Atlanta, GA to Charleston, SC: Your Complete Travel Guide from the ATL

Traveling from Atlanta, Georgia to Charleston, South Carolina is one of the most popular regional trips for Atlantans who want history, food, and coastal charm without getting on a plane. Whether you live in Atlanta, are visiting the city and planning a side trip, or are comparing options for how to get from Atlanta to Charleston, this guide walks through everything you need to know.

How Far Is It from Atlanta, GA to Charleston, SC?

The distance from Downtown Atlanta to Downtown Charleston is roughly:

• Driving distance: about 300–320 miles
• Typical drive time: around 4.5–5.5 hours, depending on traffic and route

Most Atlantans treat this as a one-day road trip—leave in the morning, arrive by early afternoon, and you still have time to explore Charleston before dinner.

Main Ways to Travel from Atlanta to Charleston

From Atlanta, you have four main options:

1. Driving (most common)
2. Flying Atlanta to Charleston
3. Bus travel
4. Combination of train and bus (less direct)

Here’s a quick comparison:

Driving from Atlanta to Charleston

Most Common Driving Route

For most people leaving from Downtown Atlanta, Midtown, Buckhead, or nearby suburbs, the standard route is:

1. Take I-20 East out of Atlanta.
2. Connect to I-26 East near Columbia, SC.
3. Follow I-26 East directly into Charleston.

This route is straightforward and uses major interstates almost the entire way.

Alternative Route via I-16 (Occasional Choice)

Some drivers from South Atlanta, Hartsfield-Jackson area, or Southside suburbs (College Park, Union City, Fayetteville) may prefer:

• I-75 South → I-16 East (toward Savannah) → up toward Charleston using smaller highways.

This can be more scenic but is usually longer and less direct than the I-20/I-26 route.

When to Leave Atlanta

Traffic patterns matter a lot in Atlanta:

• Avoid weekday rush hours:
  • Morning: roughly 6:30–9:30 a.m.
  • Afternoon: roughly 3:30–7:00 p.m.
• If you can, try:
  • Leaving after 9:30 a.m. on weekdays
  • Or before 7:00 a.m. on weekends

Leaving Midtown or Downtown Atlanta late morning often means you’ll clear most city traffic and hit Charleston in time to check into a hotel or vacation rental.

Common Starting Points in Atlanta

Many visitors and residents will likely start from:

• Downtown Atlanta (around Peachtree Center, Georgia State, State Capitol)
• Midtown (near Georgia Tech, Piedmont Park)
• Buckhead (Lenox, Phipps area)
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (if you’re flying into Atlanta first)

From all of these locations, you can get to I-20 East fairly easily via the Downtown Connector (I-75/85) or using local surface streets with GPS guidance.

Road Trip Tips Specifically for Atlantans

Good Places to Stop Along the Way

On the I-20 to I-26 route, some common stop areas include:

• Augusta, GA
  A natural halfway-ish point for food, gas, or a leg stretch. Many Atlantans stop here if traveling with kids or pets.

• Columbia, SC
  Near the I-20 / I-26 connection; a good place for a longer meal stop if you want to break the drive more significantly.

Look for well-developed exits with multiple gas stations and restaurants—these tend to be more convenient and easier to navigate, especially if you’re not familiar with rural areas.

Weather and Seasonal Considerations

Coming from Atlanta, you’ll notice:

• Summer: High heat and humidity in both cities; make sure your car’s A/C is functioning well.
• Spring/Fall: This is a popular time for Atlantans to visit Charleston, especially during festivals and when Atlanta pollen is intense.
• Hurricane season (late summer to fall):
  Coastal South Carolina can be affected by tropical storms. If you’re planning a beach-focused trip from Atlanta, it’s worth checking local advisories for Charleston before you leave.

Flying from Atlanta to Charleston

If you prefer speed or don’t want to drive, flying from Atlanta (ATL) to Charleston (CHS) is a practical option.

Main Airports

• Departure: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320

• Arrival: Charleston International Airport (CHS)
  Located in North Charleston, about 20–25 minutes from downtown Charleston in normal traffic.

Travel Time Breakdown

• Flight time: about 1 to 1.5 hours
• Airport time: 1.5–2 hours before boarding for security, especially at ATL
• Ground transportation:
  • In Atlanta: getting to ATL from Downtown/Midtown/Buckhead can take 20–45 minutes depending on traffic, or you can use MARTA (Airport Station on the Red/Gold lines).
  • In Charleston: taxi, rideshare, or rental car from CHS to downtown or nearby beaches.

Altogether, door-to-door from central Atlanta to central Charleston, flying can take about 4–5 hours, similar to driving in pure time, but with less personal effort.

When Flying Makes Sense for Atlantans

Flying may be a good fit if:

• You’re connecting from another flight and already at ATL.
• You prefer not to drive for several hours.
• You’re on a tight schedule and value minimizing your time behind the wheel.

If you’re already in Downtown or Midtown Atlanta and comfortable driving, many residents still choose to drive rather than fly, especially for a weekend trip.

Bus Options from Atlanta to Charleston

While there’s no major Atlanta-to-Charleston direct train, there are generally bus services that connect the two cities, sometimes with transfers.

What Atlantans Should Know About the Bus

• Departure points in Atlanta are often near central transit-accessible areas, such as:
  • Locations close to Downtown Atlanta
  • Terminals reachable by MARTA or local rideshare
• Travel time is typically longer than driving—sometimes 7–9 hours, depending on routing and number of stops.
• This option appeals to:
  • Budget-conscious travelers
  • Those who prefer not to drive or fly
  • Students or solo travelers who don’t mind longer rides

If you’re based in Atlanta without a car, a bus can be a workable solution, especially if you’re flexible on schedule and don’t mind connecting routes.

Can You Take a Train from Atlanta to Charleston?

There is no single, direct passenger train line that takes you straight from Atlanta to Charleston without some combination of:

• Changing trains, or
• Combining a train + bus route

For most Atlanta residents, this makes train-based travel less convenient than driving or flying.

However, if you enjoy rail travel:

• You can sometimes travel from Atlanta eastward by train and then transfer to other transportation headed toward Charleston.
• Schedules, routes, and availability change, so Atlanta travelers typically need to plan carefully and confirm connections ahead of time.

Given the extra planning and time, most Atlantans opt to drive or fly instead of arranging multi-leg train trips to Charleston.

Leaving from Hartsfield-Jackson vs. Other Parts of Atlanta

If You’re Already at the Airport (ATL)

If you fly into Atlanta and want to continue on to Charleston, you have two main options without going into the city:

1. Fly ATL → CHS directly.
2. Rent a car at ATL and start your drive from there.

ATL has a large consolidated rental car center accessible by the SkyTrain. Many visitors choose to land at ATL, pick up a rental car, and drive east to Charleston, enjoying stops in Georgia and South Carolina along the way.

If You’re Based in the City

From places like:

• Downtown Atlanta (Centennial Olympic Park, Georgia Aquarium area)
• Midtown (Piedmont Park, Arts Center)
• Old Fourth Ward / Inman Park / Virginia-Highland
• Buckhead

You’ll usually:

• Take local roads or the Downtown Connector (I-75/85) to reach I-20 East, then follow the standard route toward Columbia and Charleston.

Planning a Weekend Trip from Atlanta to Charleston

Many Atlantans use Charleston as a long weekend destination. Common patterns include:

• Friday morning:
  Leave Atlanta between 8:30–10:00 a.m., arrive in Charleston mid-afternoon, check in, and walk around the Historic District.
• Saturday:
  Explore downtown, visit nearby beaches like Folly Beach, Isle of Palms, or Sullivan’s Island, or take a guided tour.
• Sunday afternoon:
  Drive or fly back to Atlanta, usually arriving in the evening.

Because the drive is manageable, some Atlanta families also make this a holiday or school break trip, combining coastal scenery with history and food.

Atlanta-Specific Prep Tips for the Trip

1. Plan for Atlanta Traffic First

Even though Charleston is your destination, the most unpredictable traffic is usually in and around Atlanta:

• Consider leaving after the worst of morning rush if you’re starting in central Atlanta.
• If you live in far suburbs (e.g., Alpharetta, Marietta, Stone Mountain, Decatur, Peachtree City), factor in time to reach I-20 or I-75/85.

2. Use Atlanta’s Transit if You’re Flying

If you’re flying out of ATL:

• MARTA can be much more predictable than driving during peak hours.
• From areas like Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, you can usually access:
  • Five Points, Peachtree Center, North Avenue, Midtown, Arts Center, or Buckhead stations, then transfer as needed to head to the Airport Station.

This helps you avoid parking costs and reduces stress getting to the airport.

3. Think About Parking in Both Cities

• In Atlanta, many residents already have parking at home, but visitors might be leaving a car in a hotel deck or long-term parking near ATL if they’re flying.
• In Charleston, especially downtown, parking can be limited and often paid in garages or meters. Most Atlantans driving into Charleston factor in an additional cost for overnight parking near their lodging.

Is Driving or Flying Better from Atlanta to Charleston?

For someone living in or staying in Atlanta, here’s a simple way to decide:

• Choose driving if:

  • You’re traveling with family or a group.
  • You want to stop along the way (Augusta, Columbia, scenic back roads).
  • You prefer door-to-door control and flexibility.
  • You’re comfortable driving 4.5–5.5 hours.

• Choose flying if:

  • You’re already at or near ATL.
  • You’re on a tight schedule and value minimizing drive time.
  • You dislike long car rides and prefer a short flight plus ground transfers.

For many Atlanta residents, driving is the default for Charleston trips, with flying reserved for time-sensitive or connection-based travel.

Traveling from Atlanta, GA to Charleston, SC is straightforward, whether you live in the metro area or are visiting and using Atlanta as your launch point. With a realistic view of traffic, distance, and transit options, you can choose the route that best fits your schedule, comfort level, and budget—and enjoy a smooth trip from the heart of Georgia to the South Carolina coast.