How Far Is Biloxi From Atlanta? Your Guide From Georgia’s Capital to the Mississippi Coast

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and thinking about a quick beach or casino getaway, Biloxi, Mississippi is one of the closest Gulf Coast destinations. Understanding the distance, drive time, and travel options from Atlanta to Biloxi can help you decide whether it’s worth a day trip, weekend escape, or part of a longer road trip.

How Far Is Biloxi From Atlanta?

From downtown Atlanta to Biloxi, Mississippi, the distance is:

• By road (most common route): about 360–380 miles
• Typical driving time: around 5.5 to 6.5 hours, depending on traffic and exact starting point

Most Atlanta travelers use Interstate 85, I‑185, US‑80, and US‑49 or drive via I‑20 and US‑49, but the exact route can vary slightly depending on your navigation app and where you start in the metro area.

For planning, you can think of Biloxi as being about the same driving distance as a trip from Atlanta to the Georgia coast, just in the opposite direction and slightly farther west.

Driving From Atlanta to Biloxi

Main Driving Routes

Two commonly used routes from Atlanta to Biloxi are:

1. I‑85 S → I‑185 S → US‑80 W → US‑49 S

   • Passes near Columbus, GA and through Hattiesburg, MS
   • Often about 370–380 miles
   • A mix of interstate and major U.S. highways

2. I‑20 W → US‑49 S (via Jackson, MS)

   • Runs through western Georgia and into central Mississippi
   • Can be slightly longer in mileage and time depending on traffic
   • More time on interstate, which some drivers prefer

Most Atlanta residents pick the route based on:

• Traffic patterns leaving the metro area
• Road construction on I‑20 or I‑85
• Personal preference for either more interstate or a mix of interstate and highways

Typical Drive Time From Different Parts of Metro Atlanta

Actual drive time depends on where you start:

• Downtown / Midtown Atlanta: about 6 hours
• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport area: about 5.5–6 hours
• North Atlanta suburbs (e.g., Marietta, Roswell): often 6–6.5 hours
• Southside (e.g., College Park, Union City): potentially a bit under 6 hours in light traffic

Plan extra time if you’re driving during:

• Weekday rush hours on I‑75/I‑85 through downtown
• Holiday weekends, when many Atlantans hit the road

Quick Reference: Distance & Time From Atlanta to Biloxi

These times assume normal highway conditions and minimal stops.

Is Biloxi a Day Trip From Atlanta?

Technically, yes—but with caveats.

• A same-day there-and-back trip would mean 11–13 hours of driving plus any time you spend in Biloxi.
• Many Atlanta residents instead treat Biloxi as a weekend getaway:
  • Leave Atlanta on Friday afternoon or Saturday morning
  • Stay 1–2 nights
  • Return Sunday

If you want time to enjoy casinos, the beach, or local seafood, an overnight stay is usually more comfortable than a same-day trip.

Best Time of Day to Drive From Atlanta to Biloxi

For a smoother Atlanta-to-Biloxi drive:

• Leaving Atlanta early morning (5–7 a.m.)
  • Often helps you miss the heaviest Atlanta rush hour
  • Gets you into Biloxi by late morning or early afternoon
• Avoiding weekday evening departures (3–7 p.m.)
  • This is when I‑75/I‑85, I‑20, and the Downtown Connector are typically most congested
• Checking traffic before you leave
  • Many Atlanta drivers use navigation apps to see whether I‑20 or I‑85 is the better option that day

Flying From Atlanta to Biloxi

Which Airport Serves Biloxi?

Biloxi does not have a large commercial airport. The closest major airport is:

• Gulfport–Biloxi International Airport (GPT)
  14035 Airport Rd, Gulfport, MS 39503

From GPT, Biloxi is about:

• 15–20 minutes by car, roughly 15 miles east along the coast.

Flight Time From Atlanta

If you fly from Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to GPT:

• Nonstop flight time: usually around 1 hour
• Total travel time door-to-door from Atlanta (city) to Biloxi:
  • Transit or parking at ATL
  • Security and boarding time
  • 1-hour flight
  • 15–20 minute drive from GPT to Biloxi

Realistically, flying might take 3–4 hours total, depending on how early you arrive at ATL and any wait times.

When Flying Makes Sense

From an Atlanta perspective, flying is often considered if:

• You want to maximize time in Biloxi and minimize time on the road.
• You’re already at or near Hartsfield–Jackson (for example, after a connecting flight).
• You prefer not to drive long distances or are traveling solo and want to avoid fatigue.

However, some Atlanta travelers find driving more convenient because:

• It avoids airport lines and security.
• It allows flexible schedules and easy transportation once in Biloxi.
• It can be more economical for families or groups.

Bus or Train Options From Atlanta to Biloxi

Direct public transit between Atlanta and Biloxi is limited.

Bus Travel

Intercity bus companies that operate out of Atlanta may offer routes toward Mobile, AL or New Orleans, LA, but:

• There may not be a direct Atlanta-to-Biloxi bus.
• You may need to:
  • Ride a bus to a nearby city (such as Mobile or New Orleans), then
  • Transfer to a regional bus, shuttle, or rental car to reach Biloxi.

Bus travel can be more time-consuming than driving, often stretching to 8–10 hours or more, depending on connections.

Train Travel

From Atlanta’s Peachtree Station (1688 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309), long-distance trains run east–west more than north–south along the Gulf Coast. There is no straightforward, direct train line linking Atlanta to Biloxi for simple passenger trips.

If you’re looking for budget options and don’t mind a longer journey with transfers, train-and-bus combinations are sometimes possible but require more detailed, up-to-date schedule planning.

What Atlantans Typically Do: Drive vs. Fly

For most people starting in Atlanta:

• Driving is the most common way to get to Biloxi:
  • 5.5–6.5 hours in the car
  • Easy to leave from home in any part of metro Atlanta
  • Flexible stops for meals, fuel, or sightseeing
• Flying is attractive if:
  • You value speed over cost
  • You’re already passing through Hartsfield–Jackson ATL
  • You prefer arriving more rested and using a rental car or ride service from GPT to Biloxi

If you’re traveling with friends or family from Atlanta, many people compare:

• Combined cost of gas and parking vs.
• Total airfare plus transportation from GPT to Biloxi

This comparison often helps determine which option fits your budget and schedule better.

How Long Should You Plan to Stay in Biloxi?

From an Atlanta planning standpoint:

• 1-night stay works if:
  • You leave Atlanta early and arrive by midday
  • You want a quick casino or beach experience
• 2–3 nights is more comfortable if:
  • You want to explore multiple casinos, restaurants, and the waterfront
  • You prefer a low-stress pace instead of rushing between cities

Because the drive from Atlanta is comparable to driving to some Florida beaches, many Atlantans treat Biloxi as a long-weekend trip rather than a quick day visit.

Practical Tips for Atlanta Travelers Heading to Biloxi

Here are some useful planning points tailored to travelers starting in or near Atlanta:

• Refueling & Food Stops

  • If you’re taking I‑85 south from Atlanta, common stops are near Columbus, GA, or across the Alabama line.
  • Along Mississippi routes like US‑49, you’ll find food and fuel in towns such as Hattiesburg.

• Weather Considerations

  • Atlanta and Biloxi can share similar summer heat and thunderstorms.
  • During hurricane season along the Gulf Coast, it’s wise to:
    • Check weather forecasts before leaving Atlanta
    • Monitor any coastal advisories that might affect Biloxi

• Parking

  • Many Biloxi casinos and hotels offer on-site parking, sometimes free or validated.
  • If you’re used to Atlanta’s more crowded parking near major attractions, parking in Biloxi is often simpler.

• Time Zone

  • Atlanta is in the Eastern Time Zone.
  • Biloxi is in the Central Time Zone.
  • When you drive from Atlanta to Biloxi, you gain one hour; on the drive back to Atlanta, you lose one hour. This matters when planning arrival times, check-ins, or show reservations.

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Residents and Visitors

• Road distance from Atlanta to Biloxi: about 360–380 miles
• Typical drive time: around 5.5–6.5 hours, depending on traffic and your starting point in metro Atlanta
• Closest major airport to Biloxi:Gulfport–Biloxi International Airport (GPT), about 15–20 minutes from Biloxi by car
• Flying ATL → GPT: about 1 hour in the air, plus airport and ground travel time, often totaling 3–4 hours door-to-door
• For most people in Atlanta, driving is the most straightforward and flexible option, while flying can be faster if you’re already at or near Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

With these distances and travel times in mind, you can decide whether Biloxi fits your plans as a day trip, weekend getaway, or part of a longer Gulf Coast road trip from Atlanta.