How Far Is Daytona Beach From Atlanta? Your Practical Guide From the ATL

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and daydreaming about a quick beach escape, Daytona Beach, Florida is one of the closest Atlantic Ocean options. Understanding how far Daytona Beach is from Atlanta—and how to get there—helps you plan everything from a weekend trip to a longer vacation.

Below is a clear breakdown of distance, drive time, routes, flights, and travel tips specifically for people starting in or around Atlanta.

How Far Is Daytona Beach From Atlanta?

In simple terms:

• Driving distance: About 460–480 miles (one way), depending on your exact starting point in metro Atlanta and your route.
• Typical drive time: Around 6.5 to 7.5 hours in normal traffic.
• Flight distance (as the crow flies): Roughly 360 miles.

Most Atlanta travelers treat Daytona Beach as a full-day drive or a short flight plus drive from a nearby Florida airport.

Driving From Atlanta to Daytona Beach

For most people in Atlanta, driving is the most common way to get to Daytona Beach. You can leave from downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or the suburbs and be on the beach the same day.

Main Driving Route From Atlanta

The most typical route from central Atlanta (Downtown/Midtown) is:

1. Take I-75 South out of Atlanta.
2. Continue on I-75 S toward Macon.
3. Transition to I-16 East near Macon.
4. Take I-95 South near Savannah.
5. Continue on I-95 S into Florida.
6. Exit toward Daytona Beach (usually via I-4 or local connecting highways like US-92, depending on your GPS).

This is usually the fastest major-highway route, with plenty of services along the way.

Approximate Time and Distance Overview

You can use this as a quick reference starting from Downtown Atlanta (e.g., near the Georgia State Capitol):

Times can stretch during holiday weekends, race events in Daytona, spring break, or heavy traffic leaving metro Atlanta.

Best Time of Day to Drive From Atlanta

Because Atlanta traffic can be heavy, when you leave matters almost as much as how far you’re going.

From an Atlanta perspective:

• Leave early morning (5–7 a.m.)

  • Often beats the worst of I-75 rush hour through the city and southern suburbs.
  • You can usually be out of metro Atlanta before the heaviest morning congestion.

• Avoid weekday late afternoons (3–7 p.m.)

  • Southbound I-75 through Downtown, Midtown, and the I-285 interchanges can be slow.
  • This can easily add 30–60 minutes to your trip.

• Weekend mornings are often more relaxed:

  • Many Atlanta families heading to Florida leave Saturday at dawn to maximize beach time.

Alternate Driving Routes From Different Parts of Metro Atlanta

Depending on where you live or are staying in the Atlanta area, your GPS might suggest slightly different ways to get out of town.

From North Atlanta (Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta)

• Use GA-400 South or I-75/I-85 South into central Atlanta.
• Then merge onto I-75 South, following the main route described above.
• Allow extra time for congestion through the Downtown Connector (I-75/85).

From West or Northwest Atlanta (Marietta, Kennesaw, Smyrna)

• Take I-75 South directly from Cobb County.
• Continue south through the city and follow I-75 → I-16 → I-95.
• You avoid some of the I-285 loops by staying on I-75.

From South or East Metro (Decatur, Stone Mountain, Stockbridge, McDonough)

• You may be closer to I-20 or I-675.
• Common options:
  • I-675 South to rejoin I-75 South, then continue toward Macon.
  • From DeKalb/Decatur, use I-20 East to I-285 South, then I-75 South.

In all cases, most Atlantans ultimately funnel onto I-75 South toward Macon before heading for I-16 and I-95.

How Far Is Daytona Beach From Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport?

If you’re flying into Atlanta and driving from the airport:

• Starting point: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), just south of downtown.
• Driving distance to Daytona Beach: Roughly 450–470 miles.
• Typical drive time: Around 6.5–7 hours, depending on traffic as you leave the airport area.

From the airport:

1. Follow signs to I-85 North / I-75 South.
2. Merge onto I-75 South.
3. Then continue with the standard I-75 → I-16 → I-95 route.

ATL is located at:

• 6000 N Terminal Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30320
• Main information line: (800) 897-1910 (check current info if needed)

Flying From Atlanta to Daytona Beach

There are times when Atlantans prefer to fly instead of drive, especially for quick trips.

Direct vs. Indirect Flights

• Direct flights from Atlanta (ATL) to Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) may not always be available year-round or daily.
• In many cases, travelers from Atlanta:
  • Fly nonstop to Orlando (MCO), Jacksonville (JAX), or Orlando Sanford (SFB).
  • Then drive 1–2 hours to Daytona Beach.

Approximate driving times from nearby airports to Daytona:

• From Orlando (MCO): ~1–1.5 hours
• From Jacksonville (JAX): ~1.5–2 hours
• From Orlando Sanford (SFB): ~45–60 minutes

Typical Flight Time

• Atlanta to central/north Florida: About 1–1.5 hours in the air, plus security, boarding, and travel to/from each airport.
• When you add airport time and then a drive at the Florida end, total door-to-door time can be 4–6 hours, similar in length to driving—but with less time behind the wheel.

Bus and Coach Travel From Atlanta to Daytona Beach

If you prefer not to drive or fly, intercity buses can be an option:

• Some coach companies run routes from Atlanta to destinations in central and north Florida, sometimes with a transfer in Jacksonville, Orlando, or another hub.
• Travel time is often 8–10 hours or more, depending on stops and routing.

Buses commonly depart from or near:

• Atlanta Bus Station (downtown/central area)
  232 Forsyth St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303

Bus schedules and availability can change, so it’s important to check current options if you’re planning this approach.

How the Trip Fits Into a Typical Atlanta Schedule

For someone based in Atlanta, the distance to Daytona Beach makes it a realistic:

• Long weekend trip:

  • Leave Friday morning or early afternoon, arrive by evening.
  • Spend Saturday and Sunday at the beach.
  • Drive back Sunday evening or Monday.

• Extended vacation:

  • Many Atlantans pair Daytona with other Florida stops—such as Orlando, St. Augustine, or Jacksonville—since all are within a few hours of each other once you’re already in Florida.

Because the drive is 6.5–7.5 hours, it’s just on the edge of what many people consider comfortable for a same-day down-and-back trip, so most choose at least an overnight stay.

Key Tips for Atlanta Travelers Headed to Daytona Beach

Here are a few Atlanta-specific planning tips to make the distance feel more manageable:

• Plan around Atlanta traffic:
  • Aim to be south of I-285 before the main morning or evening rush if possible.
• Use rest stops strategically:
  • Cities like Macon and Savannah make natural halfway or stretch-stop points along I-75 and I-16.
• Watch for school and holiday calendars:
  • Spring break, Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day can mean heavier traffic leaving Atlanta and heavier crowds in Daytona Beach.
• Weather awareness:
  • Hurricane season in Florida generally runs late summer to fall; Atlantans often check both Georgia coastal and central Florida forecasts before leaving.

Is Daytona Beach a Reasonable Weekend Trip From Atlanta?

Yes. From Atlanta, Daytona Beach is:

• Farther than the Georgia coast (like Tybee Island or Jekyll Island),
• But closer than many South Florida beaches.

At roughly 460–480 miles and 6.5–7.5 hours of driving, it’s a practical long-weekend destination if you’re comfortable with a half-day drive each way or a short flight plus a smaller drive from a Florida airport.

As long as you plan your departure time to avoid the worst of Atlanta’s traffic and build in rest stops, the distance from Atlanta to Daytona Beach is very manageable for both local residents and visitors using Atlanta as their starting point.