How Far Is It from Atlanta to Chattanooga? Your Complete Distance & Travel Guide

If you live in Atlanta or you’re visiting the city and looking for a quick getaway, Chattanooga, Tennessee is one of the closest mountain-city escapes. Understanding how far it is from Atlanta to Chattanooga—and how long it actually takes to get there—helps you plan day trips, weekend visits, or travel connections with confidence.

The Basic Distance from Atlanta to Chattanooga

In simple terms:

• Driving distance: About 120–135 miles
  • Most direct route: I‑75 North and I‑24 West
• Typical driving time: Around 2 to 2.5 hours in normal traffic
• Straight-line (as-the-crow-flies) distance: About 105 miles

Because most travelers go from metro Atlanta to downtown Chattanooga, the real-world distance and time will shift slightly depending on:

• Where you start in the Atlanta area (Midtown vs. Marietta vs. Airport)
• Traffic on I‑75, especially heading north out of Atlanta
• Road work, weather, and peak travel times

Atlanta to Chattanooga by Car

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

Main Driving Route

From Downtown or Midtown Atlanta:

1. Get onto I‑75 North (often via the Downtown Connector, I‑75/85).
2. Continue on I‑75 North past Marietta, Kennesaw, and Cartersville.
3. Near Dalton, follow signs for I‑24 West toward Chattanooga.
4. Stay on I‑24 West into Chattanooga.

From Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL):

1. Take I‑85 North toward Atlanta.
2. Merge onto the Downtown Connector (I‑75/85 North).
3. Continue on I‑75 North, then I‑24 West as above.

Approximate Distances from Key Atlanta Points

*Times assume normal traffic and weather. Rush hour, holidays, and major events can add significant delays.

When Traffic Affects the Trip Most

Atlanta’s well-known traffic patterns can change a 2-hour trip into 3+ hours if you leave at the wrong time. Expect heavier congestion:

• Weekday mornings: 6:30–9:30 a.m. (especially heading north out of the city)
• Weekday evenings: 3:30–7:00 p.m.
• Friday afternoons: People heading out for weekend trips
• Holiday weekends: Particularly around Thanksgiving, Christmas, spring break, and summer Fridays

🧭 Local tip: If you want a smoother drive, try leaving after 9:30 a.m. on weekdays or early Saturday/Sunday mornings.

Alternate Routes from the Atlanta Area

Most drivers stick with I‑75 North, but depending on where you live, you might use:

• GA‑400 to I‑285 to I‑75 North (from North Fulton / Sandy Springs / Roswell)
• US‑41 / Cobb Parkway to bypass some I‑75 congestion in short segments
  (can be slower overall but useful during accidents or lane closures)

These routes don’t dramatically change the total distance, but they can influence how long it feels versus sitting in dense highway traffic.

Atlanta to Chattanooga by Bus or Shuttle

There is no heavy-rail or MARTA-style direct train between Atlanta and Chattanooga. If you prefer not to drive:

Intercity Buses

Bus operators typically run service between Atlanta and Chattanooga with:

• Travel time: Usually 2.5–3.5 hours, depending on route and stops
• Departure locations in Atlanta: Often near Downtown or at established bus stations
• Arrival locations in Chattanooga: Commonly at central or near-downtown stops

Because times and locations can change, it’s important to:

• Check current schedules, pickup points, and arrival locations
• Confirm whether your bus leaves from Downtown, near MARTA, or another designated station

Atlanta Bus & Transit Hubs You Might Use

If you’re starting inside Atlanta without a car, you can often use MARTA to reach intercity bus departure points:

• Five Points MARTA Station
  30 Alabama St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  Central rail hub, easy transfer between north-south and east-west lines.

• Civic Center or Peachtree Center MARTA Stations
  Often used to access nearby bus pickup locations in Downtown/Midtown.

🎫 Tip: If you’re visiting and staying near the Atlanta Airport, you can ride MARTA directly from Airport Station (inside the domestic terminal) to downtown rail stations, then walk or transfer to the bus service.

Flying from Atlanta to Chattanooga

From a distance perspective, flying between Atlanta and Chattanooga is technically possible but not usually necessary for most travelers:

• Flight distance: Roughly 100 miles
• Airline options: Service can be limited and may involve short regional flights
• Airports:
  • Atlanta: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
    6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
  • Chattanooga: Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA)
    1001 Airport Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37421

When you factor in:

• Time to arrive early at ATL
• Security screening
• Boarding, taxiing, and deplaning
• Travel from CHA into Chattanooga

…the total door-to-door time is often similar to just driving the 2 to 2.5 hours from Atlanta.

Flying might make sense if:

• You’re connecting through Atlanta to another destination and adding Chattanooga as a leg.
• You have limited mobility or other needs that make car or bus travel uncomfortable.
• You find specific airfare that works better for your trip logistics.

How the Trip Feels from Different Parts of Metro Atlanta

Because metro Atlanta is large, your experience getting to Chattanooga can feel very different depending on your starting point:

From Intown Neighborhoods (Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, Grant Park)

• Expect about 2–2.5 hours total.
• You’ll first navigate the Downtown Connector (I‑75/85), then merge onto I‑75 North.
• Using MARTA to reach a rideshare or car rental often works well if you don’t own a car.

From the Northern Suburbs (Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Roswell, Alpharetta)

• Distance: Often slightly shorter to reach I‑75 North via I‑285.
• Drive time: Still usually around 2 hours, depending on where you enter I‑75.
• Morning and evening traffic on I‑285 can be a major factor; off-peak departures are helpful.

From the Western/Northwestern Suburbs (Smyrna, Marietta, Kennesaw)

• You’re already closer to I‑75 North, cutting some time and distance.
• Typical travel to Chattanooga: 1.75–2.25 hours in reasonable conditions.
• This area is popular for commuters who make regular trips to Chattanooga.

From the Airport Area

If you land at Hartsfield–Jackson and want to head straight to Chattanooga:

• Renting a car at ATL is the most direct option.
• You’ll drive through central Atlanta on I‑75/85 and then go north on I‑75.
• With smooth traffic, expect around 2–2.5 hours of driving after you pick up your car.

Planning a Day Trip vs. a Weekend from Atlanta

Because the distance from Atlanta to Chattanooga is relatively short, you can choose between:

As a Day Trip

A same-day round trip is realistic for many Atlanta residents and visitors:

• Leave Atlanta: 7:00–9:00 a.m.
• Arrive in Chattanooga: by late morning
• Spend the day exploring downtown, the riverfront, or attractions like Lookout Mountain.
• Return to Atlanta: Early evening or after dinner.

Driving about 4–5 hours total in one day is manageable for many travelers, but it can be tiring. Consider:

• Sharing driving responsibilities if possible.
• Avoiding super late-night returns if you have an early schedule the next day.

As a Weekend or Overnight Trip

With only about 2 hours of driving each way, an overnight stay can feel relaxed:

• Leave Atlanta on Friday afternoon or Saturday morning.
• Spend 1–2 nights in Chattanooga.
• Return to Atlanta on Sunday afternoon or evening.

This approach makes the distance feel very easy to manage and gives you more time to enjoy both cities.

Practical Tips for a Smooth Trip from Atlanta to Chattanooga

To make the relatively short distance feel even easier:

• Check traffic before leaving. Use a navigation app to see delays on I‑75 and I‑24.
• Watch weather conditions. Heavy rain or winter weather in North Georgia mountains can slow travel.
• Fuel and rest stops: Common stopping points along I‑75 between Atlanta and Chattanooga include:
  • Cartersville
  • Calhoun
  • Dalton
• Parking in both cities:
  • In Atlanta, consider MARTA or paid decks if you’re leaving your car in town.
  • In Chattanooga, downtown parking garages and lots are common near the riverfront and main attractions.

Quick Reference: Distance & Time Snapshot

• Driving distance (Atlanta ↔ Chattanooga):
  Roughly 120–135 miles depending on your exact starting point.
• Typical drive time:
  2–2.5 hours each way in normal conditions.
• Main route:
  I‑75 North from Atlanta → I‑24 West into Chattanooga.
• Other options from Atlanta:
  • Intercity bus, around 2.5–3.5 hours
  • Short flight (usually only practical in specific situations)

Once you understand that Chattanooga is only about a two-hour drive from most of Atlanta, it becomes an easy add-on to an Atlanta visit, a quick mountain-city escape for locals, or a convenient regional connection if you live anywhere in metro Atlanta.