How Far Is It From Birmingham to Atlanta? Your Distance, Time, and Travel Guide

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and planning a trip to Birmingham, Alabama, or you’re visiting Atlanta and considering a quick side trip, it helps to know exactly how far it is, how long it takes, and the best ways to get there.

Below is a clear, Atlanta-focused guide to the distance from Birmingham to Atlanta, your main travel options, and what to expect along the way.

The Basic Distance: Birmingham to Atlanta

The distance between Atlanta, GA and Birmingham, AL depends slightly on your starting and ending points, but here are the typical measurements most travelers use:

• Driving distance: About 145–150 miles
• Driving time: About 2 to 2.5 hours in normal traffic
• Straight-line (air) distance: Around 140 miles

Most people in Atlanta travel between the Downtown/Midtown area and Downtown Birmingham, so those numbers are a good reference point.

Quick Trip Summary

Driving From Atlanta to Birmingham

For most Atlanta residents and visitors, driving is the simplest and most flexible option.

Main Driving Route

• Primary route:I-20 West from Atlanta to Birmingham
• Start: From Downtown Atlanta, you’ll typically get on I-20 W near the Downtown Connector (I-75/85).
• End: Arrive near Downtown Birmingham via I-20/59.

This route is mostly straightforward interstate driving and is the one most Atlanta drivers use.

How Long Does the Drive Take?

Under typical conditions:

• Normal daytime (non-rush hour):
  About 2 hours to 2 hours 15 minutes
• Peak traffic leaving Atlanta (weekday mornings or afternoons):
  Can stretch to 2.5 hours or slightly more
• Late night or early morning:
  Often closer to the 2-hour mark

Because you’re leaving a major metro area, Atlanta traffic patterns matter more than traffic near Birmingham when estimating your total time.

When Does Atlanta Traffic Impact the Trip?

If you’re leaving from Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or near the Perimeter (I-285), plan for extra time during:

• Weekday mornings: ~6:30 a.m.–9:30 a.m. (westbound traffic leaving the city can slow near interchanges)
• Weekday afternoons/evenings: ~3:30 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
• Holiday travel periods (especially around major holidays and big local events)

💡 Tip: If your schedule is flexible, try to get on I-20 West either:

• Before 7:00 a.m., or
• After 7:00 p.m.
  to reduce congestion time in and around Atlanta.

Atlanta Starting Points: How It Changes Travel Time

Your actual trip time can vary depending on where you are in the Atlanta area:

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

  • Distance to Birmingham: Similar to starting from Downtown, sometimes a few miles shorter
  • Travel time: About 2 hours in light traffic
  • Advantage: Easy access to I-285 and I-20.

• Midtown / Downtown Atlanta

  • Distance to Birmingham: ~145–150 miles
  • Travel time: 2–2.5 hours, depending on congestion near the Downtown Connector.

• North Atlanta / Buckhead / Sandy Springs

  • You’ll often use I-75/85 or GA 400 to connect to I-20 West.
  • Add around 15–30 minutes to account for city and connector traffic.

• Westside (e.g., West Midtown, Cascade, Six Flags area)

  • You may be closer to I-20 West entrances.
  • Travel time can be slightly shorter compared with leaving from east or north of the city.

Bus Travel: Atlanta to Birmingham Without Driving

If you’re in Atlanta and don’t want to drive, an intercity bus is a realistic option.

Where Buses Typically Depart in Atlanta

Most major bus lines serving Birmingham use stations or stops close to the city core, such as:

• Downtown Atlanta bus terminals or nearby stops
  (These can change over time, so it’s best to confirm the exact address and check-in instructions when buying a ticket.)

From central Atlanta, expect:

• Travel time: Typically 2.5 to 3.5 hours depending on the service, number of stops, and traffic.
• Distance: Similar to driving (~145–150 miles) as they primarily use I-20 West.

📝 What Atlanta riders usually consider:

• Cost: Bus is often more budget-friendly than flying and sometimes cheaper than fuel and parking for solo travelers.
• Convenience: No need to handle long-distance driving or interstate traffic.
• Flexibility: Fewer departure times than driving yourself, so schedules matter more.

If you’re visiting Atlanta and staying near Downtown or Midtown, taking a bus can be especially convenient since you often won’t need a car at all.

Flying From Atlanta (ATL) to Birmingham (BHM)

Flying between Atlanta’s Hartsfield–Jackson (ATL) and Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) is technically the fastest in-air option, but not always the quickest end-to-end for such a short distance.

Distance and Flight Time

• Air distance: Around 140 miles
• Time in the air: Usually 45–60 minutes

When you factor in:

• Getting to ATL
• Early arrival for check-in and security (often at least 1–1.5 hours before departure)
• Baggage claim and ground transportation in Birmingham

…the total door-to-door time often becomes similar to, or even longer than, driving, especially if you’re starting from central Atlanta.

When Flying Might Make Sense

From an Atlanta perspective, flying to Birmingham may be more attractive if:

• You’re connecting to another flight in Birmingham.
• You have business that requires flying due to company policy.
• You earn or use loyalty rewards and value the points or miles.
• You’re already at Hartsfield–Jackson for another trip and adding Birmingham as a leg.

For most Atlanta residents planning a simple visit to Birmingham, driving is generally more straightforward.

Practical Tips for an Atlanta–Birmingham Trip

1. Plan Around Atlanta’s Side of the Trip

Because Atlanta is the larger and busier metro area, plan your departure time with local traffic in mind, especially if you’re:

• Leaving from Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or Perimeter
• Traveling on I-285 to reach I-20 West

Even if Birmingham traffic is light, delays leaving Atlanta can shape your entire schedule.

2. Build in a Buffer for Appointments or Events

If you have a fixed-time commitment in Birmingham (like a game, concert, or meeting), consider:

• Leaving at least 30–45 minutes earlier than your mapping app suggests, especially during busy times.
• Watching live traffic conditions shortly before you depart.

Because the distance is only around 150 miles, a small slowdown near Atlanta can feel like a big percentage of your total trip.

3. Consider Fuel, Tolls, and Parking

• Fuel: A round trip (Atlanta ↔ Birmingham) is roughly 300 miles, which is manageable for a single tank in many vehicles.
• Tolls: The I-20 route between Atlanta and Birmingham does not typically involve tolls, which keeps costs predictable.
• Parking:
  • In Atlanta, if you’re leaving your car and taking a bus or flight, check parking options near your departure point.
  • In Birmingham, downtown and major venues usually offer surface lots or garages, often easier to navigate than central Atlanta garages.

How Atlanta Visitors Can Use This Trip

If you’re visiting Atlanta and wondering whether Birmingham is close enough for an easy side trip, the answer is yes:

• It’s close enough for a same-day round trip from Atlanta.
• You can leave after breakfast, spend much of the day in Birmingham, and return to Atlanta that evening, depending on your plans and comfort with driving.

Many travelers staying in central Atlanta treat Birmingham as one of the more straightforward regional road trips because:

• The route is mostly single-interstate travel (I-20 West).
• The distance is relatively short compared with other regional cities.

If you don’t want to rent a car, you can compare bus schedules with your Atlanta itinerary and decide whether a 2.5–3.5 hour bus ride fits your plans.

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Travelers

• Distance: About 145–150 miles from Atlanta to Birmingham by road, roughly 140 miles by air.
• Driving time: Usually 2 to 2.5 hours, depending mainly on Atlanta traffic when you depart.
• Best route by car:I-20 West from the Atlanta area straight into Birmingham.
• Without a car: Intercity buses connect Atlanta and Birmingham in roughly 2.5–3.5 hours.
• Flying: About 45–60 minutes in the air, but total time often equals or exceeds driving once airport steps are included.

Understanding the distance and realistic travel time from Birmingham to Atlanta helps you plan everything from quick day trips to regional business travel, all with Atlanta as your home base or starting point.