How Far Is New Jersey From Atlanta? A Practical Guide for Atlanta Travelers

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and wondering how far New Jersey is, the answer depends on where in New Jersey you’re going and how you plan to travel. New Jersey is a whole state, not a single city, so distances can vary a lot.

Below is a clear breakdown of what to expect if you’re traveling from Atlanta to New Jersey by car, plane, bus, or train, along with tips that are especially helpful if you live in or are visiting Atlanta.

Understanding the Distance: Atlanta to Different Parts of New Jersey

To make things simple, it helps to compare Atlanta to a few common New Jersey destinations:

• North Jersey / NYC-adjacent (e.g., Newark, Jersey City)
• Central New Jersey (e.g., New Brunswick, Trenton)
• South Jersey / Shore area (e.g., Atlantic City, Cherry Hill)

Approximate Distances & Travel Times From Atlanta

*Times are general ranges and can vary with traffic, weather, and routing.

Key takeaway:
From Atlanta, New Jersey is roughly 750–900 miles away, usually a 2‑hour flight or a 12–14‑hour drive, depending on your exact start and end points.

Flying From Atlanta to New Jersey

For most Atlanta residents and visitors, flying is the fastest and most convenient way to get to New Jersey.

Main Departure Point in Atlanta

You’ll almost always fly out of:

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
  General info: (800) 897‑1910

ATL is one of the busiest airports in the world and offers multiple daily flights to airports that serve New Jersey travelers.

Airports That Serve New Jersey Travelers

Depending on where in New Jersey you’re going, you might fly into:

• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) – Best for North Jersey (Newark, Jersey City, Hoboken) and New York City access.
• Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) – Often used for South Jersey (Camden, Cherry Hill, Atlantic City area).
• LaGuardia (LGA) or JFK – Can work for North and Central Jersey if you’re open to a longer ground transfer.
• Atlantic City International Airport (ACY) – Smaller, sometimes used for shore destinations (Atlantic City, Ocean City, nearby beaches).

Typical Flight Times From Atlanta

• ATL → Newark (EWR): about 2 hours nonstop
• ATL → Philadelphia (PHL): about 1.75–2 hours nonstop
• ATL → New York area (LGA/JFK): about 2 hours nonstop
  (then drive/train/bus into New Jersey)

Boarding, security, and ground transportation add extra time, so door-to-door from Atlanta to New Jersey often ends up around 4–7 hours total, depending on connections and where you’re headed.

Ground Transportation in New Jersey After You Land

Once you land, you can usually reach your New Jersey destination by:

• Rental car from the airport
• Train (for example, New Jersey Transit from Newark Airport into various NJ cities)
• Shuttle, taxi, or rideshare (Uber, Lyft, local cabs)
• Bus services between airports and New Jersey towns

For Atlanta travelers trying to reach New York City and North Jersey in one trip, a common pattern is:

1. Fly ATL → EWR
2. Take NJ Transit train or rideshare to Newark, Jersey City, or NYC
3. Use local trains, buses, or rideshares to get around New Jersey

Driving From Atlanta to New Jersey

If you prefer road trips or need a car once you arrive, driving from Atlanta to New Jersey is very doable, but it is a long full-day drive.

Rough Driving Distances

From downtown Atlanta to:

• Newark / Jersey City (North NJ): ~850–900 miles
• Trenton / New Brunswick (Central NJ): ~800–850 miles
• Atlantic City / Cherry Hill (South NJ): ~750–800 miles

Typical Driving Time

For most routes, expect around:

• 12–14 hours of driving time
  (not counting long meal stops, traffic jams, or detours)

Many Atlanta drivers split the drive into two days, staying overnight somewhere in North Carolina or Virginia.

Common Driving Routes From Atlanta

Most GPS directions from Atlanta to New Jersey will put you on:

• I‑85 North out of Atlanta
• Connecting to I‑95 North for much of the East Coast stretch
• Optional beltways or bypasses around larger cities

You’ll likely pass through or near:

• Upstate South Carolina
• North Carolina
• Virginia
• Washington, DC / Maryland corridor (depending on route)
• Delaware before entering New Jersey

Tips for Atlanta Drivers

• Start early: Leaving before morning rush hour in Atlanta (especially if you’re near Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead) helps you get clear of local traffic.
• Plan for tolls: Northeastern highways, especially near New Jersey and the New York area, often have tolls. Consider:
  • Having cash or a card ready
  • Checking whether your route uses E‑ZPass toll roads
• Weather awareness:
  • In winter, roads in Virginia, Maryland, and New Jersey can be snowy or icy.
  • In summer, heat and thunderstorms can slow you down around Atlanta and the mid-Atlantic.

If you’re renting a car in Atlanta (for example, from rental centers at Hartsfield–Jackson or local agencies around Downtown, Buckhead, or Perimeter), ask about:

• Unlimited-mileage policies
• Out-of-state or Northeast toll policies

Bus Options: Atlanta to New Jersey

Traveling by intercity bus can be a budget-conscious choice, though it’s generally slower than flying and may involve transfers.

Typical Bus Experience

• Routes: Many services operate Atlanta → New York City or Philadelphia, with connections to New Jersey.
• Travel time: Often 16–22 hours or more, depending on stops and transfers.
• Arrival points near New Jersey:
  • NYC Port Authority Bus Terminal
  • Philadelphia bus stations

From there, you can continue into New Jersey by:

• NJ Transit buses or trains
• Local shuttles
• Rideshares or taxis

Where Buses Leave From in Atlanta

Major bus services typically use central locations such as:

• Downtown Atlanta corridor stops
• Bus terminals near Five Points or other central transit areas (locations can change, so it’s best to verify addresses and times directly with the service you choose).

Bus travel might be useful if you’re:

• On a tight budget
• Comfortable with long overnight rides
• Not in a rush to arrive the same day

Train Travel: Can You Take a Train From Atlanta to New Jersey?

Yes, you can reach New Jersey by train from Atlanta, but it’s a longer, scenic option, not a fast one.

Starting Point in Atlanta

Long-distance intercity trains typically use:

• Peachtree Station (Amtrak)
  1688 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309

This is a relatively small station in Midtown Atlanta, not part of the MARTA heavy-rail system, though local buses and rideshares can get you there.

Route Overview

A common pattern for travelers is:

1. Take Amtrak from Atlanta northward (toward the Northeast).
2. Connect in a major hub such as Washington, DC or New York City.
3. Continue or transfer to trains that stop in New Jersey (for example, Newark, Trenton, or other NJ stations along the Northeast Corridor).

Travel Time

Depending on schedules and connections, the full journey from Atlanta to New Jersey by train can take roughly:

• 16–20+ hours, sometimes more

Train travel can make sense if you:

• Prefer more legroom and the ability to walk around
• Enjoy scenic routes and a slower pace
• Don’t want to drive and would rather avoid flying

Choosing the Best Way to Get From Atlanta to New Jersey

For someone in Atlanta, here’s how the main options compare at a glance:

Quick Comparison

Key Questions to Ask Yourself in Atlanta

• How quickly do I need to get there?
  • If speed matters, fly from ATL.
• Do I want my own car in New Jersey?
  • If yes, drive or rent on arrival.
• Is budget my main concern?
  • Consider bus or watching for discounted flights.
• Do I dislike airports but don’t want to drive?
  • A train from Peachtree Station can be a reasonable compromise, if you’re flexible on time.

Practical Tips for Atlanta Residents and Visitors Planning the Trip

• Plan around Atlanta traffic:
  • If you’re flying, give yourself plenty of time to get to Hartsfield–Jackson, especially during morning (7–9 a.m.) and afternoon (4–6:30 p.m.) rush hours on I‑75/I‑85.
• Check time zones:
  • Atlanta and all of New Jersey are in the Eastern Time Zone, so you won’t have to adjust your clock when you arrive.
• Seasonal considerations:
  • Winter trips: Northbound travel from Atlanta to New Jersey can include colder, snowier conditions than you’re used to in Georgia.
  • Summer trips: Expect hot and humid weather both in Atlanta and much of New Jersey, and heavier beach traffic toward the Jersey Shore.
• Airport logistics in Atlanta:
  • If you’re staying in Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead, MARTA’s Red and Gold Lines run directly to the Airport Station, which connects inside the domestic terminal at ATL. This can be faster than driving and parking.

In everyday terms, New Jersey is about a 2‑hour flight or a full day’s drive from Atlanta, somewhere between 750 and 900 miles away, depending on exactly where you’re going. From Atlanta, you have flexible choices—fast flights from Hartsfield–Jackson, long but direct road trips, and slower bus or train options—so you can match your travel style, budget, and schedule to the route that works best for you.