Where Is Atlanta Located? A Local’s Guide to the City’s Place on the Map

When people ask “Where is Atlanta located?” they may be wondering more than just which state it’s in. They might want to know how Atlanta sits within Georgia, the Southeast, and even the metro region locals talk about every day.

If you live in Atlanta, plan to visit, or are just trying to understand the city better, this guide breaks down exactly where Atlanta is—geographically, regionally, and in relation to nearby cities, highways, and the airport.

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

Atlanta is the capital city of the state of Georgia, located in the southeastern United States.

• State: Georgia
• Region of U.S.: Southeast (sometimes called the “Deep South”)
• General position in Georgia: Northern half of the state, roughly in the north-central region

Atlanta is not on the coast like Savannah or Brunswick. Instead, it sits inland, about:

• 250 miles northwest of Savannah, GA
• 145 miles southwest of Greenville, SC
• 150 miles northeast of Montgomery, AL
• 250 miles southeast of Nashville, TN

If you imagine Georgia as a rough rectangle, Atlanta sits above the midpoint, leaning toward the western side of the state.

Where Atlanta Sits in the Metro Area

When people say “Atlanta,” they sometimes mean the City of Atlanta, and other times they mean the Atlanta metropolitan area—a large region of surrounding cities and counties.

City of Atlanta vs. Metro Atlanta

• City of Atlanta

  • Official city limits
  • Primarily in Fulton County, with a portion in DeKalb County
  • Includes well-known neighborhoods like Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, Old Fourth Ward, West End, Grant Park, and East Atlanta

• Metro Atlanta (Atlanta metropolitan area)

  • Spreads across multiple counties
  • Commonly includes Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, Clayton, and more
  • Home to cities and suburbs like Sandy Springs, Marietta, Decatur, Smyrna, Roswell, Alpharetta, Stone Mountain, and College Park

If you live in a suburb like Marietta or Decatur, you’re still considered part of “Atlanta” in everyday conversation, even though you’re technically in a separate city.

Atlanta’s Geographic Coordinates and Elevation

For a precise answer to “Where is Atlanta located?” you can look at its latitude and longitude:

• Approximate coordinates:
  33.75° N (latitude), 84.39° W (longitude)

Atlanta is also known for being relatively high compared to many other major Southern cities:

• Average elevation: Around 1,000 feet above sea level

This elevation is part of why Atlanta’s climate can feel a bit milder than coastal Southern cities and why some locals refer to it as being on the Piedmont plateau—the rolling foothills between the mountains and the coastal plain.

Atlanta’s Place in Georgia’s Regions

Georgia is often described in regional sections, and Atlanta sits in the Piedmont region of the state.

Where Atlanta Fits Among Georgia’s Major Regions

Atlanta’s hilly terrain, tree canopy, and clay-heavy soil are typical of the Piedmont. If you notice you’re almost always going up or down a hill somewhere in the city, that’s part of this regional geography.

Atlanta’s Location Relative to Major Highways

If you think of Atlanta in terms of road travel, the city is a major transportation hub for the Southeast.

Interstates That Run Through Atlanta

• I‑75: Runs north–south through Atlanta

  • Northbound toward Marietta, Kennesaw, Chattanooga
  • Southbound toward Macon, Valdosta, and Florida

• I‑85: Also north–south, intersecting with I‑75 in Downtown

  • Northbound toward Gwinnett County, Greenville, Charlotte
  • Southbound toward LaGrange, Montgomery

• I‑20: Runs east–west through the city

  • Eastbound toward Conyers, Augusta, Columbia
  • Westbound toward Douglasville, Birmingham

• I‑285: The Perimeter, a loop around much of the metro area

  • Encircles Atlanta and connects to I‑20, I‑75, and I‑85
  • Often used as a reference point: “inside the Perimeter” (ITP) vs. “outside the Perimeter” (OTP)

From a driver’s perspective, Atlanta is located at the intersection of I‑75, I‑85, and I‑20, with I‑285 circling around it. This makes Atlanta a central point for road travel across the Southeast.

How Far Is Atlanta From Other Major Cities?

If you’re planning travel, it helps to know how Atlanta lines up with other well-known places.

Approximate driving distances from Downtown Atlanta:

• To Athens, GA: ~70 miles east-northeast
• To Macon, GA: ~85 miles south
• To Chattanooga, TN: ~120 miles northwest
• To Birmingham, AL: ~150 miles west
• To Savannah, GA: ~250 miles southeast
• To Charlotte, NC: ~245 miles northeast
• To Orlando, FL: ~440 miles south
• To Washington, DC: ~640 miles northeast

These distances underline Atlanta’s role as a central connector for travel across the Southeast.

Atlanta’s Airport and Its Location

Many people first experience Atlanta through its airport, which is one of the busiest in the world.

• Airport name: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
• Common code:ATL
• Location: Primarily in Clayton County, just south of the City of Atlanta, near College Park and Hapeville

From Downtown Atlanta, the airport is roughly:

• 10 miles south, typically along I‑75/I‑85 (the Downtown Connector)

If you’re staying in the city, this makes access to national and international flights relatively quick, especially via MARTA (rail and bus system) that connects Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead to the airport.

Atlanta’s Position Within Its Counties and Neighborhoods

While “Atlanta” often sounds simple, the city spans multiple neighborhoods and crosses a county line.

Counties That Contain the City of Atlanta

• Fulton County

  • Holds the majority of the City of Atlanta
  • Includes areas like Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, West Midtown, Southwest Atlanta

• DeKalb County

  • Contains eastern portions of the city
  • Includes neighborhoods near East Atlanta, Kirkwood, and parts of the East Side

If you look up your address and see Atlanta, GA but your county is Fulton or DeKalb, you’re within the city’s reach. If your mailing address lists Atlanta but your county is Cobb, Gwinnett, or Clayton, you may be in the metro area rather than inside the official city limits.

Where Key Atlanta Landmarks Are Located in the City

To make sense of where Atlanta is internally, it helps to orient around some major landmarks:

• Downtown Atlanta

  • Central business district
  • Home to Georgia State Capitol, Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, Georgia World Congress Center
  • Rough center of the city when people say “in-town”

• Midtown

  • Just north of Downtown along Peachtree Street
  • Contains Piedmont Park, Fox Theatre, Woodruff Arts Center, Georgia Tech (campus just west of Midtown)

• Buckhead

  • North of Midtown
  • Major commercial and residential area, often associated with Peachtree Road, shopping, and high‑rise buildings

• Westside / West Midtown

  • West of Midtown and Downtown
  • Former industrial areas redeveloped into dining, retail, and residential spaces

• East Side

  • East of Downtown/Midtown
  • Includes neighborhoods like Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, Little Five Points, East Atlanta Village

Thinking of Atlanta as a cluster of in‑town neighborhoods radiating outward from Downtown can help you visualize its internal geography.

How to Confirm Whether You’re “In Atlanta”

Because the metro area is so large, people often wonder if they actually live in Atlanta or just nearby.

Common ways locals check:

1. City of Atlanta Property or Address Check
   • Many residents verify through the City of Atlanta or county property records to see if their address falls within city limits.
2. County Listing
   • If your address shows Fulton or DeKalb and says “Atlanta, GA,” there’s a good chance you’re inside or close to city limits.
3. Utility and Service Areas
   • Being served by City of Atlanta water or certain city-specific services can also indicate your location relative to city boundaries.

For official questions about where your property sits relative to Atlanta’s borders, many people contact:

• City of Atlanta Planning Department
  55 Trinity Ave SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303

Or their respective county offices, such as:

• Fulton County Government Center
  141 Pryor St SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303

• DeKalb County Administration Building
  1300 Commerce Dr
  Decatur, GA 30030

This can be especially important when you need to know which zoning rules, taxes, schools, or services apply to your address.

Why Atlanta’s Location Matters for Daily Life

Living in or visiting Atlanta, the city’s location affects:

• Commutes and traffic patterns
  • I‑75/85 (the Downtown Connector) and the Perimeter (I‑285) shape where people live and work
• Weather
  • Being inland and at higher elevation than coastal cities influences temperature, storms, and humidity
• Travel convenience
  • Proximity to Hartsfield–Jackson ATL makes flying in and out of the city relatively easy
• Regional access
  • Weekend trips to the North Georgia mountains, Georgia coast, Alabama, or the Carolinas are all realistic because of Atlanta’s central position

For anyone asking “Where is Atlanta located?” the practical answer is that Atlanta sits at the crossroads of the Southeast—in north-central Georgia, anchored by major interstates, a busy airport, and a large metro region that spreads out in almost every direction around the city’s core.