Traveling From Orlando, Florida to Atlanta, Georgia: A Practical Guide for Atlanta-Focused Travelers

Getting from Orlando, Florida to Atlanta, Georgia is one of the most common regional trips in the Southeast. Whether you live in Atlanta and you’re planning a getaway to Orlando, or you’re in Orlando and heading to Atlanta for work, family, or a move, it helps to understand all your options from an Atlanta-centered perspective.

Below is a clear breakdown of how the trip works, what to expect when you arrive in Atlanta, and how to connect smoothly to neighborhoods, transit, and services once you get here.

Orlando to Atlanta at a Glance

Distance & Time (One Way)

Travel times change with traffic, weather, and time of day, but this table gives you a realistic baseline for planning.

Driving From Orlando to Atlanta

If you’re traveling between Orlando and Atlanta by car, you’ll likely use Interstate 75 (I‑75) or a combination of I‑75 and I‑10. Many Atlanta residents prefer driving because it offers flexibility with departure times and stops.

Main Driving Route

Most drivers follow a route similar to:

1. Leave Orlando heading north via I‑4.
2. Connect to I‑75 North (often near the Tampa/Lakeland area or via local connectors depending on your starting point).
3. Continue on I‑75 North straight into Metro Atlanta.

Approximate driving distance: often around 430–460 miles, depending on your starting point in Orlando and your destination neighborhood in Atlanta.

What Atlanta Drivers Should Know

If you’re an Atlanta local driving back from Orlando:

• Plan your arrival window.

  • Morning rush: roughly 6:30–9:30 a.m.
  • Evening rush: roughly 3:30–7:00 p.m.
    I‑75/85 through Downtown, the Downtown Connector, and the I‑285 Perimeter can be heavily congested in these windows.

• Common entry points into Atlanta:

  • I‑75 Northbound feeds into the Downtown Connector (I‑75/85) and I‑285.
  • From I‑285, you can access Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Decatur, Smyrna, and the airport area more easily.

• Parking in Atlanta
  If you’re staying in Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead, expect:

  • Daily parking rates at hotels and garages.
  • Cheaper or free options in some residential areas, but watch for permits and time limits.

• Car rentals and drop-offs
  If you rent a car in Orlando and drop it in Atlanta, most of the larger agencies have locations at:

  • Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
    6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
    (Consolidated Rental Car Center via the ATL SkyTrain)
  • Satellite branches in Midtown, Buckhead, and Perimeter.

✅ Tip for Atlanta-based travelers: If you’re leaving Atlanta to drive to Orlando, consider overnight drives if you’re comfortable with them; leaving after the evening rush often gets you clear of Metro Atlanta traffic much faster.

Flying From Orlando to Atlanta

For many people, flying from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the fastest and most convenient option. This is especially true if you live or are staying near MARTA rail or major job centers like Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or Perimeter Center.

Flight Basics

• Flight time: Typically about 1.5 hours in the air.
• Airports:
  • Departure: Orlando International Airport (MCO).
  • Arrival: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), the main gateway to Atlanta.

Because ATL is a major hub, there are usually multiple daily nonstop flights between Orlando and Atlanta, which Atlanta residents often use for quick weekend trips to Orlando’s theme parks or family visits in Central Florida.

Arriving at ATL: Getting Into Atlanta

Once you land at Hartsfield–Jackson, the main question is: How do you get from ATL to your destination in Atlanta? Locals and visitors generally use a mix of MARTA rail, rideshare, taxis, shuttles, or rental cars.

1. MARTA Rail

MARTA is often the simplest and most cost-effective way to go from the airport into the city.

• Airport Station is located inside the Domestic Terminal:
  • Just follow signs to “Ground Transportation / MARTA”.
• Trains run on the Red and Gold lines.

Popular destinations from the Airport via MARTA:

• Downtown Atlanta (Peachtree Center, Five Points, Georgia State)
  • Gold or Red Line, ~15–20 minutes.
• Midtown (Midtown, Arts Center stations)
  • Gold or Red Line, ~20–25 minutes.
• Buckhead / Lenox / Brookhaven
  • Gold Line northbound, ~30–40 minutes.
• Perimeter Center / Sandy Springs / Dunwoody
  • Red Line northbound (may require transfer at Lindbergh Center), ~35–45 minutes.

📍 MARTA Headquarters & Rider Support
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority
2424 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
Customer information is available by phone; schedules and maps are posted at all stations.

2. Rideshares and Taxis

Rideshare services and traditional taxis are widely used by both locals and visitors.

• Rideshare pickup is typically at a designated area in the North or South Economy Lots or lower levels labeled for app-based rides.
• Taxis line up outside the terminal on the Ground Transportation level.

Typical travel ranges (depending on traffic and destination):

• ATL → Downtown: about 15–30 minutes.
• ATL → Midtown: about 20–35 minutes.
• ATL → Buckhead: about 25–45 minutes.
• ATL → Perimeter / Dunwoody: about 30–50 minutes.

3. Rental Cars

If you prefer to drive yourself once you reach Atlanta, you can pick up a rental car at:

ATL Rental Car Center (CONRAC)

• Located at 2200 Rental Car Center Pkwy, College Park, GA 30337.
• Reachable via the ATL SkyTrain from the main terminal.

From there, major roads to reach Atlanta neighborhoods include:

• I‑85 North for Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead.
• I‑285 for Perimeter suburbs like Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Tucker, Smyrna.
• I‑75 North/South for areas like Cumberland, Cobb County, and further suburbs.

Bus Travel Between Orlando and Atlanta

Several intercity bus companies operate routes between Orlando and Atlanta, often favored by travelers seeking lower upfront costs or those who don’t drive.

Typical Orlando → Atlanta Bus Experience

• Travel time: Often 8–10 hours, depending on stops and routing.
• Arrival areas in Atlanta:
  While exact locations vary by provider, buses commonly arrive near:
  • Downtown Atlanta (often near the Civic Center or Garnett area).
  • Some providers may use stops near Midtown or South Downtown.

From these drop-off points, Atlanta riders usually:

• Walk or take a short ride to the nearest MARTA rail station (such as Garnett, Five Points, Civic Center, or Peachtree Center).
• Use local bus routes if they live farther outside the city core.
• Take a short rideshare to neighborhoods like Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, West Midtown, or Grant Park.

✅ Tip for Atlanta locals returning by bus: If someone is picking you up, share your bus provider’s exact stop location—some stops are curbside or adjacent to side streets, not large enclosed terminals.

Train Travel: Orlando to Atlanta

Direct train options between Orlando and Atlanta are limited. Some travelers consider:

• Amtrak service with routes that may require transfers or indirect pathing through other cities.

Atlanta’s Amtrak station:

Atlanta Peachtree Station
1688 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309

This station is in North Midtown / Brookwood. It is not directly on MARTA rail, but you can get to and from the station by:

• Short rideshare or taxi to Arts Center Station (MARTA).
• Local bus service along Peachtree Street.

If you live or are staying in Midtown, Buckhead, or nearby neighborhoods, this station can be relatively convenient, though most Atlanta–Orlando travelers still choose driving or flying due to time.

Choosing the Best Option for Your Situation in Atlanta

When deciding how to travel between Orlando, Florida and Atlanta, Georgia, consider where you are or will be within Atlanta, not just the city as a whole.

For Atlanta Residents

• Weekend or family trip to Orlando:

  • Driving gives you flexibility if you’re bringing kids, pets, or a lot of luggage.
  • Flying can be better for short stays if you live near a MARTA station and don’t want to deal with traffic.

• Budget-focused travelers:

  • Bus travel can be more affordable, especially if you’re comfortable with a longer ride and are staying near Downtown or Midtown, where local transit is strong.

• Friends or family visiting you from Orlando:

  • Help them plan their arrival route from ATL to your neighborhood—whether that’s MARTA plus a short rideshare, or a direct pickup from the airport.

For Visitors Coming to Atlanta From Orlando

Think ahead about where you’ll spend most of your time:

• Staying Downtown / Midtown Atlanta

  • Flying into ATL and riding MARTA is often the smoothest combination.
  • Bus travel that arrives near Downtown also works well if you’re comfortable with longer travel times.

• Staying in Buckhead, Sandy Springs, or Perimeter

  • Flying + MARTA (Gold or Red Line) is efficient if your hotel is near a MARTA station.
  • Driving can be convenient for exploring the wider metro, especially locations not well-served by rail.

• Staying with family in the suburbs (e.g., Marietta, Lawrenceville, Decatur, Smyrna)

  • Having a car—whether driving from Orlando or renting at ATL—is often the most practical choice.
  • From ATL, it’s relatively straightforward to reach these suburbs via I‑75, I‑85, I‑20, and I‑285.

Local Tips for a Smoother Orlando–Atlanta Trip

Here are some Atlanta-specific considerations to make the Orlando–Atlanta journey more predictable:

• Plan around Atlanta traffic.
  If you’re driving, try not to arrive during peak rush hours on weekdays. If you’re picking someone up at ATL, track their flight and allow extra time getting to and from the airport.

• Use MARTA strategically.
  For many destinations in Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and Perimeter, combining air travel and MARTA can be faster than renting a car and then driving through congestion.

• Know your exact destination.
  The Atlanta metro is spread out. Having the address or nearest MARTA station for your final destination makes it easier to choose between bus, train, rental car, or rideshare once you know your Orlando departure choice.

• Check parking and hotel policies.
  If you’re driving from Orlando and staying in central Atlanta, check overnight parking fees in advance—these can influence whether it’s worth renting or bringing your own car.

Traveling from Orlando, Florida to Atlanta, Georgia is a flexible trip with multiple workable options. For people who live in, are visiting, or are moving to Atlanta, the best choice depends on where you’ll be in the metro area, your schedule, and how comfortable you are with Atlanta’s roads and transit. With a bit of planning, you can match the route—drive, flight, bus, or train—to how life actually works on the ground in Atlanta.