How Far Is Pittsburgh From Atlanta? Travel Times, Routes, and Options

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and planning a trip to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the distance and travel options can look very different depending on whether you’re driving, flying, or taking the bus/train. Here’s a clear breakdown tailored to travelers starting in or near Atlanta.

How Far Is Pittsburgh From Atlanta?

In simple terms:

  • Driving distance: about 680–720 miles (depending on your exact route and starting point in metro Atlanta)
  • Flight distance (straight line): about 525 miles
  • Typical driving time: about 10–11 hours with normal traffic and short stops
  • Typical flight time (nonstop, in the air): around 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours

For most people in Atlanta, flying is the fastest, while driving can be the most flexible and scenic.

Driving From Atlanta to Pittsburgh

If you like road trips or need a car in Pittsburgh, driving from Atlanta can be a good option.

Main Driving Routes

From downtown Atlanta (around Five Points or the Georgia State Capitol), common routes include:

  1. I‑75 North → I‑71 North → I‑76 East

    • Atlanta → Chattanooga (I‑75 N)
    • Chattanooga → Cincinnati area (still I‑75 N)
    • Cincinnati → Columbus → Akron/Cleveland area (I‑71 N and connecting interstates)
    • Then east toward Pittsburgh on I‑76 / I‑376
    • Mileage: roughly 700+ miles
    • Pros: Major interstates, plenty of services, predictable routing
    • Cons: Longer overall mileage, may pass through heavier traffic around big cities

  2. I‑75 North → I‑40 East → I‑81 North → I‑76 West / I‑70

    • Atlanta → Knoxville (I‑75 N)
    • Knoxville → I‑81 via I‑40 E
    • Follow I‑81 N through Virginia, then cut west toward Pittsburgh
    • Mileage: often in the 680–710 mile range depending on exact connection
    • Pros: Scenic Appalachian stretches, sometimes smoother long-haul driving
    • Cons: Mountain driving in some areas, weather-dependent in winter

  3. I‑85 / I‑77 Route (via Charlotte and West Virginia)

    • Atlanta → Greenville/Spartanburg → Charlotte on I‑85
    • Charlotte → I‑77 N through Virginia and West Virginia
    • Then connect to I‑79 or I‑70 toward Pittsburgh
    • Mileage: similar overall, often around 700 miles
    • Pros: Passes familiar cities (Charlotte) that many Atlantans visit
    • Cons: Toll sections in some states, mountain grades in West Virginia

Your GPS or mapping app from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Downtown Atlanta, or your metro area suburb (e.g., Marietta, Decatur, Sandy Springs) will usually propose one of these routes based on real‑time traffic and weather.

Typical Driving Time From Atlanta

  • Nonstop estimate: about 10–11 hours
  • With fuel, food, and rest stops: plan for 11–13 hours total

Expect longer times when:

  • Leaving Atlanta during rush hour (especially on the Downtown Connector, I‑285, or I‑75/85)
  • Traveling around holidays or major game days (both in Atlanta and Pittsburgh)
  • Driving during winter storms in the Appalachian and Mid‑Atlantic regions

Quick Driving Snapshot

From Atlanta AreaApprox. Miles to PittsburghTypical Drive Time*
Downtown Atlanta690–710 miles10–11 hours
Hartsfield-Jackson Airport~700 miles10–11 hours
Marietta / Kennesaw~670–690 miles9.5–10.5 hours
Decatur / East Atlanta~700 miles10–11 hours

*Times assume steady highway driving with minimal delays.

Tips for Atlanta Drivers

  • Plan your departure:
    Try to leave before morning rush (before ~6:30 a.m.) or after evening rush (after ~7 p.m.) to avoid bottlenecks on I‑75/85 and I‑285.

  • Rest stops:
    You’ll pass many state welcome centers and rest areas leaving Georgia and heading through Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, or North Carolina depending on your route.

  • Weather check:
    Winter weather is usually milder in Atlanta than in the Appalachians and Pennsylvania. Even if it’s clear in Atlanta, check forecasts north of Knoxville, Roanoke, Morgantown, or other mountain areas.

  • Vehicle prep:
    For such a long drive, many Atlanta drivers get a quick check at local service centers in Midtown, Buckhead, or along I‑285 before heading out (brakes, tires, fluids, and wipers matter in mountain and winter conditions).

Flying From Atlanta to Pittsburgh

Flying is the most time‑efficient way to get from Atlanta to Pittsburgh.

Distance and Flight Time

  • Flight distance: about 525 miles
  • Nonstop flight time (in the air): around 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours
  • With boarding, taxiing, and deplaning, your total airport‑to‑airport time is usually around 3–4 hours, plus time to get to and from each airport.

Where You’ll Fly From and To

  • Atlanta departure:
    Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
    6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320

  • Pittsburgh arrival:
    Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)
    Approximately 15–20 miles west of downtown Pittsburgh.

From Atlanta, you’ll typically find:

  • Nonstop flights between ATL and PIT on major carriers
  • Connecting flights through other hubs if nonstop options or times are limited

Total Travel Time Door to Door

From a typical in-town Atlanta starting point (say, Grant Park, Midtown, or Buckhead):

  1. Getting to ATL: 20–45 minutes by car, rideshare, or MARTA (depending on traffic and location)
  2. Check‑in + security: allow 1.5–2 hours before departure
  3. Flight time: around 2 hours
  4. Deplaning + baggage + exit at PIT: 30–45 minutes
  5. Travel from PIT to downtown Pittsburgh: around 25–35 minutes by car/rideshare

Realistically, many Atlanta travelers experience a total door‑to‑door time of about 5–7 hours when flying.

Using MARTA to Reach the Airport

If you’re starting in the city:

  • MARTA trains run directly to the Airport Station, located inside the Domestic Terminal of ATL.
  • Common starting points:
    • Five Points Station (Downtown)
    • Midtown Station
    • Lindbergh Center Station
  • Travel time from central Atlanta MARTA stations is typically 20–25 minutes once you’re on the train.

Consider MARTA if you want to avoid I‑75/85 and I‑285 traffic or long‑term parking costs.

Bus and Train Options From Atlanta to Pittsburgh

If you don’t want to drive or fly, bus or train travel can be an option, though it’s usually slower and sometimes involves transfers.

Intercity Buses

From Atlanta, intercity buses typically:

  • Depart from terminals near Downtown or along major corridors such as Northside Drive or near the Civic Center area (exact locations depend on the operator).
  • Often require at least one transfer (for example, in Charlotte, Washington, D.C., or another regional city) before reaching Pittsburgh.

Travel time:

  • Commonly 14–20+ hours, depending on routing and connections.

This can be cost‑effective but is significantly longer than driving or flying.

Trains (Amtrak)

Atlanta is served by:

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

There is no direct Amtrak line from Atlanta to Pittsburgh. A typical rail journey might require:

  • Traveling north or east (for example, to Washington, D.C., or another major hub)
  • Then connecting to another train heading west/north to Pittsburgh

Approximate rail travel time:

  • Often well over 20 hours including connections, depending on the schedule and routing.

Train travel can be a more scenic, relaxed option but is usually used by travelers with flexible schedules rather than those on tight timelines.

Which Option Makes the Most Sense From Atlanta?

For Atlanta‑based travelers, here’s how the options typically compare:

  • Fastest overall:
    Flying from ATL to PIT. Even with airport procedures, this usually beats driving by several hours.

  • Most flexible:
    Driving. You can leave from anywhere in metro Atlanta (Alpharetta, Decatur, College Park, Smyrna, etc.), stop whenever you like, and have your own car in Pittsburgh.

  • Most budget‑conscious (sometimes):
    Bus travel, especially when booked early. You trade time and comfort for potential savings.

  • Most scenic/relaxed:
    Trains, though connections and long total travel times make this less common for strict schedules.

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Travelers

  • Straight‑line distance: Pittsburgh is about 525 miles from Atlanta.
  • By car: Plan on around 700 miles and 10–11 hours of driving time from central Atlanta, longer with stops and traffic.
  • By plane: Nonstop flights from Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) to Pittsburgh International (PIT) take around 2 hours in the air, with a realistic total trip time of 5–7 hours door to door.
  • By bus or train: Travel is possible but typically takes 14–24+ hours and often involves transfers.

Knowing these approximate distances and times from Atlanta can help you choose whether to fly for speed, drive for flexibility, or take ground transportation for cost or comfort preferences.