Flying From Atlanta to Washington, DC: Distance, Flight Time, and What to Expect

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and planning a trip to Washington, DC, it’s helpful to know how far it is by plane, how long the flight usually takes, and what your airport options look like on both ends.

This guide breaks it down in clear, practical terms for Atlanta residents and visitors using Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) as their starting point.

How Far Is Atlanta From DC by Plane?

By air, the distance between Atlanta (ATL) and the Washington, DC region is roughly:

• 540–600 miles (about 870–965 kilometers), depending on the exact DC-area airport and route.

This is known as the “flight distance” or “great-circle distance”—the shortest path between the two cities over the earth’s surface.

Typical Flight Time From Atlanta to DC

For a nonstop flight from Atlanta to Washington, DC, you can usually expect:

• Air time: about 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours
• Total airport-to-airport time (gate to gate): often around 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes

Actual time in the air depends on:

• Which DC airport you use (DCA, IAD, or BWI)
• Weather and air traffic
• Runway and taxi times at busy hubs like ATL and DC-area airports

Nonstop vs. Connecting Flights

Most travelers flying from Atlanta to DC prefer nonstop flights, and there are many each day. However, if you book a connecting flight (for example, through Charlotte or another hub), your:

• Total travel time can jump to 3–5 hours or more
• Risk of delays increases slightly because you’re relying on two flights instead of one

If you’re just going between Atlanta and DC, a nonstop flight is usually the most time-efficient option.

Atlanta and DC Airport Options

Departing From Atlanta: Hartsfield–Jackson (ATL)

Almost all commercial flights from Atlanta to Washington, DC depart from:

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

Key points for local travelers:

• Location: About 7–10 miles south of downtown Atlanta
• Ground access: MARTA trains (Airport Station), rideshare, taxis, airport shuttles, and long-term parking
• Terminals:
  • Domestic Terminal (North and South) – most DC-bound flights
  • Concourse T through F accessed via Plane Train and pedestrian walkways

Plan extra time for:

• Security (ATL is very busy)
• Moving between check-in, security, and your concourse

Arriving in Washington, DC: Three Main Airport Choices

From Atlanta, you’ll usually see flights to three major DC-area airports:

1. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)

   • Closest to downtown Washington, DC
   • Located in Arlington, Virginia
   • Often the most convenient for business or sightseeing in the city core
   • Connected to the Metrorail system (Blue and Yellow Lines)

2. Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)

   • Located in Dulles, Virginia, farther from downtown DC
   • Good if you’re headed to Northern Virginia suburbs or international connections
   • Linked to DC by Metrorail Silver Line, buses, shuttles, taxis, and rideshares

3. Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)

   • Located near Baltimore, Maryland
   • Sometimes offers competitive fares
   • Used by travelers headed to both Baltimore and the DC region
   • Connected to DC by MARC/Amtrak trains and buses

From Atlanta, you’ll see direct flights to all three at various times, with the most frequent nonstop options typically going to DCA and IAD.

Quick Distance & Time Overview

Here’s a simple summary of how far Atlanta is from DC by plane and how long it takes:

*Times are general ranges; actual flights can be shorter or longer based on traffic and weather.

How Long Will the Whole Trip Take Door-to-Door?

From an Atlanta perspective, “How far is Atlanta from DC by plane?” usually really means: “How long will this whole trip take, door to door?”

For many Atlanta travelers, a realistic door-to-door estimate looks like this:

1. Getting to ATL from your home/hotel in Atlanta

   • MARTA or rideshare from Midtown/Downtown: ~20–45 minutes, depending on traffic and time of day
   • From suburbs (e.g., Marietta, Alpharetta, Lawrenceville): ~40–75+ minutes in typical traffic

2. Time at the airport before departure

   • Domestic flights: many travelers arrive 1.5–2 hours before departure at ATL
   • During peak times (early morning, holidays): consider up to 2.5 hours

3. Flight time Atlanta → DC

   • Nonstop: usually 1.5–2 hours in flight

4. Landing and getting out of the DC airport

   • Taxi from gate to terminal, deplaning, possibly baggage claim: usually 20–45 minutes

5. Travel from the DC airport to your final destination

   • DCA to downtown DC: about 15–30 minutes by Metro or car
   • IAD to downtown DC: often 40–70 minutes by car or transit
   • BWI to downtown DC: often 45–90 minutes by train or car

For a typical Atlanta → central DC trip with a nonstop flight, plan for around 4–6 hours total from your starting point in metro Atlanta to your final DC destination.

When Is Flying From Atlanta to DC Most Efficient?

Flying makes the most sense when:

• You’re on a tight schedule (business meetings, events)
• You want to avoid an 8–10+ hour drive on I‑85 and I‑95
• You prefer predictable travel time, especially in bad driving conditions

For many Atlanta residents, flying is the default choice because:

• ATL has frequent daily flights to all three DC-area airports
• Competitive pricing is common due to high demand on this route
• You can often do a same-day round trip for business or government appointments in DC

Atlanta Traveler Tips for the ATL → DC Flight

1. Choosing the Best DC Airport for Your Plans

From Atlanta, pick your DC airport based on where you’ll spend most of your time:

• Mostly downtown DC (Capitol, museums, federal buildings):
  • DCA is usually the most convenient and fastest
• Northern Virginia (Tysons, Reston, Fairfax, tech corridors):
  • IAD is often the closest
• Baltimore or Maryland suburbs north of DC:
  • BWI can be a good choice

2. Planning Your Trip to ATL

Because ATL is such a busy hub, local travelers often:

• Use MARTA to avoid parking and traffic
  • Airport Station is at the end of the Red and Gold Lines
• Arrange a rideshare or taxi from central Atlanta neighborhoods if traveling with luggage
• For long trips, book economy or park-and-ride parking at or near the airport

3. Giving Yourself Enough Time

To keep the trip smooth:

• Aim to be through security at least 45–60 minutes before boarding
• Remember that ATL’s concourses are spread out; it can take 15–25 minutes from security to some gates
• Morning and evening flights tend to be busier and more delay-prone than mid-day in many travelers’ experience

Comparing Flying to Other Ways of Getting From Atlanta to DC

If you’re deciding whether to fly based on “how far” Atlanta is from DC, here’s how flying stacks up against other common options.

Flying vs. Driving

• Driving distance: around 630–650 miles by car, depending on your exact route
• Typical driving time: about 9–11 hours without long stops, in normal traffic

Compared to that, a 1.5–2-hour flight dramatically cuts your time in motion, even when you include airport logistics.

Flying vs. Train or Bus

There are train and bus options between Atlanta and the DC region, but from an Atlanta standpoint:

• Train:
  • Service is typically overnight or long-duration, often >12 hours
• Bus:
  • Can be 10–14+ hours, depending on route and stops

For most people in Atlanta asking “how far is Atlanta from DC by plane,” these surface options are much longer and are usually chosen only if flying isn’t practical for budget or personal reasons.

Practical Steps for Atlanta Travelers Headed to DC

To turn this information into a workable plan:

1. Decide your primary DC destination area (downtown DC, Northern Virginia, Baltimore area).
2. Choose the DC airport (DCA, IAD, or BWI) that best aligns with that area.
3. Book a nonstop flight from ATL when possible for the shortest travel time.
4. Allow enough time to get to ATL from your home or hotel in Atlanta, keeping traffic and MARTA schedules in mind.
5. Plan ground transportation in DC ahead of time (Metro, rideshare, taxi, train from BWI, etc.).

From Atlanta, the actual flying distance to DC is only a few hundred miles, and a nonstop flight usually takes under two hours in the air. With smart planning around airports and ground transit, the trip between Atlanta and Washington, DC can fit comfortably into a half day of travel.