How Far Is Tennessee From Atlanta? A Local’s Guide to Distance, Routes, and Travel Times

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and wondering how far Tennessee is, the short answer is: not very far at all. In fact, Tennessee is one of the closest neighboring states, and many Atlantans treat cities like Chattanooga, Nashville, and Knoxville as easy weekend or even day-trip destinations.

Below is a clear breakdown of distances, drive times, and the best ways to get from Atlanta to Tennessee, tailored for people who live in, are visiting, or are planning travel from Atlanta.

How Close Is the Tennessee State Line to Atlanta?

From central Atlanta (Downtown/Midtown area):

• The nearest point of the Tennessee border is roughly 110–130 miles away by road, depending on your exact starting point.
• In driving time, that’s usually about 2 to 2.5 hours to cross into Tennessee, most commonly near Chattanooga via I‑75 North.

While Georgia and Tennessee do not directly touch at Atlanta, the route is straightforward: head north on I‑75 and you’ll be in Tennessee before long.

Distance From Atlanta to Major Tennessee Cities

Here’s a quick look at how far Atlanta is from some of the most popular Tennessee destinations:

*Drive times are typical under normal traffic and weather conditions; Atlanta rush hour and interstate construction can add time.

Closest Part of Tennessee to Atlanta

If you just want to know “What’s the closest Tennessee city to Atlanta?” the answer is usually:

Chattanooga, Tennessee

• Distance from Atlanta: About 120 miles.
• Drive time: Around 2 hours from Downtown Atlanta if traffic cooperates.
• Route:
  • Take I‑75 North out of Atlanta.
  • Stay on I‑75 N almost the entire way until it links with I‑24 near Chattanooga.

Chattanooga is a popular day-trip or weekend getaway for Atlantans thanks to:

• Short driving distance
• Walkable downtown and riverfront areas
• Easy access from most Atlanta neighborhoods via the interstate system

How to Drive From Atlanta to Tennessee

Most Common Route: I‑75 North

For many Tennessee destinations, especially Chattanooga and Knoxville, you will:

1. Get on I‑75 North from your part of Atlanta:

   • From Downtown/Midtown: use the Connector (I‑75/85) going north and stay on I‑75 when the highways split.
   • From Buckhead, Brookhaven, Sandy Springs: enter I‑75 N from local interchanges.
   • From Cobb County (Marietta, Smyrna, Vinings): you’re already close to I‑75 N; this can shave a bit of time.

2. Stay on I‑75 N:

   • For Chattanooga: stay on I‑75 until it merges near I‑24.
   • For Knoxville: continue on I‑75 N past Chattanooga, heading deeper into Tennessee.

Route to Nashville

Atlanta to Nashville usually goes:

• I‑75 N out of Atlanta
• Then connect to I‑24 West in Tennessee toward Nashville

This is a 4–4.5 hour drive under typical conditions.

Route to Memphis

There are a few options, but common ones from Atlanta include:

• Westbound Route (often preferred):

  • I‑20 West out of Atlanta
  • Connect to I‑22 in Alabama
  • Then I‑269/I‑240 into Memphis

• Northern Route:

  • I‑75 N to Chattanooga
  • I‑24 W to near Nashville
  • I‑40 W across Tennessee into Memphis

The trip usually takes 6–7 hours by car.

Driving Time: What to Expect Leaving Atlanta

Your starting point inside Atlanta matters. A trip that looks like “2 hours on the map” can stretch if you’re:

• Leaving from Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
• Coming from South Atlanta (College Park, East Point, Union City)
• Driving during rush-hour through the Downtown Connector

Common time factors:

• Morning rush (roughly 6:30–9:30 a.m.) heading north on I‑75 can be slow.
• Evening rush (about 3:30–7:00 p.m.) leaving the city can add 30 minutes or more.
• Weekends and holidays can be unpredictable with heavier traffic heading to and from Tennessee, especially during big events or peak vacation seasons.

Tip: If possible, aim to clear the I‑285 perimeter before peak rush times to keep your Tennessee drive closer to the typical estimates.

Flying From Atlanta to Tennessee

If you’re looking at longer Tennessee trips (especially to Memphis or Nashville) or want to skip interstate traffic, flying out of Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) can be practical.

Key Tennessee Airports From Atlanta

• Nashville International Airport (BNA)
  • Typical nonstop flight time: around 1 hour
• Memphis International Airport (MEM)
  • Typical nonstop flight time: about 1–1.5 hours
• McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) – Knoxville area
  • Travel time often similar to driving once airport and ground time are included

While the actual flight may be short, factor in:

• Travel time from your Atlanta location to ATL
• Security and boarding time
• Ground transportation on the Tennessee side

If you’re in or near Downtown, Midtown, or the Airport area, flying can be attractive for Memphis or Nashville. For Chattanooga or Knoxville, many Atlantans still prefer to drive due to the relatively short distance.

Bus and Train Options From Atlanta to Tennessee

Intercity Bus

Several national bus carriers run routes from Atlanta to Tennessee cities, typically departing from or near Downtown Atlanta. Travel times are usually:

• Atlanta to Chattanooga: around 2.5–3 hours
• Atlanta to Nashville: around 5–6 hours

Buses can be cost-effective, but:

• They may include stops along the way.
• Schedules can be less frequent than flights.
• Travel time is often longer than driving yourself.

Train Service

At present, direct passenger rail options between Atlanta and most Tennessee cities are limited. Many Atlanta-to-Tennessee trips are still primarily handled by:

• Car
• Bus
• Plane

If rail travel becomes more widely available in the future, local and state transportation agencies would typically publish new options and routes.

How Far Is Tennessee From Specific Atlanta Areas?

Because the Atlanta metro is spread out, you might save or add time depending on where you start.

From:

• Downtown / Midtown Atlanta:
  • To Tennessee line near Chattanooga: about 2–2.5 hours via I‑75 N.
• Cobb County (Marietta, Smyrna, Vinings):
  • You’re closer to I‑75 N, so add only about 1.5–2 hours to reach Tennessee in light traffic.
• North Fulton (Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta):
  • Depending on your route to I‑75 or I‑285, expect 2–2.5 hours to the Tennessee line.
• Southside (College Park, Forest Park, Jonesboro):
  • You’ll need to cross more of the metro; count on at least 2.5 hours or more to the Tennessee border in normal conditions.

When Is the Best Time to Drive From Atlanta to Tennessee?

To keep your Atlanta-to-Tennessee trip as smooth as possible:

• Avoid peak rush-hour when heading north out of the city.
• Check for construction on major corridors like I‑75, I‑24, and I‑40.
• In winter, keep an eye on mountain-area weather if you’re heading toward eastern Tennessee (Knoxville, the Smokies).

Many Atlantans aim for:

• Mid-morning departures (after rush hour)
• Early afternoon returns (before evening traffic builds)

Practical Takeaways for Atlanta Travelers

• The Tennessee border is roughly 2–2.5 hours’ drive from central Atlanta.
• Chattanooga is the closest major Tennessee city to Atlanta, about 120 miles away.
• Nashville is about 4–4.5 hours, Knoxville about 3.5–4 hours, and Memphis about 6–7 hours by car.
• For longer Tennessee trips, especially to Nashville or Memphis, flying from Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport can make sense.
• Most Atlanta-to-Tennessee travel relies on I‑75 North, with branches to I‑24 and I‑40 for other cities.

Understanding these distances and routes can help you decide whether to drive, fly, or take a bus, and how to time your departure from Atlanta to make the most of your trip into Tennessee.