Driving the Georgia Mountain Parkway (GA 515) From Atlanta to Blue Ridge

If you live in Atlanta and want an easy mountain escape, the Georgia Mountain Parkway (GA 515) is your main gateway to Blue Ridge and the North Georgia mountains. This highway gives you a mostly four-lane, smooth drive from the metro area into some of the state’s most scenic small towns, lakes, and hiking spots.

This guide breaks down how to get from Atlanta to Blue Ridge using GA 515, what you’ll see along the way, and how to plan a stress-free day trip or weekend from the city.

What Is the Georgia Mountain Parkway (GA 515)?

The Georgia Mountain Parkway, signed as GA 515, is a major route that runs through the North Georgia mountains, connecting small towns like Jasper, Ellijay, and Blue Ridge. For Atlanta residents, it’s one of the most direct and comfortable ways to reach Blue Ridge.

Key points about GA 515:

• It’s primarily a four-lane divided highway, unlike many winding mountain roads.
• It connects with I-575 coming out of metro Atlanta.
• It serves as a tourist corridor for mountain towns, wineries, orchards, rivers, and hiking trails.

If you’ve ever said, “I want mountains, but I don’t want scary mountain roads,” GA 515 is often what Atlanta locals choose.

How to Get From Atlanta to Blue Ridge on GA 515

Basic Route Overview

From most parts of metro Atlanta, you’ll be heading:

1. North on I-75 or I-85 to reach I-285 (depending on your starting point).
2. I-285 to I-575 North (toward Canton).
3. I-575 becomes GA 515 North near Ball Ground.
4. Continue on GA 515 through Jasper and Ellijay.
5. Stay on GA 515 until you reach the Blue Ridge area.

Approximate drive time from Atlanta to Blue Ridge is usually around 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic leaving the city and weekend congestion near popular stops.

Step-by-Step: Leaving Atlanta

From Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead

If you’re starting near the city center:

1. Take I-75/85 North from downtown.
2. Use I-75 North and then merge onto I-285 East or West (whichever best positions you to reach I-575).
3. From I-285, take Exit for I-575 North toward Canton.
4. Continue on I-575 North. As you pass Canton and Ball Ground, the interstate transitions into GA 515 with no major exit needed.

From East or South Atlanta

If you’re in areas like Decatur, East Atlanta, or south Fulton:

• First reach I-285, then loop around to connect with I-575 North.
• Expect a bit more time in metro traffic before you’re on the more open highway.

Where I-575 Turns Into GA 515

Once you’re north of Ball Ground, you’ll notice the interstate-style feel remains, but signs will begin to refer to GA 515 / GA 5 and Zell Miller Mountain Parkway. You don’t have to exit; just continue following the signs north toward Jasper and Ellijay.

For most Atlanta drivers, you can simply think of the route as:

Key Towns & Stops Along GA 515 to Blue Ridge

Driving straight through is easy, but many Atlantans like to turn the drive into part of the trip. Here’s what you’ll pass:

Jasper

The first major town along GA 515:

• Often considered the “Gateway to the Mountains.”
• Has gas, groceries, and larger chain stores for last-minute supplies.
• Nearby outdoor options if you want to detour off GA 515:
  • Burnt Mountain overlook (great views with relatively short side drives).
  • Access to Pickens County hiking and rural roads.

Ellijay

Next up is Ellijay, a very popular stop with Atlanta locals:

• Known for apple orchards and fall festivals.
• Plenty of restaurants, coffee shops, and gas stations right off GA 515.
• From here you can access:
  • Downtown Ellijay (charming square, small shops).
  • Cartecay and Ellijay Rivers for tubing and kayaking.
  • Seasonal roadside stands with apples, cider, and local produce.

Many Atlantans stop in Ellijay for breakfast or lunch, then continue 30–45 minutes further north to Blue Ridge.

Arriving in Blue Ridge via GA 515

As you continue on GA 515 north from Ellijay, you’ll soon see signs for Blue Ridge.

Look for:

• Signs indicating “Blue Ridge” and “US 76 / GA 515”.
• Turn lanes leading toward Downtown Blue Ridge and Lake Blue Ridge.

From GA 515 you can:

• Turn into Downtown Blue Ridge for shopping, dining, and access to the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway.
• Continue east for Lake Blue Ridge access areas, marinas, and nearby cabin communities.

How Long Is the Drive From Atlanta to Blue Ridge on GA 515?

Here’s a simple time overview for planning from central Atlanta:

⏱️ Tips:

• Weekends and holidays can add extra time, especially in fall (apple season, leaf season).
• Leaving Atlanta early in the morning helps you beat both city and mountain traffic.
• Evening returns on Sundays can be slower as everyone heads back toward the metro.

Why Atlanta Residents Like GA 515 for Blue Ridge Trips

Compared to other mountain routes, GA 515 is often preferred by Atlanta drivers because:

• It’s wider and straighter than smaller mountain roads.
• It’s easier to drive in rain or low light than narrow, switchback routes.
• There are frequent services (gas, food, rest stops) along the way.
• It connects multiple North Georgia destinations in one corridor.

If you’re not comfortable with tight hairpin turns but you want a “mountain feel” without intense driving, GA 515 is a practical choice.

Attractions Off GA 515 Near Blue Ridge

Once you reach the Blue Ridge area, GA 515 puts you near many popular attractions that Atlanta families and groups visit regularly.

1. Downtown Blue Ridge

From GA 515, you’re only a few minutes from downtown, where you’ll find:

• Local restaurants and cafés
• Boutique shops and galleries
• Access to Blue Ridge Scenic Railway (departs from downtown)

2. Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

This historic train ride is a favorite day-trip activity for Atlanta visitors:

• Departs from downtown Blue Ridge.
• Runs along the Toccoa River with scenic views.
• Often popular during fall foliage and holiday seasons.

Many Atlantans drive up GA 515 in the morning, take an afternoon train ride, then stay overnight or head back.

3. Lake Blue Ridge

From GA 515, you can easily reach:

• Marinas and boat rentals
• Public access areas and picnic spots
• Lake-view cabin communities

Atlanta residents often plan boating or fishing weekends, using GA 515 to tow boats or haul gear more comfortably than on narrow backroads.

4. Hiking and Outdoor Areas

Near Blue Ridge you’ll find access to:

• Sections of the Appalachian Trail (reachable via nearby forest roads).
• Swinging Bridge on the Toccoa River (short, scenic hike).
• Various waterfalls and overlooks a short drive from town.

GA 515 serves as the “spine” that gets you close; then you’ll branch off onto smaller highways and county roads for specific trailheads.

Planning a Day Trip From Atlanta: Sample Outline

If you’re in Atlanta and want a simple Blue Ridge day trip, a common itinerary looks like this:

1. Leave Atlanta around 7:00–8:00 a.m.
   • Take I-575 / GA 515 all the way north.
2. Stop in Ellijay for breakfast or coffee.
3. Arrive in Blue Ridge late morning.
   • Walk around downtown.
   • Book or board the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway if planned.
4. Afternoon on the lake or light hiking.
5. Early dinner in Blue Ridge.
6. Drive back to Atlanta on GA 515 before it gets too late.

This keeps driving on major, well-traveled roads and minimizes late-night mountain driving.

Driving Tips for Atlanta Residents Using GA 515

Even though GA 515 is easier than many mountain routes, it’s still a mountain corridor. A few practical tips:

• Fuel up before you leave Atlanta or top off in Canton or Jasper, so you’re not caught low in more rural stretches.
• Watch your speed. The highway feels like an interstate, but speed limits change near towns and intersections.
• Weather can change quickly in the mountains. In winter, check conditions before you go, especially for early mornings or late returns.
• If you’re not used to mountain driving at night, consider returning to Atlanta before it gets fully dark—especially on your first trip.
• Cell coverage is generally decent along GA 515, but can be patchy in some side areas off the main road.

Using Atlanta Resources to Plan Your GA 515 Trip

When planning from Atlanta, it can help to:

• Check Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) traveler information before leaving the metro for any major closures or delays on GA 515.
• Consider parking or meeting points at familiar locations along I-575 (for example, park-and-ride lots in Cherokee County) if you’re carpooling with friends from around the city.
• Use MARTA or rideshare to gather in one place in Atlanta, then drive one car up GA 515 for easier parking in Blue Ridge.

Is GA 515 the Best Route From Atlanta to Blue Ridge?

For most drivers living in Atlanta, GA 515 via I-575 North is:

• The most direct practical route.
• Easier to navigate than smaller, curvier alternatives.
• Well-marked and widely used by other metro Atlanta travelers heading to Blue Ridge and surrounding mountain areas.

If you’re leaving from far northeast Atlanta (for example, near Gainesville), other routes might make sense. But for much of the city and I-75/I-85 corridor, heading up I-575 to GA 515 is the standard way.

Traveling the Georgia Mountain Parkway (GA 515) from Atlanta to Blue Ridge gives you a straightforward, scenic path into the North Georgia mountains. With a bit of planning and awareness of timing, it works well as both a quick day trip and a longer weekend escape from the city.