How Far Is Atlanta From South Carolina? A Local’s Guide to Distance, Routes, and Travel Time

If you live in Atlanta or you’re visiting the city and wondering, “How far is Atlanta from South Carolina?”, the short answer is: it depends on where in South Carolina you’re going.

South Carolina is Atlanta’s next–door neighbor to the east, and many popular SC destinations are just a few hours away by car.

Quick Distance Overview: Atlanta to Popular South Carolina Destinations

Distances below are measured from Downtown Atlanta (near Five Points) and are approximate driving distances via common routes.

*Drive times assume normal traffic and weather. Atlanta traffic, construction, and peak travel periods can add time.

How Far Is Atlanta From the South Carolina State Line?

If you’re just trying to reach South Carolina itself, rather than a specific city:

• The closest point of the SC state line is generally reached by driving northeast on I-85 toward Anderson/Greenville or east on I-20 toward Augusta and then North Augusta/Edgefield County.
• From much of metro Atlanta, it typically takes about:
  • 2–2.5 hours to reach the Georgia–South Carolina border on I-20 near Augusta.
  • 2–2.5 hours to get near the border heading toward Anderson/Greenville on I-85.

So in practical terms, Atlanta is roughly 150 miles and about 2–2.5 hours from entering South Carolina, depending on route and traffic.

Main Driving Routes From Atlanta to South Carolina

1. Atlanta to Upstate South Carolina (Greenville, Anderson, Spartanburg)

If you’re heading to Greenville, Anderson, or Spartanburg, you’ll almost always use I-85:

• Route basics:

  • Start on I-85 N from Downtown or Midtown (via the Downtown Connector, I-75/85).
  • Continue northeast past Gwinnett County and Braselton.
  • Stay on I-85 as you cross into South Carolina near Lavonia.
  • Follow signs toward Anderson or Greenville/Spartanburg.

• Approximate travel details from central Atlanta:

  • Atlanta → Anderson, SC: ~2–2.5 hours
  • Atlanta → Greenville, SC: ~2.5–3 hours
  • Atlanta → Spartanburg, SC: ~3 hours

This corridor is heavily traveled by Atlanta residents for weekend trips, college visits, and business travel.

Atlanta starting tips:

• If you’re coming from Downtown or Midtown, you’ll merge onto I-85 N via the Downtown Connector.
• From North Atlanta suburbs (Sandy Springs, Dunwoody), many drivers use GA 400 → I-285 E → I-85 N to avoid the core of the city.

2. Atlanta to Columbia and Central South Carolina

For Columbia, SC (the state capital) and central parts of the state:

• Route basics:

  • Take I-20 E from Atlanta.
  • Travel east past Conyers, Covington, and Madison.
  • Continue on I-20 through Augusta, GA.
  • Cross into South Carolina, staying on I-20 E.
  • Follow signs for Columbia.

• Approximate details from central Atlanta:

  • Atlanta → SC border on I-20 near North Augusta: ~150 miles, about 2–2.5 hours.
  • Atlanta → Columbia, SC: ~215–225 miles, about 3.5–4 hours.

This route is straightforward and mostly interstate, which many Atlanta drivers prefer for predictable road conditions and rest stop options.

3. Atlanta to Charleston and the South Carolina Coast

If you’re heading for Charleston, some of the closest Atlantic beaches, or the Lowcountry, you’ll add a bit more distance:

• Common route to Charleston:

  • Take I-20 E from Atlanta toward Columbia.
  • Near Columbia, switch to I-26 E.
  • Continue on I-26 E until you reach Charleston.

• Approximate details from central Atlanta:

  • Atlanta → Charleston, SC: ~300–310 miles, usually 4.5–5.5 hours.

Many people from Atlanta make this drive for long weekends, weddings, or family vacations, often leaving early in the morning to beat both Atlanta rush hour and beach traffic near Charleston.

4. Atlanta to Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand

Myrtle Beach is farther from Atlanta and usually requires connecting interstates and highways:

• Typical route:

  • Take I-20 E toward Columbia.
  • Then connect via I-95 N and US-501 E (or a similar combination, depending on your navigation app’s suggestion and current road conditions).

• Approximate distance and time:

  • Atlanta → Myrtle Beach, SC: ~360–380 miles, usually 6–7 hours.

Because of the longer drive and potential traffic near beach areas, many Atlanta residents plan this as a multi-day trip and sometimes leave in off-peak hours.

Driving vs. Flying From Atlanta to South Carolina

When Driving Makes the Most Sense

For most Atlanta-to-South-Carolina trips, especially to Upstate or Central SC, driving is usually the easiest and fastest door-to-door option:

• Reasonable distance: Many SC cities are within 2–4 hours by car.
• Flexible timing: You can leave around Atlanta rush hours rather than being locked into a flight time.
• Direct access: Driving is convenient if you’re headed to suburbs, campuses, or rural areas away from airports.

When Flying Can Be Useful

Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is a major hub with flights to several South Carolina airports, including:

• Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP)
• Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE)
• Charleston International Airport (CHS)
• Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR)

Flying may be worth considering if:

• You’re connecting from another city through Atlanta and continuing on to South Carolina.
• You prefer to avoid long drives or night driving.
• You’re heading to coastal areas like Charleston or Myrtle Beach and want to save several hours of travel time.

However, for someone already in Atlanta, once you factor in airport arrival time, security, boarding, and travel from the airport at the destination, driving is often more time-efficient for nearby cities such as Greenville, Anderson, or Columbia.

Typical Travel Times From Different Parts of Metro Atlanta

Because metro Atlanta is large, your starting point can affect how “far” South Carolina really feels.

From Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL):

• To the SC border via I-20 E: about 2–2.5 hours in normal traffic.
• To Greenville, SC via I-85 N: about 2.5–3 hours.
• To Columbia, SC via I-20 E: about 3.5–4 hours.

From North Atlanta suburbs (Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta):

• Generally a bit closer in time to Upstate SC (Greenville, Anderson, Spartanburg) via I-85 N, since you avoid some of the Downtown Connector congestion.
• Still roughly 2–3 hours to the SC border and 3–4 hours to cities deeper into the state.

From South or West Atlanta suburbs (College Park, Douglasville, Mableton):

• Often more convenient for heading east on I-20 toward Augusta and Columbia.
• Drive times to Greenville/Spartanburg can be slightly longer if you have to cross through central or north Atlanta to get to I-85.

Traffic, Timing, and When to Leave Atlanta 🚗

Because Atlanta is known for heavy traffic, when you leave can sometimes matter more than the raw mileage.

Common patterns Atlanta drivers keep in mind:

• Weekday rush hours:

  • Morning: roughly 6:30–9:30 a.m.
  • Evening: roughly 3:30–7:00 p.m.
    Leaving during these periods can easily add 30–60+ minutes to your drive, especially if you must pass through downtown.

• Friday afternoons and holiday weekends:
  Traffic leaving Atlanta on I-20 and I-85 can be especially heavy as many people head out of town.

• Best times to leave for South Carolina trips:

  • Early morning (before 6:30 a.m.) if you’re comfortable with pre-dawn driving.
  • Late morning to early afternoon on weekdays, after rush hour clears.
  • Midday on weekends, avoiding big event traffic (check if major events are happening downtown or near the interstates).

If you want up-to-date traffic information while planning your departure, Georgia DOT offers road condition info through its 511 system:

• Georgia 511 traveler information line: Dial 511 within Georgia.

Public Transportation Options From Atlanta to South Carolina

There is no direct MARTA, regional rail, or subway service that crosses into South Carolina from Atlanta. However, you do have a couple of intercity options if you don’t want to drive:

1. Intercity Buses

Several national bus companies operate routes from Atlanta to major South Carolina cities such as Greenville, Columbia, and Charleston.

Typical departure points in Atlanta include:

• Atlanta Bus Station – Garnett
  232 Forsyth St SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303

Travel times by bus are usually longer than driving yourself, due to multiple stops and routing, but this can be a cost-conscious option if you don’t want to rent a car or drive.

2. Amtrak

Amtrak operates service through Atlanta and parts of South Carolina, but direct connections and timing may not always be convenient for a simple Atlanta–SC trip.

• Atlanta Amtrak Station
  1688 Peachtree St NW
  Atlanta, GA 30309

Before relying on rail, most travelers in Atlanta compare the schedules and often find that driving or flying is more straightforward for most South Carolina destinations.

Practical Tips for Atlanta Residents and Visitors Heading to South Carolina

• Plan for Atlanta traffic first. Even if South Carolina is only a few hours away, delays getting out of metro Atlanta can significantly affect your arrival time.
• Check your route ahead of time. Navigation apps can help you decide between I-20 and I-85 based on live conditions, particularly if you’re flexible on which part of South Carolina you visit first.
• Think in terms of regions:
  • Upstate SC (Greenville, Anderson, Spartanburg): Closest region to Atlanta via I-85.
  • Central SC (Columbia): Slightly farther via I-20, but still a reasonable half-day drive.
  • Coastal SC (Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head): Longer drives, usually 4.5–7 hours, better suited for full-day travel or longer trips.
• Use Atlanta’s central position. If you’re flying into Atlanta and then heading to South Carolina, you can:
  • Rent a car at Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) and drive.
  • Or book a short connecting flight to Greenville, Columbia, or Charleston, especially if your time is limited.

In everyday terms, for someone based in Atlanta, Georgia, South Carolina is a nearby, drivable neighbor.

The state line is only about 150 miles away, and many of the most popular South Carolina cities are within 2–5 hours by car, making it a practical choice for day trips, weekend getaways, and extended coastal vacations.