How Far Is It From Detroit to Atlanta? Distance, Travel Time, and Best Ways to Go

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and planning a trip to Detroit, Michigan—whether to visit family, catch a game, or connect through Detroit Metro Airport—it helps to know exactly how far Detroit is from Atlanta and what your travel options look like.

Below is a practical breakdown of distance, driving routes, flight times, buses, and trains, all from an Atlanta perspective.

The Basic Distance: Detroit to Atlanta

The distance between Atlanta and Detroit depends on how you travel:

• Driving distance: about 700–720 miles (city center to city center)
• Flight distance (straight line): about 600–610 miles
• Typical flight time (nonstop): around 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours in the air

These numbers are approximate, but they’re a good guide for planning your trip from Atlanta to Detroit or vice versa.

Driving From Atlanta to Detroit

If you’re leaving from Downtown Atlanta or Midtown and heading to Detroit, you’ll mainly follow major interstate highways.

Main Driving Route

The most common driving route from Atlanta to Detroit uses:

1. I-75 North out of Atlanta
2. Continue through Chattanooga, TN and Knoxville, TN
3. Stay on I-75 through Cincinnati, OH and Toledo, OH
4. Follow I-75 all the way into Detroit, MI

Driving Distance & Time

• Distance: roughly 700–720 miles by road
• Driving time (without long stops): about 10.5 to 12 hours

In real-world Atlanta conditions, you’ll want to factor in:

• Traffic leaving Atlanta: Especially around Downtown Connector (I-75/85), I-285, and major rush-hour times
• Weather: Mountain stretches in Tennessee and winter weather in Ohio and Michigan can slow you down
• Construction zones: Common along long interstate stretches

Is It Realistic as a Same-Day Drive?

From an Atlanta resident’s standpoint, it is possible to drive to Detroit in a long day if:

• You leave very early (often before 6:00 a.m.)
• You rotate drivers, or you’re prepared for a long solo drive
• You build in short rest stops every few hours

Many Atlanta travelers prefer to split the drive with an overnight stop in cities like:

• Cincinnati, OH
• Knoxville, TN (if you leave later in the day)

Flying From Atlanta to Detroit

For most people in Atlanta, flying is the fastest and easiest way to get to Detroit.

Flight Distance & Duration

• Air distance: about 600–610 miles
• Nonstop flight time: usually 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours in the air

Airports You’ll Use

From Atlanta:

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

To Detroit:

• Arrival:Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
  • Located in Romulus, MI (near Detroit)

Travel Time Door-to-Door

From an Atlanta perspective, factor in:

• 30–60 minutes to get to ATL from most in-town neighborhoods (longer from the suburbs)
• 1.5–2 hours at the airport for check-in and security
• ~2 hours in the air
• 30–60 minutes to get from DTW into Detroit

Altogether, your door-to-door time from many Atlanta neighborhoods to central Detroit is often around 5–7 hours, which is still significantly faster than driving.

Getting to ATL From Around Atlanta

Common ways Atlanta residents reach the airport:

• MARTA Rail:

  • Take the Red or Gold Line to the Airport Station, which connects directly to the main terminal.
  • Useful if you’re coming from Midtown, Downtown, Buckhead, Doraville, College Park, or nearby areas.

• Driving and Parking:

  • On-site parking at ATL plus long-term and off-airport lots around Camp Creek Parkway and nearby roads.

• Rideshare / Taxi:

  • Widely used from central Atlanta and metro suburbs for early flights to Detroit.

Bus Options: Atlanta to Detroit

If you prefer not to drive or fly, intercity buses connect Atlanta and Detroit, though they take significantly longer.

What to Expect

• Distance covered: Similar to the driving distance—around 700+ miles
• Travel time: Often 15–20+ hours, depending on route and connections
• Service patterns:
  • Commonly includes one or more transfers in cities like Cincinnati or Nashville, depending on the bus company and route.

Typical Departure Points in Atlanta

Most long-distance buses serving routes toward Detroit typically use:

• Atlanta Bus Terminals / Downtown area
  • Near central Atlanta, often accessible by MARTA rail or local bus.

If you live or stay in neighborhoods like Downtown, Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, or West End, you can reach central bus stations with a short rideshare or MARTA trip.

Train Travel: Is There a Direct Atlanta–Detroit Train?

There is no single direct passenger train from Atlanta to Detroit. To travel by train, you would likely need multiple segments involving transfers in other cities.

Typical Train Considerations

From Atlanta, the main long-distance rail options:

• Amtrak (Atlanta Station – Peachtree Station)
  • 1688 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309

To get from Atlanta to Detroit by train, travelers typically:

• Take a train from Atlanta to another major rail hub (for example, Washington, D.C., Chicago, or New York depending on schedules).
• Then transfer to a route that serves Detroit or nearby Michigan stations.

This can make the train option:

• More time-consuming than either flying or driving directly
• More complex to schedule for a simple Atlanta–Detroit trip

Most Atlanta residents and visitors choose air or car travel instead when going to Detroit.

Quick Comparison: Distance & Time by Travel Mode

Below is a simple overview of how far Detroit is from Atlanta and how long each option typically takes.

Practical Tips for Atlantans Traveling to Detroit

A few Atlanta-specific pointers if you’re planning the trip:

1. Timing Your Departure

• Driving:

  • Leaving Atlanta before rush hour (often before 6:00–6:30 a.m.) can save you from traffic on the Downtown Connector and I-285.
  • Be aware of weekend events (sports, concerts) that can slow traffic near Mercedes-Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, and Georgia Tech when heading out.

• Flying:

  • Morning flights to Detroit from ATL can help avoid afternoon summer thunderstorms that sometimes delay flights in the Southeast.

2. Weather Considerations

• From Atlanta to Tennessee, you’ll pass through regions that can have fog, rain, or wintry conditions at higher elevations.
• As you get closer to Ohio and Michigan, winter weather can bring snow and ice, affecting both flight schedules and highway conditions.

3. Ground Transportation in Detroit

Once you arrive in Detroit:

• From DTW, you can use taxis, rideshare services, rental cars, and regional transit to reach downtown Detroit, the suburbs, or nearby cities.

When Is Flying Better vs. Driving?

From a practical Atlanta standpoint:

• Choose flying if:

  • You want to minimize total travel time
  • You’re staying mainly in Detroit proper or near DTW
  • You can get a reasonably priced ticket and are comfortable with airport routines

• Choose driving if:

  • You prefer having your own car in Michigan
  • You’re traveling with family or a group, which spreads costs
  • You want to stop in Tennessee, Kentucky, or Ohio along the way

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Travelers

• Detroit is about 700–720 miles by road and about 600–610 miles by air from Atlanta.
• Driving usually takes around 10.5–12 hours, mostly on I-75 North.
• Flying from ATL to DTW takes about 2 hours in the air, with total door-to-door time often around 5–7 hours from many Atlanta neighborhoods.
• Bus and train options exist but are typically much slower and less direct for the Atlanta–Detroit trip.

Understanding these distances and travel times can help you choose the best way to get from Atlanta to Detroit based on your schedule, budget, and comfort.