Flying From Atlanta to Virginia: Routes, Airports, and Travel Tips

Planning an Atlanta to Virginia flight is straightforward, but your best options depend on where in Virginia you’re headed and how you like to travel. From Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), you can reach several major Virginia cities nonstop or with a short connection.

This guide walks you through routes, airlines, typical flight times, airport options, and practical tips—all from an Atlanta-based perspective.

Key Things to Know About Atlanta–Virginia Flights

Quick snapshot for Atlanta travelers:

*Flight times are gate-to-gate and don’t include check‑in, security, or taxi time.

Understanding Your Main Starting Point: ATL

If you’re in Atlanta or the metro area, nearly all commercial flights to Virginia will depart from:

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
General information: 800‑897‑1910

ATL is a major hub, which means:

• Frequent daily departures to the Washington, D.C./Northern Virginia area.
• Nonstop options to Richmond (RIC) and Norfolk (ORF) on many schedules.
• One-stop connections to regional Virginia airports if you’re heading to a smaller city or college town.

If you’re staying in-town, MARTA’s Red and Gold Lines both run directly to Airport Station inside ATL, which can be easier than driving and parking, especially for short flights to Virginia.

Where in Virginia Are You Going?

Your destination city in Virginia heavily affects which flight and airport make the most sense from Atlanta.

1. Northern Virginia & Washington, D.C. Area

If your final stop is Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Loudoun County, or other Northern Virginia suburbs, you have three main airport choices from Atlanta:

• Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) – Closest to downtown D.C. and many NOVA neighborhoods; often popular for government, law, and business travel.
• Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) – Major international airport in Virginia, west of D.C.; good if you’re headed to Reston, Herndon, Ashburn, or Loudoun County.
• Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) – Located in Maryland; sometimes cheaper; best if you don’t mind a longer drive or train ride to Northern Virginia.

From ATL, flyers commonly:

• Choose DCA for quick access to central D.C., Arlington, and parts of Alexandria.
• Choose IAD if their final destination is more to the west in Virginia or if they’re connecting to international routes.
• Consider price and schedule: some travelers pick whichever DC-area airport offers the best combination of cost and departure time.

Typical nonstop flight time: around 1 hour 45 minutes, sometimes slightly less.

2. Richmond and Central Virginia

If you’re going to Richmond, Petersburg, or surrounding areas, look for flights from ATL into:

Richmond International Airport (RIC)
1 Richard E Byrd Terminal Dr, Richmond, VA 23250

From Atlanta, this airport is usually best if:

• You’re visiting downtown Richmond, the Fan District, VCU, or Short Pump.
• You’re headed to central Virginia destinations like Williamsburg (with some driving), Fredericksburg (from the south), or Farmville.

Nonstop routes between Atlanta and Richmond may be available depending on the airline and season. When nonstop options are limited, one-stop connections through another hub are common.

Typical nonstop flight time: about 1 hour 30–40 minutes.

3. Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Hampton Roads

For Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Newport News, Portsmouth, Suffolk, or Hampton, the most convenient major airport is:

Norfolk International Airport (ORF)
2200 Norview Ave, Norfolk, VA 23518

From Atlanta, travelers typically:

• Use ORF if they’re headed to Virginia Beach or coastal Virginia.
• Rent a car at ORF to reach Outer Banks (NC) or smaller coastal communities.

Nonstop flights between ATL and ORF are often available, but schedules can change by season and airline.

Typical nonstop flight time: around 1 hour 30–45 minutes.

4. Southwest Virginia, Blue Ridge, and Smaller Cities

If your destination is Roanoke, Blacksburg, Lynchburg, Charlottesville, or the Shenandoah region, you may not have a nonstop option from Atlanta.

Common Virginia regional airports for these trips include:

• Roanoke–Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA) – For Roanoke, Blacksburg, Virginia Tech, and the New River Valley.
• Charlottesville–Albemarle Airport (CHO) – For Charlottesville, University of Virginia, and nearby wine country.
• Lynchburg Regional Airport (LYH) – For Lynchburg and surrounding areas.
• Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport (SHD) – For parts of the Shenandoah Valley, between Harrisonburg and Staunton.

From Atlanta, these often require a connection through another hub (for example, in Charlotte, D.C., or another major airport), so total travel time can be 3–6 hours or more including the layover.

If schedules are inconvenient, some Atlanta travelers choose to:

• Fly to IAD or RIC, then drive a few hours to their smaller Virginia destination.
• Compare connection time vs. rental car drive to decide which is less hassle.

Choosing the Best Flight From Atlanta to Virginia

Nonstop vs. One-Stop

When you’re starting in Atlanta, you’ll usually have options like:

• Nonstop:

  • ATL → DCA / IAD / BWI (for Northern Virginia and D.C.)
  • ATL → RIC (Richmond)
  • ATL → ORF (Norfolk/Virginia Beach)

• One-stop or more:

  • ATL → [Hub] → ROA, CHO, LYH, SHD, or other smaller cities.

If you prioritize time and simplicity, nonstop flights to major Virginia airports are typically the easiest. For smaller towns, expect at least one connection.

Time of Day Considerations

For Atlanta-based travelers, consider:

• Morning departures from ATL if you need to arrive in Virginia by mid‑day for work or events.
• Evening returns from Virginia to Atlanta the same day are often workable on the Northern Virginia routes, making same-day day trips realistic for some business travelers.

Keep in mind that ATL can get busy during early morning and late afternoon peaks, so allow extra time for security and getting to your gate.

How Long Does It Take Door-to-Door?

The flight itself between Atlanta and many Virginia airports can be under 2 hours, but your door-to-door time is usually longer.

For someone leaving from Midtown Atlanta to fly to Arlington, Virginia (via DCA), a typical timeline might look like:

1. Travel to ATL: 25–45 minutes by MARTA, rideshare, or car (longer during rush hour).
2. Airport arrival buffer: 1–1.5 hours before departure (more if checking bags).
3. Flight time: ~1 hour 45 minutes.
4. Deplaning and exit: 15–30 minutes.
5. Travel from DCA to Arlington: 10–30 minutes depending on exact location and Metro/vehicle choice.

In practice, door‑to‑door can run 4–6 hours even for a short flight, so compare with driving if you’re traveling with family, lots of luggage, or pets.

Flying vs. Driving: What Atlanta Travelers Commonly Consider

Many Atlanta residents weigh flying vs. driving to Virginia, especially for family trips or when visiting college campuses.

Approximate Driving Times From Atlanta

• Atlanta → Richmond: about 8–9 hours by car.
• Atlanta → Northern Virginia / DC suburbs: about 9–10+ hours.
• Atlanta → Norfolk / Virginia Beach: about 9–10 hours.
• Atlanta → Roanoke: about 7–8 hours.

Reasons some Atlantans choose to fly:

• Limited vacation time; need to maximize days in Virginia.
• Business trips where time is more valuable than cost.
• Avoiding long drives with kids or older relatives.

Reasons others choose to drive:

• Bringing a lot of luggage, sports gear, or moving items.
• Visiting multiple Virginia cities in one trip (e.g., Richmond + Norfolk + Charlottesville).
• Avoiding connections to regional airports and rental car lines.

Practical Tips for Atlanta-to-Virginia Flights

1. Give Yourself Enough Time at ATL

Because ATL is large and busy:

• Plan to arrive at least 1.5–2 hours before a domestic flight to Virginia, especially during peak times or holidays.
• Remember that some Virginia flights may depart from T gates (main terminal) or the A–E concourses, which require extra walking or the Plane Train.

2. Think About Ground Transportation on Both Ends

From Atlanta to the airport:

• MARTA is often the most predictable way to beat traffic for short hops to Virginia.
• Rideshare pickup zones are clearly marked at ATL but may have waits at peak times.

From Virginia airports to your final destination:

• DCA and IAD offer Metro rail or bus connections to many Northern Virginia neighborhoods.
• RIC and ORF typically require a rental car, rideshare, taxi, or local shuttle, depending on where you’re staying.
• For smaller airports like ROA or CHO, rental cars are common; public transit may be limited.

3. Plan for Weather Differences

Coming from Atlanta’s climate:

• Winter in Virginia (especially inland or in the mountains) can bring more snow or ice than you typically see in the Atlanta area. This can affect both flights and road connections.
• Coastal Virginia (Norfolk/Virginia Beach) can be breezy and cooler near the water even in warmer months, which may occasionally affect flight conditions.

Checking both ATL and destination airport weather the day before and the morning of your trip can help you anticipate delays.

4. Coordinate With Work or School Schedules

If you’re an Atlanta resident traveling to Virginia for:

• College visits (UVA, Virginia Tech, VCU, etc.)
• Government or legal work near D.C. and Northern Virginia
• Military visits (Norfolk area bases, for example)

It’s common to:

• Take an early flight from ATL, attend a meeting or tour mid‑day, and return on an evening flight when going to D.C./Northern Virginia.
• Allow an extra half-day of flexibility when traveling to smaller Virginia cities that require connections, in case of delays.

Using Atlanta’s Local Resources for Trip Planning

If you’re based in Atlanta and need help planning or adjusting your Atlanta‑to‑Virginia flight:

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) Information Desks
  Located in both domestic and international terminals. Staff can provide gate locations, terminal maps, and general guidance.

• Airline counters at ATL
  If you’re already at the airport and need to change or rebook your Virginia flight, speaking directly with agents at your airline’s ticket counter or gate desk can often speed up the process.

• MARTA Customer Service
  For help timing your airport trip with MARTA schedules and transfers:
  – Phone: 404‑848‑5000

These local resources are particularly useful if your Virginia flight is delayed, canceled, or moved to a different concourse and you need quick, on-the-ground assistance.

When an Atlanta-to-Virginia Flight Makes the Most Sense

For someone in or visiting Atlanta, flying to Virginia is usually most worthwhile when:

• You’re heading to Northern Virginia / D.C., Richmond, or Norfolk/Virginia Beach, where nonstop flights are often available.
• You need to save time compared to the 8–10+ hour drive.
• Your trip is work-related, tied to firm schedules like court dates, conferences, or campus visits, or you just want a faster, simpler travel day.

If your goal is a flexible road trip through multiple Virginia towns or scenic regions, driving from Atlanta can still be attractive. But for point‑to‑point travel, especially between ATL and major Virginia airports, a well‑timed nonstop flight is often the most efficient choice.