How Far Is Atlanta From Birmingham? Distance, Drive Time, and Best Ways to Go

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and planning a trip to Birmingham, Alabama, the good news is that it’s a relatively short, straightforward journey. Whether you’re heading over for a weekend, visiting friends and family, or traveling for work, knowing the distance, drive time, and transportation options can help you plan with confidence.

How Far Is Atlanta From Birmingham?

In simple terms:

• Driving distance: About 145–150 miles
• Typical drive time: Around 2.5 to 3 hours
• Main route:I‑20 West almost the whole way

The centers of the two cities—Downtown Atlanta and Downtown Birmingham—are roughly 147 miles apart by road, depending on your exact starting and ending points.

If you’re leaving from a central Atlanta location like Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead, you’ll usually get onto I‑20 West and stay on it until you approach Birmingham.

Quick Distance & Travel Time Overview

Driving From Atlanta to Birmingham

Main Route: I‑20 West

From most neighborhoods in Atlanta, Birmingham is a straight shot west:

1. Get onto I‑20 West from your part of town:

   • From Downtown/Midtown: Use the Downtown Connector (I‑75/85), then merge onto I‑20 West.
   • From Buckhead/Brookhaven/Sandy Springs: Take surface streets or GA‑400 to connect to I‑75/85, then to I‑20.
   • From Decatur/East Atlanta: You’re already very close to I‑20; head west toward Downtown.

2. Stay on I‑20 West through west Georgia.

3. Continue into Alabama until you reach the Birmingham exits.

You’ll pass cities like Douglasville, Villa Rica, and Tallapoosa in Georgia, then Anniston and Leeds in Alabama before reaching Birmingham.

Typical Driving Time

• Normal conditions: About 2 hours 30 minutes
• Heavier traffic or bad weather: Up to 3+ hours

The biggest variable is Atlanta traffic, especially:

• Morning rush (roughly 7–9 a.m.)
• Evening rush (roughly 4–7 p.m.)

If you want a smoother drive, try leaving:

• After the morning rush, around 9:30–10:30 a.m., or
• Midday to early afternoon before Birmingham’s evening traffic builds.

Gas, Rest Stops, and Food on the Way

You’ll find regular exits with gas, fast food, and restrooms along I‑20. Popular places to stop from the Atlanta side include:

• Douglasville – One of the first larger stops after you leave the metro area.
• Villa Rica – Convenient for gas and quick meals.
• Tallapoosa, GA / Heflin, AL – Good mid-route stretch points.

Tip:
If you’re leaving Atlanta from areas like Grant Park, Inman Park, or West Midtown, consider fueling up before you hit the highway to avoid the first few busy exits.

How Far Is It by Air?

Flight Distance and Time

By air, Atlanta to Birmingham is roughly 140 miles (straight-line distance). Nonstop flights, when available, usually have:

• Flight time: Around 50–60 minutes in the air.

However, once you factor in:

• Getting to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
  • Address: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
• Arriving early for security
• Boarding and deplaning
• Travel from Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport into downtown Birmingham

…the total door-to-door time often ends up similar to or longer than driving for most Atlanta travelers.

When Flying Might Make Sense

Flying can occasionally make sense if:

• You’re connecting through Atlanta to another flight in Birmingham.
• You’re on a work itinerary where flights are bundled.
• You strongly prefer not to drive or ride a bus/train.

For most everyday trips from Atlanta, driving or taking ground transportation is usually more practical.

Bus Options: Atlanta to Birmingham

If you don’t want to drive, intercity bus services run between Atlanta and Birmingham using I‑20. Travel time is typically:

• Around 3 to 4.5 hours one way, depending on:
  • Number of stops
  • Time of day
  • Specific bus operator and route

Buses usually depart from locations near Downtown Atlanta. Check the exact departure address when you book, as bus companies sometimes shift locations or platforms over time.

For Atlantans, the bus can be useful if:

• You’re traveling on a budget.
• You prefer not to rent a car.
• You’re comfortable with a shared, scheduled ride and a bit more travel time.

Train Travel: Atlanta to Birmingham by Amtrak

Amtrak Service

Amtrak operates a route that includes Atlanta and Birmingham as stops. The trip is:

• Roughly 4 to 5 hours, depending on the schedule.
• A more relaxed and scenic option compared with driving.

Atlanta Amtrak Station

• Address: 1688 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309
• Located in the Brookwood area, between Midtown and Buckhead.

From much of Atlanta, you can reach the station by:

• Car or rideshare (often simplest)
• MARTA buses that serve the Peachtree corridor (check current routes and times)

Train travel can be appealing if you:

• Want to avoid driving entirely.
• Prefer to read, work, or rest along the way.
• Don’t mind a more limited schedule and planning around Amtrak’s timetable.

Getting From Different Parts of Atlanta to Birmingham

From Downtown or Midtown

• Expect the total driving distance to Birmingham to be close to 145–150 miles.
• Access I‑20 West quickly via the Downtown Connector (I‑75/85).
• These areas are also convenient if you’re using bus or Amtrak, since many services operate near central Atlanta.

From Hartsfield-Jackson Airport Area

If you’re arriving in or staying near the airport:

• You’re already on the south side of the metro and close to major interstates.
• A typical route is:
  • Use I‑85 North briefly to connect to I‑20 West, or
  • Navigate local roads to merge onto I‑285 and then connect to I‑20 West.
• Total distance to Birmingham is still around 145–160 miles, depending on your exact route.

From North Metro Atlanta (Alpharetta, Roswell, Marietta, etc.)

From the northern suburbs, your trip will be slightly longer due to the need to cross the city or loop around:

• Marietta / Smyrna:
  • You can often avoid central traffic by using I‑285 to reach I‑20 West.
• Alpharetta / Roswell / Johns Creek / Duluth:
  • Expect an extra 20–40 minutes to reach I‑20 West, depending on traffic.
  • Many drivers use GA‑400 and then connect via I‑285.

Your total mileage might be closer to 160+ miles, but the core Atlanta–Birmingham segment remains the same.

Time Zone Considerations

Atlanta and Birmingham are in different time zones:

• Atlanta, GA: Eastern Time (ET)
• Birmingham, AL: Central Time (CT)

Birmingham is one hour behind Atlanta.

This matters when planning:

• Arrival times: If you leave Atlanta at 2:00 p.m. ET and drive for about 3 hours, you’ll arrive around 4:00 p.m. CT.
• Events and reservations: Always confirm which time zone your tickets, check-ins, or meetings use.

🕒 Tip: When you’re heading west (Atlanta → Birmingham), you “gain” an hour. On the way back east (Birmingham → Atlanta), you’ll “lose” that hour again.

Practical Tips for Atlantans Traveling to Birmingham

• Check traffic first: Use your preferred traffic app to gauge conditions on I‑20 West, especially around Downtown Atlanta.
• Watch weather in both states: Heavy rain or storms can slow travel, especially in open stretches between cities.
• Plan your fuel stop: You can often make the trip on one tank, but it’s smart to start with enough gas to avoid emergency stops.
• Mind the time zones: Set a reminder on your phone so you don’t miss reservations or events in Birmingham.
• Consider your return timing: Evening traffic when you’re driving back into Atlanta can significantly stretch the final leg of your trip.

In everyday terms, Atlanta is only about 2.5 to 3 hours by car from Birmingham, with a straightforward, mostly interstate route. For most people in or visiting Atlanta, driving via I‑20 West is the simplest and most flexible way to go, with bus and train options available if you prefer not to be behind the wheel.