Traveling From Durham, North Carolina to Atlanta, Georgia: What People in Atlanta Should Know

The trip from Durham, North Carolina to Atlanta, Georgia is a common route for students, business travelers, families, and people relocating to the Atlanta area. Whether you already live in Atlanta, are planning a move here from Durham, or you’re coordinating visits between the two cities, understanding your options can save time, money, and stress.

Below is a practical guide focused on what Atlanta-area travelers need to know about this route—how to get between the two cities, where you’ll likely arrive in Atlanta, and how to connect your trip with everyday life in and around the city.

How Far Is Durham from Atlanta?

Durham, North Carolina, sits in the Research Triangle region, while Atlanta is the major metropolitan hub of the Southeast. The distance between the two cities matters most for how you choose to travel.

Approximate distance and travel times:

*Times can vary with traffic, weather, and connections.

Driving from Durham to Atlanta

For many people based in Atlanta, driving is the most flexible option for trips to and from Durham.

Main driving route

The most common route is:

• Start in Durham, NC
• Take I-85 South most of the way
• Continue on I-85 into metro Atlanta

People in Atlanta frequently use this drive to:

• Visit family or students in the Triangle area
• Attend conferences at Duke or nearby universities
• Explore Raleigh–Durham–Chapel Hill for work or relocation research

What Atlanta drivers should keep in mind

1. Traffic near Atlanta

Atlanta traffic can significantly affect your total travel time. Common congestion points for travelers returning from Durham include:

• I-85/I-285 interchanges on the north and south sides of the city
• Downtown Connector (I-75/85) if you’re passing through central Atlanta

If you’re leaving Atlanta for Durham, try to avoid:

• Weekday morning rush (about 6:30–9:30 a.m.) heading northeast
• Evening rush (about 4–7 p.m.) when coming back into town

2. Parking in Atlanta when you return

If you’re driving your own car both ways, parking is straightforward—your usual home or apartment parking. But if you’re:

• Leaving your car in Atlanta and riding with someone else, consider secure long-term parking near MARTA stations (such as Doraville, North Springs, or College Park) so you can take the train home when you get back into town.
• Carpooling or ridesharing to Durham, many people meet at well-known shopping centers or park-and-ride lots along I-85 outside the city core to avoid downtown traffic.

Taking a Bus Between Durham and Atlanta

Bus travel is often the budget-friendly option between Durham and Atlanta, especially for students and solo travelers.

What to expect on the bus route

Most long-distance bus services running between Durham and Atlanta:

• Travel mainly on I-85
• Make stops in other North Carolina or South Carolina cities
• Arrive in Atlanta either:
  • Near Downtown
  • Near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  • Or at a central bus terminal in the city

Because operators and exact stop locations can change, always check:

• The exact pickup and drop-off addresses
• Whether the stop is:
  • Downtown (close to MARTA rail and bus lines), or
  • Near the airport (good for connections but farther from some neighborhoods)

Connecting from the bus to your final destination in Atlanta

Once you arrive in Atlanta from Durham by bus, you’ll likely need a second leg to reach your home, hotel, or office.

Options include:

• MARTA rail:

  • If you arrive downtown, you may be within walking distance of stations like Peachtree Center, Five Points, or Garnett.
  • If you arrive near ATL, the airport is directly connected to the MARTA Airport Station at the Domestic Terminal.

• MARTA bus:

  • Local buses serve neighborhoods not directly on a rail line.
  • Many riders use bus connections to reach South Fulton, DeKalb, and Clayton County from airport or downtown stops.

• Rideshare or taxi:

  • Common for late-night arrivals or when luggage makes public transit less convenient.

Flying from Durham Area to Atlanta

If you’re traveling between the Durham/Research Triangle area and Atlanta and want to minimize time on the road, flying is often the fastest option.

Departure airports near Durham

People flying from Durham to Atlanta typically use:

• Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
  • About 20–30 minutes from central Durham in normal traffic
  • Major airport serving the Triangle region

There are frequent flights between RDU and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), which is Atlanta’s main airport and a major hub.

Arriving at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

For Atlanta-focused travelers, it’s important to know how ATL fits into the rest of the city:

• Location: South of downtown, at 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
• Key advantage: Direct connection to MARTA rail at the Airport Station, located inside the Domestic Terminal

From ATL, many residents and visitors continue their trip into Atlanta by:

• MARTA rail

  • Red and Gold Lines serve major areas like Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and North Springs
  • This is often the fastest and most predictable way to reach central Atlanta from the airport during rush hour

• Rideshare pickup zones

  • Clearly marked areas near the terminal for app-based rides

• Rental cars

  • Accessible via the ATL Rental Car Center, connected to the terminals through the SkyTrain

Using MARTA and Local Transit After Your Trip

When you come in from Durham—by bus or plane—the MARTA system is often the first tool people use to reach their final destination in Atlanta.

Key MARTA details for travelers

• MARTA Airport Station

  • Found inside the Domestic Terminal at ATL
  • Connects to North-South rail lines (Red/Gold) heading through Downtown and Midtown

• Central stations useful for arrivals:

  • Five Points – main transfer station connecting all rail lines; downtown hub
  • Peachtree Center – close to many downtown hotels and offices
  • Midtown – near tech firms, arts centers, and Georgia Tech
  • North Avenue – Midtown/South Midtown area

Planning your Atlanta connections

For those who live in or are staying in Atlanta, think through:

• Which MARTA station is closest to your home, hotel, or meeting location
• Whether you’ll need:
  • A rail-only trip, or
  • A combination of rail + bus, or
  • A rideshare from your final station

This makes it easier to decide whether flying, busing, or driving from Durham makes the most sense when your day starts or ends in Atlanta.

Moving from Durham to Atlanta (or Vice Versa)

Some people researching “Durham North Carolina to Atlanta Georgia” are considering a relocation rather than just a short trip.

From an Atlanta perspective, here’s what to keep in mind if you’re:

• Relocating from Durham to Atlanta
• Splitting time between the two cities
• Frequently traveling for work, school, or family reasons

Housing and neighborhoods in Atlanta

If you’re moving from Durham to Atlanta, you’ll notice:

• More neighborhood variety in terms of density, nightlife, and walkability
• Commute planning is more critical, since Atlanta traffic is often heavier than in Durham

Popular areas for newcomers include:

• Midtown and Old Fourth Ward – urban, walkable, close to tech and arts
• Buckhead – business and retail centers with condo and single-family options
• Decatur and nearby DeKalb neighborhoods – more small-town feel with MARTA access
• West Midtown / Upper Westside – rapidly developing, with lofts and newer apartments

When planning frequent travel back to Durham, consider:

• Proximity to I-85 if you’ll be driving often
• Easy access to MARTA or highway routes to ATL airport if you’ll be flying

When Bus, Car, or Plane Makes the Most Sense for Atlanta Travelers

From an Atlanta-based point of view, your best choice between Durham and Atlanta depends on your priorities.

Choose driving if you:

• Prefer door-to-door control and flexibility
• Are traveling with family, pets, or a lot of luggage
• Plan to stop in Charlotte or other cities along I-85
• Want to avoid airport security and check-in times

Choose the bus if you:

• Want a lower-cost option, especially for solo travel
• Don’t mind a longer trip in exchange for savings
• Are comfortable using MARTA or rideshare on arrival in Atlanta

Choose flying if you:

• Care most about short overall travel time
• Live or stay near the MARTA rail line in Atlanta
• Need to make regular trips between the Research Triangle and Atlanta for work or study

Tips for Atlanta Residents Visiting Durham

If you’re based in Atlanta and heading to Durham—whether to visit friends at Duke, attend events, or scout the area—planning both ends of your trip makes everything smoother.

For the Durham side of the trip

• Arrival in Durham by car:

  • Durham is smaller and generally easier to navigate by car than Atlanta. Most people rely on driving and local parking.

• If you arrive at RDU Airport:

  • Rideshare, taxis, and rental cars are common choices from RDU to Durham.
  • There are transit options in the Triangle, but they are generally less centralized than MARTA in Atlanta.

For returning to Atlanta

Think ahead to:

• Atlanta arrival time (plan around rush hours if you can)
• Whether you’re going straight:
  • Home
  • To work
  • To a hotel or event inside the city

This helps you decide which arrival method—ATL airport, bus stop, or direct car trip—works best.

Key Takeaways for Durham–Atlanta Travel

• Distance: Durham, NC is roughly 380–400 driving miles from Atlanta, GA, with a direct run mainly along I-85.
• Major options:
  • Drive: Most flexible, about 6–7.5 hours each way.
  • Bus: Budget-friendly but longer; arrival locations in Atlanta vary.
  • Fly: Fastest, via RDU to ATL, especially convenient if you use MARTA once in Atlanta.
• For Atlanta residents and visitors:
  • Plan around Atlanta traffic, particularly when entering or leaving via I-85.
  • Use MARTA Airport Station and central rail stops to connect from flights or buses to your final destination.
  • If you travel this route often, consider an Atlanta home base that gives easy access either to I-85 or to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Understanding these options from an Atlanta-focused perspective makes it much easier to choose the right way to travel between Durham, North Carolina and Atlanta, Georgia, whether it’s a one-time visit or part of your regular routine.