How Far Is Notre Dame From Atlanta? Travel Distances, Times, and Best Routes

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and planning a trip to Notre Dame, you’re almost always talking about the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana—especially for football weekends, campus visits, or graduations.

Below is a clear breakdown of how far Notre Dame is from Atlanta, plus the best ways to get there, how long each option takes, and tips that matter specifically if you’re starting in or around metro Atlanta.

How Far Is Notre Dame From Atlanta?

Straight-Line (Air) Distance

• The approximate straight-line distance from Atlanta (Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport – ATL) to South Bend, Indiana (University of Notre Dame) is about:
  ≈ 550–600 miles

This is the distance “as the crow flies” — useful for understanding flight length, not driving.

Driving Distance From Atlanta to Notre Dame

If you’re driving from Atlanta to the University of Notre Dame, plan for:

• Distance: roughly 650–700 miles, depending on your exact starting point in Atlanta and your route
• Typical drive time: about 10–11.5 hours in normal traffic with brief stops

Most routes take you north through Tennessee and Kentucky before heading into Indiana.

Quick Comparison: Travel Options From Atlanta to Notre Dame

Travel times vary with traffic, weather, airline schedules, and time of year (especially on big Notre Dame football weekends).

Driving From Atlanta to Notre Dame: Routes and What to Expect

For many Atlanta residents—especially for football games, student drop-offs, or group trips—driving is the default.

Common Driving Route From Atlanta

Leaving from downtown or midtown Atlanta, a common route uses:

1. I-75 North out of Atlanta
2. Continue through Chattanooga, TN
3. Connect to I-24 West briefly
4. Then I-65 North through Nashville, TN and Louisville, KY
5. Continue into Indiana, then follow regional highways to South Bend and the University of Notre Dame campus

This route is popular because it:

• Stays mostly on major interstates
• Has plenty of stops for gas, food, and hotels
• Lets you break the drive in cities like Nashville or Louisville if you want an overnight stop

Approximate Driving Time From Different Parts of Atlanta

• Downtown / Midtown Atlanta to Notre Dame:
  About 10–11.5 hours in moderate conditions
• North Atlanta suburbs (e.g., Marietta, Sandy Springs, Alpharetta):
  Sometimes 15–30 minutes less if you can avoid downtown traffic
• South Atlanta / Airport area (College Park, Hapeville, Forest Park):
  May add 15–30 minutes, especially if leaving during rush hour

Atlanta Traffic Timing Tips 🚗

To make the long drive smoother:

• Avoid leaving during peak rush hours on weekdays:
  • Morning: roughly 6:30–9:30 a.m.
  • Evening: roughly 3:30–7:00 p.m.
• If possible, start early on a Saturday or mid-morning on a weekday to clear metro Atlanta before traffic builds.
• Closely check traffic conditions using your preferred navigation app as you leave I-285 and head up I-75.

Flying From Atlanta to Notre Dame

Atlanta is served by Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), one of the busiest airports in the world, which makes flying the fastest overall option.

Option 1: Flying Directly to South Bend (SBN)

• Destination airport:South Bend International Airport (SBN), the closest airport to the University of Notre Dame
• Flight distance: roughly 550–600 miles
• Typical flight time: about 2 hours (nonstop), longer with layovers
• Airport to campus: around 15–20 minutes by car or rideshare from SBN to Notre Dame

From Atlanta, nonstop flights may be limited and can vary by season and airline schedules. You may find:

• Nonstop or one-stop options depending on the time of year and day of the week
• More options when connecting through Chicago or another hub

Once you land at South Bend:

• Taxis, rideshares, or local shuttles typically take under 30 minutes to reach campus.
• If you rent a car, the drive to Notre Dame is straightforward, usually under 10 miles.

Option 2: Flying to Chicago, Then Driving or Taking a Train

Some Atlanta travelers choose this route for more flight choices and sometimes better fares:

1. Fly ATL → Chicago:
   • Airports: Chicago O’Hare (ORD) or Chicago Midway (MDW)
   • Flight time: usually about 1.5–2 hours of air time
2. Go from Chicago to Notre Dame / South Bend:
   • Drive: about 90–110 miles (around 2–2.5 hours by car)
   • Train: regional rail services connect Chicago to South Bend, often taking 2–3 hours, plus local transit to campus

This can be a good option if:

• You prefer more frequent flights from Atlanta
• You want to combine your Notre Dame trip with a stopover in Chicago
• You find a better fare into Chicago than directly into South Bend

Bus, Train, and Mixed Ground Travel From Atlanta

Bus From Atlanta Toward South Bend

Long-distance bus travel is possible, but it’s usually:

• Cheaper than flying
• Much slower and less direct

You’ll likely:

• Depart from a major Atlanta bus terminal (often near downtown)
• Make one or more connections in cities such as Nashville, Louisville, or Indianapolis
• Then continue on to South Bend or a nearby city, with total travel times that can reach 13–18+ hours

This option suits travelers who:

• Are on a tight budget
• Don’t mind long rides and transfers

Rail Options (Partial Route)

There is no single direct train from Atlanta to Notre Dame, but some travelers combine:

• Train from Atlanta to a larger hub city, then
• Train or bus from that hub to South Bend

Because of complex scheduling and multiple transfers, this is generally less common for Atlanta-based trips to Notre Dame unless you specifically enjoy rail travel.

How to Decide: Drive or Fly From Atlanta?

If you’re in Atlanta and planning a visit to Notre Dame, here’s a quick way to think about your options:

Choose driving if:

• You’re traveling with family or a group (especially for football tailgates)
• You want to bring extra gear (coolers, chairs, tailgating setup)
• You prefer avoiding airport lines and baggage restrictions
• You don’t mind 10–11+ hours on the road

Choose flying if:

• Time is your top priority and you want the fastest overall trip
• You’re going for a short weekend (game, campus tour, business)
• You’re comfortable using ATL and possibly making a connection through another city
• You prefer a 2–3 hour flight over a full-day drive

Planning Tips Specifically for Atlanta Residents and Visitors

1. Starting From Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

Address:
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
6000 N Terminal Pkwy
Atlanta, GA 30320
Main information line: (800) 897-1910 (general info, automated and staff-assisted options)

If you’re flying out of Atlanta:

• Build in extra time for airport parking or MARTA.
• The MARTA Red and Gold Lines connect directly to the Airport Station, which is inside the domestic terminal—useful if you’re already staying in downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead.
• For early morning flights, consider staying near the airport hotels to avoid heavy traffic from other parts of the city.

2. Leaving Atlanta by Car

If you live in or around:

• Intown Atlanta (Downtown, Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, West Midtown):
  • Plan time to get through connector (I-75/85) traffic and onto I-75 North.
• North Metro (Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Roswell, Alpharetta, Marietta, Kennesaw):
  • You may be able to join I-75 North or I-575 quickly and save time compared with driving from intown.
• South Metro (College Park, East Point, Jonesboro, Fayetteville):
  • Expect to cross much of the city or use I-285 to reach I-75 North—plan for heavy traffic during peak hours.

For a long haul like Atlanta to Notre Dame, it’s wise to:

• Get a vehicle checkup (fluids, tires, brakes) before you go
• Keep snacks, water, and a basic emergency kit in the car
• Plan fuel stops every few hours, especially when traveling at night

Typical Total Travel Time From Atlanta to Notre Dame

Putting everything together:

• Driving:
  Expect 10–11.5 hours on the road one way, plus any meal or rest stops.

• Flying via South Bend (SBN):

  • Airport arrival and security at ATL: 1.5–2 hours before departure
  • Flight time: about 2 hours (more with layovers)
  • Arriving and getting to campus: 30–60 minutes
  • Total door-to-door: often 4–6 hours, depending on layovers and ground transport

• Flying via Chicago, then driving or train:

  • Similar ATL airport time
  • Flight to Chicago: 1.5–2 hours
  • Ground transport to Notre Dame: 2–3 hours
  • Total door-to-door: often 5–7 hours

In practical terms, Notre Dame is about 650–700 driving miles and roughly a full day’s drive from Atlanta, or a half-day trip if you fly. Once you decide whether time, cost, or flexibility matters most for your situation in Atlanta, the best route usually becomes clear.