Flying From Atlanta to Texas: How Far Is It, Really?

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and planning a trip to Texas, the first thing you’ll probably want to know is: how far is Texas from Atlanta by plane, and how long will it really take?

Because Texas is huge and Atlanta is a major air hub, the answer depends a lot on which Texas city you’re flying to and what kind of flight you book.

How Far Is Texas From Atlanta by Plane?

From Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to the major Texas cities, here are the typical nonstop flight distances and flight times:

From Atlanta (ATL) to…Approx. Distance (air miles)Typical Nonstop Flight Time
Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW)~720 miles~2 hours 10–20 minutes
Dallas Love Field (DAL)~720 miles~2 hours 10–20 minutes
Houston (IAH/HOU)~700 miles~2 hours 0–15 minutes
Austin (AUS)~815 miles~2 hours 10–25 minutes
San Antonio (SAT)~870 miles~2 hours 20–30 minutes
El Paso (ELP)~1,280 miles~3 hours 0–20 minutes

Key takeaway:
For most travelers in Atlanta, Texas is about a 2–3 hour flight away, with western Texas (like El Paso) taking closer to 3+ hours.

Where You’ll Fly From in Atlanta

Almost all commercial flights from Atlanta to Texas operate out of:

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
6000 N Terminal Pkwy
Atlanta, GA 30320
Main info line: (800) 897-1910

As an Atlanta-based traveler, you benefit from:

  • Frequent daily flights to major Texas cities
  • Multiple airlines offering nonstop options
  • Easy connections if you’re continuing beyond Texas

Nonstop vs. Connecting Flights from Atlanta to Texas

Nonstop Flights

If you’re flying from ATL to major Texas airports like DFW, IAH, HOU, AUS, SAT, or ELP, you’ll usually find nonstop options.

Benefits of nonstop flights:

  • Shortest total travel time
  • Lower chance of delays or missed connections
  • Easier when you’re traveling with kids, tight on time, or going for a short trip

Connecting Flights

You may see connecting flights in a few situations:

  • You’re flying to a smaller Texas city (for example, Lubbock, Midland, or Corpus Christi)
  • You’re booking last-minute and nonstop seats are limited
  • You’re using a specific airline loyalty program that routes differently

Typical connection points from Atlanta include:

  • Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW)
  • Houston (IAH)
  • Other hubs like Charlotte (CLT) or Denver (DEN), depending on the airline

With a connection, your total travel time can jump from around 2–3 hours in the air to 4–6 hours door-to-door (or longer if layovers are long).

Total Travel Time: Airport to Airport vs. Door to Door

Even though the flight time from Atlanta to Texas is usually only a couple of hours, your door-to-door travel time will be longer. For someone living in or visiting Atlanta, it often looks like this:

  1. Getting to ATL

    • Inside the Perimeter: ~20–45 minutes by car in light traffic
    • From suburbs (e.g., Marietta, Alpharetta, Stone Mountain): ~45–75 minutes depending on traffic
    • By MARTA:
      • Red/Gold Lines stop at Airport Station, connected directly to the main terminal

  2. Time at the airport before departure

    • For domestic flights like Atlanta–Texas, most travelers aim for 1.5–2 hours early
    • Add extra time during peak hours, holidays, or big events

  3. Flight time

    • About 2–3 hours for most major Texas destinations

  4. On the ground in Texas

    • 15–30 minutes to exit the plane and get to ground transportation
    • Another 20–60+ minutes to reach your final destination in that Texas city

💡 Realistic expectation:
From an Atlanta home, hotel, or office to a hotel in a major Texas city, plan on around 5–7 hours total for most trips.

How Distance Varies Across Texas

Texas is large enough that flight distance and time can change noticeably depending on where you’re headed.

From Atlanta to North Texas (Dallas/Fort Worth Area)

  • Distance: ~720 air miles
  • Nonstop time: ~2 hours 10–20 minutes
  • Often one of the shortest Texas flights from Atlanta
  • Popular for business travel, conventions, and connections to the western U.S.

From Atlanta to Southeast Texas (Houston)

  • Distance: ~700 air miles
  • Nonstop time: Around 2 hours
  • Flight times can be similar to Dallas, sometimes slightly shorter

From Atlanta to Central/South Texas (Austin, San Antonio)

  • Atlanta to Austin (AUS): ~815 miles, ~2 hours 10–25 minutes
  • Atlanta to San Antonio (SAT): ~870 miles, ~2 hours 20–30 minutes
  • Great if you’re combining business and leisure or heading to Hill Country

From Atlanta to West Texas (El Paso)

  • Distance: ~1,280 miles
  • Nonstop time: Around 3+ hours
  • El Paso is closer to some western states than to East Texas, so it’s the longest Texas flight most Atlanta travelers will see on a single hop.

Planning Your Trip From Atlanta to Texas

1. Choosing Which Texas City to Fly Into

From Atlanta, people often choose their Texas arrival city based on:

  • Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW/DAL): Business trips, sports events, or connections further west
  • Houston (IAH/HOU): Energy industry, cruises from the Gulf Coast, family visits
  • Austin (AUS): Tech, music scene, university visits
  • San Antonio (SAT): Tourism (River Walk, Alamo), conferences
  • El Paso (ELP): Western Texas, border region, or New Mexico connections

If your final destination is a smaller Texas town, it can be worth comparing:

  • A nonstop to a major Texas hub + driving
    vs.
  • A connecting flight all the way to a smaller airport

Sometimes, flying nonstop to DFW or IAH from ATL and then renting a car can save time overall, especially for moderate distances.

2. Factoring in Time of Day and Atlanta Traffic

In Atlanta, when you head to Hartsfield-Jackson can matter almost as much as the flight time.

  • Peak rush hours: Roughly 7–9 a.m. and 4–7 p.m. on weekdays
  • Interstates like I‑75/I‑85, I‑285, and I‑20 near the airport can slow down considerably

To keep stress low, many Atlanta travelers:

  • Add 30–45 extra minutes to their usual drive time during rush hours
  • Consider taking MARTA to the Airport Station to avoid parking and highway congestion
  • Use parking at ATL Park-Ride lots or reputable off-airport parking with shuttles if driving

Common Questions Atlanta Travelers Have

Is Texas in a different time zone from Atlanta?

Most of Texas (including Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and El Paso) is in the Central Time Zone.

Atlanta is in the Eastern Time Zone, which is one hour ahead of Central Time.

  • When it’s 3:00 p.m. in Atlanta, it’s 2:00 p.m. in Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio.
  • El Paso is officially in the Mountain Time Zone, but airlines usually handle these differences automatically when listing flight times.

When you see your flight itinerary, departure and arrival times are always shown in local time, so keep that one-hour difference in mind when planning meetings or ground transportation in Texas.

Is flying from Atlanta to Texas considered a long flight?

From an Atlanta perspective, no. Flying to Texas is typically considered a short to medium domestic flight.

  • Similar or shorter than many East Coast flights to the Northeast or Midwest when you include taxis and connections
  • Long enough that you may want snacks, entertainment, or a light jacket, but not so long that most people need to worry about in-flight fatigue

Is it faster to drive or fly from Atlanta to Texas?

Flying is almost always significantly faster than driving when you’re going from Atlanta to major cities in Texas.

  • Example driving times from Atlanta:
    • To Dallas: Roughly 11–13 hours by car (not counting traffic or stops)
    • To Houston: Roughly 11–12 hours by car
  • Compare that with about 2–3 hours of flight time, plus airport logistics

If your goal is to maximize time in Texas and you’re starting in the Atlanta area, flying is typically the practical choice.

Helpful Local Resources in Atlanta

If you need in-person assistance while planning your flight to Texas:

  • Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport – Main Info Desks
    Located in the Domestic Terminal (North and South) and in Concourse areas. Staff can help with:

    • Flight and gate guidance
    • Airport layout and connection information
    • Accessibility services

  • MARTA Customer Information Center
    Phone: (404) 848-5000
    Helpful for planning train or bus routes to ATL, including schedule questions and accessibility options.

Quick Reference: How Far Is Texas From Atlanta by Plane?

  • Distance:

    • About 700–900 air miles to most major Texas cities
    • Up to around 1,280 miles to far West Texas (El Paso)

  • Flight time (nonstop from ATL):

    • Most major cities in Texas: ~2–2.5 hours
    • Far West Texas (El Paso): ~3+ hours

  • Door-to-door from Atlanta:

    • Typically 5–7 hours total including travel to ATL, check-in, security, and ground transport at your Texas destination.

For anyone living in or visiting Atlanta, Texas is a relatively quick and manageable flight away, making it a practical option for business trips, family visits, or long-weekend getaways.