Atlanta to Daytona Beach Flights: How to Get from ATL to the Florida Coast Quickly and Easily

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and want a fast escape to the sand and surf of Daytona Beach, Florida, you’ll quickly discover there’s a catch: there are no regular nonstop commercial flights from Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) most of the time.

That doesn’t mean you’re stuck driving, though. It just means you’ll need to make a smart choice between one-stop flights, nearby airports, or driving. This guide breaks down the best options specifically for Atlanta travelers, including airport logistics, timing, costs, and when each choice makes sense.

Are There Nonstop Flights from Atlanta to Daytona Beach?

For most travelers:

• Nonstop commercial flights ATL → DAB are not commonly available.
• The route is usually served as one-stop via another city, or travelers use nearby Florida airports instead (like Orlando or Jacksonville).

Occasionally, airlines may add seasonal or limited-time nonstops, but you should plan assuming you’ll connect or fly to a nearby airport.

If you live in Atlanta, this gives you three realistic strategies:

1. One-stop flight ATL → DAB
2. Fly ATL → another Florida airport, then drive
3. Skip the plane and drive the full distance

Option 1: One-Stop Flights from Atlanta to Daytona Beach (DAB)

How one-stop flights usually work

Since nonstop flights are rare, most ATL → DAB options involve:

• ATL → hub city → DAB
  Common connection cities (subject to airline schedules) may include:
  • Charlotte (CLT)
  • Miami (MIA)
  • Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW)
  • Other regional hubs depending on the airline

Typical total travel time

• Flight time (airborne): Around 3–5 hours total across two flight segments
• Door-to-door from Atlanta home to Daytona Beach hotel:
  Often 5–8 hours, depending on:
  • Layover length
  • TSA/security lines at ATL
  • Checked baggage vs. carry-on
  • Ground transportation on each end

Pros of flying one-stop to DAB

• ✈️ You arrive directly in Daytona Beach, close to:
  • Daytona International Speedway
  • Beachside hotels and resorts
  • Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
• No long drive after landing
• Good for travelers who don’t want to rent a car
  (rideshare and taxis typically serve DAB and local hotels)

Cons for Atlanta travelers

• Longer total travel time than you might expect for a short regional route
• More chances for delays because of the connection
• Often more expensive than flying into bigger nearby airports like Orlando (MCO)

For Atlanta-based travelers, one-stop flights to DAB tend to make the most sense when:

• You’re traveling for business with tight location needs near the airport
• You prefer to avoid driving altogether
• Someone else is handling the booking (e.g., corporate travel)

Option 2: Fly from Atlanta to a Nearby Florida Airport, Then Drive

Many Atlanta residents find it faster, cheaper, or more flexible to:

1. Fly from ATL to a larger Florida airport with frequent, often direct flights
2. Rent a car or rideshare and drive to Daytona Beach

Common Florida airport alternatives for Daytona Beach

1. ATL → Orlando International Airport (MCO) → Daytona Beach

This is the most popular combo for many people starting in Atlanta.

• Nonstop flight time: Typically 1.5 hours ATL → MCO
• Drive MCO → Daytona Beach: Around 1–1.5 hours, mostly via I‑4

Why this works well from Atlanta:

• Very frequent ATL–MCO flights on multiple airlines
• Short, simple route once you land
• Often cheaper and more flexible than flying into DAB

2. ATL → Orlando Sanford (SFB) → Daytona Beach

• Drive SFB → Daytona Beach: Typically 45–60 minutes, shorter than from MCO
• Smaller airport feel, which some travelers find less stressful

3. ATL → Jacksonville (JAX) → Daytona Beach

• Drive JAX → Daytona Beach: About 1.5–2 hours via I‑95
• Good fallback if fares or schedules to Orlando don’t work for you

Option 3: Driving from Atlanta to Daytona Beach

If you’re already in Atlanta, driving is always in play.

• Approximate distance: Around 430–450 miles, depending on your route
• Drive time: Usually 6–7 hours with minimal stops
  Common routes:
  • I‑75 S → I‑10 E → I‑95 S
  • Or variations using US‑441 and other roads depending on preference

When Atlanta travelers often choose to drive

• Families or groups where multiple tickets would be pricey
• Travelers who want to bring beach gear, coolers, or pets
• People who value flexibility in departure time and breaks
• Last-minute trips when airfare is expensive or limited

From many Atlanta neighborhoods (Midtown, Buckhead, Decatur, Sandy Springs, etc.), the total door-to-door time driving versus flying plus layovers can end up fairly similar.

Navigating Hartsfield–Jackson (ATL) for Florida Flights

Since nearly every air option starts at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, it helps to know how to move through ATL efficiently.

Getting to ATL from around Atlanta

Common ways Atlanta residents and visitors reach ATL:

• MARTA:
  • Take the Red or Gold line to Airport Station
  • The station is inside the Domestic Terminal, convenient for check-in
• Rideshare / Taxi:
  • Very active pickup zones at most hours
  • Helpful if you’re coming from areas like Buckhead, West Midtown, or East Atlanta
• Driving yourself:
  • Multiple long-term and economy parking options
  • Official airport address:
    Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
    6000 N Terminal Pkwy
    Atlanta, GA 30320

Domestic vs. International Terminal for Florida flights

Flights to Daytona, Orlando, or Jacksonville are domestic routes, so you’ll normally:

• Depart from the Domestic Terminal
• Go through the main TSA security checkpoints
• Use Concourses T, A, B, C, D, or E, depending on airline and gate

Plan to arrive:

• At least 1.5–2 hours before departure for domestic flights
  Longer during major holidays, race weekends in Daytona, or spring break periods.

How to Choose the Best Atlanta → Daytona Beach Option for You

Here’s a simple way Atlanta travelers can compare:

Quick decision guide

• I hate long drives and want to land as close to Daytona as possible:
  → Look for a one-stop ATL → DAB flight.

• I want a balance of price, time, and flexibility:
  → Consider ATL nonstop to Orlando (MCO), then drive 1–1.5 hours.

• I’m traveling with family or a group and watching the budget:
  → Driving the whole way or flying to a cheaper Florida airport then driving often makes sense.

• I’m already renting a car for a wider Florida trip:
  → Flying into MCO or JAX can give more route options and hotel choices.

Timing Tips for Atlanta Travelers Headed to Daytona Beach

Whether you’re flying or driving from Atlanta, timing matters.

When trips are busier and often pricier

Traffic, flights, and hotel prices between Atlanta and Daytona Beach can spike around:

• Daytona 500 and other major races at Daytona International Speedway
• Spring break (especially March and early April)
• Holiday weekends (Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day)
• Bike Week and Biketoberfest in Daytona

From Atlanta, it’s smart to:

• Book flights earlier if your trip overlaps with these events
• Consider flexible travel dates (for example, flying midweek)
• Allow extra time to reach ATL, especially during Atlanta rush hours

Practical Travel Tips from an Atlanta Perspective

1. Check total door-to-door time, not just flight time

For someone traveling from, say, Decatur or Marietta to Daytona Beach, compare:

• Time from home → ATL → connection → DAB → hotel
• Versus home → ATL → MCO → rental car → hotel
• Versus home → direct drive, no flying

Sometimes the “shorter” flight option ends up taking just as long as driving.

2. Think about your return to Atlanta

• If you fly back into ATL in the evening:
  • Factor in MARTA schedules or rush-hour traffic driving home.
• If you drive back from Daytona:
  • Leaving very early in the morning can help you avoid heavier traffic around Macon and the south side of Atlanta in the afternoon.

3. Renting a car in Florida

If you choose the fly-then-drive approach:

• Major rental companies operate at MCO, SFB, JAX, and DAB.
• For beach trips from Atlanta, many people:
  • Book compact or midsize cars to balance cost and luggage space
  • Check for one-way drop fees if returning at a different airport

Helpful Atlanta-Area Resources for Your Trip

While planning your Atlanta to Daytona Beach trip, these local resources can help:

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  6000 N Terminal Pkwy
  Atlanta, GA 30320
  Main information lines and on-site help desks can assist with:

  • Flight status and gate info
  • Lost and found
  • Parking and terminal maps

• MARTA Customer Information Center (for airport train access)
  Phone: 404‑848‑5000
  Can provide:

  • Train schedules to Airport Station
  • Guidance from key Atlanta areas like Midtown, Downtown, and Buckhead

Using these services from within Atlanta can make the start and end of your Daytona Beach trip smoother, whether you’re choosing to fly, drive, or mix both.

In summary, from an Atlanta point of view, traveling to Daytona Beach usually comes down to a trade-off:

• Convenience of flying directly into Daytona with a connection,
• Versus flexibility and often lower cost of flying into Orlando or Jacksonville and driving,
• Versus the simplicity and control of driving the entire way.

If you plan based on door-to-door time, not just miles or flight segments, you can choose the option that fits your schedule, budget, and comfort level.