Where Is Atlanta on the Map? A Local’s Guide to Exactly Where You Are

If you’ve ever wondered “Where is Atlanta on the map?”, you’re not alone. Whether you just moved here, you’re planning a visit, or you’re trying to understand Atlanta’s place in the region, knowing exactly where Atlanta sits geographically makes it much easier to navigate life in and around the city.

This guide breaks down Atlanta’s location on the map, how it fits into Georgia, the Southeast, and the U.S., and what that means for getting around, traveling, and understanding local neighborhoods.

Atlanta’s Location in Georgia and the U.S.

Where is Atlanta within Georgia?

On a map of Georgia, Atlanta is located in the north-central part of the state.

  • Region: North Georgia / Piedmont region
  • Position in the state: Roughly in the upper-middle of the map (not at the very top, but clearly north of the state’s center line)
  • Distance from the Georgia–Tennessee line: About a 1.5–2 hour drive south of Chattanooga, depending on traffic
  • Distance from the coast: Roughly a 4–5 hour drive inland from places like Savannah or the Georgia barrier islands

If you picture Georgia as a tall, slightly leaning rectangle, Atlanta sits above the middle, slightly to the west, in the dense cluster of metro counties you’ll usually see shaded around the city.

Where is Atlanta in the Southeastern United States?

Zoom out to a map of the Southeastern U.S., and Atlanta is near the eastern side of the region, but still inland:

  • North of: Florida
  • South of: Tennessee and North Carolina’s mountains
  • West of: South Carolina
  • East of: Alabama

On many national maps, Atlanta appears at the center of a web of interstate highways, which is one reason it’s a major regional hub.

Atlanta on the Map: Key Coordinates and Map Facts

If you want exact map data, Atlanta’s approximate geographic coordinates are:

  • Latitude: ~33.7° North
  • Longitude: ~84.4° West

On most maps or navigation apps, these coordinates will drop you near Downtown Atlanta, close to landmarks like the Georgia State Capitol and the central business district.

You can think of this in simple terms:

  • 33° N latitude → Atlanta is about one-third of the way from the Equator to the North Pole
  • 84° W longitude → Slightly west of the East Coast cities like Charlotte and Raleigh, but east of cities like Birmingham

How Atlanta Appears on Road Maps

Major highways that help you “place” Atlanta

One of the easiest ways to understand where Atlanta is on a map is by looking at the interstate highways that converge here:

  • I-75 – runs north–south through Atlanta, connecting to:
    • Chattanooga and Knoxville to the north
    • Macon, Valdosta, and Florida to the south
  • I-85 – runs northeast–southwest:
    • Northeast toward Greenville, Charlotte, and the Mid-Atlantic
    • Southwest toward Montgomery and New Orleans
  • I-20 – runs east–west:
    • East to Augusta and Columbia
    • West to Birmingham and beyond
  • I-285 – the Perimeter, a loop highway around the core of metro Atlanta, marking a rough ring that separates “ITP” (Inside the Perimeter) from “OTP” (Outside the Perimeter)

On a U.S. interstate map, Atlanta is easy to find because it’s one of the few cities where I-20, I-75, and I-85 all intersect.

Atlanta’s Place in Metro Atlanta and Nearby Cities

Atlanta vs. Metro Atlanta on the map

When people say “Atlanta,” they might mean:

  1. The City of Atlanta – the official city limits
  2. Metro Atlanta – the larger urban and suburban region that spans multiple counties

Here’s a simple way to picture it:

TermWhat It Usually Refers ToOn the Map
City of AtlantaThe official city limits, governed by the City of AtlantaCentral area around Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead
Metro AtlantaAtlanta + surrounding suburbs across many countiesLarge urbanized region visible on regional maps
ITP (Inside the Perimeter)Areas inside I-285Denser, more urban neighborhoods and districts
OTP (Outside the Perimeter)Areas outside I-285Suburban cities and more spread-out communities

Nearby cities and how they locate Atlanta on the map

On a regional map, Atlanta is roughly:

  • About 100 miles southwest of: Greenville, South Carolina
  • About 145 miles southeast of: Chattanooga, Tennessee
  • About 150 miles northeast of: Montgomery, Alabama
  • About 250 miles northwest of: Jacksonville, Florida
  • About 250 miles west of: Charleston, South Carolina

If you imagine a map with Atlanta in the center, these cities help form a rough circle around it, reinforcing its role as a central hub of the Southeast.

Atlanta’s Neighborhoods and Districts in Map Terms

If you already know you’re “in Atlanta,” the next step is usually figuring out where you are within the city.

The basic compass directions inside Atlanta

Looking at a city map, Atlantans often talk about areas in compass terms:

  • Downtown – near the geographic center for visitors, with major attractions like:
    • Georgia State Capitol
    • State Farm Arena
    • Mercedes-Benz Stadium
  • Midtown (north of Downtown) – a bit up the map from Downtown, along Peachtree Street, with:
    • Piedmont Park
    • The Fox Theatre
  • Buckhead (farther north) – one of the northern parts of the city, with:
    • Lenox Square area
    • Phipps Plaza area
  • Westside / West Midtown – west of Downtown/Midtown, across the Connector
  • Eastside – neighborhoods east of Downtown/Midtown, such as Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, and East Atlanta area
  • South Atlanta – neighborhoods below Downtown, including areas closer to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

On most city maps, you’ll see Peachtree Street/Peachtree Road running roughly north–south, which is a helpful reference line.

Atlanta’s Elevation and Geography on the Map

Not on the coast, but not in the mountains

When you look at a topographic or physical map, Atlanta is:

  • In the Piedmont region, a rolling plateau between the Appalachian Mountains and the Coastal Plain
  • Roughly 1,000 feet above sea level, higher than many coastal Southern cities

That’s why, on wider-scale maps that show terrain, Atlanta sits between:

  • Higher elevations to the north and northwest (North Georgia mountains)
  • Flatter, lower areas to the south and southeast (toward Macon and the coast)

How to Find Atlanta on Different Types of Maps

On a U.S. map

To find Atlanta quickly on a standard map of the United States:

  1. Locate the Southeastern corner of the country.
  2. Find Georgia, the state above Florida and between Alabama and South Carolina.
  3. Look in the northern half of Georgia—not at the border, but clearly above the center.
  4. Look for the cluster of intersecting highways (I‑20, I‑75, I‑85) and the label “Atlanta.”

On a Georgia state map

On a Georgia-only map:

  • Draw an imaginary horizontal line across the middle of the state.
  • Atlanta will be above that line, slightly toward the west side of the state.
  • You’ll usually see a darker or bold dot symbol, indicating a major city/capital.

On a transit or local map

On MARTA rail maps and local transit maps:

  • Five Points Station is roughly the geographic center of the rail map and represents Downtown Atlanta.
  • The North–South line (Red/Gold) and the East–West line (Blue/Green) cross there, mirroring how Atlanta sits at a junction of routes in the region, just on a smaller scale.

Using Official Resources to Confirm Where You Are in Atlanta

If you need to confirm your exact location or city boundaries on a map—for example, for city services, voting, or zoning questions—official local resources can help.

City of Atlanta government (for maps within city limits)

  • City of Atlanta – City Hall
    55 Trinity Ave SW
    Atlanta, GA 30303
    Phone (main switchboard): (404) 330-6000

The city provides official zoning, neighborhood, and council district maps that can show precisely where a given address sits within Atlanta’s boundaries.

Fulton and DeKalb counties (for broader map context)

Much of the City of Atlanta lies in Fulton County, with a portion in DeKalb County. For property, tax, or jurisdiction questions:

  • Fulton County Government Center
    141 Pryor St SW
    Atlanta, GA 30303
    Main information: (404) 612-4000

  • DeKalb County Administration Building
    1300 Commerce Dr
    Decatur, GA 30030
    General information: (404) 371-2000

These counties maintain mapping tools that show whether you’re in Atlanta, another city, or unincorporated areas.

Why Atlanta’s Location on the Map Matters to You

Understanding where Atlanta is on the map isn’t just trivia—it affects daily life:

  • ✈️ Travel planning: Knowing Atlanta is a major hub helps explain why Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport offers so many nonstop flights.
  • 🚗 Commuting and traffic: Seeing how interstates converge here explains why the Downtown Connector (I‑75/85) is such a critical (and often congested) route.
  • 📦 Shipping and logistics: Atlanta’s central southeastern position makes it a major center for distribution and warehousing, which many local jobs depend on.
  • 🏡 Choosing where to live: The ITP vs. OTP divide is literally drawn on the map by I‑285 and helps shape housing options, commute times, and lifestyle choices.

Once you can picture Atlanta’s spot on the state, regional, and national map, it becomes much easier to understand how the city moves, grows, and connects to everywhere else you might travel.