Atlanta to Redding, CA Flights: How to Get From Georgia to Far Northern California

Flying from Atlanta to Redding, California is a long but manageable trip—especially once you understand your airport options, connections, and timing. Because Redding is a smaller city in far Northern California, there are no nonstop flights from Atlanta, so every trip will involve at least one connection.

If you live in Atlanta or are visiting the city and planning this route, here’s exactly how to think about it.

Key Things to Know About Atlanta–Redding Flights

Quick overview for Atlanta travelers:

• Departure airport: Almost all trips start at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).
• Arrival airport: You’ll land at Redding Regional Airport (RDD) in Redding, California.
• Nonstop flights:None between ATL and RDD at this time.
• Connections: Most trips involve 1–2 connections through major hubs like Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Seattle (SEA), Phoenix (PHX), Denver (DEN), or Portland (PDX).
• Typical total travel time: Around 8–13 hours, depending on the connection and time of year.
• Alternative strategy: Flying from Atlanta to a larger Northern California airport (Sacramento, San Francisco) and then driving or taking ground transportation to Redding.

Where Your Trip Starts: Atlanta’s Main Airport

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

Almost every Atlanta to Redding, CA flight will depart from ATL, located at:

• Address: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
• Main info line: 800-897-1910 (airport information)

If you’re in downtown or midtown Atlanta, ATL is usually your best and fastest option. It’s a massive hub with frequent flights to major West Coast cities, which gives you more flexibility when building an itinerary to Redding.

Getting to ATL from around Atlanta:

• MARTA:
  • The Airport Station is at the end of the Red and Gold rail lines.
  • Good option if you’re staying near downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or North Springs.
• Driving:
  • Main access via I-75, I-85, and I-285.
  • On busy travel days, leave extra time for traffic on the Downtown Connector and near airport exits.
• Parking options:
  • Domestic and International Garages, economy lots, and park-and-ride options around the airport.
• Rideshare / Taxi:
  • Dedicated pickup areas are clearly marked at both the Domestic and International terminals.

If you’re flying a legacy carrier like Delta, American, or United, ATL gives you direct West Coast connections that are key for reaching Redding.

How You Actually Get to Redding: Typical Route Patterns

There are no nonstop flights from Atlanta to Redding. Instead, you’ll connect through one or more hub airports. The broad pattern is:

Common Connection Hubs From Atlanta to Redding

While specific routes change over time, Atlanta travelers commonly see connections in:

• Los Angeles (LAX)
• San Francisco (SFO)
• Seattle (SEA)
• Portland (PDX)
• Denver (DEN)
• Phoenix (PHX)

From these hubs, smaller regional jets or turboprop aircraft typically operate the short hop into Redding Regional Airport (RDD).

Understanding Redding Regional Airport (RDD)

Redding Regional Airport (RDD) serves the city of Redding and nearby Northern California communities.

• Address: 6751 Woodrum Cir, Redding, CA 96002
• It’s a small, regional airport with limited daily flights, often tied to major West Coast hubs.
• There are generally fewer flights per day, especially compared with a major city like Atlanta.

Because of this, timing your connection from Atlanta is important. If your West Coast flight arrives late in the day, you might need:

• A long layover, or
• An overnight stay near the hub airport if there’s no same-day connection to Redding.

Typical Itinerary Styles From Atlanta to Redding

You’ll usually see one of three patterns when searching for flights:

1. One-Stop Itineraries (Most Convenient When Available)

Example pattern:

• ATL → Western Hub (e.g., LAX, SFO, DEN) → RDD

These are often the most practical for Atlanta travelers:

• Pros:
  • Shorter total travel time.
  • Less risk of missed connections compared with two-stop itineraries.
• Cons:
  • Fewer total options per day.
  • Timing may not always align with when you want to travel.

2. Two-Stop Itineraries (More Common When Schedules Are Tight)

Example pattern:

• ATL → Mid-Continent Hub → Western Hub → RDD

For example:

• ATL → Dallas/Fort Worth → Phoenix → RDD, or
• ATL → Chicago → San Francisco → RDD

These can work when one-stop options don’t match your schedule, but:

• Expect longer travel days and more chances for delays to affect your final connection.

3. Fly to a Larger Airport, Then Drive to Redding

A popular strategy for Atlanta travelers is to:

1. Fly from ATL to a large California airport, such as:
   • Sacramento (SMF)
   • San Francisco (SFO)
   • Oakland (OAK)
2. Rent a car or take other ground transportation up to Redding.

Approximate driving times:

Advantages for Atlanta travelers:

• Many more daily nonstop flights from ATL to major California airports.
• Greater freedom in choosing departure time, airline, and price.
• Ground options from those cities to Redding are fairly direct, especially from Sacramento.

This approach can be especially useful if:

• You’re traveling with family,
• You prefer more control over schedules, or
• You want to explore Northern California on the drive.

How Long Does the Trip Take From Atlanta?

From door to door, your time from Atlanta to Redding includes:

1. Getting to ATL
2. Time at the airport before departure (usually 1.5–2 hours for domestic flights)
3. Flight time from ATL to your West Coast hub
4. Layover time
5. Short flight into RDD, or a drive if you choose a larger airport
6. Transit from RDD (or final airport) to your lodging in Redding

Typical Flight Time Ranges

• ATL → West Coast hub:
  Around 4–5.5 hours of flight time, depending on destination and winds.
• West Coast hub → RDD:
  Around 1–2 hours of flight time.
• Layovers:
  Can range from 45 minutes to several hours, depending on schedules.

Overall, most Atlanta–Redding itineraries fall into roughly:

• 8–10 hours for more efficient one-stop itineraries
• 10–13+ hours for two-stop or long-layover trips

When to Fly: Timing and Seasonal Factors for Atlanta Travelers

Time of Day

From Atlanta, morning departures often work best:

• You leave ATL early,
• Reach the West Coast midday or early afternoon,
• Then catch a later-afternoon or evening flight to Redding.

This helps reduce the risk of missing your RDD flight due to earlier delays.

Seasonal Considerations

• Winter:
  • West Coast hubs near mountains (like Denver or Seattle) can occasionally see weather-related disruptions.
  • It may be safer to allow slightly longer layovers.
• Summer:
  • Atlanta and Western hubs can experience thunderstorms or busy travel periods, especially around holidays.
  • Expect heavier passenger loads, so booking early is often beneficial.

Comparing Your Main Route Options From Atlanta

Here’s a simple way to think through common choices if you’re starting in Atlanta:

Option A: Connect Directly to Redding

Who this suits:

• Travelers who want to fly all the way to Redding with no driving.
• Those comfortable with smaller regional planes and airports.

What to expect:

• One or more flight connections.
• You’ll land right in Redding (RDD), which is close to many local hotels and city services.

Option B: Fly to Sacramento, Then Drive

Who this suits:

• Atlanta travelers who like a simple, straight highway drive.
• Families or groups who prefer the flexibility of a rental car.

Typical flow:

• Fly ATL → SMF (Sacramento), often with one connection or sometimes nonstop depending on airline routes.
• Rent a car at SMF.
• Drive about 2.5–3 hours north on Interstate 5 to Redding.

Option C: Fly to the Bay Area, Then Drive

Who this suits:

• Travelers who want to add time in San Francisco or Oakland.
• People who found a good airfare deal to SFO or OAK.

Considerations:

• Longer drive and possible Bay Area traffic delays.
• Can be a scenic route but may extend your travel day more than Option B.

Practical Tips for Atlanta-Based Flyers Booking to Redding

1. Start Your Search From ATL, Then Compare Alternatives

When searching for Atlanta to Redding flights:

• First, look for ATL → RDD itineraries and note:
  • Total travel time
  • Number of stops
  • Arrival time in Redding
• Then compare with ATL → SMF or ATL → SFO/OAK plus a drive, especially if you’re comfortable renting a car.

2. Be Mindful of Tight Connections on the West Coast

Coming from Atlanta, your first flight is usually the longest segment. Delays here can ripple through to your final leg.

Helpful guidelines:

• Avoid very short connections (for example, under 45 minutes) at your West Coast hub if possible.
• Give yourself at least an hour (or more) at unfamiliar airports, especially if you may need to change terminals.

3. Plan Your Ground Transportation in Redding in Advance

If you’re flying all the way into RDD:

• Check rental car availability ahead of time, especially during busy travel seasons or major events in Northern California.
• If you don’t plan to drive, look into hotel shuttles, taxis, or rideshare options serving Redding Regional Airport.

4. Think About Your Return Trip to Atlanta

When planning Redding back to Atlanta:

• Morning flights out of RDD may require early hotel departures.
• Connecting back to Atlanta often means:
  • RDD → West Coast hub → ATL
• Aim to arrive back at ATL with time to handle Atlanta traffic or MARTA travel if you’re heading home the same day.

Using Atlanta Resources to Make Your Trip Smoother

If you’re based in Atlanta or spending time here before your trip:

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport Information Desks
  • Located in both the Domestic and International terminals.
  • Staff can help you navigate terminals, security checkpoints, and gate changes.
• MARTA Customer Information Center
  • Phone: 404-848-5000
  • Helpful if you’re planning to get to ATL by train or bus from around the metro area.

Staying near major areas like Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or near the Perimeter also makes it easier to reach ATL in a predictable amount of time, especially for early flights to connect onward to Redding.

Summary for Atlanta Travelers Heading to Redding, CA

• You’ll depart from ATL and arrive at RDD or a larger California airport nearby.
• Expect at least one connection—there are no nonstop flights between Atlanta and Redding.
• Many Atlanta flyers find it practical to fly to Sacramento or the Bay Area and then drive to Redding.
• Plan for a long travel day (8–13 hours), and choose connection times that balance efficiency with a comfortable buffer.
• Use Atlanta’s strong air connections and MARTA access to ATL to your advantage when planning your route.

With a bit of advance planning, flying from Atlanta to Redding, CA can be straightforward, whether you choose to connect directly to RDD or combine a flight with a scenic Northern California drive.