Memphis to Atlanta Flight Time: What Atlanta Travelers Should Know

If you’re planning a trip from Memphis to Atlanta, the flight is one of the quickest ways to get into or back home to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). Understanding typical flight times, schedules, and what to expect when you land in Atlanta can help you plan everything from rideshares to meetings and connections.

How Long Is the Flight from Memphis to Atlanta?

On a nonstop flight from Memphis (MEM) to Atlanta (ATL), you can usually expect:

• In‑air time: about 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes
• Gate‑to‑gate time: about 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes, depending on:
  • Taxi time on the runway in Memphis
  • Taxi time after landing in Atlanta
  • Air traffic and weather

Most travelers experience the total “airport to airport” time as around an hour and a half.

Typical Memphis–Atlanta Flight Schedule Patterns

Flights between Memphis International Airport (MEM) and Atlanta’s Hartsfield–Jackson (ATL) are a popular regional route, so you’ll usually see:

• Multiple daily departures throughout the day
• Early-morning flights that are useful for:
  • Same-day business in Atlanta
  • Early international connections out of ATL
• Midday and evening options that work well for returning Atlanta residents

Schedules can shift seasonally and by day of the week, so always double‑check current departure times when planning local transportation or meetings in Atlanta.

Nonstop vs. Connecting Flights

Most travelers between Memphis and Atlanta use nonstop flights, which are:

• Fastest: usually just over an hour in the air
• Most predictable: fewer chances for missed connections or delays elsewhere

Occasionally, you’ll see connecting options that route through another city. These can:

• Add several hours to total travel time
• Be useful only in limited cases (e.g., specific fare options or mileage requirements)

If you’re based in Atlanta or flying into ATL to connect somewhere else, a nonstop MEM–ATL flight almost always makes the most sense for timing and convenience.

How Time Zones Affect Your Memphis–Atlanta Trip

Memphis and Atlanta are both in the Eastern Time Zone? Not quite.

• Memphis (Tennessee): Central Time (CT)
• Atlanta (Georgia): Eastern Time (ET)

This means:

• When you fly east from Memphis to Atlanta, you lose one hour on the clock.
• If your ticket shows a 1:00 p.m. departure from Memphis and a 3:20 p.m. arrival in Atlanta, the flight is still only about 1 hour 20 minutes, with the time zone difference making it look longer.

For Atlanta-based travelers:

• When planning meetings, rides, or MARTA connections after landing, rely on local Atlanta time (ET).
• If someone is picking you up at ATL and they’re driving from inside the Atlanta metro, remind them your arrival time is listed in Eastern Time.

What to Expect When You Land at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

Hartsfield–Jackson is one of the world’s busiest airports, but it’s designed for quick regional trips like Memphis–Atlanta.

Typical Timeline After Landing

From wheels down to reaching the curb, you might expect:

1. Taxi to the gate: 5–20 minutes (varies with traffic)
2. Deplaning: 5–15 minutes
3. Walking through the concourse and taking the Plane Train: 5–20 minutes
4. Baggage claim (if you checked bags): 10–25 minutes
5. Reaching ground transportation/MARTA: 5–15 minutes

Overall, you should usually allow 45–60 minutes from landing to:

• Exit onto the airport curb for pickup, or
• Reach the MARTA rail station in the Domestic Terminal

Quick Reference: Memphis to Atlanta Flight & On-the-Ground Timing

Use these as general planning ranges, not guarantees. Weather and airport congestion can extend times.

Connecting Through Atlanta to Other Destinations

If you’re using the Memphis–Atlanta flight as a connection point:

• ATL is a major hub, so:
  • Many domestic connections board from the same Concourse T, A, B, C, D system.
  • Many international flights depart from Concourse E and F.

Minimum connection time at ATL for domestic-to-domestic flights is often relatively tight, but for comfort:

• Aim for at least 1 hour between your scheduled MEM–ATL arrival and your next domestic departure.
• Aim for 1.5–2 hours or more if you’re connecting from MEM into an international flight from Atlanta, especially if:
  • You’re unfamiliar with ATL
  • You prefer a less rushed experience

Even though Atlanta’s Plane Train moves quickly, longer connections give you more buffer for delays and time to navigate concourses.

Planning Local Transportation After You Arrive in Atlanta

Once you’ve landed from Memphis, you’ll likely need a plan to get from ATL into Atlanta or the suburbs.

1. Using MARTA (Rail)

For many Atlanta trips, MARTA is the simplest way into the city:

• The Airport Station is inside the Domestic Terminal, near baggage claim.
• Trains run to:
  • Downtown Atlanta (Five Points, Peachtree Center)
  • Midtown (Arts Center, Midtown Station)
  • Buckhead and North Springs areas on the Red/Gold lines

💡 Timing tip: From ATL to Downtown or Midtown by MARTA usually takes 20–30 minutes once you’re on the train.

2. Rideshares and Taxis

If you’re headed to neighborhoods not served as well by MARTA (like some parts of West Midtown, East Atlanta, or outer suburbs):

• Rideshare pickup areas are clearly marked on airport signs.
• Taxi stands are located outside the baggage claim area.

Travel time by car from ATL:

• To Downtown Atlanta: about 15–25 minutes without heavy traffic
• To Midtown: about 20–30 minutes, depending on congestion
• To Buckhead: about 25–40 minutes

Give yourself extra time during weekday rush hours (roughly 7–9 a.m. and 4–7 p.m.).

How Early You Should Arrive at Memphis Airport for a Flight to Atlanta

Even though the flight itself is short, you’ll still want a buffer at Memphis International Airport (MEM), especially if you’re connecting in Atlanta.

General guidelines:

• Domestic MEM → ATL flight (no checked bags, mobile boarding pass):
  • Aim to arrive at least 1.5 hours before departure.
• If you’re checking bags or traveling at peak times (early morning, holidays):
  • Aim for 2 hours before departure.

If your Atlanta connection is time‑sensitive—for example, you’re catching an international flight out of ATL—err on the side of more time in Memphis, not less.

Factors That Can Change Your Memphis–Atlanta Flight Time

Even on a short route like Memphis to Atlanta, a few variables can affect your total travel time:

• Weather: Thunderstorms in the Southeast can cause:
  • Air traffic control delays
  • Ground delays at ATL
• Air traffic volume at ATL: As a major hub, ATL sometimes holds arriving flights in the air or on the taxiway.
• Runway and gate availability: If your gate isn’t open on time, you may wait on the tarmac.
• Time of day: Early morning flights sometimes experience less congestion, while late afternoon and evening flights may hit busier patterns.

For Atlantans needing to be somewhere at a specific time—like a work event, a show at Fox Theatre, or a reservation in Midtown—build in a cushion in case your flight runs late.

Using the Memphis–Atlanta Route for Atlanta-Based Trips

If you live in Atlanta, Memphis can be a quick getaway or work destination:

• A typical same-day round trip might look like:
  • Early morning ATL → MEM departure
  • Late afternoon or evening MEM → ATL return
• With the short in-air time, this route works well for:
  • Business day trips
  • Visiting friends or family in Memphis
  • Weekend travel, concerts, or events

When planning evening commitments back in Atlanta, such as dinner in Inman Park or a meeting near Peachtree Center, consider:

• Scheduled ATL arrival time
• Average 45–60 minutes from landing to curb
• Drive or MARTA time from the airport into the city

Practical Planning Tips for Atlanta Travelers

To make the Memphis to Atlanta flight smoother:

• Check the time zone difference: Remember, Memphis uses Central Time and Atlanta uses Eastern Time.
• Watch for tight connections at ATL: Especially if your next flight is international or leaves from a far concourse.
• Plan your airport exit: Decide ahead of time whether you’ll use MARTA, rideshare, taxi, or pickup in Atlanta.
• Share updated arrival info: If someone is meeting you at ATL, send them your real‑time arrival status so they can time their drive through Atlanta traffic.
• Allow buffer in your Atlanta schedule: For important events, avoid scheduling anything critical within 1.5–2 hours of your scheduled landing time.

By keeping the short flight time, time zone shift, and busy ATL airport layout in mind, you can plan a Memphis to Atlanta trip that fits smoothly into your schedule in and around Atlanta.