How Far Is It From Atlanta to St. Augustine, Florida?

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and thinking about a beach escape or a historic weekend trip, St. Augustine, Florida is a popular choice. Understanding how far it is from Atlanta to St. Augustine — and the best ways to get there — can help you decide whether to drive, fly, or mix both.

Distance From Atlanta to St. Augustine at a Glance

For most people in Atlanta, the trip to St. Augustine is a full but manageable half‑day journey.

Approximate distance and time:

*Times depend heavily on traffic, time of day, and exact starting/ending points.

How Far Is It by Car From Atlanta to St. Augustine?

For Atlanta residents and visitors, driving is the most straightforward way to get from Atlanta to St. Augustine.

Typical Driving Distance and Route

• Distance: Usually around 360 miles one way, depending on your exact Atlanta starting point.
• Time: Plan for about 6 hours of driving time, not including gas, food, or rest stops.

A common, simple route from central Atlanta:

1. Take I‑75 South out of Atlanta.
2. Continue on I‑16 East near Macon.
3. At the coast, connect to I‑95 South.
4. Exit toward St. Augustine (there are multiple exits, such as FL‑16 or FL‑207, depending on where in St. Augustine you’re heading).

This route keeps you on major interstates most of the way, which many Atlanta drivers find familiar and easy to navigate.

When Driving From Different Parts of Metro Atlanta

Your total distance and time will vary based on your starting location:

• Downtown/Midtown Atlanta (Five Points, Midtown, Old Fourth Ward):
  Expect about 360 miles and 6 hours in normal traffic.
• North Atlanta/Suburbs (Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta):
  Add 15–30 minutes, since you’ll need to cross the city or loop around via I‑285 to reach I‑75 or I‑85 south.
• South Atlanta/Suburbs (College Park, East Point, Jonesboro, McDonough):
  You may save 15–30 minutes, especially if you’re already near I‑75 South or I‑675.
• West/East Metro (Marietta, Douglasville, Decatur, Stone Mountain):
  Drive time is similar to central Atlanta, but factor in I‑285 traffic to get to your main southbound route.

Best Times to Drive From Atlanta to St. Augustine

Because Atlanta traffic can significantly affect your driving time, when you leave matters.

To keep the drive closer to 6 hours:

• 🚗 Avoid Atlanta rush hours if possible
  • Morning: roughly 7:00–9:30 a.m.
  • Evening: roughly 4:00–7:00 p.m.
• Leaving early in the morning (around 5:00–6:00 a.m.) from Atlanta often helps you:
  • Beat the heaviest metro congestion
  • Reach St. Augustine by early afternoon
• Leaving late morning to midday typically avoids the worst of rush hour leaving Atlanta, but can push your arrival closer to evening.

On busy travel days (holiday weekends, spring break, etc.), expect heavier traffic not just on Atlanta interstates but also along I‑75, I‑16, and I‑95.

Flying From Atlanta to St. Augustine (Via Jacksonville)

There is no large commercial airport in St. Augustine comparable to Atlanta’s, but you can fly part of the way and then drive.

Main Flight Option From Atlanta

• Departure airport:
  Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
• Nearest major arrival airport:
  Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) in Jacksonville, Florida

Typical travel details:

• Flight time (ATL → JAX): About 1–1.5 hours.
• Driving time (JAX → St. Augustine): Around 1–1.5 hours, about 60–70 miles south via I‑95.
• Overall door‑to‑door time from Atlanta: Often 4–6 hours once you include:
  • Getting to ATL from your home/hotel in Atlanta
  • Security and boarding time
  • Flight
  • Picking up a rental car or shuttle in Jacksonville
  • Final drive to St. Augustine

This can be faster than driving the whole way, especially if:

• You live or are staying close to Hartsfield‑Jackson (e.g., in College Park, Hapeville, or downtown Atlanta).
• You’re comfortable with airport routines and car rentals.
• You’re trying to minimize time behind the wheel.

Is There a Direct Flight From Atlanta to St. Augustine?

Sometimes, there have been limited or seasonal flights into smaller regional airports near St. Augustine, but they are not always consistent or widely available.

Most travelers from Atlanta:

• Fly into Jacksonville (JAX) and then:
  • Rent a car
  • Arrange a shuttle
  • Use a rideshare service (when available)
• Or drive all the way from Atlanta.

If you want the most control over your schedule and cost, driving from Atlanta to St. Augustine remains the most predictable option.

Bus and Other Ground Transportation Options

If you prefer not to drive yourself from Atlanta, you can look at:

• Intercity bus services from Atlanta to Jacksonville or nearby cities, then transfer to:
  • A local bus (where available)
  • A rental car
  • A shuttle or rideshare into St. Augustine

This option is typically:

• Longer than driving yourself (often 7–9 hours+)
• Less flexible in terms of departure times and stops
• Sometimes cheaper if you book in advance and travel off‑peak

For trip planning, many Atlanta residents start by:

• Checking bus schedules from central Atlanta pickup points (often near downtown or the Civic Center area).
• Comparing the total time and cost with simply driving from home.

How Atlanta Traffic Affects Your Trip to St. Augustine

From an Atlanta perspective, the first hour of your drive can make a big difference:

• Getting stuck on I‑75/85 through downtown, I‑285, or Ga. 400 can add 30–60 minutes or more to your trip.
• Once you’re past the heavier metro Atlanta stretch and heading south on I‑75 or I‑16, the drive usually becomes more consistent.

Tips for Atlanta‑based drivers:

• Check current conditions before you go using your preferred navigation app.
• Consider alternate paths around downtown if there are major incidents (for example, using I‑285 East or West as a bypass).
• Factor in construction zones, especially if you’re traveling at night or early morning.

How Far Is St. Augustine for a Weekend Trip From Atlanta?

From Atlanta, St. Augustine is close enough for a long weekend and far enough to feel like a true getaway.

Typical patterns for Atlanta travelers:

• 2‑night trip:
  Drive down Friday morning, enjoy Friday afternoon and Saturday, and drive back Sunday.
• 3‑night trip:
  Leave Thursday evening or Friday morning, return Sunday evening or Monday, which gives a more relaxed pace.

Because the one‑way drive is around 6 hours, most Atlanta visitors plan:

• One travel day and one or two full activity days, or
• Two lighter travel days and two fuller days in between.

Practical Planning Tips for Atlanta Residents and Visitors

When organizing your trip from Atlanta to St. Augustine, keep these local considerations in mind:

1. Leaving From Different Parts of the City

• Near Downtown/Midtown:
  You’re well-positioned to get on I‑75/85 quickly but be prepared for downtown congestion.
• Near the Airport:
  If you’re staying by Hartsfield‑Jackson, you’re already south of most major traffic and can often save time whether you drive or fly.
• From the Northern Suburbs:
  Leaving before 7:00 a.m. or after 9:30 a.m. often reduces your time stuck on Ga. 400, I‑285, or I‑75.

2. Parking and Rental Cars in Atlanta

If you’re flying from ATL and renting a car in Florida:

• Decide whether you want to:
  • Take MARTA to the airport to avoid parking costs.
    • The Airport Station is directly inside Hartsfield‑Jackson’s Domestic Terminal.
  • Park long‑term at or near the airport and drive yourself to ATL.

For MARTA information (schedules, routes, maps):

• MARTA Headquarters and some customer service functions are based near:
  • 2424 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30324 (main offices)
• Rail service to the airport is through the Red and Gold lines, both connecting at the Five Points station downtown.

Quick Summary for Atlanta Travelers

• Distance: Around 350–380 miles from most parts of Atlanta to St. Augustine by road.
• Driving time: Typically 5.5–6.5 hours in normal conditions.
• Fastest mixed option:
  Fly Atlanta (ATL) → Jacksonville (JAX) (1–1.5 hours), then drive 1–1.5 hours to St. Augustine.
• Most common choice for Atlantans:
  Drive the entire way, especially for weekend trips or family travel.
• Key factor:
  Your starting point in metro Atlanta and time of departure can easily add or subtract an hour due to local traffic.

With these distances and times in mind, you can decide whether a direct drive from Atlanta or a fly‑and‑drive combo fits your schedule, budget, and comfort level for your trip to St. Augustine.