How Far Is Atlanta, Texas, From Dallas, Texas? A Practical Guide for Atlanta, Georgia Travelers
If you live in Atlanta, Georgia or are visiting and planning a trip within Texas, you might be wondering: “How far is Atlanta, Texas from Dallas, Texas?” Even though our city is in Georgia, many residents travel regularly to Texas for work, family, or leisure, so it’s a common planning question.
Here’s a clear breakdown of the distance, travel times, and how this fits into a trip starting from Atlanta, GA.
Basic Distance: Atlanta, Texas to Dallas, Texas
Atlanta, Texas and Dallas, Texas are both in the northeastern part of the state, but they’re not neighboring cities.
Approximate distance by car:
- Atlanta, TX → Dallas, TX: about 170–180 miles
- Typical driving time: around 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on route and traffic
Most drivers travel on a mix of US highways and state roads. The route often includes sections of US-59, I-30, and I-20, depending on exactly where you start and your navigation preferences.
Quick Reference: Dallas–Atlanta (Texas) Distance
| From | To | Approx. Distance | Typical Drive Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, Texas | Atlanta, Texas | 170–180 miles | 2.5–3 hours |
These are general estimates and can vary with traffic, construction, and exact starting and ending addresses.
How This Matters If You’re Traveling From Atlanta, Georgia
If you’re in Atlanta, GA and you want to visit both Dallas, TX and Atlanta, TX, it helps to picture your trip in stages.
Stage 1: Atlanta, GA to Dallas, TX
Most travelers from Atlanta, Georgia get to Dallas in one of two ways:
By air
- Nonstop flights from Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) or Dallas Love Field (DAL)
- Flight time: usually around 2–2.5 hours in the air
- This is the fastest and most practical option for most Atlanta residents and visitors.
By car
- Driving distance: usually around 780–820 miles
- Driving time: roughly 11–13 hours, depending on route and stops
- Common interstate routes use I-20 almost the entire way.
Stage 2: Dallas, TX to Atlanta, TX
Once you’re in Dallas, then:
- Plan on about 170–180 miles by car to Atlanta, TX
- Expect about 2.5–3 hours of additional driving
So, from an Atlanta, Georgia perspective, a typical combined trip looks like:
- Fly Atlanta, GA → Dallas, TX
- Drive Dallas, TX → Atlanta, TX
or, if you’re road-tripping:
- Drive Atlanta, GA → Dallas, TX → Atlanta, TX
Common Ways to Travel Between Dallas and Atlanta, Texas
If you’re planning the Texas leg of your trip from Atlanta, Georgia, here are realistic options once you land in Dallas or arrive by car.
1. Driving a Personal or Rental Car
For most travelers originating in Atlanta, GA, driving is the most practical way to get from Dallas to Atlanta, Texas.
Pros:
- 🚗 Flexibility: You can stop in small towns along the way.
- 🧳 Space: Easier to manage luggage or family travel.
- ⏱️ Time control: Leave when you want; no fixed departure times.
Watch for:
- Traffic getting out of the Dallas–Fort Worth metro area
- Road construction on major highways (commonly I-30 and I-20)
- Seasonal weather, especially heavy rain or storms
If you’re flying from Atlanta, GA, you can pick up a rental car at:
- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) – large selection of rental companies
- Dallas Love Field (DAL) – closer to central Dallas, also offers multiple rental options
2. Bus Options
In some cases, travelers from Atlanta, Georgia prefer bus connections once they reach Texas. Direct public bus service from Dallas to Atlanta, TX can be limited or may require transfers through larger regional hubs such as:
- Texarkana, TX
- Nearby mid-sized Texas towns along the main corridors
If you’re considering bus travel:
- Confirm the nearest active stop to Atlanta, TX
- Check updated schedules before planning same-day connections after your Atlanta → Dallas flight
3. Train and Other Options
Long-distance trains like Amtrak serve various points in Texas, but routes are not typically optimized for Dallas → Atlanta, Texas as a simple, direct trip. In practice, most Atlanta, GA travelers visiting Atlanta, TX after Dallas still find a car to be the most efficient option.
Planning Your Trip From Atlanta, Georgia: Time and Distance Overview
From the point of view of someone starting in Atlanta, GA, here’s how the legs of the trip typically stack up:
Atlanta, GA → Dallas, TX (by plane)
- About 2–2.5 hours in the air
- Add time for airport arrival, security, and baggage claim.
Dallas, TX → Atlanta, TX (by car)
- About 170–180 miles
- Expect 2.5–3 hours driving
If you decide to drive the entire way from Atlanta, Georgia:
- Atlanta, GA → Dallas, TX: around 11–13 hours of drive time
- Dallas, TX → Atlanta, TX: another 2.5–3 hours
This makes the full door-to-door drive from Atlanta, GA to Atlanta, TX a very long day by car, so many people break it into at least two days or combine flying plus driving.
Tips for Atlanta, Georgia Travelers Headed to Dallas and Atlanta, Texas
Here are a few practical tips tailored to people based in or visiting Atlanta, GA:
Choose your main hub first.
Most Atlanta travelers use Dallas as the primary Texas hub for flights, rental cars, hotels, and major attractions, then treat Atlanta, TX as a secondary stop.Book flights with buffer time.
If you plan to land in Dallas and drive directly to Atlanta, TX, allow extra time after your scheduled arrival in case of flight delays or rental car lines.Consider time zones.
Atlanta, GA and all of Texas on this route are in the Central or Eastern time zones, but generally:- Atlanta, GA: Eastern Time
- Dallas, TX and Atlanta, TX: Central Time
You’ll gain one hour going from Atlanta, GA to Texas, which may help with same-day travel.
Use Atlanta’s major airport resources.
From Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), you have multiple daily flights to Dallas, making it easier to line up a same-day drive to Atlanta, TX.
Key Takeaways for Atlanta, GA Residents and Visitors
- Distance between Atlanta, Texas and Dallas, Texas: about 170–180 miles by road.
- Driving time Dallas → Atlanta, TX: roughly 2.5–3 hours under typical conditions.
- For those starting in Atlanta, Georgia, the most practical plan is usually:
- Fly Atlanta, GA → Dallas, TX
- Then drive Dallas, TX → Atlanta, TX
- If you choose to drive from Atlanta, GA all the way, expect a long interstate trip to Dallas first, then a shorter additional leg to reach Atlanta, Texas.
This gives you a clear picture of how far Atlanta, Texas is from Dallas, Texas, and how that distance fits into real-world travel planning from Atlanta, Georgia.