How Far Is Birmingham, Alabama From Atlanta, Georgia? A Practical Guide for Atlanta Travelers

If you live in Atlanta, are visiting the city, or are planning a trip that starts or ends here, it’s very common to ask: “How far is Birmingham, Alabama from Atlanta, Georgia?”

The short answer:

• Distance by road (I‑20): about 147–150 miles
• Typical drive time: around 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes, depending on traffic
• Distance by air: roughly 140 miles (nonstop flight distance)

Below is a clear breakdown tailored to someone starting in Atlanta, GA, including driving details, alternate routes, travel options, and what to expect along the way.

Basic Distance From Atlanta to Birmingham

Driving distance

From Downtown Atlanta (around Five Points or the Georgia State Capitol) to Downtown Birmingham:

• Approximate driving distance:147–150 miles
• Primary route:I‑20 West almost the entire way
• States crossed: Start in Georgia, cross into Alabama, then continue to Birmingham

Because this is a straight interstate route, it’s one of the simpler out-of-state drives you can make from Atlanta.

Flight distance

• Air (straight-line) distance: About 140 miles between Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and Birmingham‑Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM).
• Actual flight routing is slightly longer, but still a short hop by air.

How Long Does It Take to Get From Atlanta to Birmingham?

Typical driving time from Atlanta

From most central Atlanta neighborhoods (Downtown, Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, Westside):

• Average drive time:2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes
• This assumes:
  • Normal highway speeds on I‑20
  • No major accidents, construction delays, or severe weather

Your actual time from Atlanta can vary based on where you start:

• Hartsfield‑Jackson / College Park area: often slightly shorter (you’re already on the southwest side of town).
• Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody: add about 10–25 minutes depending on how quickly you can get onto I‑20.
• Decatur, East Atlanta, Stone Mountain: usually add 10–20 minutes heading through or around downtown to connect to I‑20 West.

Flight time

For flights between Atlanta (ATL) and Birmingham (BHM):

• In‑air time: often around 30–40 minutes
• Total airport-to-airport time: commonly 2.5–4 hours after you factor in:
  • Arriving at ATL 1–2 hours before departure
  • Boarding, taxiing, and deplaning
  • Getting from BHM into Birmingham proper

From central Atlanta, flying typically doesn’t save much total time over driving for most travelers, but it can make sense for tight connections or business travel.

Exact Route: Atlanta, Georgia to Birmingham, Alabama

For someone starting in Atlanta, here’s the most common and straightforward route:

Main driving route (via I‑20 West)

1. Get onto I‑20 West

   • From Downtown Atlanta: Use the Downtown Connector (I‑75/85), then follow signs for I‑20 West toward Birmingham.
   • From Midtown/Buckhead/Sandy Springs: Take surface streets or GA‑400 / I‑75 / I‑85 south toward downtown, then merge onto I‑20 West.
   • From Decatur/East Side: Use I‑285 or local routes to connect to I‑20 West.

2. Follow I‑20 West out of Atlanta
   You’ll pass:

   • Six Flags Over Georgia (near Austell)
   • Cities like Douglasville, Villa Rica, and Bremen

3. Continue on I‑20 into Alabama
   After crossing the state line, you’ll go by:

   • Anniston/Oxford area
   • Smaller exits and rural stretches

4. Approach Birmingham
   As you near the Birmingham metro:

   • Stay on I‑20 West as it merges/overlaps with I‑59
   • Follow signs for Downtown Birmingham exits

This is essentially a single-interstate trip from Atlanta to Birmingham, with only local street driving at the beginning and end.

How Far Is Birmingham From Different Parts of Metro Atlanta?

While Google Maps or a GPS will give precise times, these are general one-way estimates under normal conditions:

These times assume you’re driving directly onto I‑20 West after leaving your neighborhood.

Best Time to Drive From Atlanta to Birmingham

Traffic patterns around Atlanta often matter more than the distance itself.

Leaving Atlanta

To avoid congestion:

• Best windows (weekdays):
  • Mid‑morning: roughly 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
  • Mid‑afternoon: roughly 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
• Times to avoid if possible:
  • Morning rush: about 6:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
  • Evening rush: about 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • Friday afternoons: can be especially slow leaving Atlanta westbound

If you’re leaving from areas like Downtown, Midtown, or around Georgia Tech, heavy congestion on the Downtown Connector can add 20–40 minutes before you ever reach I‑20 West.

Weather considerations

Between Atlanta and Birmingham, conditions that can affect your drive include:

• Heavy rain and storms, especially in spring and summer
• Dense fog in low-lying areas early in the morning
• Occasional winter ice or snow; both Georgia and Alabama traffic can slow significantly during winter weather

Checking weather and traffic apps right before departure from Atlanta is usually worthwhile.

Driving vs. Flying From Atlanta to Birmingham

For someone starting in Atlanta, here’s how the two main options compare:

Driving (I‑20 West)

Pros:

• Door-to-door control: you leave from your home, hotel, or office in Atlanta.
• No security lines or boarding times.
• Typically 2.5–3 hours total from most central Atlanta points.
• Flexible stops in places like Douglasville, Oxford/Anniston, or Pell City.
• Often less expensive when traveling with family or a small group.

Cons:

• You handle all the driving.
• You may encounter congestion leaving Atlanta or approaching Birmingham.
• Weather and accidents can cause delays.

Flying (ATL to BHM)

Pros:

• Short in‑air time (around 30–40 minutes).
• Useful for tight business schedules or when connecting to other flights.

Cons:

• Need to get to Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport first:
  • Address: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
• Time for parking or MARTA, check‑in, security, boarding, and baggage claim.
• Once at Birmingham‑Shuttlesworth International Airport, you still need ground transport into the city.
• For most Atlanta‑based travelers, total door‑to‑door time is similar or longer than driving.

For most Atlanta locals, especially those leaving from intown neighborhoods or within I‑285, driving is usually the most practical way to get to Birmingham.

Public Transportation Options From Atlanta to Birmingham

If you’re in Atlanta and don’t want to drive or fly, you do have options, though schedules and routes can change over time.

Intercity bus service

Several bus companies commonly connect Atlanta and Birmingham along the I‑20 corridor.

• Typical travel time: around 3–4 hours, depending on stops and routing.
• Common departure/arrival locations in Atlanta may include areas near Downtown or near Hartsfield‑Jackson, depending on the provider.

Because pickup points and schedules change, it’s best to:

• Check the nearest bus station or official bus company website.
• Allow extra time to reach the departure point from your Atlanta starting location (MARTA, rideshare, taxi, or driving/parking).

Amtrak (train)

There is an Amtrak route that includes both Atlanta and Birmingham on its path.

• Atlanta’s Amtrak station is generally located near Brookwood in Midtown:
  • Peachtree Station
  • Address: 1688 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309
• The line continues to Birmingham, stopping at the city’s primary station.

Key considerations:

• Travel time: often longer than driving, especially considering schedules and any delays.
• There may be limited daily departures, usually at times that may not be ideal for all travelers.
• Accessing Peachtree Station from across Atlanta may require MARTA, rideshare, or driving and parking.

For an Atlanta traveler, the train can be a more relaxed or scenic option, but not typically the fastest.

Practical Tips for Atlanta Residents Driving to Birmingham

1. Plan your departure point in Atlanta

Where you start in Atlanta affects your total trip:

• Intown (Downtown, Midtown, Old Fourth Ward):
  Try to time your departure between peaks to avoid Downtown Connector backups.
• Westside (West Midtown, Cascade, West End):
  You’re closer to I‑20 West; your main concern is local congestion and I‑20 entry.
• East/Decatur/Stone Mountain:
  Decide whether to cut through downtown or use I‑285 to loop around to I‑20 West, depending on real‑time traffic.

2. Factor in stops along the way

Between Atlanta and Birmingham, you can find:

• Food & fuel:
  • West of Atlanta near Douglasville
  • Around Villa Rica, Bremen, and Tallapoosa
  • In Alabama near Oxford/Anniston and Pell City
• Restroom or stretch breaks:
  Most larger exits along I‑20 are well developed, especially near city clusters.

If you’re traveling with kids, pets, or anyone who prefers frequent breaks, assume your trip may be closer to 3 hours total from central Atlanta.

3. Consider parking and car rental on both ends

If you:

• Own a car in Atlanta:
  You can usually drive straight from your home, apartment, or neighborhood and park in Birmingham at hotels, public decks, or metered spaces.
• Are visiting Atlanta without a car:
  • You can rent a car at Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport or at various neighborhood rental locations (Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, etc.).
  • Factor in time to pick up and drop off the vehicle.

When Does It Make Sense to Stay Overnight?

Though the Atlanta to Birmingham route is relatively short, some travelers decide to stay overnight in Birmingham rather than doing a same‑day round trip.

From Atlanta, consider an overnight stay if:

• You have multiple meetings or events in Birmingham.
• You’re coordinating a sports tournament, concert, or family gathering that runs late.
• You don’t want to drive back to Atlanta in the dark or in bad weather.

The distance is short enough for many to drive there in the morning and return the same evening, but that’s a personal choice based on your schedule and fatigue.

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Travelers

• Atlanta to Birmingham distance by car: about 147–150 miles.
• Typical drive time: around 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes from central Atlanta, longer with traffic or multiple stops.
• Main route:I‑20 West almost door to door.
• Flying between the two cities is a short flight but usually not significantly faster door‑to‑door than driving for most Atlanta residents.
• Bus and train options exist but generally take longer and require planning around fixed schedules.

If you’re in Atlanta, Georgia and wondering how far Birmingham is, you can think of it as roughly a half‑day round trip by car under normal conditions, with enough flexibility to tailor your departure time around Atlanta’s traffic and your own schedule.