How Far Is Atlanta From Louisiana? A Local’s Guide to Distance, Routes, and Travel Times

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and wondering how far it is to Louisiana, you’re usually thinking about one of two things:

  • How far is it to the Louisiana state line?
  • How far is it to a major Louisiana city like New Orleans, Baton Rouge, or Shreveport?

Because Louisiana is a neighboring state, it’s closer than many people expect—but travel time can still vary a lot depending on your route and destination.

Big Picture: Distance From Atlanta to Louisiana

Here’s a quick overview of how far Atlanta is from key points in Louisiana. All distances are approximate and based on common driving routes from Downtown Atlanta.

Destination in LouisianaApprox. Distance from AtlantaTypical Drive Time*Main Route
Louisiana State Line (near Mississippi/Louisiana border heading to New Orleans)~350–380 miles5.5–6 hoursI‑20 W or I‑85 S + I‑65 S + I‑10 W
New Orleans, LA~470–500 miles6.5–7.5 hoursI‑85 S → I‑65 S → I‑10 W (most common)
Baton Rouge, LA~500–520 miles7–8 hoursSimilar to New Orleans, continue west on I‑10
Shreveport, LA~630–650 miles9–10 hoursI‑20 W all the way
Lake Charles, LA~640–670 miles9–10 hoursI‑85 S → I‑65 S → I‑10 W past Baton Rouge

*Drive times assume typical highway speeds and no major delays.

How Far Is Atlanta From the Louisiana State Line?

From Atlanta, you’ll generally cross into Louisiana after passing through Alabama and Mississippi, depending on your route.

  • If you’re heading toward New Orleans or Baton Rouge using the I‑85 / I‑65 / I‑10 route, you’ll:

    • Travel from Atlanta through Montgomery, AL and Mobile, AL
    • Cross into Mississippi briefly
    • Then continue into Louisiana

  • If you’re heading toward Shreveport using I‑20 West, you’ll:

    • Travel west from Atlanta through Birmingham, AL and Jackson, MS
    • Cross into Louisiana just west of Mississippi

In general, you’ll hit the Louisiana state border after about 5.5 to 6 hours of driving, or around 350–380 miles, depending on traffic and exact route.

Atlanta to New Orleans: Distance and Best Ways to Travel

Many people in Atlanta asking about Louisiana are really thinking about New Orleans, one of the most popular getaways from the city.

Distance and Driving Time

  • Approximate driving distance:~470–500 miles
  • Typical drive time:6.5–7.5 hours

This is a doable one-day road trip from Atlanta if you leave early, but many travelers prefer to stop along the way—often in Montgomery, Mobile, or near the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Most Common Driving Route

From central Atlanta (Downtown or Midtown), the most common route to New Orleans is:

  1. I‑85 South out of Atlanta
  2. Connect to I‑65 South in Montgomery, Alabama
  3. Continue on I‑65 S toward Mobile, AL
  4. Merge onto I‑10 West
  5. Follow I‑10 W straight into New Orleans

This route is popular because:

  • It uses major interstates
  • You pass through larger cities with services, gas, and food options
  • The roads are generally straightforward and familiar to Atlanta drivers

Flying From Atlanta to New Orleans

If you prefer not to drive:

  • Flight distance (air): Around 425 miles
  • Typical nonstop flight time: Around 1–1.5 hours in the air
  • Airport in Atlanta:Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
    • 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
  • Airport in New Orleans:Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)

For Atlanta residents and visitors, flying can cut your total travel time significantly, especially if you’re already near ATL or using MARTA to reach the airport.

Atlanta to Baton Rouge: What to Expect

If your destination is Baton Rouge, the capital of Louisiana:

  • Approximate driving distance:~500–520 miles
  • Typical drive time:7–8 hours

Common Driving Route to Baton Rouge

You’ll mostly follow the New Orleans route and then continue west:

  1. I‑85 S from Atlanta
  2. I‑65 S through Montgomery to Mobile
  3. I‑10 W through Mississippi and into Louisiana
  4. Stay on I‑10 W past New Orleans toward Baton Rouge

This is a straightforward interstate drive that many Atlanta drivers use for work trips, college visits, or football games.

Atlanta to Shreveport and North Louisiana

If you’re heading to northern Louisiana—for example, Shreveport or nearby areas—your route and distance will look different.

Distance and Driving Time

  • Approximate driving distance to Shreveport:~630–650 miles
  • Typical drive time:9–10 hours

Common Driving Route to Shreveport

From Atlanta:

  1. Take I‑20 West out of Atlanta
  2. Continue on I‑20 W through:
    • Birmingham, AL
    • Tuscaloosa, AL
    • Jackson, MS
  3. Stay on I‑20 W into Louisiana all the way to Shreveport

This route keeps you on a single interstate most of the way, which some drivers find easier for a long trip. It’s longer than the New Orleans trip, so many Atlanta travelers plan one or more stops along the way.

Driving vs. Flying From Atlanta to Louisiana

From Atlanta, you can drive, fly, or combine both (for example, driving to a closer hub, then flying).

When Driving Makes Sense

Driving from Atlanta to Louisiana can be a good choice if you:

  • Want flexibility with your schedule
  • Plan to visit multiple cities (for example, New Orleans, then Baton Rouge, then along I‑10 west)
  • Are traveling with family or friends and splitting driving and costs
  • Prefer to avoid airport security lines and baggage handling

Travel tip:
🚗 For long drives, Atlanta travelers commonly fuel up and stock snacks before leaving the metro area—commonly along I‑85 near Hartsfield‑Jackson, or around Douglasville if taking I‑20.

When Flying Is Easier

Flying is often the better option if you:

  • Need to save time (New Orleans and Baton Rouge are popular for quick weekend trips)
  • Are attending a time-sensitive event (conference, game, wedding)
  • Prefer not to drive long distances or at night

From Atlanta:

  • Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) offers frequent flights to New Orleans (MSY) and sometimes to other Louisiana cities, depending on airline schedules.
  • You can reach ATL easily via MARTA Red or Gold Line (Airport Station at the end of both lines).

How Long Does It Take to Get From Atlanta to Louisiana?

To give you a practical sense of travel time from Atlanta, here’s a simple breakdown:

  • Reaching the Louisiana state border by car:
    • About 5.5–6 hours of continuous highway driving.
  • Reaching New Orleans from Atlanta by car:
    • About 6.5–7.5 hours, not counting extended stops or detours.
  • Reaching Baton Rouge from Atlanta by car:
    • About 7–8 hours.
  • Reaching Shreveport from Atlanta by car:
    • About 9–10 hours.
  • Flying from Atlanta (ATL) to New Orleans (MSY):
    • Around 1–1.5 hours in the air, plus airport check-in and security time.

For most Atlanta residents and visitors, this means Louisiana is close enough for a long weekend by car, and easily reachable for short trips by plane.

Planning Your Trip From Atlanta: Practical Tips

If you’re starting in Atlanta, here are some locally relevant tips for heading to Louisiana:

1. Timing Your Departure

  • Avoid peak Atlanta rush hours:
    • Morning: roughly 7:00–9:30 a.m.
    • Evening: roughly 4:00–7:00 p.m.
  • Leaving early in the morning (before 7 a.m.) or later in the evening can help you:
    • Clear Atlanta traffic more quickly
    • Reach Alabama or Mississippi before your first major stop

2. Where to Start Your Drive

Common starting points in Atlanta for heading to Louisiana include:

  • Downtown / Midtown Atlanta
    Easy access to:

    • I‑75/85 Connector (for I‑85 S)
    • I‑20 W (for Shreveport route)

  • Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport area
    Convenient if you’re:

    • Flying in, then renting a car to drive to Louisiana
    • Picking up out-of-town visitors and heading straight out

Rental car centers are accessible via the ATL SkyTrain at:

  • ATL Rental Car Center
    2200 Rental Car Center Pkwy, College Park, GA 30337

3. Checking Road Conditions

Before you leave Atlanta, it’s helpful to:

  • Check traffic and construction on:
    • GDOT (Georgia Department of Transportation) resources
    • Local traffic reports (Atlanta radio or navigation apps)
  • Keep an eye out particularly for:
    • Construction along I‑20, I‑85, or I‑75/85
    • Weather events that can affect I‑10 along the Gulf Coast

Quick FAQ for Atlanta Travelers

Is Louisiana in the same time zone as Atlanta?

  • Atlanta (Georgia): Eastern Time
  • Louisiana: Central Time
    When you travel west from Atlanta into Louisiana, you gain one hour (Central Time is one hour behind Eastern Time).

Can you do a same‑day round trip from Atlanta to New Orleans by car?

  • It’s technically possible but not comfortable for most people. You’d be driving 13–15 hours round trip in one day.
  • Most Atlanta travelers plan at least one overnight stay.

Is it faster to fly from Atlanta to New Orleans?

  • Yes. Even with check-in and security, many people find flying from ATL to MSY faster and less tiring than 7+ hours of driving, especially for short trips.

In practical terms, Atlanta is roughly 7 hours by car or about 1–1.5 hours by plane from major Louisiana cities like New Orleans, with the Louisiana state line itself about 5.5–6 hours’ drive away. For anyone living in or visiting Atlanta, Louisiana is close enough to be a realistic option for a weekend getaway, a family road trip, or a quick flight for business or events.