Traveling From Atlanta to Dallas: Distance, Time, and Best Ways to Go

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and wondering how far it is to Dallas, Texas, you’re really asking two questions:

1. How many miles is it? and
2. How long will it actually take to get there by car, plane, bus, or train?

This guide breaks it down in practical terms for Atlanta residents and visitors, with details tailored to leaving from the Atlanta area.

How Far Is Atlanta to Dallas?

In simple mileage:

• Driving distance (Atlanta to Dallas): about 780–800 miles
• Straight-line (flight) distance: about 720–730 miles

Most people in Atlanta experience that distance in one of two ways:

• A long full day’s drive on I‑20
• A short, direct flight out of Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Driving From Atlanta to Dallas

How long is the drive?

For most drivers, the Atlanta–Dallas drive takes roughly:

• 11–13 hours of actual driving time, not counting long stops
• Often 12–15 hours total with food, gas, and rest breaks

The biggest variable is Atlanta traffic when you leave and Dallas traffic when you arrive.

Typical driving route from Atlanta

Most Atlanta drivers take I‑20 West almost the entire way:

1. Start on I‑20 W leaving Atlanta (you can access I‑20 from the Downtown Connector I‑75/85 or from the I‑285 Perimeter).
2. Continue through Alabama (Birmingham), Mississippi (Meridian, Jackson), and Louisiana (Shreveport).
3. Stay on I‑20 into Texas, through the Dallas–Fort Worth area.

This route is straightforward, well-marked, and commonly used by Atlanta travelers heading to north Texas.

Is it drivable in one day from Atlanta?

From Atlanta, many drivers do it in one very long day, but it’s demanding:

• Leaving early in the morning from Atlanta helps avoid heavy rush-hour traffic.
• You’ll typically arrive in Dallas late evening, especially with normal gas and meal stops.

If you prefer shorter days:

• Break the trip with an overnight stop in places along I‑20 such as Birmingham (AL), Jackson (MS), or Shreveport (LA).

What about traffic leaving Atlanta?

Your departure time from Atlanta can easily change your total travel time by an hour or more. Things to consider:

• Worst times to leave Atlanta:
  • Weekday mornings: roughly 7–9 a.m.
  • Weekday afternoons: roughly 4–7 p.m., especially near the I‑285 perimeter and Downtown Connector.
• If possible, plan to:
  • Get onto I‑20 W before 6:30 a.m. if leaving on a weekday, or
  • Leave mid-morning or midday after rush hour.

🔎 Local tip: Many Atlanta drivers use surface streets or the I‑285 loop to reach the closest I‑20 entrance with lighter traffic, especially if they’re starting from suburbs like Decatur, Douglasville, or Lithonia.

Fuel, food, and rest stops on the way from Atlanta

From Atlanta westward, you’ll find frequent services near major exits:

• Alabama:
  • Anniston/Oxford area
  • Birmingham – lots of options right off I‑20/I‑459
• Mississippi:
  • Meridian
  • Jackson – a good mid-route stopping point
• Louisiana:
  • Monroe
  • Shreveport – often used as an overnight stop from Atlanta

Many Atlanta drivers prefer to start with a full tank before hitting I‑20, using gas stations near:

• Downtown and Westside Atlanta
• Austell / Lithia Springs / Douglasville just outside the city, where traffic is often lighter than in the core.

Quick driving overview

Flying From Atlanta to Dallas

For most people starting in Atlanta, flying is the fastest and simplest way to get to Dallas.

How far is Atlanta from Dallas by air?

In terms of flight distance, Atlanta to Dallas is about 720–730 miles as the plane flies. That’s a short domestic flight by U.S. standards.

Flight time from Atlanta to Dallas

From Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to the Dallas area:

• Nonstop flight time: usually 2–2.5 hours in the air
• Total airport-to-airport time: often around 3–4 hours, including boarding and taxiing

When you add check-in, security, and travel to/from each airport, many Atlanta travelers find the overall door-to-door time ends up around 5–6 hours, depending on where they live in metro Atlanta and where they’re going in Dallas.

Which Dallas airports serve Atlanta flights?

From Atlanta (ATL) you’ll typically fly into:

• Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) – major hub with many nonstop options.
• Dallas Love Field (DAL) – smaller, closer to downtown Dallas, served mainly by specific carriers.

Both are well connected to Dallas and surrounding suburbs via shuttles, rideshare, and local transit.

Getting to Hartsfield‑Jackson from around Atlanta

Most Atlanta-based travelers start at:

Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
6000 N Terminal Pkwy
Atlanta, GA 30320
Main Information: (800) 897‑1910 (airport info line)

Common ways to get to the airport:

• MARTA train:
  • Take the Red or Gold Line directly to Airport Station, located inside the Domestic Terminal.
  • This is often the most reliable option from Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and areas with MARTA access.
• Driving from around Atlanta:
  • From most intown neighborhoods, use the Downtown Connector (I‑75/85) to I‑85 South and follow airport signs.
  • From I‑285, follow airport signage to the Domestic or International terminals.
• Taxis / rideshare: Widely available throughout the city and suburbs.

✈️ Atlanta traveler tip: Because ATL is a very busy airport, Atlanta-based flyers often aim to arrive at least 1.5–2 hours before domestic departure, especially at peak times.

Bus and Train Options Between Atlanta and Dallas

If you’re in Atlanta and prefer not to fly or drive, you can look at long-distance bus and rail. These will take significantly longer than flying and often longer than driving yourself, but they can be options for travelers without a car.

Bus travel: Atlanta to Dallas

• Distance covered: roughly the same as driving (~780–800 miles)
• Typical travel time: can range from 15–20+ hours, depending on route and transfers.

Most long-distance buses from Atlanta to Dallas depart from near:

• Downtown Atlanta bus terminals or shared-use facilities close to central Atlanta.

These services usually involve:

• At least one transfer in another city
• Multiple stops along the route

Bus travel can be more affordable than flying, but for Atlanta residents used to quick flights out of Hartsfield‑Jackson, the extra time is a major factor.

Train travel: Atlanta to Dallas

There is no single, simple direct passenger train link from Atlanta to Dallas comparable to driving I‑20. Amtrak service from Atlanta is limited and connecting a full trip to Dallas typically involves:

• Routing through other major hubs
• Very long total travel times, often well beyond a full day

Because of this, travelers in Atlanta normally choose:

• Flying for speed
• Driving for flexibility and cost control
• Or buses when budget is the top priority and time is less important.

Choosing the Best Way From Atlanta to Dallas

For someone based in Atlanta, here is how the distance and travel time usually “feel” in real life:

• Fastest overall:
  • Nonstop flight from ATL to DFW or DAL
  • Appropriate if you value time and don’t mind airport procedures.
• Most flexible:
  • Driving from Atlanta along I‑20 W
  • Good if you want to stop along the way, bring more luggage, or avoid airport lines.
• Often cheapest (but slowest):
  • Long-distance bus from Atlanta
  • Requires patience and comfort with long overnight or all-day rides.

When you ask, “How far is Atlanta to Dallas?”, the answer is:

• Around 800 miles by road
• Around 725 miles by air
• In practical terms, from Atlanta, it’s either:
  • A long single-day road trip, or
  • A short 2–2.5 hour flight, plus time getting to and from the airports.

Understanding those distances and times from an Atlanta starting point can help you choose the option that best fits your schedule, comfort level, and budget.