Flying From Atlanta to Daytona Beach, FL: A Practical Guide for ATL Travelers

Planning a trip from Atlanta to Daytona Beach, Florida and wondering how flights work for this short route? Whether you live in Atlanta, are visiting the city, or are planning your trip around Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), this guide walks through what to expect, how to compare options, and how to connect smoothly to Daytona Beach.

Is There a Nonstop Flight From Atlanta to Daytona Beach?

In many years, there have been limited or seasonal nonstop flights between ATL (Atlanta) and DAB (Daytona Beach International Airport). However, flight availability can change based on:

• Airline scheduling shifts
• Seasonal travel demand (for example, spring racing events in Daytona)
• Route consolidations to nearby Florida airports

For an Atlanta-based traveler, this means:

• Some dates may offer a direct ATL–DAB flight, usually on a major carrier.
• On other dates, you may need one stop or fly into a nearby Florida airport and then drive.

Always check current schedules from Atlanta before assuming a nonstop is available.

Main Airport Options for Atlanta to Daytona Beach

If you’re starting in Atlanta, you realistically have three main approaches:

1. Fly ATL → DAB (Daytona Beach International Airport)

Best when: You find a reasonably priced nonstop or one-stop itinerary that fits your timing.

Pros:

• Small, easy-to-navigate airport
• Short drive (about 10–15 minutes) to Daytona Beach, Daytona International Speedway, and oceanfront hotels
• Typically less crowded than major Florida hubs

Cons:

• Fewer flights per day than large airports
• Fares may be higher on peak days due to limited seats

2. Fly ATL → Nearby Airports (MCO, SFB, JAX) + Drive

When flights from Atlanta to Daytona Beach are limited or expensive, many Atlantans look at nearby airports and combine a flight with a rental car.

Here’s a quick comparison:

For someone in Atlanta, Orlando (MCO) often has the most frequent and competitive flights, especially from Hartsfield–Jackson.

3. Drive From Atlanta Instead of Flying

If you’re comparing flights vs. driving:

• The drive from Atlanta to Daytona Beach is roughly 6–7 hours by car, depending on traffic and route.
• Some Atlantans choose to drive for weekend trips, especially families or groups who want to avoid airport time and baggage fees.

If you prefer less time behind the wheel, even a one-stop flight can still be easier than driving the entire way.

Getting to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

Almost all commercial flights out of Atlanta to Florida depart from Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), located just south of downtown.

Address:
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
6000 N Terminal Pkwy
Atlanta, GA 30320

Ground Transport to ATL From Around Atlanta

From inside the metro Atlanta area, you have several good options:

• MARTA Rail:

  • The Red and Gold lines both stop at the Airport Station, attached to the Domestic Terminal (North and South).
  • For many Midtown, Downtown, and Buckhead residents or visitors, this is the simplest way to reach the airport without parking.

• Rideshare & Taxis:

  • Widely available across Atlanta, including areas like Decatur, Sandy Springs, and Marietta.
  • Drop-off is clearly marked at both Domestic and International terminals.

• Airport Parking:

  • ATL offers economy, park-ride lots, and daily parking at the terminals.
  • For longer trips, many Atlanta residents use off-site parking lots near the airport with shuttles to the terminals.

If you’re staying in Downtown Atlanta, many hotels are on MARTA lines or offer shuttle or rideshare-friendly access for an early morning flight to Florida.

Typical Flight Duration From Atlanta to Daytona Beach (and Nearby Airports)

Because Atlanta is relatively close to central and north Florida, air time is short, even when connections extend the total trip.

• ATL → DAB (Daytona Beach):
  • Nonstop flight time: usually about 1–1.5 hours in the air.
• ATL → MCO (Orlando), SFB (Sanford), JAX (Jacksonville):
  • Nonstop flight time: roughly 1–1.5 hours as well.

The biggest differences you’ll notice are in:

• Connection time (if you don’t have a nonstop)
• Layovers (if routing via another hub)
• Drive time from the Florida airport into Daytona Beach

When to Book Flights From Atlanta to Daytona Beach

Because this is a relatively short and popular route (especially around certain Florida events), ATL travelers often see:

• Higher prices and busier flights around:
  • Spring break
  • Major motorsports events in Daytona
  • Holiday weekends

To keep your costs under control from Atlanta:

• Book early if you’re traveling during known busy periods.
• Compare fares to DAB, MCO, SFB, and JAX from ATL; sometimes a nearby airport + car rental is significantly cheaper.
• Look at midweek departures (Tuesday–Thursday) if your schedule is flexible.

How to Choose the Best Route From Atlanta for Your Trip

When you live in or are visiting Atlanta, you have enough flight options that it’s worth thinking through what matters most to you.

Prioritize Convenience (Least Moving Parts)

If you want the simplest route:

1. Search for nonstop ATL → DAB first.
2. If none are available or priced well, search ATL → MCO (Orlando) with daytime arrival.
3. Plan a straightforward rental car pick-up and drive into Daytona Beach.

This minimizes:

• Layovers
• Tight connection risks
• Time spent in crowded connecting airports

Prioritize Lowest Price

If your top concern is cost from Atlanta:

• Compare ATL → DAB with ATL → MCO, ATL → SFB, and ATL → JAX on your dates.
• Factor in:
  • Car rental cost in Orlando or Jacksonville
  • Gas and tolls for the drive
  • Potential parking at ATL
• Be flexible with:
  • Departure times (very early or late flights can be cheaper)
  • Day of week (flying midweek from Atlanta often costs less)

Prioritize Shortest Total Travel Time

To minimize your entire door-to-door journey from your Atlanta home, hotel, or office:

1. Consider your starting point in Atlanta:
   • If you’re in Buckhead, Midtown, or Downtown, MARTA + a quick security line can make a nonstop ATL → MCO plus a 1–1.5 hour drive competitive with a more limited ATL → DAB schedule.
2. Look at total time:
   • Time to ATL
   • Time at security and waiting at the gate
   • Flight duration
   • Connection (if any)
   • Drive or ride from your Florida arrival airport to Daytona Beach

Sometimes, a nonstop Atlanta → Orlando plus a highway drive is still faster than a one-stop Atlanta → Daytona Beach itinerary with a long layover.

What to Expect at ATL When Flying to Florida

Hartsfield–Jackson is very familiar with Florida-bound travelers. If you’re heading to Daytona Beach from Atlanta, you’ll see:

• Plenty of early morning departures to Florida airports
• Busy security lines around:
  • Early morning (commuter and business hour)
  • Midday peaks
• Many food options in the concourses if you have extra time before your Florida flight

📌 Tip for Atlanta residents:
For early flights, consider staying closer to the airport the night before if you live far north (e.g., Alpharetta, Roswell, or Cumming) and are worried about rush-hour traffic on I‑75/I‑85 or GA‑400.

Getting From Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB) Into Town

If you successfully land at DAB from Atlanta (nonstop or with a connection), getting into Daytona Beach is straightforward:

• Rental Cars:

  • On-site at the airport; many Atlantans prefer this if they’re planning to explore nearby areas like New Smyrna Beach or Ormond Beach.

• Taxis and Rideshare:

  • Typically available near the terminal.

Drive times from DAB are generally short:

• To beachside hotels: often around 10–20 minutes, depending on exact location.
• To Daytona International Speedway: just a few minutes from the airport.

Tips for Atlanta Travelers Booking This Route

Here are some Atlanta-specific considerations to make your ATL → Daytona Beach trip smoother:

1. Build in Extra Time for ATL Traffic

• Morning rush (roughly 6:30–9:30 a.m.) and evening rush (3:30–7 p.m.) can significantly slow your drive to the airport, especially from the northern suburbs.
• Plan to arrive at ATL at least 1.5–2 hours before a domestic departure, more if you’re unfamiliar with the airport or checking bags.

2. Use MARTA If You’re Near a Station

If you’re staying in:

• Downtown Atlanta
• Midtown
• Parts of Buckhead

MARTA can be an efficient way to reach the airport and avoid parking fees and highway congestion.

3. Watch for Event Weeks in Daytona

Even if you’re focused on Atlanta logistics, keep in mind:

• Major events in Daytona can drive up:
  • Flight prices into DAB and MCO
  • Hotel rates around the beach
  • Rental car availability

If you see very high fares from Atlanta for your desired dates, consider whether an event might be happening in Daytona and adjust your timing if possible.

When Flying From Atlanta Might Not Be Worth It

For some Atlanta-area travelers, especially those who:

• Prefer road trips
• Need to bring a lot of gear (like beach supplies, bikes, or sports equipment)
• Have family members who dislike flying

the 6–7 hour drive can be more appealing than coordinating flights and connections.

If you live south of downtown Atlanta (e.g., Stockbridge, McDonough, Fayetteville), you’ve already “shaved” some distance off the drive to Florida, which may further tip the balance toward driving.

Quick Planning Checklist for Atlanta → Daytona Beach

Use this as a simple decision guide:

1. Search ATL → DAB for your dates.
2. If options are limited or costly, compare with ATL → MCO, SFB, and JAX.
3. Estimate:
   • Time from your Atlanta home/hotel to ATL
   • Flight and layover time
   • Drive time from Florida airport to Daytona Beach
4. Factor in:
   • Parking or MARTA cost in Atlanta
   • Car rental, gas, and tolls in Florida
5. Decide whether flying or driving from Atlanta best fits your budget, schedule, and comfort level.

By focusing on Hartsfield–Jackson as your starting point and weighing DAB vs. nearby Florida airports, you can choose the route that makes the most sense for your specific situation in Atlanta.