How Far Is Atlanta From New York City? Distance, Travel Times, and Best Ways to Go

If you live in Atlanta, Georgia or you’re visiting the city, there’s a good chance New York City is on your radar—whether for business trips, Broadway shows, family visits, or quick weekend getaways. Understanding how far Atlanta is from New York City, and the best ways to travel between the two, helps you plan your time and budget realistically.

Below is a clear breakdown of distance, travel options, and practical tips specifically from an Atlanta perspective.

The Basic Distance: Atlanta to New York City

In simple terms, Atlanta is roughly 750–880 miles from New York City, depending on how you travel and where you start and end.

• Driving distance: About 860–900 miles
  (from downtown Atlanta to Midtown Manhattan via major interstates like I‑85 and I‑95)
• Flight distance (“as the crow flies”): About 750–760 miles
• Train/bus routes: Often cover a similar distance to driving, but with specific routings that can add a bit more mileage

So if you’re in Atlanta proper—say near Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or the Airport area—you can expect:

• Around 2 hours by plane (in the air)
• Around 13–15 hours by car, depending on traffic and stops
• Well over 16 hours by bus or train, depending on the route

Quick Comparison: Travel Options From Atlanta to NYC

Approximate Distance & Time From Atlanta to New York City

Times are general ranges and can vary with traffic, weather, and operator schedules.

Flying From Atlanta to New York City

For most people in or visiting Atlanta, flying is the fastest, most practical way to get to New York City.

Distance and Flight Time

• Air distance: Around 750–760 miles
• Nonstop flight time:
  Typically about 2–2.5 hours in the air
• Total door-to-door time from Atlanta:
  Often 4–6 hours, including:
  • Getting to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  • Security check
  • Boarding, taxiing, and deplaning in New York
  • Transit from the New York airport into Manhattan, Brooklyn, etc.

Airports You’ll Use

In Atlanta:

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  • Location: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
  • Major hub with frequent daily flights to New York

In the New York City area, common arrival airports include:

• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) – Queens
• LaGuardia Airport (LGA) – Queens
• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) – Newark, NJ (often used for NYC trips)

When Flying Makes the Most Sense

From Atlanta, flying is usually the best choice when:

• You’re traveling for a short business trip or weekend getaway
• You want to minimize time away from work or family
• You find a reasonable fare and can be flexible with flight times

Driving From Atlanta to New York City

If you prefer being on the road, want flexibility, or are traveling with family, you might ask: How far is Atlanta from New York City by car?

Driving Distance and Route

• Approximate driving distance:860–900 miles
  (common routes use I‑85 North → I‑77 or I‑95 North, depending on your preferred path)

Common route from Downtown Atlanta to Manhattan:

1. Head north on I‑85 out of Atlanta
2. Connect to interstate routes leading toward Virginia and the Mid‑Atlantic
3. Continue north toward the New York City metro area, finishing via New Jersey and into Manhattan or one of the boroughs

How Long Is the Drive?

• Typical driving time:13–15+ hours
  Realistically, most Atlanta drivers who make this trip:
  • Break it into two days of driving
  • Stop overnight in cities along the way (often in North Carolina, Virginia, or the DC/Maryland area)

Things Atlanta Drivers Should Consider

• Traffic:
  • Heavy near Charlotte, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, and NYC
• Tolls:
  • Once you get into the Mid‑Atlantic and Northeast, toll roads and bridges become routine
• Weather:
  • In winter, areas north of Atlanta can have snow and ice that you’re not used to seeing locally
• Parking in NYC:
  • Limited and often expensive; many Atlanta visitors choose to park in New Jersey or use public transit once in the city

🚗 Tip for Atlanta drivers:
If you’re used to driving mostly around Metro Atlanta (I‑285, GA‑400, I‑20), be prepared for denser traffic and more aggressive driving styles as you get closer to the New York area.

Bus Travel From Atlanta to New York City

For budget-conscious travelers or people who don’t want to drive or fly, bus service can be an option between Atlanta and New York City.

How Far and How Long by Bus?

• Distance: Roughly similar to driving—around 860–900 miles
• Time: Often 17–20+ hours, depending on:
  • Operator
  • Number of stops
  • Traffic conditions along the East Coast

Typical Bus Experience From Atlanta

Buses from Atlanta to NYC commonly:

• Depart from bus terminals or designated curbside stops in the Atlanta area
• Arrive at large transit hubs or curbside stops in Manhattan or nearby

From an Atlanta perspective, this option can be useful if:

• You’re a student, solo traveler, or on a strict budget
• You’re comfortable with overnight travel
• You don’t mind a long stretch of time on the road

Taking the Train (Amtrak) From Atlanta to New York City

Atlanta does have an Amtrak station, and you can reach New York City by train, though it’s not the fastest option.

Atlanta’s Amtrak Station

• Peachtree Station (Atlanta Amtrak)
  • Address: 1688 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309
  • Located in Midtown/North Atlanta area

From this station, an Amtrak route can connect you to New York Penn Station, but:

• The journey is long—often 18 hours or more, depending on routing and schedules
• The distance covered is similar to the driving route, but with rail-specific detours and stops

Why Some Atlanta Travelers Still Choose the Train

Even though it’s long, some people from Atlanta prefer train travel because:

• It offers a more relaxed, scenic trip
• You can move around, eat in dining cars (on certain services), and sleep onboard
• It can be more comfortable than sitting on a bus for many hours

If your main question is “How far is Atlanta from New York City?”, for train travelers the key takeaway is:

• You’re still covering roughly 800–900 miles
• You’ll need to plan for a full day of travel

How Long Does It Really Feel From an Atlanta Perspective?

Understanding how far Atlanta is from New York City isn’t just about miles—it’s about how it feels in terms of lost time and energy.

For Atlanta Residents and Visitors:

• Flying:
  • Feels like going to a farther domestic destination, similar to a long regional hop
  • With Hartsfield–Jackson’s volume of flights, you’ll usually have multiple daily options
• Driving:
  • Feels like a major road trip, farther than driving from Atlanta to:
    • Orlando
    • Miami
    • New Orleans
  • Closer in scale to a two-day, multi-state journey
• Bus/Train:
  • Feels like committing to an entire day or more just for transit

For weekend trips, most Atlantans who go to NYC choose nonstop flights. For longer stays or more flexible schedules, some people are willing to drive or ride for the experience or cost savings.

Planning Tips for Atlantan Travelers Heading to NYC

If you’re in Atlanta and thinking about the Atlanta–New York distance in practical terms, consider:

1. Time of Year

• Winter:
  • Possible snow and ice north of Georgia, especially if you’re driving
• Summer and holidays:
  • Heavy demand for flights and increased road congestion

2. Your Starting Point in Atlanta

Where you’re staying or living in Metro Atlanta can change your travel time:

• Close to ATL Airport (College Park, Hapeville, East Point):
  • Easier for early flights
• Midtown, Buckhead, Sandy Springs, or beyond I‑285:
  • Allow extra time for Atlanta traffic on your way to flights, buses, or trains

3. Your Destination in New York City

“New York City” is large. Your final distance and travel time vary if you’re headed to:

• Manhattan (Times Square, Midtown, Downtown)
• Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, or Staten Island
• Nearby New Jersey cities used as NYC bases

Allow for extra local transit time once you arrive in the NYC area.

Key Takeaways for People in Atlanta

If you’re trying to understand how far Atlanta is from New York City, here’s the core answer framed for an Atlanta resident or visitor:

• Expect around 750–760 air miles, with about 2–2.5 hours in the air on a nonstop flight
• Plan for around 860–900 driving miles, taking 13–15+ hours by car, usually over 1–2 days
• Bus and train options cover similar distances but usually mean 17–20+ hours of travel

From Atlanta, New York City is far enough to feel like a major trip, but close enough that with a nonstop flight from Hartsfield–Jackson, it’s very manageable for business, family visits, or a long weekend.