If you are new to Atlanta, or remember being new to Atlanta, the crazy street schematics discourage even some long-timers.
Traditionally the name changes occurred to separate white and black neighborhoods. So when the street you're on decides to change names, there is a good chance it is also related to Atlanta's segregation history. Ponce de Leon Avenue was the historical line, so you will notice that streets on one side of the street are named one way and their across-the-street-counterpart named something else.
To help ease your navigation burdens, as not everyone like me geeks out over figuring out paths through the city, I've listed below some of the major street changes in Atlanta...at least for me it was very eye-opening and helpful with cross-town driving to understand how the major roads connect, or rather, are really the same street. This web page also lists current streets and their former names, which is also quite interesting.
Popular Name Changes at Ponce de Leon Avenue
- Juniper to Courtland (Midtown to Downtown/GSU)
- Monroe to Boulevard (direct connect from Piedmont Park to Grant Park)
- Briarcliff to Moreland (Northeast Atlanta to Emory to Little 5/East Atlanta)
- Oakdale Road to Whiteford (major thoroughfare from Druid Hils/Candler Park to Kirkwood)
Other Major Road Name Changes
- Hank Aaron to Capitol to Piedmont (one way north from Turner Field/Capitol to Buckhead)
- Central Avenue to Peachtree Center Avenue (if driving northbound on the connector, great downtown/GSU exit)
- Cheshire Bridge to Lenox Road (Midtown to Buckhead/Lenox)
- East Rock Springs to North Decatur (Midtown to Emory/Decatur)
- North Highland Avenue to Johnson Road (Highlands to Emory)
- La Vista to Lindbergh Drive (Northlake/Toco Hills to Lindbergh/Buckhead)
- Lawrenceville Highway to Scott Blvd (Lawrenceville to Decatur/Atlanta)
And the Award Winning Street That Changes Names 5 Times:- Marietta Street to Decatur Street to Dekalb Avenue to W. Howard to E. Howard (West Midtown/Downtown to Decatur)
