Traveling From Pittsburgh, PA to Atlanta, GA: A Practical Guide for Atlanta Residents and Visitors

Planning a trip from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Atlanta, Georgia and want to understand your options from an Atlanta-focused point of view? Whether you’re an Atlanta local heading home from Pittsburgh, a visitor planning your route to the city, or comparing ways to travel between the two, this guide breaks down what you need to know about getting from Pittsburgh to Atlanta and what that means once you arrive in Atlanta.

Overview: Distance and Main Travel Options

The trip from Pittsburgh, PA to Atlanta, GA covers roughly 700–750 miles, depending on your route. Most travelers use one of four main options:

• Flying to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
• Driving between the two cities
• Taking a bus (with connections)
• Combining train and bus travel

If you’re based in Atlanta, this information is useful in reverse as well—everything here applies whether you’re heading to Pittsburgh or coming back to Atlanta.

Flying From Pittsburgh to Atlanta

Why flying is usually the simplest option

For most people, the fastest and most convenient way to travel between Pittsburgh and Atlanta is by air.

Key points:

• Typical flight time: about 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours nonstop
• Main arrival airport in Atlanta: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
• Many flights connect through major hubs, with some offering direct service, depending on schedule and season

If you live in Atlanta and are planning a round trip, it’s helpful to know what to expect when you land back at ATL and how to get into the city.

Arriving at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

Airport address:
6000 N Terminal Pkwy
Atlanta, GA 30320

What to expect on arrival:

• ATL is one of the busiest airports in the country, but the layout is fairly straightforward.
• You’ll arrive at either the Domestic Terminal or International Terminal (Concourse F) depending on your flight. From Pittsburgh, you’ll typically arrive into the Domestic Terminal.
• The Plane Train (underground train) connects all concourses to the main terminal.

Getting from ATL into Atlanta

Once you land in Atlanta from Pittsburgh, you have several ways to reach neighborhoods like Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or the suburbs.

1. MARTA Rail (Public Transit)

• Station: Airport MARTA Station is directly inside the airport (end of the Red and Gold lines).
• Good for: Travelers heading to Downtown Atlanta, Midtown, Buckhead, and some northern suburbs.
• Example ride times (approximate):
  • Airport → Downtown (Five Points Station): ~15–20 minutes
  • Airport → Midtown Station: ~20–25 minutes
  • Airport → Buckhead Station: ~30–35 minutes

MARTA is often the most budget-friendly and predictable way to get from ATL into the city, especially during heavy traffic hours.

2. Rideshare and Taxis

• Rideshare pickup zones are clearly marked at ATL, usually in dedicated areas near the Domestic Terminal.
• Taxis line up in designated queues outside baggage claim.
• Good for: Direct trips to specific Atlanta neighborhoods, hotels, or homes, especially when carrying a lot of luggage or traveling late at night.

3. Rental Cars

If you’re planning to explore Atlanta’s surrounding areas or drive out to suburbs like Marietta, Decatur, Sandy Springs, Stone Mountain, or Fayetteville, renting a car may be helpful.

• Rental Car Center (RCC) is connected to the airport via the SkyTrain, a short automated shuttle from the terminal.

Driving From Pittsburgh, PA to Atlanta, GA

For those who prefer a road trip or need a car in Atlanta, driving is a realistic option.

Basic driving overview

• Distance: roughly 700–750 miles
• Typical driving time (no major delays): 10–12 hours
• Primary route: Often involves portions of I‑79, I‑77, and I‑85 passing through West Virginia, Virginia, and the Carolinas into Georgia.

Many Atlanta residents who have family or business in Pittsburgh choose to drive for flexibility or when traveling as a group.

Things to know once you drive into the Atlanta area

As you approach Atlanta from the north, you’ll likely connect with I‑75 or I‑85.

• These interstates merge as they run through central Atlanta, often referred to locally as the Downtown Connector.
• Traffic can be heavy, especially during weekday rush hours (roughly 7–9 a.m. and 4–7 p.m.).

If you’re planning to arrive in Atlanta by car, consider:

• Where you’re staying:
  • Downtown and Midtown have more paid parking garages and limited free street parking.
  • Suburbs often offer easier and cheaper parking.
• How you’ll get around once in Atlanta:
  • Many residents mix driving with MARTA to avoid downtown congestion.

Bus and Mixed-Mode Travel Between Pittsburgh and Atlanta

Intercity bus service

Direct bus options can vary, and most routes between Pittsburgh and Atlanta involve at least one connection (often in cities like Charlotte or Washington, DC). Travel time is much longer than flying or driving.

Travelers going to Atlanta by bus will generally arrive at one of several central locations, such as:

• Bus terminals or curbside stops near Downtown Atlanta
• Locations close to MARTA stations, which can help connect you to the rest of the city

This travel method is usually chosen for cost savings rather than speed.

Train plus bus combinations

There is no simple, direct passenger train route running straight from Pittsburgh to Atlanta without connections and transfers. Some travelers combine:

• Amtrak service to a major hub city
• Then a bus or connecting train route into Atlanta

While this can work, it typically takes considerable time and planning. If your priority is to get to Atlanta efficiently, flying or driving is more practical.

Comparing Travel Options: Pittsburgh to Atlanta

Below is a simplified comparison of common travel choices for a typical one-way trip from Pittsburgh, PA to Atlanta, GA.

📝 Tip: If you live in Atlanta and are planning a round trip to Pittsburgh, think about:

• Time vs. cost – Flights often cost more but save an entire day of driving each way.
• How much you’ll move around in Pittsburgh and Atlanta – If you’ll rely on public transit or rideshare in both cities, you might not need to rent a car at all.

What Atlanta Travelers Should Consider Before the Trip

Whether you’re:

• An Atlanta resident going to Pittsburgh and back, or
• Someone planning to relocate to Atlanta from Pittsburgh, or
• A visitor ending your multi-city trip in Atlanta

there are some Atlanta-specific factors to think through.

1. Timing your arrival in Atlanta

If possible, try to avoid peak rush hours when planning:

• Your flight arrival time at ATL
• Your drive into the city limits

Arriving in mid-day, late evening, or on weekends can make navigating I‑75/I‑85, I‑285, and key surface streets much easier.

2. Connecting to Atlanta neighborhoods

Once you’re in the metro, you’ll likely be heading to one of these common areas:

• Downtown Atlanta – Government buildings, attractions like Centennial Olympic Park, State Farm Arena, and some hotels
• Midtown – Arts district, offices, Georgia Tech, restaurants, nightlife
• Buckhead – Shopping, business centers, residential neighborhoods
• Suburbs – Marietta, Decatur, Sandy Springs, Smyrna, College Park, and more

From ATL Airport, MARTA’s Red and Gold lines are especially useful for:

• Downtown: Five Points, Peachtree Center
• Midtown: North Avenue, Midtown, Arts Center
• Buckhead area: Lindbergh Center, Buckhead, Lenox, Brookhaven/Oglethorpe

From a bus stop or central Atlanta location, MARTA buses and rail, plus taxis and rideshares, fill in the gaps.

Practical Atlanta Tips for Pittsburgh–Atlanta Trips

Packing and planning

• Weather differences:

  • Atlanta is generally warmer and more humid than Pittsburgh, especially from late spring through early fall.
  • If you’re arriving from Pittsburgh in winter, be prepared for Atlanta to feel milder, but still cool at times.

• Events and traffic:

  • Major events at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, or large conventions at the Georgia World Congress Center can affect traffic and hotel availability.
  • If you’re driving into Atlanta from Pittsburgh, check if your arrival day overlaps with big events to avoid unexpected delays downtown.

If you’re relocating from Pittsburgh to Atlanta

Some people taking this route are planning a move rather than a short visit.

Points to consider:

• Moving trucks and trailers:

  • Routes into Atlanta often use I‑75, I‑85, or I‑285.
  • Practice driving on multi-lane interstates and be prepared for frequent lane changes around the Downtown Connector.

• Registration and licensing in Atlanta/Georgia:

  • If you’re becoming a Georgia resident, you’ll eventually need to address:
    • Georgia driver’s license
    • Vehicle registration and Georgia license plates
  • A central resource is the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) and the Georgia Department of Revenue (for vehicle registration) through your county tag office in the metro area (for example, Fulton County, DeKalb County, Cobb County, etc.).

📝 Local note: If you move to a neighborhood inside the City of Atlanta, you’ll still handle car registration and licensing at the county level (commonly Fulton or DeKalb, depending on your exact address). Give yourself time after your arrival from Pittsburgh to complete these steps.

Using Atlanta as a Travel Hub After Coming From Pittsburgh

Once you’ve made your way from Pittsburgh to Atlanta, the city works well as a launch point to other destinations in the Southeast.

From Atlanta, you can:

• Fly from ATL to major cities across the U.S. and abroad
• Drive to nearby regions like:
  • North Georgia mountains (for hiking and cabins)
  • Savannah and the Georgia coast
  • Neighboring states such as Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Florida

This makes the Pittsburgh–Atlanta leg a useful first step in a larger trip or relocation plan.

Traveling from Pittsburgh, PA to Atlanta, GA comes down to balancing time, cost, and convenience, then planning how you’ll move around once you’re in Atlanta. By choosing the right mix of flight, driving, or bus travel and understanding how to navigate Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, MARTA, and the city’s major roads, you can make the transition between these two cities as smooth as possible.