How Far Is It from Atlanta to Raleigh? Your Complete Travel Guide

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and planning a trip to Raleigh, North Carolina, the first thing you probably want to know is: How far is it, and what’s the easiest way to get there?

Below is a clear breakdown of distance, travel time, and the main options for driving, flying, and taking buses between Atlanta and Raleigh, all with an Atlanta-based traveler in mind.

How Far Is Atlanta from Raleigh?

From Downtown Atlanta (near Five Points) to Downtown Raleigh:

• Driving distance: about 400–430 miles
• Typical drive time: about 6–7 hours in normal traffic

The exact distance and time depend on your starting point in Atlanta (Midtown, Buckhead, the suburbs, etc.) and your route.

Common Driving Routes

Most drivers from Atlanta use one of these:

• I‑85 North most of the way

  • Atlanta → I‑85 N through Greenville, SC and Charlotte, NC → I‑40 E into Raleigh
  • This is usually the simplest and most direct interstate route.

• Alternate variations

  • Some GPS routes may shift you briefly to other highways near Charlotte or Durham to avoid congestion.

Driving from Atlanta to Raleigh

If you’re based in Atlanta or renting a car here, driving gives you the most flexibility.

Approximate Driving Times from Different Parts of Atlanta

*Times assume steady traffic and minimal stops.

What to Expect on the Road

• Interstate driving almost the entire way (mainly I‑85 and I‑40)
• You’ll pass through or near:
  • Greenville, SC
  • Spartanburg, SC
  • Charlotte, NC
  • Greensboro/Durham, NC (depending on route)
• Traffic hot spots:
  • Leaving Atlanta via I‑85 (especially rush hours)
  • The Charlotte and Raleigh metro areas, especially weekday evenings

When to Leave Atlanta

To make the drive smoother:

• 🚗 Avoid weekday rush hour:
  • Morning: roughly 7:00–9:30 a.m.
  • Evening: roughly 4:00–7:00 p.m.
• If you can, aim to:
  • Leave after 9:30 a.m. on weekdays, or
  • Leave before 3:00 p.m. to beat the late-day build-up

Fuel and Rest Stops from Atlanta

If you’re leaving from Atlanta neighborhoods like Midtown, Buckhead, or the Airport area, you’ll find plenty of gas stations and food options along I‑85 heading northeast.

Common stopping points once you’re out of metro Atlanta:

• Commerce, GA – Gas, chain restaurants, restrooms
• Greenville, SC – Larger city with many options if you want a longer stop
• Spartanburg, SC and Gaffney, SC – Convenient quick-stop areas

For basic travel information or road conditions before you leave Atlanta, you can contact:

• Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT)
  • General information line: (404) 631‑1990
  • Main office: 600 W. Peachtree St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30308

Flying from Atlanta to Raleigh

For many Atlanta travelers, flying is the fastest door‑to‑door option, especially if you’re near the airport or connecting from another flight.

Flight Distance and Time

• Flight distance: roughly 350 miles
• Typical nonstop flight time: about 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes in the air

You’ll fly from:

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  • 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320

to:

• Raleigh–Durham International Airport (RDU)
  • 2400 John Brantley Blvd, Morrisville, NC 27560

From Downtown Atlanta, getting to ATL usually takes:

• Around 15–30 minutes by car or rideshare in light traffic
• Longer in peak rush hours

Total Door‑to‑Door Time

From an Atlanta perspective, consider:

1. Getting to ATL from your home or hotel
2. Security and boarding (often 1–2 hours before departure)
3. Flight time (about 1–1.25 hours)
4. Getting from RDU to Raleigh (roughly 20–30 minutes by car to downtown Raleigh)

Putting all that together, many travelers find the door‑to‑door time is around 3.5–5 hours, depending on:

• Where you’re staying in Atlanta
• Wait times at the airport
• Transportation from RDU into Raleigh

Ground Transportation at ATL (From an Atlanta Traveler’s View)

From within Atlanta, you can reach ATL by:

• MARTA (rail)

  • The Red and Gold lines both run to the Airport Station, located inside the Domestic Terminal.
  • Useful if you’re staying in Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or near Lindbergh Center.

• Taxi or rideshare

  • Widely available across Atlanta; travel time and cost vary by neighborhood and time of day.

• Parking at ATL

  • Long‑term parking is available at and near the airport if you prefer to drive yourself.

For general airport information:

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  • General information line: (800) 897‑1910

Bus and Other Ground Options from Atlanta to Raleigh

If you don’t want to drive yourself or fly, long‑distance bus service is another option between Atlanta and Raleigh.

Typical Bus Distance & Time

• Route: Mostly along I‑85 and connected highways
• Travel time: Often around 8–10 hours, depending on route and stops
• Distance: Similar to driving (about 400–430 miles), but with detours and intermediate stops

Where Buses Typically Depart in Atlanta

Common departure areas in Atlanta include:

• Downtown Atlanta – near long‑distance bus terminals
• In some cases, additional pickup locations may be used around the metro area, depending on the company and schedule.

If you’re staying in:

• Downtown or Midtown – You may be able to walk, take MARTA, or use a short rideshare to the bus terminal.
• Suburban areas – A combination of car, rideshare, or MARTA rail plus a short walk often works best.

Always check exact departure and arrival locations when you buy your ticket, as these can change.

Comparing Your Options from Atlanta to Raleigh

For someone in Atlanta, here’s how the main choices stack up:

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Travelers

• Distance: Atlanta to Raleigh is roughly 400–430 miles by road and about 350 miles by air.
• Drive time: Plan on 6–7 hours from the Atlanta area in typical conditions.
• Flight time: Around 1–1.25 hours in the air, usually 3.5–5 hours total including airport time and local transit.
• Best choice:
  • Choose driving if you want flexibility and are comfortable with a half‑day road trip.
  • Choose flying if time is your priority and you’re already convenient to ATL or connecting through Atlanta.
  • Choose bus if you prefer not to drive and want a budget‑minded option, even if it takes longer.

From an Atlanta standpoint, Raleigh is close enough for a long weekend road trip yet also well served by direct flights from Hartsfield–Jackson, giving you multiple practical ways to make the trip.