How Far Is Colorado From Atlanta? Your Practical Travel Guide From Georgia to the Rockies

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and thinking about a trip to Colorado—for skiing, hiking, or a change of scenery—it helps to know exactly how far it is, how long it takes to get there, and the best ways to travel.

This guide breaks it down clearly for travelers who live in Atlanta, are visiting Atlanta and flying out, or are just trying to understand Atlanta-to-Colorado travel options.

Big Picture: Distance From Atlanta to Colorado

Because Colorado is a whole state, the distance depends on where you’re headed. Most travelers from Atlanta go to one of a few popular spots, especially Denver, Colorado Springs, or ski towns like Breckenridge.

Here are approximate distances from downtown Atlanta:

Key takeaway:
From Atlanta, Colorado is roughly 1,200–1,500 miles away, depending on your exact destination.

Flying From Atlanta to Colorado

For most people in Atlanta, flying is the fastest and easiest way to get to Colorado.

Main Departure Point in Atlanta

If you’re flying, you’ll almost certainly leave from:

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
Main information line: (800) 897-1910 (airport info)

ATL is a major hub, which means there are frequent flights to major Colorado cities, especially Denver.

How Long Is the Flight?

From Atlanta to Denver International Airport (DEN):

• Distance: ~1,200 miles by air
• Nonstop flight time: usually about 3 to 3.5 hours in the air
• Total airport-to-airport time: often 4–5 hours when you include boarding, taxiing, and deplaning

To other Colorado destinations:

• Colorado Springs (COS): Often involves one stop; total travel time usually 5–7 hours including layovers.
• Smaller mountain airports (like Vail/Eagle or Aspen): Often have one or more connections from Atlanta and are more seasonal. Total travel time can range from 5 to 9 hours, depending on routing.

When Nonstop Flights Are Most Available

From Atlanta, nonstop flights to Denver are typically:

• Available year-round
• More frequent during peak travel times, like winter ski season and summer vacation months

If you’re planning a ski trip or spring break from Atlanta, it’s worth checking nonstop options early, especially around school holidays in the Atlanta area.

Driving From Atlanta to Colorado

If you prefer a road trip—or want to bring outdoor gear, pets, or camping supplies—you can drive from Atlanta to Colorado. It’s a long but doable multi-state road trip.

How Far Is Colorado by Car From Atlanta?

Distances by road (starting from central Atlanta):

• Atlanta to Denver: about 1,400–1,450 miles
• Atlanta to Colorado Springs: about 1,350–1,400 miles
• Atlanta to the Colorado state line (eastern border): around 1,100–1,200 miles, depending on route

How Long Does the Drive Take?

Actual driving time (not counting long stops):

• To Denver: Usually 20–22 hours of driving
• To Colorado Springs: About 19–21 hours
• To the Colorado border: Around 17–19 hours

Most Atlanta drivers split this into 2 or even 3 days rather than driving straight through. That’s especially true if you’re traveling with kids or planning to arrive in Colorado rested enough to enjoy the mountains.

Common Driving Routes From Atlanta to Colorado

Most routes from Atlanta to Colorado use a mix of interstates you’re likely familiar with if you’ve driven out of Georgia before.

Typical I-20 Route (Popular From Atlanta)

A common route to Denver from Atlanta looks roughly like this:

1. I-20 West from Atlanta through:
   • Alabama (via Birmingham)
   • Mississippi (via Meridian & Jackson)
   • Louisiana (via Shreveport)
2. Connect north and west through Texas and Oklahoma (exact interstates can vary based on your GPS)
3. Continue into Colorado, ending at Denver or your specific city

This route:

• Stays mostly on major highways
• Passes through several larger cities where you can find hotel stops, food, and fuel without much trouble

I-75/I-24/I-70 Route (Alternate)

Another option:

1. I-75 North from Atlanta toward Chattanooga
2. I-24 West through Tennessee
3. I-64 & I-70 West through states like:
   • Kentucky
   • Illinois
   • Missouri
   • Kansas
4. Continue on I-70 into eastern Colorado and on to Denver

This route can be slightly different in mileage and elevation patterns but is also built around major interstates.

Comparing Travel Options: Fly vs. Drive From Atlanta to Colorado

Here’s a quick side-by-side summary that’s helpful if you’re starting in Atlanta and deciding how to go:

From Atlanta, most short trips to Colorado make more sense by plane, while a longer vacation or a move may justify driving.

Traveling From Specific Atlanta Areas to Colorado

If You’re Staying In or Near Downtown/Midtown Atlanta

You’ll likely:

• Head directly to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) by:
  • MARTA rail (the Red or Gold Line goes directly to the airport station)
  • Rideshare, taxi, or driving and parking in airport lots

Door-to-door time from midtown Atlanta to landing in Denver is often around 6–7 hours total, factoring:

• ~25–40 minutes MARTA or drive to ATL
• Security and boarding (arriving 1.5–2 hours before departure is common)
• ~3–3.5 hour flight

If You’re Coming From the Atlanta Suburbs

From areas like Marietta, Sandy Springs, Decatur, or McDonough, planning your timing around rush hour is important if you’re catching a flight west.

• Morning flights to Colorado from ATL can be affected by weekday rush-hour traffic on:
  • I-285
  • I-75
  • I-85
  • GA-400
• Build in extra drive time if you need to cross the Perimeter or head south past the Downtown Connector to reach the airport.

For long drives from these suburbs, you may:

• Use I-285 to connect to your preferred westbound interstate (often I-20 or I-75), then follow your planned route to Colorado.
• Consider leaving very early in the morning or after Atlanta’s evening rush to avoid starting your 1,400-mile drive in heavy traffic.

What About Time Zones?

Atlanta is in the Eastern Time Zone, while Colorado is in the Mountain Time Zone.

• Colorado is 2 hours behind Atlanta.

So if:

• Your flight leaves Atlanta at 10:00 a.m., and it’s a 3-hour flight, you’ll land in Denver around 11:00 a.m. Colorado time.
• For driving, your clocks will shift as you cross time zones, but the actual driving time is still around 19–22 hours, regardless of the clock change.

This matters if you’re:

• Booking ski lessons
• Planning business meetings
• Setting hotel check-in times after arrival

From Atlanta, it often feels like you “gain time” going west and “lose time” coming back.

Getting Around Once You Reach Colorado

How you travel within Colorado once you arrive depends partly on how you leave Atlanta.

If You Fly From Atlanta

At large Colorado airports like Denver International (DEN):

• Car rentals are commonly used by Atlanta travelers heading to:
  • Ski resorts (Breckenridge, Keystone, Vail, etc.)
  • National parks or mountain towns
• Shuttle services often connect Denver to major ski areas, especially in winter.

If you live in Atlanta and are used to MARTA, note that Colorado’s public transit options are generally more limited outside of major urban areas like Denver, so many visitors rely on a rental car.

If You Drive From Atlanta

If you drive your own car from Atlanta:

• You can immediately continue on to:
  • Denver and the Front Range cities
  • Mountain towns along I-70
  • Southern Colorado (Pueblo, Colorado Springs, etc.)
• Be prepared for:
  • Higher elevations than you’re used to in Georgia
  • Changing weather, especially in winter and early spring

Seasonal Considerations for Atlanta-to-Colorado Travel

Winter Trips (Ski Season)

From Atlanta, winter is a popular time to go to Colorado for skiing and snowboarding.

Key points:

• Flights: Can be busier and often more expensive around:
  • Winter holidays
  • Atlanta school breaks
• Driving: Long road trips from Atlanta can involve:
  • Snow or ice in higher-elevation parts of Colorado
  • Occasional highway closures in mountain passes

If you’re used to Atlanta’s relatively mild winters, be prepared for more intense winter conditions once you approach and enter Colorado.

Summer Trips

Summer is also popular for:

• Hiking
• National park visits
• Cooler mountain weather compared to Atlanta’s humidity

Driving from Atlanta in summer typically avoids winter-weather hazards, but:

• Western states can still have sudden thunderstorms
• Heat can affect long driving days, especially in Texas, Oklahoma, or Kansas routes

Practical Planning Tips for Atlanta Residents

Here are some Atlanta-focused tips when planning how far and how long the trip will really feel:

• 🛫 For flights:

  • Plan to arrive at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport at least 1.5–2 hours before your scheduled departure to Colorado.
  • Consider MARTA from downtown, midtown, or Buckhead to avoid parking and traffic.

• 🚗 For drives:

  • Leaving before sunrise from Atlanta can help you clear metro traffic and put hours behind you toward Alabama and beyond.
  • Map out overnight stops in larger cities along your route (for example, in Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, or Missouri/Kansas, depending on the route you choose).

• ⏱️ Time expectations:

  • Even though Colorado is only about 3 hours away by plane from Atlanta, your full door-to-door time may feel more like 6–8 hours.
  • By car, expect multiple long days of driving and plan rest, fuel, and food stops in advance.

In simple terms, for someone in Atlanta, Georgia, Colorado is roughly 1,200–1,500 miles away, about 3 hours by plane or roughly 20 hours by car. How you choose to travel depends on your budget, schedule, and whether you want a quick flight from ATL or a cross-country road trip from Atlanta to the Rockies.