Transportation in Clarkston is heavily reliant on both the regional highway system and public transit. The city is bordered by Interstate 285 to the west and is close to U.S. Route 78, providing direct commuter access to Atlanta and surrounding suburbs.
Public transportation is provided by the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), with several high-ridership bus routes connecting Clarkston residents to the Kensington and Indian Creek rail stations. Because many newly arrived refugees do not immediately own vehicles, Clarkston is highly pedestrian-friendly compared to neighboring suburbs.
The city is also connected to the PATH Foundation's Stone Mountain Trail, a paved multi-use trail for pedestrians and cyclists that runs directly through Clarkston, connecting downtown Atlanta to Stone Mountain Park.