Atlanta to Daytona Beach: Distance, Drive Time, and Best Ways to Get There

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and dreaming of a quick escape to the Florida coast, Daytona Beach is one of the closest ocean beaches you can reach by car. Understanding how far Atlanta is from Daytona Beach helps you plan for drive time, fuel, rest stops, and whether flying or driving makes more sense.

How Far Is Atlanta to Daytona Beach?

From Downtown Atlanta to Daytona Beach, Florida, the distance is roughly:

• 450–470 miles by road (depending on your exact starting point and route)
• 1 hour 15 minutes by air (nonstop flight time, not including airport time)

Most Atlanta travelers use Interstate 75, Interstate 16, and Interstate 95, or go through Interstate 75 and I‑10 to reach Daytona Beach.

Typical Driving Routes from Atlanta

The two most common routes from Atlanta to Daytona Beach are:

1. I‑75 S → I‑10 E → I‑95 S
2. I‑75 S → I‑16 E → I‑95 S

Both are fully interstate routes and are fairly straightforward for Atlanta drivers.

Driving from Atlanta to Daytona Beach 🚗

For most people in Atlanta, driving is the easiest and most flexible way to get to Daytona Beach.

Approximate Drive Time

• Normal conditions:6.5 to 7.5 hours of drive time
• With traffic, stops, or construction:7.5 to 9 hours

Your exact time will vary based on:

• Where you start in the Atlanta area (e.g., Buckhead vs. McDonough)
• Time of day you leave (rush hour vs. early morning)
• Weather and work zones in Georgia and north Florida

Main Driving Options from Atlanta

1. I‑75 S → I‑10 E → I‑95 S

This is a popular route for Atlanta drivers heading to Daytona Beach.

Basic path:

• Start on I‑75 South from Atlanta
• Continue through Macon and Tifton
• Near Lake City, FL, take I‑10 East toward Jacksonville
• Connect to I‑95 South
• Follow I‑95 S to the exits for Daytona Beach

This route is:

• Mostly straight interstate driving
• Well-served with fuel, food, and rest areas

2. I‑75 S → I‑16 E → I‑95 S

This option cuts over toward Savannah before heading down the coast.

Basic path:

• Take I‑75 South from Atlanta toward Macon
• Near Macon, take I‑16 East
• Continue on I‑16 until it meets I‑95 near Savannah
• Take I‑95 South toward Daytona Beach

This route:

• Is similar in distance
• May have less truck traffic at times compared with I‑10
• Works well if you’re comfortable with a slight eastward detour through south Georgia

Quick Distance & Time Overview

Here’s a simple snapshot of how far it is from Atlanta to Daytona Beach:

What Atlanta Drivers Should Know Before Hitting the Road

Traffic Patterns Leaving Atlanta

Leaving Atlanta can easily add 30–60 minutes to your trip if you’re caught in rush hour.

To save time:

• Avoid weekday rush hours (roughly 6:30–9:30 a.m. and 3:30–7:00 p.m.)
• Consider leaving:
  • Early morning (5–6 a.m.)
  • Later in the evening after traffic dies down

You’ll typically use:

• I‑75/85 Connector if starting near Downtown
• I‑285 Perimeter to get to I‑75 if you’re in the suburbs (e.g., Sandy Springs, Decatur, Smyrna)

Common Stops Along the Way

Popular Georgia and north Florida stops from Atlanta to Daytona Beach include:

• Macon, GA – Good place for fuel and food, about 1.5 hours south of Atlanta
• Tifton, GA – Another common gas and meal stop
• Valdosta, GA – Near the Georgia–Florida border, good for a major break
• Lake City, FL – Transition point to I‑10 East
• St. Augustine, FL – Slightly off I‑95, good if you want a scenic detour

💡 Tip: If you’re driving with kids or pets from Atlanta, plan 2–3 short breaks to stretch, refuel, and refresh.

Toll Roads

Most of the major interstate route from Atlanta to Daytona Beach is toll-free. However:

• If you detour onto local toll roads in Florida (particularly around Orlando or Jacksonville), you may encounter toll plazas.
• Many Atlanta drivers use Peach Pass or similar transponders that also work on some Florida toll roads, but not all. It’s wise to carry a credit/debit card or cash just in case.

Flying from Atlanta to Daytona Beach ✈️

Driving is straightforward, but some Atlantans prefer to fly part of the way, especially for shorter trips.

1. Direct or Connecting Flights to Daytona Beach (DAB)

• Departure airport:Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  • Address: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
• Arrival airport:Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB)

Direct flights:
Nonstop service between ATL and DAB may be limited or seasonal, and often subject to airline schedule changes.

Travel time breakdown:

• Flight time: around 1 hour 15 minutes
• Airport arrival and security: 1.5–2 hours before departure at ATL
• Baggage claim and ground transport at DAB: 30–60 minutes

Total door-to-door from an Atlanta home or hotel to Daytona Beach lodging typically ends up around 3–5 hours, depending on your distance to Hartsfield–Jackson and the timing of your flights.

2. Flying to Orlando + Driving to Daytona

Many Atlanta travelers fly to Orlando then drive to Daytona Beach.

• Fly ATL → Orlando International Airport (MCO)
• Rent a car or arrange a shuttle
• Drive about 60–80 miles (roughly 1–1.5 hours) to Daytona Beach via I‑4 East

This option can:

• Offer more frequent flights from Atlanta
• Sometimes be more flexible with timing

Bus, Shuttle, and Other Ground Options

If you don’t want to drive yourself from Atlanta, you can look at intercity bus services.

Bus Travel from Atlanta to Daytona Beach

There is no single, nonstop bus that always runs directly from Atlanta to Daytona Beach, but you can often:

• Take a bus from Atlanta (usually departing near Downtown or the airport area)
• Travel to a hub city such as Jacksonville or Orlando
• Transfer to another bus or shuttle heading to Daytona Beach

Total travel time:

• Often 9–12+ hours, depending on connections and wait times

This can work if:

• You do not drive
• You’re flexible with time
• You’re comfortable with one or more transfers

How the Distance Feels in Real Terms (From an Atlanta Perspective)

For someone living in Atlanta, the Atlanta to Daytona Beach distance is similar to:

• Atlanta to Jacksonville, FL plus another 1.5–2 hours down the coast
• Slightly longer than Atlanta to Savannah (about 4 hours), but still very manageable as a same-day drive

Many Atlantans treat Daytona Beach as:

• A long day trip if they leave very early and return late
• A weekend or long-weekend getaway, leaving Friday and returning Sunday or Monday

If you’re driving with family, many people in the Atlanta area choose to:

• Leave after work Friday and stop overnight around Valdosta or Lake City
• Finish the drive Saturday morning to arrive in Daytona Beach refreshed

Practical Planning Tips for Atlanta Travelers

Best Time of Year to Drive

From Atlanta, you’ll be driving through central and south Georgia into north Florida, which can be:

• Hot and humid in summer – be prepared for heavy afternoon thunderstorms, especially near the Florida line.
• Generally mild in winter – but cold snaps can still occur in Georgia. Ice is less common on this route compared with north Georgia or the Carolinas.

Also consider:

• Holiday weekends (Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day) can bring heavier traffic on I‑75, I‑95, and around Daytona Beach.
• Speed enforcement is common along long, rural stretches of I‑75 and I‑95 in Georgia and Florida.

What to Budget for the Trip

When planning from Atlanta, think about:

• Gas:
  • Round trip is roughly 900–950 miles
  • Your total fuel cost depends on your vehicle’s mileage and gas prices in Georgia and Florida
• Tolls (if any):
  • Mostly avoidable if you stick to main interstates
• Parking in Daytona Beach:
  • Many hotels and public areas have parking, but check any daily or beach access fees
• Food and rest stops:
  • Factor in 2–3 meal/coffee stops on the way down and back

Getting Oriented Once You Arrive from Atlanta

When you reach Daytona Beach from Atlanta, you’ll generally enter the area via I‑95 and then follow signs for:

• US‑92 (International Speedway Blvd) – heads east toward the beach
• Local roads leading to Daytona Beach hotels, the speedway, and oceanfront areas

If you’re renting a car after flying from ATL:

• The rental car counters at Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) are located near baggage claim
• You can drive from DAB to the beach in roughly 10–15 minutes, depending on traffic

In summary, Atlanta to Daytona Beach is about 450–470 miles by road, usually around 6.5 to 7.5 hours of actual driving. For most people in Atlanta, it’s a doable same-day drive and a popular route for weekend beach trips, with the option to fly if you prefer a faster but more logistics-heavy route.