How Far Is Miami From Atlanta? Miles, Drive Times, and Travel Tips

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and thinking about a getaway to Miami, Florida, the first question is usually: how many miles is Miami from Atlanta, and what does that really mean for your trip?

Here’s a clear breakdown of the distance, travel times, and what Atlanta travelers should know before heading south.

How Many Miles Is Miami From Atlanta?

The distance between Atlanta and Miami depends on how you travel:

• By road (driving):
  About 660–680 miles one way, depending on your exact starting and ending points.
  A common estimate is around 665 miles via the most direct interstate routes.

• By air (direct flight distance):
  The straight-line distance (“as the crow flies”) is about 595 miles between Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and Miami International Airport (MIA).

For planning purposes in Atlanta, most people use about 660–680 driving miles as the practical distance to Miami.

Driving From Atlanta to Miami

Main Driving Route

Most drivers from Atlanta to Miami follow a similar path:

1. Start on I‑75 South from the Atlanta area.
2. Continue into south Georgia through cities like Macon and Valdosta.
3. Near Lake City, Florida, transition toward I‑10 East briefly (depending on your navigation).
4. Connect to I‑75 South again (the Florida Turnpike is another common option heading toward South Florida).
5. Continue south through Central Florida (often bypassing Orlando) until you link into the Florida Turnpike or I‑95, which both lead toward the Miami area.

This route is typically around 660–680 miles total from metro Atlanta to central Miami.

How Long Does It Take to Drive from Atlanta to Miami?

Driving time depends heavily on traffic, stops, and your exact route, but for most Atlanta travelers:

• Typical driving time:9.5 to 11 hours
• Nonstop, no traffic: Sometimes closer to 9 hours, but this is aggressive and not realistic for most drivers.

Plan for:

• 🚗 At least 1 meal stop
• ⛽ Multiple quick fuel or restroom stops
• ⏰ Extra time for congestion around Atlanta, Orlando-area junctions, and South Florida

For a more comfortable trip from Atlanta, many people leave very early in the morning to clear Atlanta traffic and reach Florida before dark.

Flying From Atlanta to Miami

Flight Distance and Time

• Flight distance (ATL to MIA): About 595 miles
• Typical nonstop flight time: Around 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours in the air

Even with airport time added, flying is much faster than driving for most people in Atlanta.

Atlanta Airports to Use

Most travelers going from Atlanta to Miami use:

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
  • Major hub with frequent nonstop flights to Miami and other South Florida airports.
  • Offers flights to Miami (MIA), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), and sometimes West Palm Beach (PBI), all within a relatively similar flying distance.

If you live in metro Atlanta outside the city, you may also consider smaller regional airports for connecting flights, but ATL is by far the primary gateway to Miami.

Quick Comparison: Driving vs. Flying from Atlanta to Miami

Atlanta → Miami Travel Overview

Both options start from Atlanta and get you to Miami, but your choice depends on how you balance time, cost, and comfort.

If You’re Driving: Atlanta-Specific Tips

Where You’ll Likely Start in Atlanta

Most trips begin from:

• Downtown/Midtown Atlanta (around Peachtree Center, Georgia State, or Georgia Tech), or
• Suburban areas like Marietta, Sandy Springs, Decatur, or College Park.

No matter where you start, you’ll typically:

• Get onto I‑75 South via I‑20, I‑285, or city surface streets.
• Pass Hartsfield-Jackson on your way out if you’re coming from central or north Atlanta.

Planning Fuel and Rest Stops

From Atlanta to Miami, you’ll pass several easy stopping points:

• Macon, GA – about 85 miles from Atlanta; good for early fuel or coffee.
• Tifton or Valdosta, GA – mid-route gas/meal stops before Florida.
• Lake City, FL – major interchange with services; a common break point.
• Fort Pierce / Port St. Lucie, FL – later-in-the-trip stops as you approach South Florida.

For a rough midpoint, many Atlanta travelers view the Valdosta/Lake City corridor as the “halfway area,” even though the exact miles may not be perfectly split.

Traffic Considerations Leaving Atlanta

Leaving from Atlanta, the biggest time variable is often metro traffic:

• Morning rush hours (roughly 6–9 a.m.) can slow you down on I‑75 and I‑285.
• Afternoon rush (roughly 3–7 p.m.) is also busy, especially if you’re crossing the Perimeter (I‑285).

To keep your Miami drive close to that 10-hour window, Atlanta drivers often:

• Depart before sunrise or after evening rush.
• Use apps or radio traffic updates for I‑75 and I‑285 conditions.

If You’re Flying: What Atlanta Travelers Should Know

Getting to Hartsfield-Jackson from Around Atlanta

From within metro Atlanta:

• MARTA Rail:
  You can take MARTA to the Airport Station, which is directly connected to the domestic terminal.

  • North-South Red and Gold lines both serve the airport.
  • This is popular for travelers staying in Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead.

• Driving and Parking:
  Hartsfield-Jackson offers on-site and remote parking with shuttle service. Many Atlanta residents also use long-term parking lots nearby.

Other South Florida Airports

While you asked specifically about Miami, people in Atlanta sometimes compare:

• Miami International Airport (MIA) – closest to central Miami, South Beach, and Coral Gables.
• Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL) – similar flight distance; can work well if your destination is north of Miami or if you find better prices/schedules.
• West Palm Beach (PBI) – further north but still in South Florida; good for Palm Beach-area destinations.

From Atlanta, flying distances to these airports are all in the same general range—roughly 580–620 miles.

How the Distance Affects Trip Planning for Atlantans

Knowing that Miami is roughly 660–680 driving miles from Atlanta helps with:

1. Budgeting for Gas or Airfare

• Driving from Atlanta:
  Multiply ~670 miles each way by your car’s miles per gallon to estimate fuel needs.
• Flying from Atlanta:
  The ~595-mile flight is a short-haul route, and flights can be relatively frequent, giving you flexibility on timing and pricing.

2. Deciding Trip Length

For people based in Atlanta:

• Weekend trips:
  Usually better suited to flying, since a 10-hour drive eats up most of your time.
• Longer vacations (4–7+ days):
  Driving becomes more reasonable if you want the flexibility of your own car in Florida and don’t mind the distance.

3. Planning Breaks or Overnight Stops

If driving the entire Atlanta to Miami distance in one day feels long:

• Some Atlanta travelers stop overnight around:
  • Valdosta, GA
  • Lake City or Gainesville, FL
• Splitting the drive into two 4–6 hour segments can make it more manageable for families or solo drivers.

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Travelers

• Driving distance, Atlanta to Miami:
  About 660–680 miles, commonly estimated around 665 miles one way.
• Flight distance, Atlanta to Miami:
  About 595 miles between ATL and MIA.
• Drive time:
  Plan on 9.5 to 11 hours from the Atlanta area to Miami, depending on traffic and stops.
• Flight time:
  About 1.5–2 hours in the air, plus time for check-in, security, and boarding.

If you’re in Atlanta and asking “How many miles is Miami from here?”, you’re looking at a full-day drive of roughly 660–680 miles or a short, sub-2-hour flight covering about 595 miles. Both options are well-traveled routes for Atlantans heading to South Florida.