Atlanta, GA to Auburn, AL: How to Plan Your Trip From Metro Atlanta

Traveling from Atlanta, Georgia to Auburn, Alabama is a common trip for Atlantans—whether you’re heading to a college football game, touring Auburn University, visiting family, or making a quick weekend getaway. The route is straightforward, and you have several good options depending on whether you prefer to drive, take a bus, or mix car travel with regional transit.

This guide breaks down how to get from Atlanta to Auburn in practical, Atlanta-focused terms: best routes, typical travel times, where to depart from in the city, and tips that matter specifically if you’re starting in metro Atlanta.

How Far Is Auburn, AL From Atlanta, GA?

The distance from downtown Atlanta to Auburn, Alabama is roughly:

• 110–120 miles one way
• About 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes driving in normal conditions

The exact distance and time depend on:

• Where in Atlanta you start (Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, the airport, or the suburbs)
• Traffic on I-85 South
• Whether you hit peak rush-hour periods

For most Atlanta drivers, it’s reasonable as a same-day round trip, especially for events or campus visits.

Best Driving Route: Atlanta to Auburn

For most people in Atlanta, driving is the fastest and most flexible way to get to Auburn.

Primary Route (Most Common)

From Downtown Atlanta (Five Points, State Capitol area):

1. Get on I-85 South from your nearest entrance:
   • Common access points: Courtland St, Spring St, or the Downtown Connector (I-75/85).
2. Stay on I-85 South out of Atlanta, passing:
   • Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
   • Fairburn / Palmetto
   • Newnan / Peachtree City exits
3. Continue on I-85 South toward LaGrange and Columbus.
4. Near Exit 62 in Alabama (for US-280/US-431 toward Opelika/Auburn), follow signs for Auburn/Opelika.
5. From Opelika, you’ll take local roads (often US-280 and AL-147 or US-29) directly into Auburn and toward Auburn University.

Typical drive time with light to moderate traffic:

• Midday / late evening: ~1 hour 50 minutes
• Busy weekend or game day: 2+ hours

Leaving From Different Parts of Atlanta

Where you start in Atlanta affects how you access I-85 and how much time to budget.

From Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

If you’re flying into or out of Atlanta and going straight to Auburn:

• From the Domestic Terminal or International Terminal, follow signs to I-85 South.
• Once on I-85 South, follow the same general route as above into Alabama.

Approximate drive:

• Airport to Auburn: ~1 hour 45 minutes in light traffic

Many visitors combine a flight into ATL with a rental car from the airport and then drive directly to Auburn.

From Midtown or Buckhead

Midtown Atlanta (around Peachtree & 10th)

• Head to the Downtown Connector (I-75/85 South) and merge onto I-85 South.
• Travel time can vary; add 15–25 extra minutes during rush hour just to get out of the city center.

Buckhead (Lenox, Phipps, Peachtree Road area)

• Take GA-400 South toward I-85, then merge to I-85 South
  or
• Cut across to I-75/85 South via surface streets (e.g., Piedmont Rd or Peachtree Rd, then connectors).

During weekday rush hours, it’s common to sit in traffic through Midtown and Downtown, so plan more time if you need to be in Auburn at a specific hour (for example, a campus tour or kickoff time).

From Suburbs Around Atlanta

Some common starting points:

• Sandy Springs / Dunwoody: Take GA-400 South to I-85 South or I-285 West to I-85 South.
• Marietta / Smyrna: Take I-75 South to the Downtown Connector, then continue on I-85 South.
• Peachtree City / Fayetteville: You may choose local routes to reach I-85 South further down, effectively skipping some of Atlanta’s core congestion.

If you live on the south side of the metro, your drive time to Auburn can be noticeably shorter because you avoid central Atlanta traffic.

Traffic Timing Tips for Atlanta to Auburn

Because you’re starting in Atlanta, timing your departure matters:

• Weekday mornings (6:30–9:30 a.m.): Heavy inbound and some outbound traffic on I-75/85 and I-85. If you can, leave after 9:30 a.m. for smoother travel.
• Weekday evenings (3:30–7:00 p.m.): Southbound I-85 may be slow leaving Atlanta. Expect delays from Midtown through the airport area.
• Football game days & major Auburn events: Traffic around Opelika and Auburn can back up, especially near Auburn University and main arteries into town.

Helpful practices:

• 🚗 Add at least 30–45 minutes buffer on game days or for scheduled campus tours.
• ⛽ Fuel up in metro Atlanta before you hit I-85 South; there are plenty of stations, but prices and availability may vary along the route.
• ☕ If you need a break, common stop areas on I-85 include Newnan, LaGrange, and then Opelika just before Auburn.

Can You Take a Bus From Atlanta to Auburn?

There is typically no direct city bus or local transit line from Atlanta to Auburn. However, many travelers use intercity bus service to get close, then finish the trip by car or local ride service.

Common Bus Approach: Atlanta to Opelika/Columbus, Then Onward

• Intercity buses commonly depart from the Atlanta Bus Station in the downtown area, near:
  • 232 Forsyth Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Routes often go to Columbus, GA or Opelika, AL, which are relatively close to Auburn.

From there, travelers usually:

• Arrange a ride-share, taxi, or pre-arranged pickup to Auburn (about 30–40 minutes from Opelika, longer from Columbus).
• Or coordinate with family or friends in Auburn.

Things to know if you’re in Atlanta:

• Bus schedules can be limited and may not match Auburn’s event times perfectly.
• Allow extra time for transfers and local transportation once you arrive in Columbus or Opelika.

For many Atlantans, once they compare trip time and cost, driving or carpooling ends up being more convenient than relying on a partial bus solution.

Is There a Train From Atlanta to Auburn?

At this time, there is no direct passenger train from Atlanta to Auburn.

The closest intercity rail option is Amtrak in Atlanta:

• Atlanta (Peachtree) Station
  1688 Peachtree Street NW
  Atlanta, GA 30309

However, the main long-distance routes from this station do not provide a straightforward connection that drops you near Auburn. You would still need a rental car, ride-share, or bus from another city to reach Auburn.

For most Atlanta-based travelers, rail is not a practical primary option for this trip.

Flying From Atlanta to Auburn

There is no major commercial airport in Auburn with regular flights from Atlanta. Instead:

• You could fly into a nearby regional airport, such as Columbus, GA or Montgomery, AL, from other cities.
• But if you’re already in Atlanta, driving from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport directly to Auburn is usually:
  • Faster, once you factor in check-in and boarding times
  • More flexible, especially if you’re attending time-sensitive events

Flying is generally used only by:

• Out-of-state visitors connecting through ATL, then renting a car for the drive.
• Private pilots using smaller regional airports near Auburn.

For anyone already in Atlanta or the metro area, flying specifically between Atlanta and Auburn is rarely practical.

Parking and Getting Around Once You Reach Auburn

Many Atlantans travel to Auburn for Auburn University events, campus visits, and sports.

When you arrive:

• Auburn University area
  • Game days often involve special parking plans, temporary restrictions, and shuttle routes.
  • For weekday campus visits, check visitor parking areas and allow time to walk across campus.
• Downtown Auburn
  • Offers a walkable area near the university with shops and restaurants.
  • Expect heavier foot traffic during football season and major events.

If you’re used to Atlanta’s parking costs and congestion, Auburn will typically feel less crowded but still busy on big weekends.

Atlanta-Based Planning Tips for the Trip

If you’re leaving from Atlanta, a few local-style planning tips can make the Atlanta–Auburn trip smoother:

• Consider leaving from the south side of the city
  • If you can start from near College Park, East Point, or Union City, you avoid much of Downtown congestion.
• Use MARTA if you’re meeting a ride
  • If a friend is picking you up for the trip, meeting near a MARTA station on the south side (like College Park Station) can be easier than coordinating in Midtown or Downtown traffic.
• Combine trips
  • Some Atlantans schedule an airport drop-off or pickup at Hartsfield-Jackson and then continue to Auburn in one run down I-85 South.

Quick Comparison: Main Options From Atlanta to Auburn

Here’s a simple overview of the most common ways to go from Atlanta, GA to Auburn, AL:

For most people living in or visiting Atlanta, the trip from Atlanta, GA to Auburn, AL is a manageable, mostly straight shot down I-85 South. With a bit of traffic planning around typical Atlanta rush hours and big Auburn events, it’s an easy drive to fit into a day or a weekend.