You’re standing in Olde Town Conyers, coffee in hand, looking at the brick storefronts and wondering if you can actually make it to a 9:00 AM meeting at the Georgia Aquarium without losing your mind. Everyone asks the same question. How far is Conyers from Atlanta? Technically, it’s about 24 miles.
But distance in Georgia isn't measured in miles. It’s measured in "Atlanta Minutes."
Twenty-four miles on a map looks like a breeze. In reality, that stretch of I-20 can be a psychological gauntlet or a smooth twenty-five-minute cruise, depending entirely on when you put your key in the ignition. If you’re moving here or just visiting the Monastery of the Holy Spirit, you need the ground truth about the trek into the city.
The Raw Data: Distance and Basic Drive Times
If we’re talking purely about asphalt, the distance from downtown Conyers to downtown Atlanta is right around 24 to 26 miles. This is a straight shot west on Interstate 20.
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Most days, if there's no traffic—think 10:00 PM on a Tuesday—you’re looking at a 25 to 30-minute drive. It’s easy. You hop on at West Avenue or Sigman Road, set the cruise control, and before you know it, you’re passing the Gold Dome at the State Capitol.
But we don't live in a world without traffic.
The Commuter’s Reality
If you’re heading into the city for work, the "25-minute" figure is a fantasy. During the morning rush, which starts creeping up around 6:45 AM, that 24-mile journey swells. By 8:15 AM, highway speeds often drop to 20 mph near the I-285 interchange (The Perimeter).
- Standard Rush Hour: 45 to 75 minutes.
- Rainy Day Rush Hour: 90 minutes. Don’t ask why; it’s just the Atlanta way.
- Afternoon Return: Usually worse. The "outbound" trek from Atlanta to Conyers starts getting heavy at 3:30 PM and doesn't really breathe again until 7:30 PM.
How Far Is Conyers From Atlanta by Bus?
Maybe you don't want to drive. Honestly, who does?
The Xpress bus service, specifically Route 423, is the lifeline for people who want to reclaim their sanity. It runs from the East Conyers Park and Ride to various spots in Midtown and Downtown Atlanta. It takes about 45 to 55 minutes, but the perk is you can sleep or scroll through your phone instead of white-knuckling the steering wheel.
There are also private options. Southeastern Stages and Greyhound run routes between the two cities. These usually take about 35 minutes and drop you off at the main Atlanta station on Forsyth Street. It’s cheap—sometimes as low as $8—but the schedules are less frequent than the commuter buses.
Getting to Hartsfield-Jackson Airport
If you’re catching a flight, the distance changes slightly. Conyers is about 31 miles from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).
You’ll usually take I-20 West to I-285 South. Without traffic, it’s a 35-minute trip. During peak times? Give yourself at least an hour and fifteen minutes. If you’re taking an Uber or Lyft, expect to pay anywhere from $60 to $120 depending on the surge and the level of luxury you’re chasing.
Why the Distance Feels Different in 2026
The metro area is growing. Fast. Conyers used to be the "quiet" eastern edge, but as more people move to Rockdale and Newton counties, the I-20 corridor has become significantly busier.
The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is constantly tweaking the lanes, but the sheer volume of cars means that "how far" is a moving target. Local experts like those at the Atlanta Regional Commission have noted that while the physical distance hasn't changed, the average "time-distance" has increased by about 10% over the last decade.
Surprising Short-Cuts (That Usually Aren't)
You might be tempted to try Highway 278 or Highway 138 to "bypass" a wreck on I-20. Here is the insider secret: everyone else has the same idea.
Unless I-20 is completely shut down due to a major incident, staying on the interstate is almost always faster. The surface streets have too many traffic lights and school zones (especially near Salem High School or Heritage High) to save you any real time.
Practical Advice for the Trip
If you're making the trek, timing is your only real weapon.
- The Golden Window: If you can leave Conyers before 6:30 AM, you’ll usually beat the worst of the I-285 bottleneck.
- The Midday Gap: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM is the "sweet spot." The roads are clear, the sun is up, and you can actually make the trip in those legendary 25 minutes.
- Friday Logic: Fridays are weird. The morning rush ends early, but the afternoon "weekend exodus" starts as early as 1:00 PM. If you're heading from Atlanta back to Conyers on a Friday afternoon, start early or wait until after 8:00 PM.
Basically, Conyers is close enough to Atlanta to enjoy the city's amenities—the Braves games, the concerts, the fancy dinners in Buckhead—but far enough away to have a backyard and a lower cost of living. Just don't let the "24 miles" on the map fool you into thinking you can leave at 8:15 AM and make an 8:45 AM appointment.
To make the most of your travel between these two points, download a real-time traffic app like Waze or Google Maps and check it at least 20 minutes before you plan to walk out the door. If the map shows deep red near Panola Road, grab another cup of coffee and wait it out. Your stress levels will thank you.