How Far Is It From New York to Atlanta? Miles, Travel Time, and Best Options

If you live in Atlanta, you’ll probably make the trip to New York at some point—whether you’re visiting family, heading to a business meeting, or planning a long-weekend getaway. Knowing how many miles from New York to Atlanta (and what that actually means in travel time) helps you choose the best way to get there and back.

Below, you’ll find clear mileage numbers, typical travel times, and Atlanta-focused tips for driving, flying, and taking the bus or train between these two major cities.

How Many Miles From New York to Atlanta?

Straight-line vs. driving distance

When people ask this question, they’re usually interested in driving distance or flight distance. These are not the same thing.

• Straight-line (flight) distance
  From central Atlanta, GA to central New York City, NY, the approximate straight-line distance is about 750–760 miles.

• Driving distance
  From Atlanta to New York City by car, using common interstate routes, the driving distance is typically around 860–900 miles, depending on:

  • Your starting point in Atlanta (Downtown, Buckhead, suburbs, etc.)
  • Which route you take (I‑85 / I‑95 is most common)
  • Your final destination in New York (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, etc.)

For most Atlanta travelers, it’s helpful to remember:

Driving From Atlanta to New York

If you like road trips or need flexibility, you may choose to drive from Atlanta to New York.

Typical driving routes and mileage

Most drivers from Atlanta follow one of these main corridors:

Starting points often used in Atlanta:

• Downtown Atlanta (near the State Capitol)
• Midtown (near Arts Center MARTA)
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) off I‑75/I‑85

Ending points in New York usually mean:

• Midtown Manhattan (around Times Square/Penn Station)
• Or other boroughs with slightly different mileage

Because Atlanta’s metro area is large, your exact mileage can vary by 10–30 miles, but the ballpark of 860–900 miles works well for trip planning.

How long does it take to drive?

For most Atlanta–New York drives:

• Nonstop driving time:
  Around 13–15 hours in normal conditions, assuming:

  • Light-to-moderate traffic
  • Limited stops
  • No major construction or weather issues

• Realistic total travel day:
  Many drivers plan 15–18 hours, allowing for:

  • Fuel stops ⛽
  • Meals
  • Stretch breaks
  • Slower traffic around major cities (Charlotte, Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and the New York metro area)

Because this is a long single-day drive, many travelers from Atlanta choose to:

• Split the trip into two days, often stopping overnight somewhere in North Carolina or Virginia.
• Rotate drivers if traveling with others.
• Leave very early in the morning from Atlanta to pass through other cities at off-peak hours.

What to consider if you’re driving from Atlanta

If you’re planning to leave from Atlanta:

• Traffic leaving Atlanta:
  I‑75 and I‑85 can be congested during weekday morning and evening rush hours, especially around Downtown, Midtown, and I‑285. Leaving:

  • Very early (before 6 a.m.), or
  • Late morning after rush hour
    can make a noticeable difference starting out.

• Tolls:
  Once you reach I‑95 and head toward the Northeast Corridor, you’ll encounter toll roads and toll bridges, especially in:

  • Maryland
  • Delaware
  • New Jersey
  • New York
    Atlanta drivers who aren’t used to tolls may want to:
  • Bring a payment method ready for toll booths, or
  • Use a toll transponder that’s accepted in the Northeast if you have one.

• Winter weather:
  Atlanta’s winters are usually mild, but your route north (especially through Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New York) can include snow or ice in colder months. Check conditions before leaving, particularly if you aren’t used to winter driving.

Flying From Atlanta to New York

For many Atlanta residents and visitors, flying is the fastest and most practical way to cover the miles between Atlanta and New York.

Flight distance and flight time

• Flight distance:
  Atlanta (ATL) to New York City airports (such as JFK, LaGuardia (LGA), or Newark (EWR)) is about 750–760 miles in a straight line.

• Typical nonstop flight time:
  Around 2 to 2.5 hours in the air.

Keep in mind that total trip time includes:

• Getting from your home, hotel, or office in Atlanta to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
• Arriving early for security (often 1.5–2 hours before departure for domestic flights)
• Taxiing, boarding, and deplaning
• Getting from the airport in New York to your final destination

For most travelers, the door-to-door time from an Atlanta address to a New York destination usually falls in the 4.5–7 hour range, depending on:

• Where in Atlanta you start (Downtown vs. outer suburbs)
• Which New York airport you land at
• Ground transportation in both cities
• Time of day and traffic

Helpful Atlanta-specific airport details

If you’re starting in Atlanta:

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  • Located just south of Downtown Atlanta
  • Accessible via I‑75, I‑85, and the Metropolitan Parkway
  • Connected to the city by MARTA rail (Airport Station at the Domestic Terminal)

Many Atlanta travelers like using MARTA to avoid parking costs and interstate traffic:

• From Midtown or Downtown, you can take north-south MARTA lines (Red/Gold) directly to the Airport Station inside the terminal.

Once you land in New York, ground transportation will vary by airport (subway, commuter rail, buses, taxis, or rideshare), and that can add anywhere from 30 minutes to over 1.5 hours to reach your final location.

Bus and Train From Atlanta to New York

If you don’t want to fly or drive, you can also travel by bus or train from Atlanta to New York. The mileage is similar to driving routes, but travel time is significantly longer.

Bus distance and travel time

The road distance by bus is roughly the same as driving—again, about 860–900 miles, depending on the exact route.

• Typical bus travel time:
  Often 16–20+ hours, since buses:
  • Make multiple stops
  • May follow slightly slower routes
  • Can be affected by traffic along the entire I‑85 and I‑95 corridor

Many buses serving this route depart from or near Downtown Atlanta, making them convenient if you’re staying or living inside the Perimeter (I‑285).

Train distance and travel time

Taking the train (most commonly Amtrak) between Atlanta and New York generally follows an inland route, with a track distance not too far from the 750–900 mile range, but this is spread out over a long schedule.

• Train travel time (Atlanta to New York):
  Often overnight or longer, depending on the service and connections.

From a time perspective, the train is usually:

• Much slower than flying, and
• Often longer than driving, but
• Can be more comfortable if you prefer to relax, walk around on board, or avoid highway driving and airport security.

Choosing the Best Way to Travel From Atlanta to New York

Knowing how many miles from New York to Atlanta is only part of the picture. How you travel those miles depends on your priorities: time, budget, comfort, and flexibility.

Quick comparison for Atlanta travelers

Atlanta-focused tips when planning your trip

• Account for Atlanta traffic:
  If your flight leaves during weekday rush hours, give yourself extra time getting to Hartsfield-Jackson. The Downtown Connector (I‑75/I‑85) can slow you down, especially between I‑20 and I‑285.

• Think about parking vs. transit:
  If you live inside the Perimeter, consider MARTA to the airport instead of parking for several days. If you’re in the northern suburbs, it might be easier to drive to a MARTA station with parking (such as North Springs or Doraville) and ride into the airport.

• Weather windows:
  When driving, watch forecasts not just in Atlanta but along the entire corridor up to New York. A clear day in Georgia can still precede snow or heavy rain further north.

• Overnight vs. daytime travel:

  • Driving overnight from Atlanta can reduce traffic in major cities but may be more tiring.
  • Flying early morning from ATL often helps avoid late-day delays common at busy New York airports.

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Travelers

• The distance from Atlanta to New York is:

  • About 750–760 miles by air (straight-line)
  • About 860–900 miles by car, bus, or train routes

• Driving usually takes 13–18 hours depending on stops and traffic.

• Flying covers the distance in about 2–2.5 hours in the air, with total door-to-door time typically 4.5–7 hours.

• Bus and train options follow similar mileage to driving but take substantially longer.

Whether you’re an Atlanta local heading to the Big Apple or planning your first trip from New York down to Georgia, understanding the miles and travel times between the two cities helps you choose the option that fits your schedule, comfort level, and budget.