How Far Is Atlanta to Memphis? Distance, Drive Time, and Travel Tips for Atlantans

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and planning a trip to Memphis, Tennessee, the first thing you probably want to know is: how far is it, and what’s the best way to get there?

Here’s a clear breakdown of distance, travel times, and route options specifically from an Atlanta perspective.

How Far Is Atlanta to Memphis?

In simple terms:

• Driving distance (most common route): about 380–390 miles
• Typical drive time: around 5.5 to 6 hours in light traffic
• Flight distance (as the crow flies): roughly 330 miles
• Flight time (nonstop): around 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes in the air

These numbers can shift a bit depending on your starting point in metro Atlanta, your route, and traffic conditions.

Driving from Atlanta to Memphis

For many people in Atlanta, driving is the easiest and most flexible way to get to Memphis, especially for weekend trips, visiting family, or music and food getaways.

Main Driving Route: I‑20 & I‑22

The most common and straightforward route goes:

1. Start in Atlanta
2. Take I‑20 West toward Birmingham, AL
3. Near Birmingham, connect to I‑22 West (formerly Highway 78)
4. Continue on I‑22 West directly toward Memphis

Approximate distance: 380–390 miles
Estimated time: 5.5–6 hours without major delays

This route is popular because it’s mostly interstate driving, with frequent gas stations, food options, and rest stops along the way.

Alternative Routes

Depending on traffic and where you live in metro Atlanta, navigation apps might suggest slight variations, including:

• Using I‑75 / I‑285 to connect more smoothly to I‑20
• Smaller highway segments in Alabama or Mississippi to avoid backups

However, for most drivers starting in central Atlanta, the I‑20 West to I‑22 route is the most direct and predictable.

How Far Is It from Key Atlanta Areas to Memphis?

Driving distances are approximate and can vary slightly:

*Times assume reasonable traffic and minimal stops. Atlanta departures around rush hours can add 30–60+ minutes.

When Is the Best Time to Drive from Atlanta to Memphis?

Leaving Atlanta at the wrong time can turn a manageable drive into a frustrating one. Typical patterns:

• Best times to leave Atlanta:

  • Weekdays: mid-morning (9–11 a.m.) or early afternoon (1–3 p.m.)
  • Weekends: early morning is usually smoother

• Times to avoid (if possible):

  • Weekday mornings: 6:30–9:00 a.m. (outbound congestion on major interstates)
  • Weekday afternoons: 3:30–6:30 p.m., especially near Downtown Connector (I‑75/85) and I‑285

🧭 Tip: If you’re leaving from Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport or nearby areas, build in extra time just to clear local traffic and reach I‑20 West.

Flying from Atlanta to Memphis

If you’d rather not drive, flying from Atlanta to Memphis is a quick option and can be especially appealing for business trips or short stays.

Flight Distance & Time

• Flight distance (ATL to MEM): around 330 miles
• Nonstop flight time: typically 1–1.25 hours in the air

When you include:

• Getting to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
• Check-in, security, and boarding
• Taxi time on the runway
• Arrival and exit at Memphis International Airport (MEM)

…your door-to-door travel time is usually closer to 3–4 hours, depending on how far you live from ATL and Memphis airports.

Getting to ATL for Your Flight

Most Atlanta travelers fly out of:

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
6000 N Terminal Pkwy
Atlanta, GA 30320

Common ways to get there from around the city:

• MARTA rail:

  • Take the Red or Gold line to the Airport Station, located inside the Domestic Terminal
  • Reliable option if you’re coming from Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or along the north/south rail corridors

• Driving and parking:

  • Short-term and long-term parking options on-site, plus nearby private lots with shuttles

• Rideshare/taxi:

  • Convenient if you don’t want to park at the airport

For most Atlantans, total travel time door-to-door by air ends up similar to driving, but with less time behind the wheel.

Bus and Other Ground Transportation Options

If you don’t want to drive yourself or fly, intercity buses sometimes provide service between the Atlanta and Memphis areas.

• Travel times can be longer than driving yourself, often 7–9 hours or more, depending on routing and stops.
• Bus departures from Atlanta are typically from locations near Downtown or Midtown, and you’ll need to plan for local transportation on both ends.

Because schedules and carriers can change, it’s best to check current options shortly before your trip.

What to Expect on the Road from Atlanta to Memphis

If you’re making the drive, here’s what it usually feels like from an Atlanta perspective.

Road Conditions & Terrain

• Atlanta to Birmingham (via I‑20 West):

  • Urban and suburban traffic leaving Atlanta
  • Gradually becomes more rural with rolling hills
  • Several rest areas and exits with gas and food

• Birmingham to Memphis (via I‑22 West):

  • Mostly rural and small-town segments across Alabama and Mississippi
  • Fewer large cities, but regular exits for fuel and food

Overall, the route is straightforward interstate driving, and many Atlantans find it easier than long stretches on I‑75 or I‑95.

Planning Fuel, Food, and Breaks

From Atlanta, common “mental checkpoints” on the way to Memphis include:

1. Anniston / Oxford, AL area – about 1.5–2 hours from Atlanta
2. Birmingham, AL – around halfway, good for gas and meal stops
3. Tupelo, MS – another useful break point on I‑22

📝 Practical tips:

• Keep your tank topped up when you leave major metro areas like Birmingham. Rural stretches can have longer gaps between services.
• For families, planning stops around Birmingham and Tupelo keeps legs stretched and kids happier.

How to Decide: Drive or Fly from Atlanta to Memphis?

From an Atlanta standpoint, both options are realistic. Consider:

Driving Might Be Better If:

• You’re starting in the suburbs (Cobb, Gwinnett, Henry, Cherokee, etc.) and would spend a lot of time just reaching the airport
• You’re traveling with family or friends and want to save on multiple tickets
• You prefer flexibility—leaving when you want, stopping along the way, and having your car in Memphis
• You’re planning to bring extra luggage, equipment, or pets

Flying Might Be Better If:

• You’re near MARTA rail and can easily get to ATL
• You’re on a tight schedule and want to minimize time in transit
• You’re going for business and value arriving more rested, even if total time is similar

From many in-town Atlanta neighborhoods (like Midtown, Downtown, Old Fourth Ward, or Buckhead), the time savings of flying can be modest but still meaningful, especially for quick round-trips.

Time Zone and Arrival Considerations

Atlanta is in the Eastern Time Zone (ET).
Memphis is in the Central Time Zone (CT).

• When you travel from Atlanta to Memphis, you gain one hour.
  • For example, leaving Atlanta at 9:00 a.m. ET and driving about 6 hours means arriving around 2:00 p.m. CT.
• When you return to Atlanta, you lose that hour coming back into Eastern Time.

This time change can matter for meeting times, event start times, and hotel check-ins in Memphis, especially if you’re leaving Atlanta later in the day.

Quick Answers for Atlantans Planning the Trip

• How far is Atlanta to Memphis by car?
  About 380–390 miles, usually 5.5–6 hours of driving.

• How far is Atlanta to Memphis by plane?
  Around 330 miles in the air, with 1–1.25 hours of flight time, plus airport processes.

• What’s the easiest driving route?
  From Atlanta, take I‑20 West to Birmingham, then I‑22 West to Memphis.

• Do I cross a time zone?
  Yes. You go from Eastern to Central, gaining an hour on the way to Memphis.

With this in mind, you can choose the route and travel method that best fits your schedule, budget, and starting point in the Atlanta area.