Tanger Outlets Commerce: Atlanta Shopper’s Guide to Big-Brand Bargains

If you live in Atlanta or you’re visiting and looking for serious outlet deals, Tanger Outlets Commerce is one of the closest and most popular options for brand-name discounts. It’s not inside the city, but it’s close enough for a day trip and is a common destination for back-to-school shopping, holiday outlet runs, and wardrobe refreshes.

This guide walks you through how Tanger Outlets Commerce fits into Atlanta life: how to get there, what to expect, when to go, and how to make the most of your visit.

Where Tanger Outlets Commerce Is (and Why Atlanta Shoppers Go There)

Location:
Tanger Outlets – Commerce
800 Steven B. Tanger Blvd
Commerce, GA 30529
Phone: (706) 335-3354

Tanger Outlets Commerce is located off I-85 North, near Commerce, Georgia. From Downtown Atlanta, the drive is typically around 1–1.5 hours, depending on traffic and your starting point.

For people in Atlanta, it’s often used for:

• Big-brand clothing and shoe discounts
• Seasonal shopping trips (back-to-school, Black Friday, holiday gifting)
• Out-of-town guests who want an “outlet mall day” experience
• Shoppers in northeast metro suburbs (like Gwinnett) looking for more variety than a traditional mall

You won’t find everything you see at Lenox Square or Ponce City Market, but you will find a concentrated collection of outlet stores offering markdowns and clearance racks in one place.

Getting to Tanger Outlets Commerce from Atlanta

Driving from Different Parts of Atlanta

Most Atlantans drive to Tanger Commerce. Here’s the basic route from common starting points:

From Downtown / Midtown Atlanta:

1. Take I-85 North
2. Stay on I-85 N past Gwinnett County (Duluth, Lawrenceville, Buford)
3. Continue until the Commerce exit (look for signs for outlets)
4. Follow the local signs to Steven B. Tanger Blvd

From Buckhead / North Atlanta:

• Connect to I-85 North via GA 400/I-285 or surface streets, then follow the same path as above.

From Eastside (Decatur, Stone Mountain, Tucker):

• Use I-285 or US-78 as needed to connect to I-85 North, then continue to Commerce.

Timing Your Trip ⏰

Traffic out of Atlanta along I-85 can be heavy during:

• Morning rush (heading out of the city on weekdays)
• Evening rush (coming back toward Atlanta)
• Holiday weekends and UGA game days (since the Athens area also uses I-85/US-441 corridors)

If you’re flexible:

• Aim to leave Atlanta mid-morning (around 9:30–10:30 a.m.)
• Plan to head back before 4 p.m. or after 7 p.m. to avoid the thickest traffic

What You’ll Find at Tanger Outlets Commerce

Tanger Outlets Commerce is a traditional open-air outlet center: separate storefronts in long rows, with walkways in between and parking around the perimeter.

While individual store lineups can change, you can typically expect:

Common Types of Stores

• Clothing & Fashion:
  Big-name casual, denim, athletic, and lifestyle brands
• Shoes & Athletic Wear:
  Sneaker brands, running and training gear, casual footwear
• Handbags & Accessories:
  Wallets, bags, sunglasses, belts, and travel accessories
• Children’s & Family Apparel:
  Kids’ clothing, school clothes, basics, and outerwear
• Home & Kitchen Outlets:
  Cookware, glassware, bedding, and home goods
• Specialty & Seasonal Shops:
  Sometimes rotating or seasonal outlets, depending on current leases

Because it’s an outlet center, you’ll see:

• Past-season merchandise
• Overstocks and marked-down basics
• Special “additional percentage off clearance” deals
• Sometimes outlet-only lines produced for discount stores

Tanger Commerce vs. Shopping Inside Atlanta

If you’re trying to decide whether to stay in the city or drive to Commerce, it helps to compare them in a quick snapshot.

At-a-Glance Comparison for Atlanta Shoppers

*Cost level is a general impression; actual pricing depends on sales and brands.

If you’re focused on maximizing discounts and don’t mind driving, Tanger Commerce can make more sense than staying within I-285. If you want current-season styles or specific high-end brands, a Buckhead or Perimeter mall trip may serve you better.

When to Go: Best Times for Atlanta Bargain Hunters

The best times to visit Tanger Outlets Commerce depend on whether you care more about crowds or about savings.

For Fewer Crowds

Atlanta locals often find it quieter:

• Weekdays (especially Tuesday–Thursday)
• Late mornings (before noon)
• Non-holiday months (avoid late November–December if you dislike crowds)

If you can, consider taking a weekday off or working remotely from a café nearby, then shopping in off-peak hours.

For Bigger Sales

Shoppers report that many outlets run their strongest promotions:

• Holiday weekends
• Back-to-school season (late July through August)
• Black Friday and the following weekend
• Around end-of-season transitions (late winter and late summer)

Because this often overlaps with heavy I-85 traffic from Atlanta, plan extra drive time and be prepared for busier parking lots.

Planning Your Day Trip from Atlanta

How Long to Plan

From most Atlanta neighborhoods, a Tanger Commerce trip is usually:

• 1–1.5 hours each way driving
• 3–4+ hours shopping if you’re hitting multiple stores

Plan on a full half-day or full day, especially if you’re shopping with family or friends.

Parking & Layout

• Parking is surface-level and spread around the center
• No complex garages—just traditional lot parking near most store clusters
• If you want easier in-and-out with bags, park near the stores you know you’ll spend the most time in (for example, near the athletic outlets or the home goods cluster)

Food, Breaks, and Nearby Stops

You won’t find Atlanta-level restaurant variety at Tanger Commerce, but you can expect:

• Fast-casual and quick-service spots in and around the outlet center
• Coffee and snack options for mid-shopping breaks
• More traditional chain restaurants a short drive away in Commerce along Highway 441/US-441

Many Atlanta families combine a Tanger trip with:

• A quick meal in Commerce before driving back
• A stop at gas stations near the interstate to refuel before heading toward the city
• Rest stops along I-85 for kids or longer car rides

Tips for Getting the Best Deals (Especially from Atlanta)

Because this is a bit of a drive from Atlanta, you want to make it count. A few practical strategies:

1. Make a Store Priority List

Before you leave Atlanta, write down:

• Top 5–7 stores you care about
• Size and style needs (e.g., kids’ school uniforms, business-casual staples, new running shoes)

Start with your priority stores as soon as you arrive so you’re not rushed at the end of the day.

2. Compare Outlet Prices to In-Town Options

Sometimes outlet pricing is a no-brainer. Other times, Atlanta-area stores may run competitive sales without the drive.

When possible:

• Know rough price ranges for similar items at in-town locations (Lenox, Perimeter, Atlantic Station, or local boutiques)
• For big-ticket items (coats, suits, high-end shoes), consider whether outlet markdowns are actually better than sale prices you’ve already seen in Atlanta

3. Check Return Policies Before You Buy

Outlet return policies can differ from their full-price counterparts. Policies may include:

• Shorter return windows
• Store credit only in some cases
• Requirements for original tags and receipts

If you live in Atlanta, consider whether you’d be willing to drive back to Commerce for a return, or if you’re okay with store credit or keeping the item.

4. Dress for an Outdoor Center ☀️

Because Tanger Commerce is open-air:

• Check the weather in Commerce, which can be slightly different from central Atlanta
• In summer, bring light clothing, sunscreen, and water
• In colder months, prepare for wind and rain across the open walkways

Is Tanger Outlets Commerce Worth It If You’re Staying in Atlanta?

Whether Tanger Commerce is “worth it” depends on your situation:

More likely worth the trip if you:

• Are doing a big seasonal haul (kids’ clothes, school gear, work wardrobe, holiday gifts)
• Love outlet-style browsing and hunting for clearance deals
• Live on the northeast side of the metro (Gwinnett, North DeKalb, Hall County area) and already use I-85 regularly
• Don’t mind a mini-road trip out of the city

Maybe less worth it if you:

• Only need one or two specific items
• Are staying close to Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead without a car
• Prefer current-season or luxury brands that are better represented at Lenox Square, Phipps Plaza, or in-town boutiques
• Strongly dislike driving on I-85

For many Atlanta residents, Tanger Commerce is something they hit a few times a year, not a weekly shopping destination.

Practical Info to Keep Handy

Tanger Outlets – Commerce
800 Steven B. Tanger Blvd
Commerce, GA 30529
Phone: (706) 335-3354

From Atlanta, expect:

• Drive time: roughly 1–1.5 hours each way via I-85 North
• Parking: open lots around the center
• Experience: outdoor outlet mall with brand-name stores, discount-focused merchandise, and a mix of casual dining options nearby

If you’re in Atlanta and want outlet-style savings in a concentrated, easy-to-park setting, Tanger Outlets Commerce is one of the most accessible options—and, with a bit of planning around traffic and timing, it can be a productive and enjoyable day trip.