How Far Is Atlanta From Pittsburgh? Your Complete Distance and Travel Guide

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and planning a trip to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, it helps to know not just the distance, but also how long it takes, the best ways to get there, and what to expect along the way. This guide breaks it down in practical terms for Atlanta residents, visitors, and anyone planning travel between these two cities.

How Far Is Atlanta From Pittsburgh?

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

*Times are general estimates and can change with weather, traffic, and routing.

Driving From Atlanta to Pittsburgh

How Long Is the Drive?

If you leave from Downtown Atlanta (around the Georgia State Capitol or Peachtree Center) and head to Downtown Pittsburgh:

• Distance: Typically 650–700 miles
• Drive time: Around 10 to 11.5 hours of continuous driving in normal conditions
• Most drivers split it into a full-day road trip or a day-and-a-half with an overnight stop.

Common Driving Routes From Atlanta

From Atlanta, you’ll generally start on I-75 or I-85. A common route is:

1. I-75 North out of Atlanta
2. Connect to I-40 or I-81 (through Tennessee and Virginia)
3. Then take I-76 / I-70 / I-79 into Pennsylvania and into Pittsburgh

GPS apps may offer slightly different combinations using interstates like I-85, I-285, and I-640, depending on traffic and construction.

What to Expect on the Road

Leaving from Atlanta:

• You’ll likely start around:
  • Downtown Connector (I-75/I-85) near Midtown and Downtown Atlanta
  • Or from the Perimeter (I-285) if you’re starting in the suburbs

On the way, you may pass or skirt areas like:

• Chattanooga, TN
• Knoxville, TN
• Portions of Virginia, depending on route
• Western Pennsylvania as you approach Pittsburgh

Road conditions to consider:

• Mountainous stretches in Tennessee and Virginia can mean steeper grades and curvier roads.
• Winter travel (especially outside Georgia) can bring snow and ice, something to factor in if you’re used to Atlanta’s milder winters.
• Peak traffic leaving Atlanta (weekday mornings southbound / northbound rush on the Downtown Connector, I-285) can add time.

Tips for Atlanta Drivers

• 🚗 Avoid rush hour: Try to leave before 7:00 a.m. or after 9:30 a.m. if starting from central Atlanta.
• ⛽ Fill up before you leave the city: Stations are plentiful around I-75/I-85 and I-285, including in Buckhead, Vinings, and Cumberland.
• 🅿️ If you’re picking up a rental car, common locations include:
  • Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
  • Major rental offices along Peachtree Street, Midtown, and near Lenox.

Flying From Atlanta to Pittsburgh

How Far Is It by Air?

The air distance (straight-line distance) between Atlanta and Pittsburgh is roughly:

• About 520 miles (around 835 km)
• This is shorter than the driving distance because planes take a more direct route.

Typical Flight Time

From Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT):

• Flight time: Around 1.5 to 2 hours in the air
• With boarding, taxiing, and potential delays, your total airport-to-airport time is often 3–4 hours

Getting to the Airport in Atlanta

Most trips from Atlanta to Pittsburgh by air start at Hartsfield-Jackson:

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  • Located just south of downtown Atlanta
  • Accessible by:
    • MARTA rail (Red or Gold line to Airport Station, located inside the Domestic Terminal)
    • Car, taxi, or rideshare via I-85 or I-285

From different Atlanta neighborhoods:

• Downtown / Midtown: Typically 15–25 minutes by car in light traffic; 20–30 minutes by MARTA.
• Buckhead / Brookhaven: Plan 30–45 minutes by car; MARTA connection available via Red or Gold line.
• Perimeter / Sandy Springs: Often 30–50 minutes by car, depending on traffic.

Once you land in Pittsburgh, you’ll usually connect to downtown via rental car, rideshare, taxi, or local transit.

Bus and Train Options From Atlanta to Pittsburgh

If you’re in Atlanta and don’t want to fly or drive, you can consider bus or train, but both are longer and typically require connections.

Bus Travel

Buses from Atlanta to Pittsburgh usually:

• Require at least one transfer, often in large hubs such as Charlotte, Washington, D.C., or another major city.
• Take about 14–18+ hours, depending on the route and layovers.

From the Atlanta side, long-distance buses typically leave from central locations in or near downtown, which are reachable by MARTA, local bus, or rideshare.

Train Travel

There is no single direct train from Atlanta to Pittsburgh.

A typical train route might involve:

1. Departure from an Atlanta-area Amtrak station
2. Connection in a city like Washington, D.C. or another major hub
3. Continuing by train to Pittsburgh

Travel time can often be 15–20+ hours, depending on schedules and connections.

Train travel from Atlanta is more about the scenic journey and comfort than speed, so it’s best for travelers who aren’t in a hurry and enjoy longer rail trips.

Comparing Your Options From Atlanta

Here’s a quick way to decide how to go from Atlanta to Pittsburgh based on your priorities:

Fastest Option

• Flying is usually the fastest overall:
  • About 1.5–2 hours in the air
  • 3–4 hours total airport-to-airport, plus local travel time on each end

Most Flexible Option

• Driving from Atlanta:
  • Door-to-door, no airport check-in
  • Flexible departure times
  • About 10–11.5 hours on the road

Lowest-Cost Options

• Bus travel can be more affordable but:

  • Typically 14–18+ hours
  • Involves transfers and longer sits between segments

• Train can be an option for comfort and scenery, but not typically the fastest or cheapest if you need to be in Pittsburgh quickly.

How Distance Affects Planning for Atlanta Travelers

When you know that Pittsburgh is roughly 650–700 driving miles or about 520 air miles from Atlanta, you can plan around:

• Trip length:

  • Weekend trip? Flying is usually more realistic from Atlanta.
  • Road trip vacation? Driving can work, especially if you build in overnight stops.

• Weather considerations:

  • If you leave Atlanta in winter, remember that northern stretches of the route (Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania) can be colder and snowier than Atlanta’s usual conditions.

• Time of day to depart Atlanta:

  • Early morning departures help you clear metro Atlanta traffic sooner and give you more daylight hours on the road.

• Return timing:

  • Factor in morning or evening rush hour when you’re driving back into the Atlanta area via I-75, I-85, or I-285.

Quick Answers for Atlanta Residents and Visitors

• How far is Atlanta from Pittsburgh by car?
  About 650–700 miles, or roughly 10–11.5 hours of driving.

• How far is Atlanta from Pittsburgh by plane?
  Roughly 520 air miles, with 1.5–2 hours of flight time.

• Is Pittsburgh close enough for a weekend trip from Atlanta?

  • By plane: Yes, a weekend trip is very possible.
  • By car: It’s long for a single weekend unless you’re comfortable with two long drive days.

• What’s the most practical option from Atlanta?
  For most people traveling between Atlanta and Pittsburgh, flying from Hartsfield-Jackson is the most time-efficient choice, while driving offers the most flexibility and control over the schedule.

With these distances and times in mind, you can choose the route that best fits your schedule, budget, and comfort level as you travel between Atlanta and Pittsburgh.