Traveling From Atlanta, GA to St. Louis, MO: Routes, Options, and What to Expect

Planning a trip from Atlanta, Georgia to St. Louis, Missouri is a common route for Atlantans visiting family, heading to college towns in the Midwest, or making a business trip to the St. Louis metro. Whether you live in the city, the suburbs, or you’re flying out after visiting Atlanta, it helps to know your options, costs, and logistics before you go.

This guide walks through the main ways to travel from Atlanta to St. Louis—by car, plane, bus, and train—plus where your trip will likely start in Atlanta, what timing to expect, and smart planning tips tailored to local conditions.

How Far Is It From Atlanta, GA to St. Louis, MO?

For most travelers starting from metro Atlanta, the distance and time look roughly like this:

*Times can vary due to Atlanta traffic, weather, construction, and connections.

Driving From Atlanta to St. Louis

If you prefer control over your schedule or are traveling with family, driving from Atlanta to St. Louis is a realistic one-day trip for many Atlantans.

Main Driving Route

Most GPS apps will route you roughly:

1. Leave Atlanta on I‑75 North
2. Continue toward Chattanooga, TN
3. Take I‑24 West through Tennessee toward Nashville
4. Connect to I‑57 or I‑64 (depending on your route) heading toward St. Louis

You’ll pass through or near cities like:

• Chattanooga, TN
• Nashville, TN
• Parts of southern Illinois and into Missouri

This keeps you on major interstates with plenty of gas, food, and rest stops—useful if you’re leaving from dense parts of Atlanta like Midtown, Buckhead, or Downtown where it may take time just to get to I‑75.

How Long the Drive Takes From Atlanta

From central Atlanta (for example, near Five Points or Downtown):

• Estimated drive time: about 7.5 to 9 hours without major delays
• With traffic and breaks: many Atlantans plan for a full day (9–10 hours)

Expect heavier congestion:

• Leaving Atlanta on weekday mornings (6:30–9:30 a.m.) and afternoons (3–7 p.m.)
• Around interchanges like I‑75/I‑285 and I‑75/I‑85 (Downtown Connector)

If you live in the suburbs (Marietta, Smyrna, Morrow, or Stockbridge), factor in local traffic as you merge onto I‑75.

Best Times to Leave Atlanta

To make the trip smoother:

• ⭐ Leave before 6:00 a.m. to beat rush hour on the Downtown Connector and I‑75.
• Avoid Friday afternoon departures, when both Atlanta traffic and outbound weekend travel are heavy.
• In the summer, consider earlier departures to avoid midday heat and afternoon storms.

Driving Considerations for Atlantans

• Tolls: There are typically no tolls on the common interstate route between Atlanta and St. Louis.
• Terrain & Weather:
  • You’ll cross foothills and mountains near North Georgia and Tennessee.
  • Winter travelers should watch for snow or ice in Tennessee and Illinois.
• Rest Stops: Good places to break up the drive include:
  • Near Chattanooga, TN (about 2 hours from Atlanta)
  • Around Nashville, TN (about 4 hours from Atlanta)

Rental Car Options in Atlanta

If you’re visiting Atlanta and don’t have a car, common pick-up areas include:

• Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) – large rental car center connected by SkyTrain.
• Midtown and Buckhead – many national rental branches along Peachtree Street and major corridors.
• Downtown Atlanta – near major hotels and office buildings.

Booking in advance generally gives better rates than walk‑up, especially around holidays and big Atlanta events.

Flying From Atlanta to St. Louis

For many people in Atlanta, flying is the fastest and most convenient way to get to St. Louis, especially for weekend trips or business travel.

Where You’ll Fly Out of in Atlanta

All commercial flights will depart from:

Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
6000 N Terminal Pkwy
Atlanta, GA 30320

This is Atlanta’s main airport and a major national hub, so finding flights between Atlanta and St. Louis is usually straightforward.

Typical Flight Time and Experience

• Nonstop flight time: around 1.5 hours in the air
• Total door‑to‑door time from inside Atlanta: often 4–6 hours, including:
  • Travel to ATL (MARTA, rideshare, or driving/parking)
  • Security and boarding
  • Deplaning and exiting St. Louis Lambert International Airport

Getting to ATL From Different Parts of Atlanta

MARTA (Public Transit)
For many city residents, MARTA can be the easiest way:

• Red and Gold Lines run directly to the Airport Station, which is inside the Domestic Terminal.
• Convenient from areas like Midtown, Downtown, Buckhead, Doraville, College Park, and East Point.

Driving & Parking

• If you’re leaving from suburbs like Alpharetta, Marietta, or McDonough, driving may be faster.
• ATL has multiple parking options, from economy to daily parking near both domestic and international terminals.

Rideshare or Taxi

• Widely available across the metro area.
• Useful if you don’t want to deal with ATL parking or are staying in hotels around Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead.

What to Expect Landing in St. Louis

Most flights from Atlanta arrive at:

St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL)
10701 Lambert International Blvd
St. Louis, MO 63145

From STL, you can:

• Rent a car
• Use rideshare or taxi services
• Use the MetroLink light rail to reach downtown St. Louis and other parts of the metro

Taking a Bus From Atlanta to St. Louis

If you’re looking for a budget‑friendlier option than flying and you don’t want to drive, long‑distance buses operate between the two cities.

Typical Bus Experience From Atlanta

• Travel time: often 10–13+ hours, depending on route and stops
• May involve transfers in other cities, especially Nashville or Memphis
• Buses usually depart from central Atlanta locations such as:
  • Stations in or near Downtown Atlanta
  • Some operators may use locations along Forsyth St SW, Mitchell St SW, or other central corridors

Because station locations and schedules can change over time, it’s best to:

• Verify current departure locations and times directly with the bus company.
• Arrive early, especially when traveling from busy parts of Atlanta where traffic or parking can delay you.

Pros and Cons for Atlantans

Pros

• Usually cheaper than flying, especially when booked in advance.
• No need to drive long distances or pay for gas and parking.
• Good for travelers without a car in Atlanta or those staying near Downtown with easy access by MARTA or short rideshare.

Cons

• Much longer travel time than flying and often longer than driving.
• Less flexibility in departure times.
• You’ll need to plan how to get to and from bus stations at both ends.

Train Travel From Atlanta to St. Louis

Traveling by train from Atlanta to St. Louis is possible but usually involves indirect routes and transfers, and can be significantly slower than nonstop bus or air travel.

Atlanta’s Passenger Train Station

Most passenger rail service in Atlanta departs from:

Peachtree Station
1688 Peachtree St NW
Atlanta, GA 30309

This station is in Brookwood, between Midtown and Buckhead, and is reachable by:

• Short bus or rideshare from Arts Center MARTA Station
• Car, with limited parking in the area

What to Expect With Train Routes

• The route from Atlanta to St. Louis is generally not a direct line.
• Often requires traveling north or east first and then connecting west, or using a mix of train and bus segments.
• Travel time is often overnight or longer, making it more of a scenic or leisurely option rather than a quick trip.

For this reason, most Atlantans choose flying or driving for this particular route unless they specifically want a train experience or are piecing together a larger cross‑country itinerary.

Choosing the Best Option for Your Atlanta–St. Louis Trip

The right choice depends on where you are in Atlanta, your budget, and your schedule.

1. You Live In‑Town (Downtown, Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, Buckhead)

• Fastest: Flying from ATL, using MARTA or rideshare.
• Budget‑friendly: Bus from downtown stations, or carpooling if you have access to a car.
• Considerations:
  • Parking at ATL can be more expensive if you’re gone several days.
  • MARTA rail is highly convenient from Five Points, Peachtree Center, North Avenue, Midtown, Arts Center, Buckhead, Lindbergh Center, and other central stations.

2. You’re in the Suburbs (Marietta, Sandy Springs, Alpharetta, Decatur, Stone Mountain, McDonough)

• If you’re north of the city (Marietta, Kennesaw, Roswell, Alpharetta):

  • Driving might be more appealing, since you’re already closer to I‑75/I‑575.
  • For flights, you’ll need to drive or use park‑and‑ride, then MARTA or airport parking.

• If you’re east or south (Decatur, Lithonia, Stockbridge, Jonesboro):

  • Access to MARTA rail or bus makes ATL easier to reach.
  • Flying can significantly reduce overall travel time compared to driving.

3. You’re Visiting Atlanta and Continuing to St. Louis

If you flew into ATL and plan to continue to St. Louis:

• Same‑airport connection: Booking a connecting flight out of ATL is typically the fastest method.
• If staying in a hotel near Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead:
  • MARTA can be the simplest connection back to ATL for your St. Louis flight.
• If you want a road trip after an Atlanta visit:
  • Renting a car from the ATL rental car center or from neighborhoods like Midtown or Buckhead can make sense.

Planning Tips Specific to Atlanta Travelers

Watch Out for Atlanta Traffic Patterns

When timing your departure:

• Avoid driving out of Atlanta during:
  • Weekday mornings 7–9 a.m.
  • Weekday late afternoons 3:30–7 p.m.
• Give extra time if leaving from dense areas like:
  • Downtown (near Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, Georgia State University)
  • Midtown (Peachtree St, 10th St, 14th St corridors)
  • Buckhead (Lenox Rd, Peachtree Rd, Piedmont Rd)

Factor in Weather Along the Route

From Atlanta to St. Louis, conditions can shift:

• Summer:
  • Hot, humid, with the possibility of strong storms, especially in the afternoons.
• Fall:
  • Generally pleasant driving or flying weather, though thunderstorms can occur.
• Winter:
  • Atlanta itself may be mild, but Tennessee, Kentucky/Illinois areas, and Missouri can see snow and ice.
• Spring:
  • Can bring heavy rain or storms; build in extra cushion time if driving.

Budgeting for the Trip

Key costs to consider:

• Driving:
  • Fuel, potential overnight stop if you divide the trip, food along the route.
• Flying:
  • Ticket price, baggage fees, airport parking or MARTA/rideshare from your Atlanta location.
• Bus/Train:
  • Ticket cost, ground transportation to and from stations at both ends, food during travel.

Booking in advance often helps reduce ticket prices, especially around:

• Major holidays
• College move‑in/move‑out periods
• Big events in Atlanta or St. Louis

Atlanta Touchpoints and Helpful Locations

Here are the main Atlanta locations you’ll interact with for most Atlanta–St. Louis trips:

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

  • MARTA Airport Station inside the Domestic Terminal
  • Rental Car Center accessible by SkyTrain

• Peachtree Station (Passenger Train)
  1688 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309

  • Near Midtown/Buckhead, reachable by bus or rideshare from Arts Center MARTA Station

• Downtown Atlanta Area (Bus Departures and Transfers)

  • Many intercity bus services operate from central points near downtown streets; exact addresses and platforms vary, so confirm with your operator before you go.

By understanding how the Atlanta–St. Louis route works from an Atlanta perspective—airport access, interstate routes, typical travel times, and local transit—you can choose the option that best fits your schedule, budget, and comfort level, whether you’re heading out from a Midtown condo, a Buckhead hotel, or a suburb north or south of the city.