Getting Around: Practical Directions In and Around Atlanta, Georgia

Finding your way in Atlanta can feel confusing, whether you are driving, using MARTA, or trying to navigate from the airport into different neighborhoods. This guide breaks down how Atlanta directions typically work, major routes you will use, and practical tips for getting from place to place around the city.

Big-Picture Layout of Atlanta

Atlanta is organized around a few key landmarks and patterns that shape how directions work:

• Downtown Atlanta – Business, government buildings, arenas, and major hotels
• Midtown – High-rises, arts district, Piedmont Park, tech and business hubs
• Buckhead – Major shopping, dining, and residential areas to the north
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) – Major starting point for visitors, south of Downtown

Most directions in Atlanta will reference:

• Interstate 75 (I‑75)
• Interstate 85 (I‑85)
• Interstate 20 (I‑20)
• Interstate 285 (I‑285, “the Perimeter”)
• Georgia 400 (GA‑400)

These highways form the backbone of how people navigate the city.

Understanding Atlanta’s Highways and “Perimeter”

I‑285: The “Perimeter”

Locals often describe locations as “Inside the Perimeter (ITP)” or “Outside the Perimeter (OTP)”, based on Interstate 285, which forms a loop around the core of the metro area.

• Inside the Perimeter (ITP) – Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and many intown neighborhoods
• Outside the Perimeter (OTP) – Suburbs such as Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Marietta, Decatur (city of), and beyond

Directional tips using I‑285:

• North side of I‑285 – Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Perimeter Center
• East side – Tucker, Decatur area
• South side – Airport access, Forest Park area
• West side – Smyrna, west side industrial and residential zones

The “Downtown Connector”: I‑75/I‑85

In central Atlanta, I‑75 and I‑85 merge into what locals call the “Downtown Connector.”

• Runs north–south straight through the center of the city
• Connects Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead to the airport and outlying suburbs
• Expect heavy traffic, especially during weekday rush hours (roughly 7–10 a.m. and 3–7 p.m.)

Main Routes You’ll Use for Common Atlanta Directions

Here is a simple overview of major routes for frequent origin–destination pairs:

Use these as general patterns; real-time navigation tools will adjust for accidents, construction, or closures.

Getting Directions From Atlanta’s Airport (ATL)

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320

Most visitors start their Atlanta trip at the airport. Here’s how to get to common areas:

ATL to Downtown Atlanta

• By car / rideshare:

  • Follow signs for I‑85 North (or I‑75 North; they merge into the Connector).
  • Continue north toward Downtown exits such as:
    • Central Ave
    • Courtland St
    • Williams St
  • Typical travel time without heavy traffic: 10–20 minutes.

• By MARTA rail:

  • Take MARTA Red or Gold Line from the airport station (attached to the Domestic Terminal).
  • Main stops for Downtown:
    • Five Points
    • Peachtree Center
  • Travel time: often around 15–20 minutes platform-to-platform.

ATL to Midtown

• By car:

  • Take I‑85 North / I‑75 North (Downtown Connector) past Downtown.
  • Look for Midtown exits such as:
    • 10th Street / 14th Street
    • 17th Street
  • Midtown includes Tech Square, Piedmont Park, and surrounding neighborhoods.

• By MARTA:

  • Board Red or Gold Line at the airport.
  • Get off at:
    • Midtown Station
    • Arts Center Station
    • North Avenue Station (southern edge of Midtown)

ATL to Buckhead

• By car:

  • From ATL, use I‑85 North / I‑75 North through Downtown and Midtown.
  • Continue onto I‑85 North, then connect to GA‑400 North or use surface streets via Peachtree St NE.
  • Look for exits labeled Buckhead, Lenox, or Peachtree.

• By MARTA:

  • From the airport, take Red Line north.
  • Stops serving Buckhead:
    • Buckhead Station
    • Lenox Station
    • Brookhaven/Oglethorpe (north edge of Buckhead area)

Navigating Within the City: Streets, Landmarks, and “Peachtree”

Peachtree, Peachtree, and More Peachtree

One of the most confusing things for visitors is the number of street names containing “Peachtree.”

Common examples:

• Peachtree Street (Downtown & Midtown)
• Peachtree Road (Buckhead and north)
• West Peachtree Street
• Peachtree Industrial Boulevard
• Plus dozens of variations like Peachtree Circle, Peachtree Walk, etc.

Tips:

• “Peachtree Street NE” is the main north–south corridor connecting Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead.
• West Peachtree Street generally runs parallel to Peachtree Street in Midtown.
• Always check the full name and direction (NE, NW, SE, SW) to avoid going to the wrong place.

The Quadrant System: NW, NE, SE, SW

Atlanta addresses often end with NW, NE, SE, or SW. This indicates the quadrant of the city and is essential for accurate directions.

• NW – West of Peachtree and north of Edgewood/DeKalb Ave
• NE – East of Peachtree and north of Edgewood/DeKalb Ave
• SE – East of Peachtree and south of Edgewood/DeKalb Ave
• SW – West of Peachtree and south of Edgewood/DeKalb Ave

Always include the quadrant in:

• GPS entries
• Written directions
• Rideshare pickup and drop-off locations

Going to “10th St NE” is not the same as “10th St NW.”

Using MARTA for Directions Around Atlanta

Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) operates:

• Rail lines (Red, Gold, Blue, Green)
• Bus routes across Atlanta and nearby areas

Key MARTA Rail Lines for Visitors and Residents

• Red Line – North–south: Airport → Downtown → Midtown → Buckhead → Sandy Springs
• Gold Line – North–south: Airport → Downtown → Midtown → Doraville
• Blue Line – East–west: Hamilton E. Holmes → Downtown → Decatur → East side
• Green Line – Shorter west–east route through Downtown to the west side

Common stations people use for directions:

• Five Points – Main transfer hub in Downtown
• Peachtree Center – Central Downtown business/hotel area
• Midtown – Near Tech Square and Midtown core
• Arts Center – Arts district, High Museum, Woodruff Arts Center
• Lenox / Buckhead – Shopping and business areas
• Decatur – Downtown Decatur restaurants, shops, courthouse

MARTA Tips for Clear Directions

• Check which line color your origin and destination are on.
• If changing lines, Five Points Station is usually the transfer point.
• Stations near major attractions often have clear signage inside and outside the station.

Driving Directions Between Popular Atlanta Areas

Below are straightforward direction patterns. Adjust based on traffic and navigation tools.

Downtown to Midtown

• By highway:

  • Take I‑75/85 North (Downtown Connector).
  • Use exits for 10th Street / 14th Street, 17th Street, or Spring St/West Peachtree depending on destination.

• By surface streets:

  • Use Peachtree Street NW northbound from Downtown into Midtown.
  • Alternatives include Spring St, West Peachtree St, and Piedmont Ave.

Midtown to Buckhead

• By surface streets (most common):

  • Head north on Peachtree Street NE.
  • You’ll pass through Ansley Park area en route to Buckhead’s office and retail centers.

• By highway:

  • From Midtown, get on I‑85 North or GA‑400 North.
  • Use exits labeled Lenox Rd, Peachtree Rd, or Buckhead Loop.

Downtown to Decatur (City of Decatur)

• Option 1: I‑20 East

  • Take I‑20 East from Downtown.
  • Exit toward Candler Rd or Moreland Ave, then connect through local streets to Decatur.

• Option 2: Ponce de Leon Ave

  • Head east on Ponce de Leon Avenue NE from Downtown or Midtown.
  • Continue straight into Decatur; this becomes West Ponce de Leon Ave in the city of Decatur.

Walking and Biking Directions in Intown Atlanta

Certain corridors are especially walkable and bikeable:

• BeltLine Eastside Trail

  • Connects areas like Ponce City Market, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, and Virginia-Highland.
  • Often the easiest way to navigate between these neighborhoods without a car.

• Piedmont Park and Midtown Grid

  • Midtown’s street grid around Peachtree, 10th St, 14th St, and Piedmont Ave is walkable and relatively easy to navigate.

• Downtown Core

  • Streets around Peachtree Center, Five Points, and government buildings are compact, though traffic can be heavy at intersections.

For bike and scooter directions, many people choose routes:

• Along or near the Atlanta BeltLine
• On marked bike lanes (more common in Midtown, Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, and around Georgia Tech)

Landmarks Often Used in Atlanta Directions

Locals frequently use landmarks instead of just street names. Examples include:

• Georgia State Capitol – Downtown, near Memorial Dr and Capitol Ave
• Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Near Northside Dr and Martin Luther King Jr Dr
• State Farm Arena – Adjacent to CNN Center in Downtown
• Georgia World Congress Center – Major convention complex next to the stadium and arena
• Georgia Tech campus – West of Midtown, near North Avenue
• Emory University / Emory Hospital – In the Druid Hills area east of Midtown
• Ponce City Market – On Ponce de Leon Ave, near BeltLine Eastside Trail
• Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza – Major malls in Buckhead near Peachtree Rd and Lenox Rd

Knowing these helps when receiving directions like “two blocks north of Ponce City Market” or “across from Lenox Square.”

When You Need Official Help With Directions or Transit

If you need in-person assistance with transit or local navigation:

• MARTA Headquarters / Customer Service (HQ Building)
  2424 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
  Phone (general customer service, commonly listed): (404) 848-5000

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Information Desks
  Located in the Main Terminal (Domestic) and International Terminal, with signage for airport directions, ground transportation, and MARTA access.

• City of Atlanta – City Hall
  55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  While not a travel office, staff can often direct you to zoning, public works, or planning departments if your “directions” question relates to roadways, addressing, or city services.

Practical Tips for Clear Atlanta Directions

• Always include the quadrant (NW, NE, SE, SW) when giving or receiving an address.
• Confirm which “Peachtree” is being referenced—street, road, industrial, etc.
• Check traffic conditions before committing to the Downtown Connector or I‑285, especially at rush hour.
• For airport trips, build in extra time; I‑75/85 and airport access roads can back up quickly.
• For short trips within Downtown or Midtown, surface streets or MARTA are often more predictable than the highway.
• For major events (games, concerts, conventions), expect temporary street closures around Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, and the Georgia World Congress Center and plan alternate routes.

With these patterns, routes, and tips in mind, you can more confidently understand and follow directions in Atlanta, whether you’re commuting across town, heading in from the suburbs, or navigating the city for the first time.