How Far Is Brunswick from Atlanta? A Local’s Guide to the Trip

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and dreaming of the coast, Brunswick and the nearby Golden Isles (St. Simons, Jekyll Island, Sea Island) are some of the closest beaches you can reach by car. Understanding how far Brunswick is from Atlanta—and the best ways to get there—helps you plan weekend getaways, family trips, or quick escapes from the city.

Quick Answer: Distance & Travel Time

From Downtown Atlanta to Brunswick, GA:

  • Driving distance: About 300–320 miles (depending on your exact starting point in Atlanta)
  • Typical drive time: Around 4.5 to 5.5 hours in normal traffic
  • Primary route:I‑75 South → I‑16 East → I‑95 South

Here’s a simple overview:

From Atlanta AreaTo Brunswick, GAApprox. DistanceTypical Drive Time
Downtown (Five Points, GA State area)Brunswick~310 miles4.5–5 hours
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta Intl. AirportBrunswick~300 miles4.5–5 hours
North Atlanta (Buckhead, Sandy Springs)Brunswick~320 miles5–5.5 hours

Key takeaway: Brunswick is not a daytrip “around the corner”, but it’s very doable as a weekend or long-weekend drive from Atlanta.

Driving from Atlanta to Brunswick

Main Route Most Atlantans Take

Most drivers follow a straightforward interstate route:

  1. Start on I‑75/85 from central Atlanta, heading south on I‑75.
  2. Near Macon, merge onto I‑16 East toward Savannah.
  3. Closer to the coast, take I‑95 South.
  4. Follow signs toward Brunswick and the Golden Isles (Exits typically around the 30s and 40s on I‑95 in Georgia).

This route is popular because it’s:

  • Mostly interstate (faster, fewer stops)
  • Simple to navigate
  • Serviced by gas stations, rest areas, and food options along the way

How Long Does the Drive Really Take?

From Atlanta, you’ll usually spend:

  • ~1.5 hours getting from Atlanta to Macon
  • ~2 hours Macon to I‑95
  • ~1–1.5 hours down I‑95 to Brunswick

Factors that can change your travel time:

  • Rush hour in Atlanta: Morning and late afternoon traffic around the Downtown Connector (I‑75/85) and I‑285 can easily add 30–60 minutes.
  • Weekend/holiday traffic: Spring break, summer beach season, and holiday weekends can slow you down near Macon and again approaching the coast.
  • Construction or accidents: Common on the main interstates—you may want to check a navigation app before leaving.

Tips for a Smoother Drive from Atlanta 🚗

  • Leave early from Atlanta: Starting before 7:00 a.m. often avoids the worst city traffic.
  • Plan fuel and food stops:
    • The Macon area and Dublin along I‑16 are common mid-route stops.
  • Watch speed limits: Rural stretches can tempt faster driving, but enforcement is common, especially approaching small towns and on-ramps to I‑16 and I‑95.
  • Weather check: Summer thunderstorms or tropical systems near the coast can slow traffic on I‑95.

Flying from Atlanta to Brunswick

If you’d rather skip the drive, you can fly from Atlanta to Brunswick.

Airports Involved

  • Departure:Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
    6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
  • Arrival:Brunswick Golden Isles Airport (BQK)
    295 Aviation Pkwy, Brunswick, GA 31525

Flight Distance & Time

  • Approximate flight distance: About 250–270 miles by air
  • Typical flight time: Around 1 hour in the air
  • Total door-to-door time from Atlanta: Often 3–4 hours, once you include:
    • Getting to ATL (especially from inside the Perimeter)
    • Security and boarding
    • Deplaning and luggage at BQK
    • Ground transport from BQK into Brunswick or the islands

Flying makes the door-to-door time similar to driving in some cases, but it can be more comfortable and predictable, especially if you live close to the airport or don’t want to spend hours behind the wheel.

Getting to ATL from Around Atlanta

  • MARTA access:
    The Airport Station is at the south end of the Red and Gold lines, inside the Domestic Terminal.
    This is often the easiest option if you’re staying Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or near a MARTA rail line.
  • Driving and parking:
    • Long-term parking is available in airport-operated lots as well as off-site lots along Camp Creek Parkway and surrounding areas.
  • Rideshare/taxi:
    Common from central Atlanta neighborhoods—factor in traffic on I‑75/85 and I‑285, especially at peak hours.

Is There a Train or Bus from Atlanta to Brunswick?

Train (Amtrak)

There is no direct passenger train from Atlanta to Brunswick.

  • The closest Amtrak stop along the coast is typically Savannah, which is north of Brunswick.
  • To reach Brunswick from Atlanta by train, you’d have to:
    • Travel to a city with an Amtrak station serving the coastal route
    • Then find separate ground transportation (bus, shuttle, or car rental) to Brunswick

For most people in Atlanta, this is less convenient than driving or flying.

Bus Options

Long-distance bus services may offer routes between Atlanta and coastal Georgia cities, but:

  • Schedules can be limited
  • You may have to transfer, possibly in cities like Savannah or Jacksonville
  • You’ll often still need local transportation (taxi, rideshare, or rental car) once you reach near Brunswick

If you’re considering bus travel, it’s worth checking:

  • Departure locations in Atlanta (often near Downtown or the Civic Center area)
  • Whether the bus goes directly to Brunswick or stops in a nearby city instead

For most metro Atlanta residents, bus travel can be an economical option but usually takes longer and offers less flexibility than driving.

How Far Is Brunswick from Popular Atlanta Neighborhoods?

Brunswick is roughly the same distance from most parts of the metro area, but your starting point in Atlanta can add or subtract time:

  • Downtown Atlanta (Centennial Olympic Park, Five Points):
    ~310 miles / 4.5–5 hours
  • Midtown (Tech Square, Piedmont Park):
    Add about 10–20 minutes to navigate surface streets or the connector.
  • Buckhead / Lenox area:
    ~320 miles total; 5 hours or more, depending on I‑85 traffic.
  • Atlanta Airport / College Park / Hapeville:
    Slightly shorter—about 300 miles; 4.5–5 hours.
  • East Atlanta / Decatur:
    Similar to Downtown, but allow extra time for I‑20 or local traffic to reach I‑75.

If you live outside the Perimeter (for example, in Marietta, Lawrenceville, or Douglasville), expect:

  • An extra 20–45 minutes before you’re fully on your way south
  • Potential delays getting to the connector or around I‑285

Brunswick’s Location in Relation to Atlanta

Understanding where Brunswick sits can help you plan side trips:

  • Brunswick is on Georgia’s southeast coast, near:
    • St. Simons Island
    • Jekyll Island
    • Sea Island
  • It’s south of Savannah and north of Jacksonville, Florida.
  • From an Atlanta perspective, Brunswick is part of the closest true coastal region you can reach without leaving the state.

If you’re visiting Atlanta and wondering about a side trip:

  • A same-day “there and back” is technically possible but not ideal—you’d spend 9–11 hours in the car.
  • Most travelers from Atlanta treat Brunswick and the Golden Isles as:
    • A weekend beach destination
    • A long-weekend extension to an Atlanta-based vacation
    • A midway stop on a longer road trip down the East Coast

Practical Planning Tips from Atlanta

When to Leave Atlanta

  • Best times to depart:
    • Early morning (before 7:00 a.m.)
    • Midday on non-holiday weekdays
  • Times to avoid, if possible:
    • Friday afternoons leaving Atlanta
    • Holiday weekends (Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day) in both directions

What Atlantans Often Do

Many Atlanta residents:

  • Drive down Friday afternoon or evening
  • Spend Saturday and Sunday in Brunswick or on the nearby islands
  • Drive back Sunday evening or Monday morning

If you prefer less traffic:

  • Consider a Thursday–Sunday or Saturday–Tuesday trip.

Parking and Getting Around Brunswick

  • If you drive from Atlanta, having your own car makes it much easier to:
    • Get from Brunswick to St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island
    • Reach beaches, restaurants, and nature areas that are spread out
  • If you fly from Atlanta, expect to:
    • Use taxis, rideshare, or rental cars from Brunswick Golden Isles Airport (BQK).

Summary: What Atlantans Should Know

  • Distance: About 300–320 miles from Atlanta to Brunswick, GA.
  • Drive time: Typically 4.5–5.5 hours, depending on traffic and your starting point.
  • Main route:I‑75 South → I‑16 East → I‑95 South.
  • Flying: About 1 hour in the air from ATL to BQK, plus airport time and ground transport.
  • Best for: Weekend or long-weekend trips from Atlanta to the Georgia coast and Golden Isles.

If you live in or are visiting Atlanta and want the closest Georgia beaches, Brunswick is one of the most practical and popular coastal destinations within a half day’s travel.