split.

Farther South: Clayton, Fayette, and Henry Counties

Continuing south:

• Along I‑75 south:
  • Morrow
  • Jonesboro
  • Stockbridge
  • McDonough
• Along I‑85 south:
  • Union City
  • Fairburn
  • Palmetto
  • Farther southwest: Newnan in Coweta County

To the southwest and south:

• Fayetteville and Peachtree City in Fayette County – Located roughly between I‑85 and GA‑85, known for master-planned neighborhoods and extensive multi-use path networks (especially in Peachtree City).

Looking at a map, the south side suburbs fan out below Atlanta in a wedge between I‑75 and I‑85, then extend farther into Fayette and Henry counties.

West and Northwest Atlanta Suburbs: Cobb, Douglas, and Beyond

The western suburbs are primarily aligned along I‑20 west and US‑278 / US‑78, plus parts of Cobb County.

West of Downtown: I‑20 Corridor

Heading west on I‑20 from Downtown:

• Austell and Lithia Springs – Near the Six Flags area and along Thornton Road, with residential areas and industrial corridors.
• Douglasville – In Douglas County, centered along Chapel Hill Road and Douglas Blvd, plus a historic downtown north of I‑20.

These form a clear westward line on the map, following I‑20 out of the city.

Northwest Edge: Cobb and Paulding Counties

Beyond Marietta and Kennesaw (along I‑75), you’ll find:

• Powder Springs – West of Marietta, along Powder Springs Road and Richard D. Sailors Parkway.
• Hiram – In Paulding County, near US‑278, with retail and surrounding subdivisions.
• Dallas (Paulding County) – Farther northwest, centered around Main Street and Merchants Drive.

These areas form a northwest crescent beyond the more urbanized sections of Cobb.

How Long Does It Take to Get from Atlanta to the Suburbs?

On a typical map, most Atlanta suburbs lie within roughly a 30–45 mile radius of Downtown. Actual travel times depend heavily on traffic, but as a general orientation:

• Close-in suburbs (Decatur, Brookhaven, Smyrna, East Point): often 10–25 minutes from Downtown in light traffic.
• Mid-ring suburbs (Roswell, Marietta, Duluth, Stone Mountain, Morrow): often 25–45 minutes.
• Outer suburbs (Cumming, Buford, McDonough, Newnan, Conyers, Dallas): often 45–60+ minutes.

For planning, it helps to look at both distance from Downtown and which interstate or state highway serves the suburb, since certain corridors tend to be busier at particular times of day.

Using Transit to Navigate Between Atlanta and Its Suburbs

While many suburbs are car-oriented, some are connected via MARTA and regional bus services.

MARTA Rail-Accessible Suburban Areas

Several suburbs are directly reachable by MARTA heavy rail:

• Sandy Springs & North Springs – Along the Red Line (north of Buckhead).
• Dunwoody and Medical Center – On the Red Line, near the I‑285/GA‑400 interchange.
• Doraville – End of the Gold Line, northeast along I‑85.
• College Park, East Point, Hapeville-vicinity – On the Red and Gold Lines south of Downtown.
• Decatur and Avondale – Along the Blue Line east of Downtown.

Nearby city halls and local offices in these suburbs are often within a short drive, walk, or bus ride from the stations.

For official information on routes, schedules, and maps, residents typically consult:

• MARTA Headquarters
  2424 Piedmont Road NE
  Atlanta, GA 30324
  Main phone: 404‑848‑5000

Regional and County Transit Options

Some suburbs also connect via local or regional bus systems, often linking to MARTA or major park-and-ride lots. On an area map, these hubs usually appear near interstate exits or city centers.

How to Read an Atlanta Suburbs Map Like a Local

When you look at a map of Atlanta suburbs, focus on three layers:

1. The Loop (I‑285)

   • Use this to distinguish close-in suburbs (near/inside the loop) from outer suburbs (outside the loop).

2. The Spokes (I‑75, I‑85, I‑20, GA‑400)

   • Each major highway corridor tends to have its own group of suburbs with similar commute patterns and amenities.

3. County Lines

   • The metro’s suburban map also lines up with county names that locals use often:
     • Fulton County – Central and north (Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta, College Park, East Point).
     • Cobb County – Northwest (Smyrna, Marietta, Kennesaw, Acworth).
     • DeKalb County – East and northeast (Decatur, Tucker, Stone Mountain, parts of Brookhaven and Chamblee).
     • Gwinnett County – Northeast (Norcross, Duluth, Suwanee, Buford).
     • Clayton County – South (Forest Park, Morrow, Jonesboro).
     • Henry, Fayette, Douglas, Paulding, Rockdale, Forsyth, Cherokee – Form much of the outer suburban ring.

Keeping I‑285, the major interstates, and county names in mind makes it much easier to picture where each suburb sits in relation to Atlanta—even without a printed map in front of you.

Where to Get Official Maps and Local Boundary Information

If you need detailed maps of city limits, county lines, or transportation routes in the Atlanta suburbs, several local agencies provide them:

• City of Atlanta Department of City Planning
  55 Trinity Avenue SW, Suite 3350
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Main phone: 404‑330‑6070

• Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) – Regional planning agency that covers metro-area maps and planning resources.
  229 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 100
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Main phone: 404‑463‑3100

• County Government Offices (examples):

  • Fulton County Government Center
    141 Pryor Street SW
    Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Cobb County Government
    100 Cherokee Street
    Marietta, GA 30090
  • Gwinnett County Government
    75 Langley Drive
    Lawrenceville, GA 30046

These offices typically maintain the most accurate, up-to-date boundary and zoning maps, which can help if you’re trying to confirm whether a specific address is in a particular suburb, county, or school district.

Understanding the map of Atlanta suburbs comes down to recognizing the Perimeter, the major highway corridors, and how each cluster of cities fits around the core of Atlanta. Once you layer those pieces together, it becomes much easier to choose where to live, plan your commute, or simply get your bearings anywhere in the metro area.