How Far Is Atlanta from Tennessee? A Local’s Guide to Distance, Routes, and Travel Time

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and wondering how far it is to Tennessee, you’re not alone. Whether you’re planning a weekend road trip, visiting family, or just trying to understand regional geography, it helps to know that “Tennessee” is a whole state, not a single city—so the distance depends on where in Tennessee you’re headed.

Below is a clear breakdown of how far Atlanta is from Tennessee, how long it usually takes, and the best ways to get there from an Atlanta perspective.

How Far Is Atlanta from the Tennessee State Line?

The closest part of Tennessee to Atlanta is just north of Chattanooga, TN.

• Distance from downtown Atlanta to the Tennessee state line (near I‑75/I‑24):
  About 110–120 miles by car
• Typical driving time:
  Around 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on traffic and exact route

If you drive north on I‑75 from Atlanta, you’ll pass through suburbs like Marietta, Kennesaw, and Cartersville, then through Dalton before reaching the Georgia–Tennessee line near Chattanooga.

How Far Is Atlanta from Major Cities in Tennessee?

Because “Tennessee” covers a large area from east to west, the distance can change a lot depending on your destination. Below is a simple overview of common Atlanta–Tennessee trips.

Quick Distance & Time Overview from Atlanta

*Drive times are typical under normal conditions and can be affected by Atlanta traffic, road work, and weather.

Driving from Atlanta to Tennessee: What to Expect

For most people in Atlanta, driving is the easiest way to get to Tennessee. Here’s what typical drives look like.

Atlanta to Chattanooga, Tennessee

Why people go: quick getaway, Tennessee Aquarium, Lookout Mountain, outdoor activities.

• Distance: about 115–130 miles
• Time: around 2 hours
• Usual route:
  • Take I‑75 North from Atlanta
  • Continue through Marietta, Kennesaw, Cartersville, Calhoun, Dalton
  • Follow signs toward Chattanooga

This is one of the most common weekend trips from Atlanta. The route is mostly interstate and straightforward.

Atlanta to Nashville, Tennessee

Why people go: music, sports, weekend trips, business travel.

• Distance: around 245–265 miles
• Time: about 3.5–4.5 hours
• Usual route from Atlanta:
  1. Take I‑75 North toward Chattanooga
  2. Near Chattanooga, follow I‑24 West toward Nashville

You’ll cross from Georgia into Tennessee near Chattanooga, then continue northwest across the state.

Atlanta to Knoxville, Tennessee

Why people go: access to the Smoky Mountains, University of Tennessee, outdoor adventures.

• Distance: about 200–215 miles
• Time: around 3–3.5 hours
• Usual route:
  • Take I‑75 North from Atlanta all the way into Knoxville

This is a relatively direct drive and often used as a starting point for trips deeper into East Tennessee, including the Smokies.

Atlanta to Gatlinburg / Pigeon Forge (Smoky Mountains Area)

Why people go:Great Smoky Mountains National Park, cabins, Dollywood, scenic drives.

• Distance: around 250–275 miles
• Time: about 4–4.5 hours
• Common route from Atlanta:
  1. I‑75 North from Atlanta
  2. Connect to I‑40 East near Knoxville
  3. Take Exit toward Sevierville / Pigeon Forge / Gatlinburg (often via TN‑66 / US‑441)

This route combines interstate driving with some mountain and parkway roads, so allow a bit of extra time.

Atlanta to Memphis, Tennessee

Why people go: Beale Street, Graceland, Mississippi River, longer road trips.

• Distance: roughly 380–400+ miles
• Time: about 6–7 hours by car
• Two common approaches from Atlanta:
  • Via Birmingham:
    • Take I‑20 West toward Birmingham, AL
    • Continue on I‑22/US‑78 West toward Memphis
  • Via Chattanooga & Nashville:
    • I‑75 North to Chattanooga
    • I‑24 West to Nashville
    • I‑40 West to Memphis

The Birmingham route is often more direct, but some travelers prefer going through Nashville for a two-city road trip.

How Far Is It by Air? Flying from Atlanta to Tennessee

From Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), you can also fly to major Tennessee cities.

Typical Flight Distances & Times from Atlanta

• Atlanta to Nashville (BNA):
  • Flight time: about 1 hour in the air
• Atlanta to Knoxville (TYS):
  • Flight time: about 1 hour
• Atlanta to Chattanooga (CHA):
  • Flight time: usually under 1 hour, but many people still prefer to drive due to short driving distance
• Atlanta to Memphis (MEM):
  • Flight time: roughly 1.5 hours

Keep in mind that total travel time will include:

• Getting to ATL
• Security and boarding
• Possible layovers (for some smaller Tennessee airports)

For short routes like Atlanta–Chattanooga, the drive may be nearly as fast door-to-door as flying, especially if you live closer to the north side of Metro Atlanta.

Atlanta Neighborhood Start Points: How Much Time to Add?

Where you start in Metro Atlanta can change the total trip time to Tennessee:

• From Downtown / Midtown / Georgia State Capitol area:
  The distances listed above (e.g., 115 miles to Chattanooga) generally assume starting near Downtown Atlanta.
• From North Atlanta (e.g., Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Marietta, Roswell):
  You’re already closer to I‑75 North, so you may save 15–30 minutes getting out of the city.
• From South Atlanta or Hartsfield–Jackson area:
  You may need to add 20–40 minutes to reach the main northern routes, especially in heavy traffic.

If you want a more precise estimate, you can plug in your exact starting address in Atlanta and your destination in Tennessee into a GPS or mapping app and compare it with the general distances above.

Best Routes from Atlanta to Tennessee by Car

From an Atlanta driver’s perspective, here are the main interstates and corridors you’re likely to use when going to Tennessee:

• I‑75 North – Primary route to:
  • Chattanooga
  • Knoxville
  • East Tennessee and onward to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge
• I‑24 West (accessed near Chattanooga) – Primary route to:
  • Nashville
  • Middle Tennessee from the southeast
• I‑40 – Main east–west corridor across Tennessee:
  • East of Knoxville toward Asheville, NC
  • West toward Nashville and Memphis
• I‑20 West / I‑22 West (US‑78) – Common westward option if you’re:
  • Going from Atlanta → Birmingham, AL → Memphis, TN

For most trips, Atlanta drivers simply head north on I‑75 and branch off as needed.

Public Transportation & Bus Options from Atlanta to Tennessee

If you don’t want to drive, there are intercity bus and coach services that operate between Atlanta and several Tennessee cities, especially:

• Atlanta ↔ Chattanooga
• Atlanta ↔ Nashville
• Atlanta ↔ Knoxville
• Atlanta ↔ Memphis (sometimes with connections)

Buses usually depart from or near Downtown Atlanta and from stations serving intercity routes. Travel times by bus are often similar or slightly longer than driving, depending on stops along the way.

When planning, check:

• Departure and arrival locations in both Atlanta and the specific Tennessee city
• Whether you’ll need local transit, rideshare, or taxi service on either end of your trip

Practical Tips for Atlanta Travelers Heading to Tennessee

A few Atlanta-specific considerations can make your trip easier:

• Plan around Atlanta rush hour ⏰
  Heading north on I‑75? Try to avoid:

  • Weekday mornings heading into Downtown
  • Late afternoons heading out of Downtown
    Leaving early on a Saturday or later in the evening can save a lot of time.

• Watch mountain and weather conditions
  For Knoxville, Chattanooga, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and other East Tennessee destinations, be aware that:

  • Mountain routes can be affected by fog, rain, or winter weather.
  • Check conditions if you’re traveling in late fall or winter.

• Fuel and rest stops are frequent
  Between Atlanta and Chattanooga/Knoxville, you’ll pass many exits with:

  • Gas stations
  • Fast food
  • Convenience stores
    Towns like Cartersville, Calhoun, and Dalton are common stop points.

• Consider your side of town
  If you live in Cobb, Cherokee, or North Fulton, the drive to Tennessee can be significantly shorter than for someone coming from South DeKalb or Clayton. Factor this into your planning time.

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Residents and Visitors

• Atlanta is only about 110–120 miles from the Tennessee state line, making Tennessee a very reachable destination.
• Chattanooga is about 2 hours away, Knoxville about 3–3.5 hours, and Nashville about 3.5–4.5 hours by car.
• Memphis is the farthest major Tennessee city from Atlanta, usually 6–7 hours by car.
• Most Atlanta-to-Tennessee trips use I‑75 North, branching to I‑24 or I‑40 depending on your final destination.
• You can also fly from Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to major Tennessee airports like Nashville (BNA), Knoxville (TYS), Chattanooga (CHA), and Memphis (MEM) if you prefer air travel.

In practical terms, for someone in Atlanta, Tennessee is a nearby, drivable neighbor, with many popular destinations just a few hours up the road.