Flying from Little Rock to Atlanta: What Travelers to ATL Need to Know

Flying from Little Rock, Arkansas (LIT) to Atlanta, Georgia (ATL) is a common route, whether you’re coming home to Atlanta, visiting the city, or connecting through Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport to another destination. This guide walks you through flight options, schedules, and what to expect once you land in Atlanta.

Key Facts About Little Rock–Atlanta Flights

Route basics:

• Departure airport: Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT), Little Rock, Arkansas
• Arrival airport: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Atlanta, Georgia
• Typical nonstop flight time: About 1 hour 30 minutes in the air
• Time zone: Little Rock is Central Time; Atlanta is Eastern Time (1 hour ahead)

Because Atlanta is a major hub, this route is popular with:

• Atlanta residents flying back home from Arkansas
• Visitors coming into Atlanta for business, conventions, or vacations
• Connecting passengers using ATL to reach other destinations in the U.S. and abroad

Airlines and Types of Flights on the Little Rock–Atlanta Route

Several airlines may serve the Little Rock to Atlanta route, with some offering nonstop flights and others operating one-stop connections through different cities.

Nonstop vs. Connecting Flights

Nonstop flights:

• Usually the fastest and most convenient option
• Often operated by a major carrier that uses ATL as a hub
• Helpful if you live in Atlanta and want to minimize travel time returning home

Connecting flights:

• May connect through cities like Dallas–Fort Worth, Charlotte, or Houston, depending on the airline
• Can be useful if nonstop schedules don’t match your plans
• Take longer overall but occasionally offer lower base fares

In practice, many travelers coming to Atlanta from Little Rock choose nonstop flights into ATL when possible, because it simplifies onward travel within the Atlanta metro area and reduces delays.

Typical Flight Times and Schedules

How long is the flight?

• Gate-to-gate: Around 1.5 to 2 hours
• Door-to-door, including airport time: Plan on 4–5 hours from arrival at LIT to exiting ATL’s baggage claim or MARTA station

When are flights usually offered?

Schedules vary by season and airline, but you’ll commonly see:

• Morning departures from Little Rock arriving in Atlanta before noon
• Midday flights that are handy for same-day meetings or check-in at Atlanta hotels
• Evening flights useful for returning to Atlanta after a full day in Little Rock

For travelers based in Atlanta, this means you can:

• Leave ATL earlier in the day to Little Rock
• Return on an evening flight and get back home the same night, especially if you live near MARTA or close to the Perimeter (I-285)

What to Expect When You Land in Atlanta

All commercial flights from Little Rock land at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL):

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

ATL is large, but once you understand the layout, it’s straightforward to navigate.

Understanding ATL’s Layout

ATL is organized into:

• Domestic Terminal North & South (check-in and pickup areas)
• Concourses T, A, B, C, D (mostly domestic)
• Concourse E & F (international; some domestic flights may arrive or depart here)
• All concourses connected by the Plane Train, an underground people-mover

Flights from Little Rock typically arrive at a domestic concourse (T, A, B, C, or D). From there, you can:

• Take the Plane Train to Baggage Claim
• Follow signs to Ground Transportation
• Connect to another flight within ATL by following the connection signage

Getting From ATL to Atlanta Neighborhoods

Once you land from Little Rock and collect your bags, you’ll choose how to get into the city. Your best option depends on where in Atlanta you’re headed and your comfort with public transit.

Option 1: MARTA (Public Transit)

MARTA is often the simplest and most predictable way into central Atlanta.

• MARTA Airport Station: Directly inside the airport, at the end of the Domestic Terminal near baggage claim
• Lines: Red and Gold lines

Useful MARTA stops for common destinations:

Good for you if:

• You’re staying in Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead
• You want to avoid traffic
• You’re comfortable with light-to-moderate walking from the station to your destination

Option 2: Rideshare and Taxis

Both Uber and Lyft operate heavily at ATL, and there are licensed taxis as well.

• Rideshare pickup:
  • Follow signs for “Rideshare” from Baggage Claim (Domestic Terminal)
  • Pickup is usually from the South Economy Parking/Rideshare area
• Taxi stand:
  • Clearly marked outside Baggage Claim at the Domestic Terminal

Approximate driving times (without heavy traffic) from ATL:

• Downtown Atlanta: 15–25 minutes
• Midtown: 20–30 minutes
• Buckhead: 25–40 minutes
• Perimeter Center (Sandy Springs/Dunwoody): 30–45 minutes
• Cobb Galleria / Truist Park area: 30–45 minutes

Traffic on I‑75, I‑85, and the Downtown Connector can slow these estimates significantly during rush hours (roughly 7–9 a.m. and 4–7 p.m.).

Option 3: Rental Cars

If your stay in Atlanta includes multiple areas (e.g., OTP suburbs, business parks, or visiting family), a rental car can be convenient.

• Rental Car Center (RCC):
  • Connected to the airport via the SkyTrain
  • Address: 2200 Rental Car Center Pkwy, College Park, GA 30337

Steps from your Little Rock flight:

1. Follow signs for Rental Cars after baggage claim
2. Take the SkyTrain (an elevated train) to the RCC
3. Pick up your vehicle from your chosen rental company

A rental car is often useful if you’re going to:

• Suburban areas (e.g., Marietta, Lawrenceville, Alpharetta, McDonough)
• Locations not easily reached by MARTA or bus
• Multiple sites across the metro area in one day

When It Makes Sense to Fly Little Rock–Atlanta vs. Drive

For those familiar with the Southeast, the drive from Little Rock to Atlanta is long but possible in a day. Flying from Little Rock to Atlanta is usually preferable when:

• You have tight schedules for business, conferences, or events
• You’re connecting at ATL to another flight (domestic or international)
• You want to reduce time on the road and arrive in Atlanta more rested

By contrast, some travelers may choose to drive if:

• They’re moving belongings between Arkansas and Georgia
• They’re traveling with multiple people and want to control stops and timing
• They’re planning road trips with stops in Memphis, Birmingham, or other cities along the way

If you live in Atlanta and frequently travel to Arkansas, comparing the time at the airport plus flight time against the driving time helps you decide the best option trip by trip.

Tips for a Smooth Little Rock–Atlanta Flight

Whether you’re coming into Atlanta for the first time or you’re an ATL local returning home, these pointers can make the journey easier.

Before You Leave Little Rock (LIT)

• Arrive early: Aim for at least 1.5–2 hours before departure, especially if checking luggage
• Check terminal and gate: Confirm your gate and concourse in Atlanta to see if you’ll need extra time for connections
• Plan Atlanta ground transport: Decide in advance if you’ll use MARTA, rideshare, taxis, or a rental car so you know where to go upon landing

During the Flight

• Because the Little Rock to Atlanta flight is relatively short, consider:
  • Keeping essentials (medications, chargers, documents) in your personal item
  • Staying hydrated and stretching when possible, especially if connecting to a long-haul flight from Atlanta

On Arrival at ATL

• Follow signs to:
  • “Baggage Claim” if Atlanta is your final destination
  • “Connecting Flights” if you’re continuing onward
• If you’re heading into the city:
  • Look for MARTA signs in the Domestic Terminal
  • Or follow Ground Transportation signs for rideshare/taxis

Using Little Rock–Atlanta Flights for Connections

Because Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport is a major U.S. hub, many travelers on this route are actually passing through Atlanta rather than staying.

If you’re:

• Atlanta-based: You may use Little Rock flights as part of a larger itinerary to the Midwest or West
• Connecting in Atlanta only:
  • Plan at least 60–90 minutes between flights if possible
  • Allow more time if you are changing airlines or concourses
  • Follow the Plane Train signs to quickly move between concourses

This makes the Little Rock–Atlanta route particularly useful for multi-city business trips or international connections where Atlanta is your gateway airport.

Practical Information for Travelers Focused on Atlanta

If Atlanta is your destination from Little Rock, think about:

• Where you’re staying:

  • Downtown or Midtown → MARTA is usually the easiest
  • Buckhead or Perimeter → MARTA can still be convenient
  • Farther suburbs → rental car or rideshare is often simpler

• Your schedule after landing:

  • Evening flights into ATL can overlap with rush hour traffic, especially on weekdays
  • Using MARTA during these times may get you into central Atlanta more predictably than driving

• Accessibility needs:

  • MARTA stations and airport facilities generally provide elevators and accessible paths
  • You can contact MARTA Customer Service at (404) 848-5000 for accessibility details
  • ATL passenger assistance is available through the airport’s main information line: (800) 897-1910

Planning these details before you depart Little Rock helps you make the most of your time in Atlanta once you land.

Flying from Little Rock to Atlanta is a short hop that opens up the broader Atlanta metro area and the world beyond through ATL’s extensive connections. With a clear plan for your flight, ground transportation, and schedule in the city, your arrival in Atlanta can be straightforward and stress-minimized.