Traveling From Atlanta, Georgia to Los Angeles: Your Complete How-To Guide

Planning a trip from Atlanta, Georgia to Los Angeles, California involves more than just picking dates. Whether you live in Atlanta, you’re staying in the city for a while, or you’re helping someone else plan the route, it helps to understand all your options from an Atlanta-specific point of view.

Below is a practical, step-by-step guide to getting from Atlanta to Los Angeles by plane, car, bus, or train, plus tips on timing, budgets, and what to expect along the way.

Overview: Main Ways to Get From Atlanta to Los Angeles

From Atlanta, most people choose one of four main options:

• Flying from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
• Driving across the country by car or rental
• Taking a bus (long and usually with connections)
• Combining train and bus, since there is no single direct passenger train from Atlanta to Los Angeles

Here’s a quick comparison to orient you:

Flying From Atlanta to Los Angeles

For most Atlanta residents and visitors, flying is the fastest and most practical way to get to Los Angeles.

Main Atlanta Departure Point

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

• Address: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
• Located just south of downtown Atlanta
• Easily reachable via:
  • MARTA rail (Red/Gold Line to Airport Station, inside the Domestic Terminal)
  • Ride-hailing services and taxis
  • Airport parking lots and off-site parking shuttles

ATL is a major hub, so you’ll generally find multiple daily flights to the Los Angeles area.

Los Angeles–Area Airports You Can Fly Into

When you search from “Atlanta, Georgia to Los Angeles,” the default result is often LAX, but there are several airports that serve the LA region:

• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) – largest and most common, on the west side of LA
• Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) – convenient for Hollywood, Burbank, North LA
• Long Beach Airport (LGB) – smaller, often lower-stress experience
• Ontario International Airport (ONT) – good for Inland Empire / eastern LA County
• John Wayne Airport (SNA) – further south, best for Orange County

From Atlanta, the most frequent nonstops are typically to LAX, but you may find good one-stop options to some of the others.

Flight Time and Schedule Expectations

• Nonstop flight time: usually around 4 to 5 hours in the air
• Time zone change:
  • Atlanta is in Eastern Time (ET)
  • Los Angeles is in Pacific Time (PT)
  • You gain 3 hours going west, and lose 3 hours returning to Atlanta

When planning from Atlanta:

• For a morning flight, consider MARTA to avoid traffic on I-75/I-85.
• For evening flights, build in extra time for rush-hour traffic from Midtown, Buckhead, or the northern suburbs.

Getting to ATL from Around Atlanta

Common routes:

• From Downtown / Midtown Atlanta:

  • MARTA Red or Gold line southbound directly to Airport Station.
  • By car via I-75/85 South; follow signs for the airport.

• From Buckhead / North Atlanta:

  • MARTA Red Line or Gold Line southbound to Airport Station.
  • By car via GA-400 South to I-85 South, then to the airport.

• From Cobb County / Marietta / Smyrna:

  • Drive via I-285 East or West to I-85 South.
  • Some travelers park at MARTA stations like Doraville, Sandy Springs, or College Park, then ride the train to the airport.

• From South Metro (College Park, East Point, Riverdale):

  • Shorter drives, or direct MARTA access for many neighborhoods.

Key Tips for Atlanta Flyers

• Arrive early: ATL is extremely busy. For LA flights, plan:
  • Domestic: at least 2 hours before departure
  • More if traveling at peak times (Monday mornings, Friday afternoons, holidays)
• Consider parking vs. MARTA:
  • MARTA is often smoother for those staying in central Atlanta.
  • Long-term parking is available at ATL and in surrounding private lots.
• Check terminal:
  • ATL has Domestic and International terminals; most Los Angeles flights depart from the Domestic Terminal.

Driving From Atlanta to Los Angeles

If you prefer a road trip or need to move belongings, driving from Atlanta to Los Angeles is a realistic, though long, option.

Distance and Time

• Approximate driving distance: 2,100–2,300 miles, depending on your route
• Pure drive time: typically 30–35 hours behind the wheel
• Most people leaving from Atlanta plan 2–4 days for the drive, with overnight stops.

Common Routes From Atlanta

You have a few main interstate choices. A simple, common pattern:

1. Atlanta → Alabama → Mississippi → Louisiana → Texas → New Mexico → Arizona → California
2. Atlanta → Tennessee → Arkansas → Oklahoma → Texas → New Mexico → Arizona → California (if you prefer going slightly north)

A sample southern route many Atlantans use:

• I-20 West from Atlanta through Birmingham (AL), Meridian (MS), Jackson (MS), Shreveport (LA), Dallas/Fort Worth (TX)
• From Texas, either:
  • Merge to I-10 West toward El Paso → Tucson → Phoenix → LA
  • Or continue on more northern interstates and cut down into Southern California

Planning the Drive From Atlanta

Here’s how many Atlanta drivers roughly break it up:

• Day 1: Atlanta → Dallas/Fort Worth area
• Day 2: Dallas/Fort Worth → somewhere in New Mexico or Arizona
• Day 3: New Mexico/Arizona → Los Angeles area

Of course, you can make it faster or slower depending on:

• How many drivers you have
• Your comfort with night driving
• Your interest in stopping at sights along the way

Renting a Car in Atlanta for a One-Way Trip

If you live in Atlanta but don’t want to put miles on your own car, you can:

• Rent from Hartsfield-Jackson Airport’s Rental Car Center
  • Connected to terminals by the SkyTrain
• Rent from in-town Atlanta rental offices:
  • Many are in Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and near major corridors like Peachtree Street and Cobb Parkway.

When comparing rental options from Atlanta to Los Angeles:

• Look for one-way rental availability (drop-off in the LA area)
• Confirm any one-way or drop-off fees
• Verify mileage limits and insurance coverage, especially for such a long cross-country drive

Driving Tips for Atlantans

• Prep your vehicle: Oil change, tire check, brakes, and coolant before leaving Atlanta, especially in hot months.
• Know weather seasons: In winter, you may hit snow/ice in higher elevations; in summer, expect desert heat in West Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.
• Plan your overnights: Bigger cities like Birmingham, Jackson, Shreveport, Dallas, El Paso, Phoenix tend to offer more lodging and services.
• Carry basics: Water, snacks, a first-aid kit, and a phone charger; some stretches between Texas and California can feel very remote compared with metro Atlanta.

Taking a Bus From Atlanta to Los Angeles

For travelers focused on saving money over time, a long-distance bus can be an option from Atlanta to Los Angeles.

Where Buses Depart in Atlanta

Most long-distance buses use central Atlanta locations, commonly in or near Downtown. While specific operators and terminals can change over time, you will typically see:

• Central Atlanta bus terminals used by intercity carriers
• Locations usually accessible by:
  • MARTA rail (Five Points, Peachtree Center, Civic Center, or Garnett, depending on the terminal)
  • Local buses, ride-hailing, or taxis

Check your specific bus ticket for the exact terminal address and arrival time, as departure points can differ by carrier and route.

Travel Time and Experience

• Typical travel time: Around 2–3 days with transfers
• Expect:
  • Multiple stops in states between Georgia and California
  • Layovers during transfers
  • Limited space compared to flying or driving your own vehicle

For someone starting in Atlanta, this can be manageable if you:

• Pack light but include a neck pillow, light blanket, earplugs, and snacks
• Bring entertainment (downloads on your phone or tablet)
• Plan for basic comfort, not luxury

Using Train and Bus Combinations From Atlanta

There is no simple, direct passenger train from Atlanta straight to Los Angeles, but it is possible to travel most of the way by Amtrak plus one or more connecting services.

Starting at Atlanta’s Train Station

Peachtree Station (Amtrak)

• Address: 1688 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309
• Located in the Brookwood area between Midtown and Buckhead
• Accessible by:
  • Local bus routes
  • Ride-hailing and taxis
  • Short drives from Midtown, Buckhead, and nearby neighborhoods

What to Expect With a Train Route

A typical pattern from Atlanta to Los Angeles might involve:

• Taking a train from Atlanta to a major hub (for example, New Orleans, Washington D.C., or Chicago, depending on schedules)
• Then transferring to a long-distance train that travels toward California (routes that pass through Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and into California)
• Possibly needing a bus segment to complete the route to the Los Angeles area

This can take 3–4 days or more, and is better suited for travelers who:

• Enjoy long, scenic journeys
• Prefer the ability to walk around more than on a bus
• Don’t mind multiple connections and careful schedule planning

Before leaving Atlanta:

• Check updated schedules, connection times, and service notes
• Consider booking sleeping accommodations on longer legs if comfort is a priority

Choosing the Best Option From Atlanta to Los Angeles

How you travel from Atlanta, Georgia to Los Angeles depends on your priorities:

• If you live in Atlanta and value speed:

  • Nonstop flight from ATL to LAX is usually the best balance of time and convenience.

• If you want a classic road trip:

  • Driving west on I-20 and I-10 from Atlanta gives you the most flexibility with stops and sightseeing.

• If cost is the top concern and time is flexible:

  • Long-distance bus travel from Atlanta can be among the least expensive options, though slow.

• If you want a scenic, slower, more relaxed style:

  • Train plus bus from Atlanta is possible, but requires careful planning and a multi-day commitment.

No matter which route you choose, planning with Atlanta’s specific logistics in mind—getting to and from Hartsfield-Jackson, navigating local traffic, choosing in-town pick-up and drop-off points, and timing around Atlanta’s busy periods—will make your trip to Los Angeles smoother and more predictable.