How Far Is Birmingham, Alabama From Atlanta (And What’s the Best Way to Get There)?

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and wondering, “How far is Birmingham from Atlanta?”, the answer is fairly simple — but how long it feels depends on the route and mode of travel you choose.

This guide breaks down distance, drive time, bus and train options, and practical tips specifically for people living in or visiting Atlanta.

The Basic Distance: Atlanta to Birmingham

On average, Birmingham, Alabama is about 145–150 miles west of Atlanta.

Most travelers use this as the standard route:

  • Starting point in Atlanta: Downtown or Midtown (around Peachtree Center / Georgia State Capitol area)
  • Destination in Birmingham: Downtown Birmingham (around Linn Park / City Center)

Typical Travel Time

  • By car: About 2 to 2.5 hours in normal traffic
  • By bus: Around 2.5 to 3.5 hours, depending on stops and schedule
  • By train: Usually around 4 to 4.5 hours (when service and schedule align)

Actual time can vary with I-20 traffic, construction, and weather, especially around downtown Atlanta and Birmingham city limits.

Driving From Atlanta to Birmingham

For most people in Atlanta, driving is the fastest and most flexible way to get to Birmingham.

Main Driving Route

The most direct route is almost entirely on Interstate 20 (I-20):

  1. From Downtown Atlanta, get onto I-20 West (via the Downtown Connector I-75/85).
  2. Stay on I-20 West for roughly 140 miles, passing
    • Douglasville
    • Carrollton/Villa Rica exits
    • Tallapoosa (GA/AL border area)
    • Anniston/Oxford, AL
  3. As you approach Birmingham, follow signs for I-20 / I-59 West toward Downtown Birmingham.

Approximate driving distance:~147 miles
Typical no-stress drive time:2 to 2.5 hours

What Atlanta Drivers Should Know

  • Rush hour in Atlanta:
    • Leaving between 7–9 a.m. or 4–7 p.m. can add 30+ minutes just getting onto I-20.
    • If possible, aim to leave after 9 a.m. or after 7 p.m. from central Atlanta.
  • Traffic pinch points:
    • The Downtown Connector (I-75/85) near Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena
    • The I-20 / I-285 interchanges on the west side of Atlanta
  • Speed enforcement:
    • Speed limits are closely enforced near small towns along I-20, especially near the Georgia–Alabama state line.

Parking in Birmingham

If you’re driving from Atlanta, you’ll typically find:

  • Downtown parking garages and surface lots near:
    • Uptown entertainment district
    • Protective Stadium
    • Regions Field
  • On-street metered parking in many central areas during business hours.

Most Atlanta visitors find Birmingham easier to park in than downtown Atlanta, especially outside weekday business hours.

Quick Comparison: Travel Options From Atlanta to Birmingham

Mode of TravelApprox. TimeApprox. DistanceBest For
Car (I-20 W)2–2.5 hours~147 milesFlexibility, day trips, multi-stop travel
Bus2.5–3.5 hours~150 milesBudget travelers, no need to drive
Train (Amtrak)4–4.5 hours~150 milesScenic, relaxed travel with no driving

Taking the Bus: Atlanta to Birmingham

If you’d rather not drive, bus service between Atlanta and Birmingham is a common choice.

Typical Bus Experience

Most bus routes:

  • Travel roughly the same distance as driving (around 145–150 miles)
  • Take about 2.5 to 3.5 hours, depending on:
    • Route (direct vs. with stops)
    • Time of day
    • Traffic getting out of Atlanta

Buses generally use I-20 West, just like car travelers.

Where Buses Typically Depart in Atlanta

Intercity buses commonly depart from the downtown and westside areas of Atlanta. Over time, services may move between different bus terminals and curbside stops, often near:

  • Downtown Atlanta transit corridors
  • Areas with access to MARTA rail or bus lines

If you’re in Atlanta without a car, you can usually reach bus departure points via:

  • MARTA Rail:
    • Five Points Station (Downtown hub)
    • Garnett Station (near several intercity bus stops)
  • MARTA Bus routes that feed into central Atlanta

📝 Tip for Atlanta travelers:
Always double-check your exact bus stop location, arrival time, and boarding instructions before leaving home, especially if you’re connecting by MARTA.

Taking the Train: Atlanta to Birmingham

Amtrak provides passenger rail service between the two cities.

What to Expect by Train

  • Route: Atlanta → Birmingham on a long-distance line that continues beyond both cities
  • Travel time: Typically around 4–4.5 hours
  • Distance: Similar to driving (about 150 miles), but rail routes can add a bit of time

The train is usually slower than driving but can be appealing if you want to:

  • Avoid traffic and parking
  • Work, read, or relax during the trip
  • Enjoy a more scenic, low-stress ride

Atlanta Amtrak Station

  • Atlanta Amtrak Station
    1688 Peachtree St NW
    Atlanta, GA 30309

This station is in Midtown/Upper Midtown, near the Peachtree Corridor.

Getting there from around Atlanta:

  • By MARTA Rail + Bus/Rideshare
    • Nearest MARTA rail stations: Arts Center or Lindbergh Center
    • From either station, you can use a rideshare, taxi, or local bus along Peachtree Street.
  • By car
    • Limited parking is sometimes available near the station area; many Atlanta travelers prefer drop-off/pick-up instead of leaving a car there long-term.

🕒 Important:
Train schedules between Atlanta and Birmingham may involve odd hours or limited frequency, so it’s important to verify:

  • Departure time from Atlanta
  • Arrival time in Birmingham
  • Any seasonal or schedule changes

Flying From Atlanta to Birmingham: Is It Worth It?

The straight-line (“as-the-crow-flies”) distance between Atlanta and Birmingham is roughly 140 miles, but flying is rarely the most practical choice for this specific route.

Why Most Atlanta Travelers Don’t Fly This Route

While Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is a major hub, most people find that:

  • Door-to-door time by plane (check-in, security, boarding, taxiing, deplaning) can equal or exceed the 2–2.5 hour drive.
  • By the time you:
    • Get to ATL from your home/hotel in Atlanta
    • Clear security
    • Board, fly, and disembark in Birmingham
    • Then travel from Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport into downtown Birmingham
      …driving or taking a bus is often faster and simpler, especially for short trips.

Flying might only make sense if:

  • You’re connecting to or from another flight through Birmingham
  • You’re using airline credits or specific corporate travel requirements
  • You strongly prefer flying over road or rail travel

How Long Does It Feel From an Atlanta Perspective?

Day Trip Feasibility

From Atlanta, Birmingham works well as a day trip, especially by car:

  • Leave Atlanta around 8–9 a.m.
  • Arrive in Birmingham late morning
  • Spend 5–7 hours exploring
  • Drive back, arriving in Atlanta early to mid-evening

Many Atlanta residents use this route for:

  • SEC sports events and college games
  • Concerts, festivals, and special events
  • Visiting family or students in the Birmingham area

Atlanta Neighborhood Starting Points

Your total travel time also depends on where you start in metro Atlanta:

  • Midtown / Downtown Atlanta:
    • Easiest direct access to I-20 West
    • You’re already close to main I-20 ramps
  • Buckhead, Brookhaven, or Sandy Springs:
    • Add 15–30 minutes to reach I-20, depending on traffic
  • Eastside (Decatur, Stone Mountain, Lithonia):
    • You’ll cross the metro area westbound, often facing heavier east-west traffic
  • Hartsfield-Jackson Airport area / South Atlanta:
    • Fairly direct access to the Downtown Connector and I-20 West
    • Can be quick if you time it outside peak hours

Practical Tips for Atlanta Travelers Going to Birmingham

1. Choose Your Departure Time Carefully

  • Avoid leaving central Atlanta at peak rush hours if possible.
  • For smoother driving, many locals aim for:
    • Mid-morning departures (after 9 a.m.)
    • Late evening departures (after 7 p.m.)

2. Plan for Stops Along I-20

Between Atlanta and Birmingham, there are multiple exits with gas, food, and restrooms, including:

  • Douglasville area (west of Atlanta)
  • Villa Rica / Carrollton exits
  • Tallapoosa (near the state line)
  • Oxford/Anniston area in Alabama

These can be useful if you’re traveling with kids, pets, or need a short break.

3. Consider Atlanta Traffic Patterns

From Atlanta’s perspective, the most time-consuming part of the trip can be:

  • Getting onto I-20 West from dense areas like:
    • Midtown, Downtown, or Buckhead
  • Navigating I-285 interchanges if you’re coming from outer suburbs

Checking a real-time traffic app before departure can help you decide whether to:

  • Take a more direct but possibly congested route
  • Use I-285 to bypass part of central congestion, depending on your starting point

4. If You Don’t Have a Car in Atlanta

Common approaches include:

  • Bus: Often the most affordable option
  • Train: More relaxed, but schedules can be less flexible
  • Car rental from Atlanta:
    • Available around Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, Midtown, and Buckhead
    • Can be cost-effective for a short overnight trip or busy event days

Key Takeaways for Atlanta-Based Travelers

  • Distance: Birmingham, Alabama is roughly 145–150 miles from Atlanta, Georgia.
  • Driving time: Expect about 2 to 2.5 hours via I-20 West, depending on traffic.
  • Bus and train: Both are available options, generally slower than driving but convenient if you prefer not to drive.
  • Flying: Usually not time-efficient between Atlanta and Birmingham unless you’re connecting flights.
  • From an Atlanta viewpoint: This is a comfortable day trip or quick overnight, especially if you plan around Atlanta rush hour traffic.

If you’re in Atlanta and want to get to Birmingham, think of it as a straight shot west on I-20, just far enough to feel like a change of scenery, but close enough to do in a single day.