SR 54 begins at an intersection with US 27/SR 1 west of Hogansville, in north-central Troup County. It heads east into town, where it intersects US 29/SR 14/SR 100. SR 54/SR 100 head to the southeast concurrently. Just before leaving the county, the highway has an interchange with Interstate 85. Then, the two highways split before crossing into Meriwether County. SR 54 heads east-northeast, and curves to the northeast, until it enters Luthersville. There, it intersects US 27 Alternate/SR 41, before meeting the northern terminus of SR 54 Spur. At this intersection, SR 54 turns to the north and crosses into Coweta County. It heads northeast, through rural areas of the county and intersects SR 16 in Turin. Almost immediately after, it enters Sharpsburg, where it meets the southern terminus of SR 154. Northeast of Sharpsburg, SR 54 has an intersection with SR 34. The highway heads to the east, crossing overLine Creek into Fayette County and Peachtree City. It curves to the northeast and intersects SR 74. SR 54 curves to the east into Fayetteville, where it intersects SR 85/SR 92. To the northeast, it passes McCurry Park North and Links Golf Club, before crossing into Clayton County. In Jonesboro, it intersects US 19/US 41/SR 3. The four highways head concurrent to the north, along the western edge of Jonesboro. Just before the concurrency ends, they intersect SR 138 Spur. Slightly farther to the north-northwest is an intersection with SR 138. At this intersection, SR 54/SR 138 head east, just north of the city limits. At Jonesboro Road, SR 54 splits off to the north-northeast and enters Morrow. There, it passes Southlake Mall and has an interchange with I-75. Slightly south of the northern limits of town, it passes Clayton State University and curves to the north-northwest into Lake City. There, it meets the eastern terminus of SR 331. In Forest Park, the highway skirts along the southwestern edge of Fort Gillem and meets the southern terminus of SR 54 Conn.. SR 54 enters Fulton County, and thus Atlanta, approximately before it has an interchange with I-285. It passes Southside Park, the largest part in the city, before curving to the north-northeast and passing Browns Mill Golf Course. After that, it curves back to the northwest and passes Southview Cemetery, just before meeting the southern terminus of SR 54 Conn.. Less than later, it meets the western terminus of SR 42 Spur. Approximately later, it turns to the southwest. Then, it curves back to the northwest to meet its northern terminus, an interchange with I-75/I-85 in Downtown Atlanta. The only portion of SR 54 that is part of the National Highway System, a system of routes determined to be the most important for the nation's economy, mobility, and defense, is from SR 34, west of Peachtree City, to the northern end of the SR 138 concurrency, on the northern edge of the city limits of Jonesboro.
History
The southern end of SR 54 from US 27/SR 1 to Hogansville was previously numbered State Route 258 until 1963-1964.
State Route 54 Connector is a connector route that exists entirely within the southeastern part of Fulton County. Its routing is completely within the city limits of Atlanta. It begins at an intersection with the SR 54 mainline, northwest of Southview Cemetery. It heads northeast, before curving to a due-north orientation. The highway passes along the western edge of United States Penitentiary, Atlanta, before a slight jog to the northeast right before its northern terminus, an intersection with SR 42 Spur.
Clayton–DeKalb County connector route
State Route 54 Connector is a connector route that exists within portions of Clayton and Fulton counties of the U.S. state of Georgia. It begins at an intersection with the SR 54 mainline. It heads northeast through Conley and then meets its northern terminus, an intersection with US 23/SR 42. Between 1945 and the end of 1946, SR 160 was established from SR 54 in Forest Park to SR 42 south-southeast of Constitution. In 1995, this segment of SR 160 was redesignated as SR 54 Conn.
Spur route
State Route 54 Spur also known as Park Street, is a spur route that is location completely within Luthersville. It begins at an intersection with US 27 Alternate/SR 41 and heads north-northeast for one block. There, it meets its northern terminus, an intersection with the SR 54 mainline. The highway eases the transition of southbound SR 54 to southbound US 27 Alternate/SR 41 or northbound on US 27 Alternate/SR 41 to northbound SR 54. The southern terminus is a Y-type intersection. Its northern terminus meets SR 54 southbound to its left, SR 54 eastbound straight ahead, and the continuation of East Oak Street to its right.
