Traveling From Atlanta to Atlantic City: Routes, Tips, and What to Know

Planning a trip from Atlanta, Georgia to Atlantic City, New Jersey? Whether you live in the Atlanta area or you’re visiting and want to add an East Coast casino-and-boardwalk escape to your plans, there are several ways to make this trip comfortably and efficiently.

This guide walks through all major options from Atlanta to Atlantic City—by plane, car, bus, and train—with details that matter specifically to travelers starting in or near Atlanta.

Atlanta to Atlantic City at a Glance

Distance & time overview (one-way)

*Times are approximate and can vary with traffic, routing, connections, and weather.

Flying From Atlanta to Atlantic City

For most Atlanta-based travelers, flying is the fastest and most practical way to reach Atlantic City.

1. Checking for Direct Flights From ATL to ACY

Atlanta’s main airport is Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL):

• Address: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
• Main phone: (800) 897‑1910 (airport information)

Atlantic City’s airport is Atlantic City International Airport (ACY):

• Address: 101 Atlantic City International Airport, Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234

Direct flights between ATL and ACY are not always available year-round. Service can:

• Be seasonal, especially around major travel periods.
• Change based on airline scheduling decisions.
• Sometimes require connecting through another city even if a “one-ticket” itinerary is sold.

If you see a true nonstop flight from Atlanta to Atlantic City, these are the main advantages:

• ✈️ Fastest option: Around 2 hours in the air.
• Simple logistics: No changing planes or dealing with aircraft swaps.
• Easy airport access in Atlanta via MARTA, rideshare, or parking lots.

Because direct options can be limited, many Atlanta travelers instead fly to a nearby major airport and continue by ground.

2. Flying ATL → Philadelphia (PHL) or Newark (EWR), Then Continuing to Atlantic City

When direct ATL → ACY isn’t available or affordable, a common strategy is:

1. Fly from Atlanta (ATL) to Philadelphia (PHL) or Newark (EWR).
2. Travel the final segment to Atlantic City by rental car, shuttle, bus, or train.

ATL to Philadelphia (PHL)

Philadelphia International Airport is one of the most practical gateways to Atlantic City for Atlanta residents.

• Flight time: Usually about 2 hours nonstop.
• From PHL to Atlantic City:
  • Driving: Roughly 60–70 miles, about 1.5 hours depending on traffic.
  • Train (PHL → Philadelphia Center City → Atlantic City):
    • Regional rail from the airport into Philadelphia 30th Street Station.
    • Then transfer to Atlantic City Rail Line toward Atlantic City Rail Terminal.
  • Shuttle or rideshare: May be available, especially around major weekends.

This route is popular with Atlanta travelers who:

• Prefer not to drive all the way from Georgia.
• Want flexible schedules and multiple daily flights in and out of ATL.

ATL to Newark (EWR)

Newark Liberty International Airport is another option:

• Flight time from Atlanta: Typically 2–2.5 hours for a nonstop.
• From EWR to Atlantic City:
  • Driving: Around 2–2.5 hours, traffic-dependent.
  • Train:
    • Take a train from Newark Airport Rail Station into New York Penn Station or directly onto an appropriate connection, then transfer to an NJ Transit line heading toward Atlantic City (this usually requires at least one more change).

This route can work if you find a particularly good fare or schedule from Atlanta to Newark.

3. Airport Logistics Starting in Atlanta

If you’re local to Atlanta, you have several ways to reach Hartsfield–Jackson:

• MARTA Rail:
  • Take the Red or Gold Line to the Airport Station, located inside the Domestic Terminal.
  • This is convenient if you’re coming from Midtown, Downtown, Buckhead, or areas along those lines.
• Driving and Parking:
  • On-site parking at ATL (short-term and long-term).
  • Off-site private lots near the airport frequently offer shuttles to the terminals.
• Rideshare/Taxi:
  • Rideshare pick-up zones are clearly marked at both domestic and international terminals.
  • Taxis operate from designated stands.

If you’re visiting Atlanta and staying in areas like Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or near Perimeter, MARTA is often the simplest way to the airport, especially during rush hour.

Driving From Atlanta to Atlantic City

If you prefer to be fully in control of your schedule, or you’re planning a road trip with stops along the way, driving from Atlanta to Atlantic City is very doable in a day—though it’s a long one.

1. Typical Driving Distance and Time

• Distance: About 750–800 miles, depending on your exact route.
• Time: Approximately 11–13 hours of drive time without extended stops.

Most Atlanta drivers depart from:

• The Downtown Connector (I‑75/I‑85) if leaving from central Atlanta.
• I‑285 if starting from the suburbs and then merging onto the main interstate heading north or northeast.

2. Common Driving Routes

Two general patterns are common for Atlanta drivers:

Route A: Via I‑85 and I‑95 (the “classic East Coast” route)

1. Take I‑85 North from Atlanta toward Greenville, SC, and Charlotte, NC.
2. Continue toward Greensboro, NC, and pick up I‑95 North.
3. Follow I‑95 North through Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware.
4. Near southern New Jersey, take the appropriate connector routes (such as NJ state highways and the Atlantic City Expressway) to reach Atlantic City.

Pros:

• Well-traveled interstates.
• Plenty of rest areas, gas stations, and food options.
• Good if you prefer major corridors and frequent services.

Cons:

• Traffic around major cities like Charlotte, Richmond, Washington, and Baltimore can add time.
• Tolls in some segments, especially as you get closer to the Northeast.

Route B: More inland variants

Some drivers use combinations of:

• I‑20, I‑77, I‑81, and other connecting highways to avoid certain congested stretches.
• This can be helpful if you prefer more scenic, less urban segments, but it’s usually a bit more complex.

For an Atlanta resident, Route A via I‑85 and I‑95 is usually the most straightforward.

3. Road Trip Tips for Atlanta Drivers

• Timing:
  • Leaving Atlanta early in the morning (before rush hour) helps you clear the metro area before congestion builds.
• Weather considerations:
  • In winter, roads in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey can be snowy or icy, even if Atlanta is mild.
• Breaks:
  • Plan stops at predictable places such as:
    • Rest areas in South Carolina and North Carolina on I‑85.
    • Larger cities like Charlotte or Richmond for food and fuel.
• Tolls:
  • As you near Atlantic City, the Atlantic City Expressway is a toll road.
  • Having some cash or a compatible toll transponder (if you use one for other trips) can make things smoother.

If you’re renting a car in Atlanta, most major firms have locations both at the airport and around the city (for example, along Peachtree Street or near Perimeter). Returning the car in Atlantic City may involve a one-way rental fee, so it’s worth checking terms before you commit.

Bus Travel From Atlanta to Atlantic City

Traveling by bus is typically slower than flying or driving, but it can sometimes be an economical option for Atlanta-based travelers.

1. What the Bus Journey Usually Looks Like

There’s rarely a simple, single-seat bus from Atlanta directly to Atlantic City. The trip often involves:

• Starting from a major Atlanta bus station, typically:
  • Downtown Atlanta, near the heart of the city and accessible by MARTA.
• Taking a long-haul bus to a northeastern hub city (often Washington, DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, or New York City).
• Transferring to another bus line or service heading toward Atlantic City.

Total travel time can easily exceed 16–20 hours, depending on the routing and layovers.

2. Considerations for Atlanta Bus Travelers

• Comfort:
  • Expect long stretches sitting; bring a travel pillow, light blanket or jacket, and chargers.
• Flexibility:
  • Bus schedules may change; be prepared for possible layover waits in transfer cities.
• Safety & planning:
  • If you’re transiting through cities late at night, it can help to plan:
    • Where you’ll wait.
    • How you’ll handle meals and restroom breaks.

Bus travel makes more sense if:

• You’re trying to minimize cost, and you have flexible timing.
• You’re comfortable with long-distance transit and transfers.

Train Travel From Atlanta to Atlantic City

A train trip from Atlanta to Atlantic City is usually more about the journey than pure efficiency. It’s often a patchwork of multiple legs.

1. General Train Route Structure

Most Atlanta-to-Atlantic-City itineraries by rail involve:

1. Train or combination Atlanta → Washington, DC, or New York
   • This might start at Atlanta’s Peachtree Station (1688 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309).
2. Transfer in a major hub:
   • Washington, DC or Philadelphia, depending on routing.
3. Regional or commuter rail into Atlantic City:
   • Many travelers connect via Philadelphia 30th Street Station to the Atlantic City Rail Line, which runs between Philadelphia and Atlantic City.

Total time is usually comparable to or longer than bus travel, due to routing and connections.

2. Why Some Atlanta Travelers Still Choose the Train

• Comfortable seating and ability to move around the cabin.
• Scenic segments along parts of the Eastern Seaboard.
• Access to food cars and relatively relaxed travel compared with highway driving.

However, for most practical, time-sensitive trips from Atlanta, flying or driving usually wins.

Choosing the Best Travel Option From Atlanta

When deciding how to go from Atlanta to Atlantic City, start from your priorities:

1. Fastest Route

• Primary choice:
  • Fly ATL → ACY if a nonstop flight is available.
• Reliable alternative:
  • Fly ATL → PHL or ATL → EWR, then:
    • Rent a car, or
    • Use trains/shuttles to Atlantic City.

For most Atlanta residents, this combination of plane plus short ground transfer offers the best balance of speed and convenience.

2. Budget-Conscious Route

If minimizing cost is more important than time:

• Compare:
  • Low-fare flights from ATL to nearby airports (especially PHL and EWR).
  • Bus itineraries from Atlanta to Atlantic City (or via a nearby hub).
  • Train combinations, particularly if you find special fares.
• Factor in:
  • Baggage fees for flights.
  • One-way rental fees if you plan to pick up a car in Atlanta and drop in New Jersey.
  • Ground transportation once you reach Philadelphia, Newark, or another nearby city.

Sometimes, a cheap flight to Philadelphia plus a regional train into Atlantic City will beat the all-bus option on both time and comfort, while staying budget-friendly.

3. Road Trip or Multi-Stop Vacation Route

If you live in Atlanta and want to turn this into a longer trip:

• Consider stopping at cities along I‑85 and I‑95, such as:
  • Charlotte, NC
  • Richmond, VA
  • Washington, DC
  • Baltimore, MD
• From a planning perspective:
  • Map out daily driving segments of 4–6 hours.
  • Book hotels in advance in busy metro areas, especially in peak seasons.
  • Use Atlanta as your starting and ending hub, which makes parking and logistics familiar and straightforward.

Practical Tips for Atlanta-Based Travelers

A few final pointers tailored to people starting in Atlanta:

• Use MARTA when possible to reach ATL:
  • Avoids parking fees and Atlanta traffic at peak times.
• Plan around Atlanta rush hours:
  • If you’re driving out of the city, try to leave:
    • Before ~7:00 a.m., or
    • After ~9:30 a.m.,
      to skip the worst of the morning congestion on I‑75/I‑85 and I‑285.
• Check for events:
  • Major events in Atlanta (sports, conventions, concerts) can affect airport parking, hotel prices, and traffic if you’re heading out or coming back the same weekend.
• Weather checks for both ends of the trip:
  • Atlanta’s weather can be mild when the Northeast is dealing with snow, ice, or heavy rain. Check forecasts for Philadelphia, Newark, and Atlantic City, not just Atlanta, so you aren’t surprised by conditions on arrival.

By considering your time, budget, and comfort priorities, and using Atlanta’s strong air and highway connections, you can choose the route from Atlanta to Atlantic City that fits your trip goals, whether it’s a quick gambling weekend, a boardwalk getaway, or a full East Coast road adventure.