How Far Is It From Atlanta to Charleston? Your Complete Travel Distance & Time Guide

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and daydreaming about a long weekend on the South Carolina coast, Charleston is one of the most popular getaways. Knowing how far Atlanta is from Charleston—and how long it really takes—can help you choose the best way to get there and plan your trip with fewer surprises.

Atlanta to Charleston: Distance at a Glance

For most travelers going from Atlanta to Charleston:

• Driving distance: About 300–320 miles
• Typical drive time: Around 5–6 hours, depending on traffic and route
• Direct flight time (in the air): About 1 hour
• Overall airport-to-airport time: Usually 3–4+ hours, once you include check-in, security, and boarding

Charleston is located east and slightly north of Atlanta, on the South Carolina coast. Many Atlanta residents treat it as a long day drive or, more commonly, a weekend or long-weekend trip.

Main Routes From Atlanta to Charleston by Car

If you’re driving from Atlanta (whether from Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or the suburbs), you’ll typically use one of two main routes.

1. I-20 East + I-26 East (Most Common Route)

This is the most straightforward and widely used route from metro Atlanta:

1. Take I-20 East out of Atlanta
2. Near Columbia, SC, connect to I-26 East
3. Follow I-26 East directly into the Charleston area

Approximate details:

• Distance: About 305–320 miles
• Estimated time:5–6 hours in normal conditions
• Best for: Most drivers, especially those starting near Downtown or East Atlanta

Expect heavier traffic:

• Leaving Atlanta (especially around the Downtown Connector: I-75/I-85)
• Around Columbia, SC, where interstates converge
• Approaching Charleston on I-26, especially during busy weekends or holidays

2. I-16 + US Highways (Scenic but Less Direct)

Some drivers prefer a slightly more scenic, less interstate-heavy route:

1. Head southeast from Atlanta (often via I-75 South briefly)
2. Take I-16 East toward Savannah
3. Use a combination of US highways and state roads north toward Charleston

Approximate details:

• Distance: Generally 310–340 miles, depending on exact roads
• Estimated time: Often 6+ hours
• Best for: Drivers who want to avoid parts of I-26 or pass near coastal areas

This route can feel less congested in places but may have slower speed limits, more small towns, and lights.

How Long the Drive Really Takes From Atlanta

From an Atlanta resident’s perspective, the “real” driving time depends on where in Atlanta you start and when you leave.

Typical Drive Times by Starting Area

*Times assume generally normal traffic and short stops.

Timing Tips From an Atlanta Point of View

• Avoid Atlanta rush hour:
  • Morning: roughly 6:30 a.m.–9:30 a.m.
  • Evening: roughly 3:30 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
• Many locals prefer to:
  • 🚗 Leave early (before 6:30 a.m.) to “beat” the Connector and I-20 traffic
  • Or leave later in the evening, after rush hour, and arrive in Charleston at night
• Holidays and summer weekends can add 30–60+ minutes to the drive, especially near Columbia and entering Charleston.

Flying From Atlanta to Charleston

If you don’t want to spend several hours on I-20 and I-26, flying from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Charleston International Airport (CHS) is a common option.

Distance and Flight Time

• Straight-line distance (ATL to CHS): About 260–270 miles
• Typical flight time (in the air): About 1 hour
• Total “door-to-door” time: Often 3–4+ hours, once you include:
  • Getting to ATL from your home or hotel
  • Parking, check-in, and security
  • Boarding, taxiing, and deplaning
  • Getting from CHS to downtown Charleston or the beaches

When Flying Makes Sense From Atlanta

Flying may be worth it if:

• You value time over cost and want to minimize hours on the road
• You’re already near ATL (for example, staying by the airport or in College Park)
• You prefer to arrive fresher for business meetings or events in Charleston
• You’re using frequent flyer miles or can get a competitively priced ticket

Charleston International Airport is about 10–15 miles from downtown Charleston, depending on your final destination. Travel time from the airport into the city is typically 20–30 minutes, but can be longer in peak traffic.

Bus or Train From Atlanta to Charleston

There’s no direct passenger train from Atlanta to Charleston that’s as simple as “board once, get off once,” and service options can change. Travelers sometimes combine train or bus routes, but this usually takes significantly longer than driving or flying.

Things to Consider

• Bus options: Grayhound‑style and similar buses may require transfers, with total travel times often 8–10+ hours.
• Train combinations: Rail routes may involve going through another city (such as Columbia or Savannah) and can be time-consuming.

From an Atlanta resident’s perspective, driving or flying are typically the most practical ways to cover the distance to Charleston.

Is Atlanta to Charleston a Day Trip?

For most people in Atlanta, Charleston is better as an overnight or weekend destination, not a same‑day there‑and‑back trip.

What’s Realistic

• Same‑day round trip by car:
  • You’d be looking at 10–12 hours of driving plus any time in Charleston.
  • This is tiring and leaves little time to actually enjoy the city.
• Day trip by flight:
  • Technically possible, especially for business or a special event.
  • Expect a very early start and late return, with several hours lost to airport logistics.

Most Atlanta travelers who go to Charleston:

• Leave Friday afternoon or Saturday morning
• Spend 1–3 nights
• Return on Sunday or Monday

Planning Your Route From Key Atlanta Landmarks

Here’s how the distance looks from a few familiar Atlanta points:

From Downtown Atlanta (Five Points, Georgia State area)

• Route: Connect to I-20 East toward Augusta, then I-26 East toward Charleston
• Approx. distance: ~305 miles
• Time estimate: Around 5–6 hours

From Midtown / Georgia Tech / Atlantic Station

• Route: Head south to pick up I-20 East, then follow the standard route
• Approx. distance: ~310 miles
• Time estimate: About 5.5–6 hours, depending on Connector traffic

From Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

• Driving:
  • Connect to I-285 and then I-20 East
  • Around 300–310 miles, typically 5–6 hours
• Flying:
  • About 1 hour in the air, with overall trip time 3–4+ hours

From East Atlanta / Decatur

• Route: Quickly access I-20 East
• Approx. distance: ~295–310 miles
• Time estimate: Often closer to 5–5.5 hours if traffic is reasonable

Practical Tips for Atlanta-to-Charleston Travel

Whether you’re a local in metro Atlanta or visiting the city and heading out to the coast, a few practical points can make the trip smoother.

1. Plan Around Atlanta and I-20 Traffic

• Try to clear the Atlanta metro area early in your drive.
• Be prepared for slowdowns on I-20 East near:
  • The I-285 interchanges
  • Busy stretches around Conyers and Covington during peak times

2. Build in Breaks

On a roughly 5–6 hour drive, many drivers from Atlanta like to schedule:

• A fueling and restroom stop somewhere around Augusta, GA
• A quick meal stop before Columbia, SC or just past it on I-26

This keeps the trip manageable, especially if you’re traveling with kids or making the drive after a workday in Atlanta.

3. Know Your Arrival Area in Charleston

Charleston isn’t just one compact spot; depending on your goal, you may need extra drive time once you reach the metro:

• Historic Downtown Charleston: Often your GPS destination will be near Meeting Street, King Street, or the Waterfront. Expect city traffic and slower speeds, similar to driving in Downtown Atlanta.
• Mount Pleasant: Across the bridge from downtown; add 10–25 minutes, traffic‑dependent.
• Beach areas (Folly Beach, Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island): Add another 20–45 minutes to your arrival time, depending on where you’re staying.

Quick Reference: How Far Is Atlanta to Charleston?

Use this as a simple snapshot when planning:

• Driving distance: Roughly 300–320 miles
• Driving time: About 5–6 hours from most parts of Atlanta
• Straight-line distance: Around 260–270 miles
• Flight time (in air): About 1 hour
• Practical trip duration by plane: Often 3–4+ hours, door to door
• Best for weekend trips: Yes—very popular for 2–3 night getaways from Atlanta

For anyone based in Atlanta, Georgia, Charleston is close enough to be a manageable coastal escape, but far enough that you’ll want to set aside a good portion of a day for travel in each direction.