How Far Is Louisiana From Atlanta? A Practical Guide for Atlanta Travelers

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and wondering how far it is to Louisiana—whether for a quick road trip, visiting family, or planning a Gulf Coast getaway—the answer depends on where in Louisiana you’re headed and how you plan to travel.

Below is a clear breakdown from an Atlanta starting point, with real-world distances, travel times, and options.

How Far Is Louisiana From Atlanta by Car?

Because Louisiana is a neighboring state to Georgia (with Alabama in between), driving is one of the most common ways Atlanta residents and visitors get there.

Approximate Driving Distances & Times From Atlanta

From Downtown Atlanta (Five Points area) to major Louisiana destinations:

*Times assume normal conditions with brief stops; traffic, construction, and weather can change this.

Main Driving Corridors From Atlanta

From the Atlanta metro, two interstates are especially important:

• I‑20 West

  • Best for northern Louisiana (Shreveport, Monroe).
  • Runs west from Downtown Atlanta, passing through Douglasville, Villa Rica, and into Alabama.

• I‑85 South / I‑65 South / I‑10 West

  • Best for southern Louisiana (New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette).
  • Typical pattern from Atlanta:
    1. Take I‑85 S toward Montgomery.
    2. Pick up I‑65 S in Montgomery toward Mobile.
    3. Connect to I‑10 W near Mobile, then drive west into Louisiana.

👉 Local tip: When leaving from Midtown, Downtown, or Buckhead, build in time for I‑75/85 connector traffic, especially during weekday rush hours and event days near Mercedes‑Benz Stadium or State Farm Arena.

How Far Is Louisiana From Atlanta by Air?

If you’re flying out of Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Louisiana, distances are measured in air miles and travel times are much shorter than driving.

Typical Flight Distances and Times

From ATL to major Louisiana airports:

• Atlanta to New Orleans (MSY)

  • Distance: roughly 425–450 air miles
  • Nonstop flight time: about 1.5 hours in the air

• Atlanta to Baton Rouge (BTR)

  • Distance: roughly 450–475 air miles
  • Nonstop flight time: around 1.5 hours

• Atlanta to Shreveport (SHV)

  • Distance: roughly 540–560 air miles
  • Nonstop flight time: about 1.5–2 hours

• Atlanta to Lafayette (LFT)

  • Distance: roughly 500–525 air miles
  • Often requires a connection, usually 3–4+ hours total travel time

Keep in mind that total trip time also includes:

• Getting to ATL (MARTA, rideshare, or parking)
• Check-in and security (often 1–2 hours before departure)
• Baggage claim and ground transport on arrival in Louisiana

So while the actual flight may only be around 1.5 hours, your door-to-door time from an Atlanta neighborhood (like Decatur, Sandy Springs, or College Park) to a Louisiana destination can easily be 4–6 hours.

Comparing Travel Options From Atlanta to Louisiana

Here’s a quick way to think about it if you’re planning from Atlanta:

Driving From Atlanta

Best for:

• Road trips with friends or family
• Travelers who want their own car in Louisiana
• Flexible schedules and budget-conscious trips

Pros:

• No airport wait times or security lines
• Can leave directly from your home, hotel, or office in Atlanta
• Easier to bring luggage, sports gear, or pets

Cons:

• Long hours on the road (7–10 hours one way)
• Potential congestion leaving Atlanta and passing through Birmingham, Montgomery, or Mobile
• Driver fatigue—especially on night drives

Flying From Atlanta (ATL)

Best for:

• Short weekend trips (especially to New Orleans)
• Business travelers from Midtown, Downtown, Buckhead, or near Perimeter Center
• Those who value time more than cost

Pros:

• Flight time usually around 1.5 hours to major Louisiana cities
• Hartsfield‑Jackson (ATL) has frequent daily flights to New Orleans and other Louisiana cities
• MARTA access from many Atlanta neighborhoods to ATL via the Airport Station

Cons:

• Total travel time grows once you add check‑in, security, and airport transfers
• Airfare costs vary by season, events, and booking window
• You may still need a rental car or rideshare once in Louisiana, depending on where you’re going

Getting From Different Parts of Atlanta to Louisiana

How far Louisiana feels from Atlanta also depends on where you start in the metro area and how you connect to a highway or the airport.

From Intown Atlanta (Downtown, Midtown, Old Fourth Ward)

• To Louisiana by car:

  • Quick access to I‑20 W and the Downtown Connector (I‑75/85).
  • New Orleans and Baton Rouge usually feel like a full-day drive, especially with fuel and meal stops.

• To Louisiana by air:

  • You’re about 15–25 minutes from Hartsfield‑Jackson in light traffic.
  • MARTA’s Airport Station connects directly to the Red/Gold Lines, making it easy from Downtown and Midtown stations like Peachtree Center or North Avenue.

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

• Expect extra drive time just to reach I‑20 W or I‑85 S, especially during rush hour.
• Many travelers from these areas:
  • Use GA‑400 to connect south toward the Connector, then to I‑20 or I‑85.
  • Prefer flying due to the long drive required once you leave the metro.

From South Atlanta & Near the Airport (College Park, East Point, Hapeville)

• You’re well-positioned if you plan to fly: ATL is only minutes away.
• Driving to Louisiana still takes 7–10 hours, but you save time avoiding cross-city traffic to reach the interstate.

How Louisiana’s Size Affects Distance From Atlanta

When you ask “How far is Louisiana from Atlanta?”, remember that:

• The state line of Louisiana is closer than many of its major cities.
• Driving from Atlanta, you’ll first cross Alabama, then hit the Louisiana state border, and still have additional distance to drive to cities like New Orleans, Baton Rouge, or Shreveport.

Approximate distance from Atlanta to the Louisiana border (by car):

• To the eastern Louisiana border via I‑10 (near Slidell): around 430–450 miles, or about 6.5–7 hours of driving.
• Once you cross the border, you still have:
  • About 30–45 minutes to New Orleans
  • Longer drives to places like Baton Rouge, Lafayette, or Lake Charles

So, Louisiana itself starts roughly 430–450 miles from Atlanta, but major cities sit further inside the state.

Practical Planning Tips for Atlanta-to-Louisiana Trips

A few Atlanta-focused pointers to make your trip smoother:

1. Time Your Departure

• Leaving Atlanta early in the morning (before 7 a.m.) or later in the evening often helps avoid the heaviest traffic on I‑75/85 and I‑20.
• During large events (sports games, concerts, festivals), Downtown and Midtown traffic can add 30 minutes or more to your start.

2. Consider Weather Along the Route

• For drives through Alabama and the Gulf Coast, plan for:
  • Heavy rain or thunderstorms, especially in warmer months
  • Occasional road work on I‑20 and I‑10
• Flight schedules at ATL are generally robust, but severe weather in the Southeast can affect timing, so leaving buffer time is wise.

3. Use MARTA for Airport Trips

If you live or are staying near a MARTA rail station (Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or near Perimeter):

• Riding MARTA to Airport Station can be more predictable than driving and parking, especially during peak traffic.
• This can cut down the stress of catching an early morning or evening flight to Louisiana.

Quick Answer: How Far Is Louisiana From Atlanta?

• By car from Atlanta to the Louisiana border: roughly 430–450 miles, usually 6.5–7 hours of driving.

• By car from Atlanta to major cities in Louisiana:

  • New Orleans: about 470–500 miles, 7–8 hours
  • Baton Rouge: about 520–550 miles, 7.5–8.5 hours
  • Shreveport: about 600–630 miles, 8.5–9.5 hours

• By air from ATL to major Louisiana airports:

  • Around 425–560 air miles
  • Typically about 1.5–2 hours of flight time, plus airport and ground time.

From an Atlanta perspective, Louisiana is close enough for a long weekend trip, but far enough that you’ll want to plan carefully—choosing between a full-day drive or a short flight based on your schedule, budget, and where in Louisiana you’re heading.