Traveling From Atlanta, Georgia to Dallas, Texas: A Practical Guide for Atlanta Travelers

Planning a trip from Atlanta, Georgia to Dallas, Texas? Whether you live in metro Atlanta, are flying through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, or are starting a road trip from the city, this guide walks through your main options and what to expect.

Key Ways to Get From Atlanta to Dallas

Most Atlanta-based travelers use one of three main options:

1. Flying ATL → DFW (or DAL)
2. Driving Atlanta → Dallas
3. Combining bus or train with driving or flying

Here’s a quick comparison to frame your decision.

Quick Comparison: Atlanta to Dallas Options

Flying From Atlanta to Dallas

For most people in Atlanta, flying is the fastest and most straightforward way to get to Dallas.

Airports You’ll Use

• Departure: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

  • Location: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
  • Major access roads: I-85, Camp Creek Pkwy, I-285
  • MARTA access: Direct rail service to the Domestic Terminal (Airport station)

• Arrival: Dallas–Fort Worth Metro Area has two primary airports:

  • Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) – large, major hub
  • Dallas Love Field (DAL) – closer to downtown Dallas

How Long Is the Flight From Atlanta to Dallas?

• Nonstop flight time is usually around 2.5 hours in the air.
• With boarding, taxiing, and possible delays, you’ll want to plan for 4–5 hours total airport-to-airport time.

Getting to ATL From Around Atlanta

If you’re coming from different parts of metro Atlanta:

• Downtown / Midtown / Buckhead

  • Use MARTA rail (Red or Gold line) directly to Airport Station.
  • This lets you avoid parking and I-85 traffic.

• South Atlanta / College Park / East Point

  • Short drive or MARTA ride; many residents use park-and-ride lots and hop on MARTA.

• North Atlanta suburbs (Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Roswell)

  • You can drive down GA-400 → I-85, or take MARTA to the Airport.
  • If you prefer to park, the Park-Ride lots at Hartsfield-Jackson or private airport parking around Camp Creek Parkway are common.

• West side (Austell, Lithia Springs, Douglasville)

  • I-20 → I-285 → I-85 or Camp Creek Pkwy is a typical route.
  • Morning and late-afternoon traffic on I-20 and I-285 can be heavy; allow extra time.

Tips for Atlanta Air Travelers Heading to Dallas

• Arrive early:
  • For domestic flights, Atlanta travelers commonly arrive 2 hours before departure, especially at peak times.
• Use CLEAR, TSA PreCheck, or ATL’s security wait time boards if you often fly from Atlanta and want to reduce line stress.
• Plan for parking or MARTA:
  • MARTA is often the most predictable option during rush hour.
• Check which Dallas airport you’re using:
  • DFW is better if you’re going to the suburbs spread around the metro.
  • Love Field (DAL) is closer to downtown Dallas, Uptown, and some central neighborhoods.

Driving From Atlanta, Georgia to Dallas, Texas

If you prefer a road trip or need to transport items that are easier by car, driving can be a good option from Atlanta to Dallas.

Main Driving Route

The most common route from Atlanta to Dallas is:

• I-20 West almost the entire way

General path:

• Leave Atlanta on I-20 W
• Pass through Birmingham (AL) → Jackson (MS) → Shreveport (LA)
• Continue west into Texas toward Dallas

Approximate distance: 780–800 miles, depending on your exact starting point in metro Atlanta.

How Long Does the Drive Take?

• Most Atlanta drivers estimate 11–13 hours of driving time, not including longer meal or rest stops.
• If you’re leaving from downtown or Midtown Atlanta, you’ll need to add time for city traffic, especially:
  • Morning rush: roughly 6:30–9:30 a.m.
  • Afternoon/evening rush: roughly 3:30–7:00 p.m.

Many Atlantans break the trip into two days for comfort, stopping overnight in a city like:

• Jackson, Mississippi (about halfway), or
• Shreveport, Louisiana (further along the route).

Where You’ll Likely Start in Atlanta

• From Downtown/Midtown: Connect to I-20 W via the I-75/85 connector.
• From Decatur / East Atlanta: You can enter I-20 W closer to your side of town.
• From Cobb County (Smyrna, Marietta): Often I-285 S or W to connect to I-20 W.
• From South Fulton / Union City / Fairburn: I-285 W can be used to reach I-20 W.

Road Trip Tips for Atlanta → Dallas

• Plan fuel stops:
  • I-20 has frequent exits with gas, but mapping fuel stops around major cities like Birmingham and Jackson can make the drive smoother.
• Check weather before leaving Atlanta:
  • Storms can affect driving conditions across Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
• Have a vehicle check in Atlanta before departure:
  • Many drivers get a quick inspection (tires, brakes, fluids) from local shops in Atlanta or surrounding suburbs if they’re doing the drive for the first time.
• Watch speed limits:
  • Speed limits vary between states; enforcement can be strict along some stretches of I-20.

Bus and Train Options From Atlanta to Dallas

While flying and driving are the most common ways, some Atlanta travelers look into bus or train for cost or preference reasons.

Bus Travel From Atlanta to Dallas

Long-distance buses typically leave from bus facilities near or within the Atlanta city area.
You can expect:

• At least one transfer, often in cities like Birmingham, Jackson, or Shreveport.
• 16+ hours of total travel time.

Common considerations for Atlanta residents:

• You’ll likely need to get to the central bus station using MARTA, rideshare, or a ride from a friend.
• Travel time is much longer than flying, but may be an option if you’re highly budget-conscious and have flexible timing.

Train Travel From Atlanta to Dallas

Atlanta’s passenger rail service is centered at:

• Amtrak – Peachtree Station
  • Address: 1688 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309

There is no simple, direct train route from Atlanta to Dallas.
Typical train-based routes require:

• Traveling from Atlanta to another major rail hub (often north or northeast), then
• Transferring to a long-distance train that eventually connects toward Texas, and then
• Possibly a bus or another train to reach Dallas.

This can be an interesting choice if you enjoy rail travel and have time, but it is not a fast or straightforward option for most Atlanta travelers.

Cost Considerations for Atlanta Residents

While exact prices vary, here’s how many Atlanta-based travelers think about cost when going to Dallas:

• Flights

  • Vary by season, day of week, and how far in advance you book.
  • Often the best balance of time and cost if you value your time.

• Driving

  • Main costs: gas, potential hotel stop, food, and vehicle wear and tear.
  • Can be economical if you’re traveling with multiple people and can safely share driving.

• Bus

  • Often one of the least expensive ticket options, but with much longer travel time.

• Train plus bus

  • More of a specialty or scenic choice, not usually the lowest cost when time is factored in.

Practical Planning Tips for Atlanta → Dallas

When to Leave Atlanta

• If driving, many Atlantans try to:
  • Leave very early in the morning (before major rush hour) to clear the city and make good distance by midday.
• If flying, consider:
  • Midday or early afternoon flights if you want to avoid the heaviest rush-hour drive or MARTA crowds.

What to Bring

• Government-issued ID for flights or bus.
• Weather-appropriate clothing for both cities. Atlanta and Dallas can both be hot in summer and mild to cool in winter, but temperatures can swing.
• Basic road safety kit if driving (jumper cables, flashlight, water, snacks).

Local Atlanta Resources That Help With Trip Prep

• MARTA: Easiest transit link to ATL Airport from downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and several suburbs.
• Atlanta Post Offices & Shipping Stores: Useful if you’re sending items ahead to Dallas instead of packing them, especially for extended stays or moves.
• Vehicle Services Across Metro Atlanta: From larger chains around Camp Creek, Cumberland, Perimeter, Stone Mountain, and Gwinnett, to local mechanics, getting your car checked before an 800-mile drive is common practice.

Moving From Atlanta to Dallas vs. Visiting

If your trip from Atlanta to Dallas is more than a quick visit:

• Relocation by Car or Truck

  • Many Atlanta residents use rental moving trucks, often picking them up from locations near I-20 or I-285 for easier access to the westbound route.

• Shipping a Car From Atlanta to Dallas

  • Auto transport companies commonly operate along the Atlanta–Dallas corridor.
  • Pickup is often arranged from your home, office, or a central spot near major highways in metro Atlanta.

For both short and long stays, it can help to:

• Keep copies of your Atlanta documents (lease, home paperwork, work letters) easily accessible.
• Share your full travel plan with a family member or friend in Atlanta, especially if you’re driving alone.

Choosing the Best Option From Atlanta to Dallas

For someone in or near Atlanta:

• Pick flying if:

  • You want to minimize travel time and stress.
  • You’re comfortable getting to ATL via MARTA, rideshare, or parking.

• Pick driving if:

  • You like road trips, want flexibility, or need to move gear that’s hard to fly with.
  • You’re okay with an 11–13 hour drive and possibly an overnight stop.

• Pick bus or complex train routes if:

  • You have a lot of time, are focused on cost or experience, and don’t mind longer, more complicated routes.

Starting in Atlanta, Georgia, you have strong infrastructure—a major international airport, direct interstate access, and multiple transport options—that makes reaching Dallas, Texas straightforward once you decide what matters most: speed, cost, or flexibility.