Traveling From Memphis, TN to Atlanta, GA: A Practical Guide for Atlanta Travelers

If you’re planning a trip from Memphis, Tennessee to Atlanta, Georgia, you’re looking at one of the most common regional routes in the Southeast. Whether you live in Atlanta, are returning home here, or are visiting the city after time in Memphis, understanding your options can help you save time, money, and stress.

This guide walks through all major ways to travel from Memphis to Atlanta, what to expect when you arrive in Atlanta, and how to connect smoothly to local transit, neighborhoods, and services once you’re here.

Overview: Distance, Time, and Main Travel Options

The Memphis–Atlanta trip is roughly:

• Driving distance: about 380–400 miles, depending on your exact start and end points
• Typical drive time: about 6–7 hours in normal traffic
• Primary corridor: I‑22 and I‑20 or I‑40/I‑75

From an Atlanta perspective, there are four main ways to get from Memphis to Atlanta:

1. Driving yourself
2. Flying into Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
3. Intercity bus (e.g., Memphis to Atlanta bus routes)
4. Combination options (rideshare + bus, one-way rental car, etc.)

Each approach has different strengths depending on whether you’re:

• An Atlanta resident traveling home
• A visitor planning to stay in Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or surrounding suburbs
• Traveling for business vs. a weekend trip

Driving From Memphis to Atlanta

For many Atlanta residents, driving is the default choice for a Memphis trip. You get flexibility with timing, stops, and luggage, and it’s often cost‑effective if you’re traveling with family or friends.

Common Driving Routes

1. I‑22 to I‑20 (via Birmingham, AL)
A popular and straightforward route into Atlanta:

• Memphis → I‑22 east through Mississippi and Alabama
• Connect near Birmingham → I‑20 east
• I‑20 east → Atlanta

This brings you into the western side of metro Atlanta, passing through cities like Douglasville before reaching Downtown Atlanta.

2. I‑40 to I‑75 (via Nashville/Chattanooga)
This option is longer and less direct but may be used if you’re combining stops:

• Memphis → I‑40 east to Nashville
• I‑24 southeast to Chattanooga
• I‑75 south → Atlanta

This route brings you into Atlanta from the north, passing through Marietta, Smyrna, and Cobb County before entering the city.

What to Expect Driving Into Atlanta

Atlanta is known for heavy traffic, especially on weekdays:

• Morning rush hour: roughly 6:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
• Evening rush hour: roughly 3:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Heavy congestion around the Downtown Connector (I‑75/85) and I‑285 (the Perimeter)

If you’re arriving from Memphis:

• From I‑20 West: You’ll likely hit traffic as you approach I‑285 and again near the Downtown Connector.
• From I‑75 North: Expect congestion through Cobb County and into central Atlanta.

Traffic tips for Atlanta drivers:

• ⏰ Aim for mid‑day arrivals (10 a.m.–2 p.m.) or late evening to avoid peak congestion.
• 🅿️ If you’re staying in Downtown or Midtown, check your hotel’s parking cost; many Atlanta hotels charge nightly parking fees.
• 🚗 If you don’t need a car in the city, you may prefer to park at a MARTA station (like Lindbergh Center Station or North Springs Station) and ride the train.

Flying From Memphis to Atlanta (ATL)

If you prioritize speed, flying from Memphis International Airport (MEM) to Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is typically the fastest option.

Flight Basics

• Flight time: about 1–1.5 hours in the air
• Airport in Atlanta: Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  • Address: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320

Since Atlanta is a major air hub, flights from Memphis usually connect directly to ATL.

Getting From ATL Into Atlanta

Once your Memphis–Atlanta flight lands, you have several ways to reach your final Atlanta destination.

1. MARTA Train (Most Budget-Friendly)

The MARTA rail system is directly connected to the airport:

• Follow signs for “GROUND TRANSPORTATION” and “MARTA”
• The station is located at the Airport Station, attached to the Domestic Terminal

From there:

• Northbound trains head to:
  • College Park, East Point, West End, Downtown (Five Points), Midtown, Buckhead, Sandy Springs, and beyond
• If you’re staying:
  • Downtown: Get off at Five Points, Peachtree Center, or Georgia State
  • Midtown: Use North Avenue, Midtown, or Arts Center
  • Buckhead: Use Buckhead, Lenox, or Lindbergh Center

MARTA is especially useful if:

• You’re staying near a central neighborhood
• You don’t want to pay for airport parking
• You’re a visitor who won’t drive in Atlanta

2. Rideshare and Taxi

Outside the ATL terminals, you’ll find:

• Rideshare pickup zones (for app-based services)
• Taxi stands at the Domestic Terminal

Expect the drive time from ATL to central Atlanta (Downtown or Midtown) to be about 15–30 minutes depending on traffic.

3. Rental Cars

ATL has a Rental Car Center (RCC):

• Reachable via the SkyTrain from the main terminal
• Houses major rental agencies

If you flew from Memphis but plan to explore metro Atlanta (e.g., Stone Mountain, Marietta, Decatur, Alpharetta), renting a car can be useful. Keep in mind:

• Many central Atlanta hotels charge daily parking fees
• Driving in central Atlanta can be congested during rush hours

Taking a Bus From Memphis to Atlanta

For budget‑minded travelers or those without a car, intercity buses are another way to travel from Memphis to Atlanta.

What to Expect on a Memphis–Atlanta Bus Trip

Bus routes commonly:

• Depart from central or west Memphis
• Travel through northern Mississippi and Alabama
• Arrive in Atlanta bus stations or curbside locations, often near Downtown or on the west side of the city

Travel times by bus are usually longer than driving yourself, especially with stops—plan for 7–10 hours depending on routing and service.

Arriving by Bus in Atlanta

When you arrive in Atlanta by bus, your next steps depend on where the bus drops you off, which is often:

• Near Downtown or Westside Atlanta
• Sometimes near MARTA access points

From most bus arrival points, you can:

• Take MARTA rail from a nearby station (for example, Five Points, Garnett, or Civic Center, depending on location)
• Use MARTA bus routes for neighborhood access
• Call a rideshare or taxi for door‑to‑door service

This is especially handy if you’re heading to:

• Downtown hotels (around Peachtree Center / Centennial Olympic Park)
• Midtown (near Georgia Tech, Piedmont Park, or the Arts District)
• Atlanta University Center area (Clark Atlanta, Morehouse, Spelman)
• Suburban areas, using MARTA connections

One-Way Rentals and Mixed Travel Options

Some Atlanta travelers combine transportation methods to balance cost, flexibility, and time.

One-Way Car Rental

You might:

• Rent a car in Memphis and drop it in Atlanta, especially if:
  • You’re moving to Atlanta
  • You’re planning to keep a car in metro Atlanta for several days
• Drop‑off locations typically include:
  • Hartsfield‑Jackson ATL Rental Car Center
  • Major intown branches (Buckhead, Midtown, Downtown, and selected suburbs)

Check for one‑way drop fees and compare that with gas, parking, and wear‑and‑tear on your own vehicle.

Fly One Way, Drive the Other

Another option:

• Fly Memphis→Atlanta, then drive Atlanta→Memphis later (or vice versa).
• This can make sense if:
  • You need to bring a car back to one city
  • Your schedule is tight in one direction but flexible in the other

For example:
You might fly into Atlanta quickly for business, then drive back to Memphis over a weekend with friends or family.

Timing Your Memphis–Atlanta Trip

From an Atlanta perspective, timing can significantly change your experience.

Best Times to Travel

• Driving:
  • Leave Memphis early enough to arrive in Atlanta after morning rush (around 10 a.m.–2 p.m.), or
  • Time your departure so you arrive later in the evening after major congestion clears.
• Flying:
  • Morning and late evening flights may mean lighter traffic from ATL into the city.
• Bus:
  • Some services arrive early morning or late at night; check what’s safest and most convenient for entering the city.

Weather Considerations

Atlanta and Memphis share similar weather patterns:

• Summer: Hot and humid; consider your car’s air conditioning and stay hydrated.
• Winter: While snow/ice is less common, winter storms can significantly impact Atlanta roads, especially bridges and interstates.

It’s smart to:

• Check road conditions before a long drive into or out of Atlanta
• Allow extra time in winter or during major weather events in Georgia, Alabama, or Mississippi

Arrival in Atlanta: Getting Around the City

Once you’ve made the trip from Memphis to Atlanta, your next steps depend on where you’re staying and what you’re doing here.

MARTA: Trains and Buses

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) serves much of central Atlanta and some suburbs.

• MARTA HQ (for reference):
  2424 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
• Rail lines connect:
  • Airport → Downtown → Midtown → Buckhead → Sandy Springs / North Springs
  • Airport → East Point → West End → Decatur and eastern suburbs

If you’re:

• Staying near Downtown or Midtown, MARTA can often get you close to your hotel.
• Visiting Georgia State University, Georgia Tech, or major attractions (like the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca‑Cola, State Farm Arena), MARTA can be a convenient choice.

Driving and Parking in Atlanta

If you arrive with a car from Memphis or rent one at ATL:

• Expect paid parking in most central areas:
  • Downtown
  • Midtown
  • Buckhead
• Many garages use pay-by-app systems.
• Some residential neighborhoods near central Atlanta require permit parking or limit street parking.

Having a car is particularly helpful if you plan to:

• Spend time in outer suburbs (e.g., Alpharetta, Roswell, Lawrenceville, Douglasville)
• Visit natural or recreational spots like:
  • Stone Mountain Park (Stone Mountain, GA)
  • Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park (Kennesaw, GA)

Quick Comparison: Ways to Travel Memphis → Atlanta

Helpful Atlanta Contact Points for Trip Planning

Here are a few official or public-facing Atlanta resources that can be useful as you plan or complete your Memphis–Atlanta trip:

• Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  6000 N Terminal Pkwy
  Atlanta, GA 30320
  General information phone lines are typically listed at the airport’s main info desk or website.

• MARTA Customer Service Center (for routes, fares, schedules)
  2424 Piedmont Rd NE
  Atlanta, GA 30324
  Customer service phone numbers are readily available through MARTA’s published materials.

• City of Atlanta – Mayor’s Office of Constituent Services (for local city service questions once you’re here)
  Atlanta City Hall
  55 Trinity Ave SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303

These are useful if you need transit help, airport questions, or general support once you’ve arrived from Memphis.

Traveling from Memphis, TN to Atlanta, GA is a familiar route for many Atlanta residents and visitors. Understanding your options—driving, flying, bus, or a combination—and how each one connects into real-life movement around Atlanta will help you choose what fits your time, budget, and comfort level.