Traveling to Atlanta From Houston: Your Complete Guide

Planning a trip from Houston to Atlanta—whether you’re relocating, visiting family, or coming to explore the city—comes with a few key decisions. How will you get here? What should you expect when you arrive? And how does traveling between these two major Southern cities usually work?

This guide breaks down all the main ways to get to Atlanta from Houston, plus what to know once you’re in Atlanta, from local transportation to key arrival points around the metro area.

How Far Is Atlanta From Houston?

Atlanta and Houston are two major hubs in the South, and they’re connected by multiple travel options.

• Distance by road: Roughly 790–820 miles depending on your exact starting and ending points
• Typical driving time: About 11–13 hours with normal traffic and minimal stops
• Flight time (nonstop): Around 2 hours in the air, plus airport time

If you’re already in Atlanta and planning a return trip to Houston, these same details apply in reverse.

Getting to Atlanta From Houston by Air

For most travelers, flying is the fastest and most convenient way to get from Houston to Atlanta.

Main Airports Involved

From Houston (departure airports):

• George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) – Major international hub on the north side of Houston
• William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) – Closer to central and south Houston, often used for domestic flights

Arriving in Atlanta:

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  • Address: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
  • This is Atlanta’s primary airport and a major U.S. hub.
  • Most nonstop flights from Houston arrive here.

What to Expect When You Land in Atlanta

Once you arrive at ATL, you’ll find several options to get into the city or the suburbs.

MARTA (Train):

• MARTA Airport Station is directly inside the domestic terminal.
• Trains run to:
  • Downtown Atlanta (Five Points Station)
  • Midtown (Midtown Station)
  • Buckhead, Sandy Springs, and other northern neighborhoods
• Great if you’re heading to central Atlanta and want to avoid traffic and parking.

Rideshare & Taxis:

• Designated rideshare pickup zones for app-based services are clearly marked.
• Traditional taxi stands are located near baggage claim and ground transportation.

Rental Cars:

• Rental car companies operate from the Rental Car Center (RCC), accessed by the free SkyTrain from the terminal.
• Helpful if you’re staying in areas like Cobb County, Gwinnett County, South Fulton, or outlying suburbs where transit is more limited.

Quick Comparison: Atlanta From Houston – Main Travel Options

Driving From Houston to Atlanta

If you prefer a road trip or are moving to Atlanta with personal belongings, driving can make sense.

Main Driving Route

The most common route is:

1. Leave Houston heading east on I-10 toward Louisiana.
2. Around Lake Charles or Lafayette, connect to I-12 and then I-10 again through Mississippi and Alabama.
3. Near Mobile, Alabama, connect to I-65 north, then over to I-85 north into Georgia.
4. I-85 leads you straight toward the Atlanta metro area, merging into the city’s interstate network (I-285 loop and I-75/85 through downtown).

Depending on your exact routing, you may also use I-20, which runs directly into Downtown Atlanta from the west.

What to Know About Driving in Atlanta

Once you reach the Atlanta area, driving is common, but there are some local patterns to know:

• I-285 (The Perimeter): This highway loops around Atlanta. Inside the loop is often referred to as “ITP” (Inside the Perimeter) and outside as “OTP” (Outside the Perimeter).
• I-75/85 (Downtown Connector): A main stretch that runs straight through the heart of the city. Traffic can be heavy during rush hours.
• Parking:
  • Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead offer paid decks, surface lots, and metered street parking.
  • Many residential neighborhoods have free or permit-based street parking, but always read signs carefully.

If you’re moving, you might be heading to neighborhoods like Virginia-Highland, Inman Park, West Midtown, East Atlanta Village, or Sandy Springs. Each area has its own parking and traffic style—denser in-town, more drive-oriented in northern suburbs.

Taking a Bus From Houston to Atlanta

Intercity buses can be a budget-conscious way to travel from Houston to Atlanta, though it usually takes longer than flying or driving yourself.

Typical Bus Arrivals in Atlanta

Different bus operators may use different stop locations, but many services arrive:

• Near Downtown Atlanta
• Within reach of MARTA stations, making it easier to continue your trip without a car

🚌 Tip: When booking, check:

• The arrival address in Atlanta
• How close it is to MARTA stations like Five Points, Peachtree Center, or Garnett

This can make your local travel much simpler once you get here.

Train Options: Houston to Atlanta (Less Common)

There is no direct, daily, point-to-point train from Houston to Atlanta in the same way there is a direct flight or bus. Any rail journey would usually involve Amtrak plus other connections or segments by bus or car.

Amtrak in Atlanta

If you do arrive in Atlanta by train (often as part of a longer trip):

• Atlanta Amtrak Station (Peachtree Station)
  • Address: 1688 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309
  • Located in Brookwood between Midtown and Buckhead

From this station, you can:

• Take a short rideshare or taxi ride into Midtown, Downtown, or Buckhead
• Connect to MARTA via nearby stations:
  • Arts Center Station (Midtown)
  • Lindbergh Center Station (north of Midtown)

Trains are more often used by travelers already on a broader East Coast or Southern rail route rather than as a simple Houston–Atlanta hop.

When You’re Arriving in Atlanta: Getting Around the City

Once you’ve made it from Houston to Atlanta, your experience will depend a lot on how you move around the metro area.

Using MARTA (Trains & Buses)

MARTA is Atlanta’s primary public transit system, covering the city and some inner suburbs.

• Rail Lines:
  • North–South (Red and Gold lines)
  • East–West (Blue and Green lines)
• Good for reaching:
  • Downtown (Five Points, Peachtree Center)
  • Midtown (Arts Center, Midtown)
  • Buckhead
  • Airport
  • Some key areas in Decatur, Doraville, and the Westside

MARTA buses extend reach into neighborhoods not directly on the rail system.

🏙 Useful for visitors coming from Houston:

• If you’re staying in Downtown, Midtown, or near the Airport, you might not need a car at all.
• If you’re staying further out (e.g., Alpharetta, Kennesaw, Peachtree City), a car is often more convenient.

Rideshare, Taxis, and Car Services

Rideshare services and taxis operate throughout the Atlanta metro. They’re common for:

• Airport pickups and drop-offs
• Nightlife trips in Midtown, Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, West Midtown, and Buckhead
• Short hops between neighborhoods when transit isn’t direct

Planning Your Houston-to-Atlanta Trip Based on Your Purpose

Someone coming to Atlanta from Houston might have very different needs depending on why they’re traveling. Here’s how the options typically line up.

1. Quick Visit or Business Trip

• Best fit:Nonstop flight into Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
• Local movement:
  • Stay in Downtown or Midtown if you want easy access to MARTA and major offices.
  • Use MARTA or rideshare instead of renting a car if your meetings and activities are centrally located.

2. Relocation or Extended Stay

• Best fit:
  • Driving if you have lots of belongings or pets
  • Flying + moving truck or shipping service if you prefer speed and comfort
• When you arrive in Atlanta:
  • Explore neighborhood options:
    • In-town neighborhoods (Grant Park, Candler Park, Kirkwood, Old Fourth Ward) if you prefer walkability.
    • Suburbs (Smyrna, Decatur, Sandy Springs, Duluth) if you want more space and often easier parking.
  • Consider your commute route: Atlanta’s rush hours can be busy on I-75, I-85, GA-400, and I-285.

3. Budget Travel or Flexible Schedule

• Best fit:Bus travel with an arrival point near Downtown Atlanta
• Local movement:
  • Walk or rideshare from the bus terminal to a nearby MARTA station
  • Look for accommodations close to rail lines to cut down on car expenses

Practical Tips for Houston Travelers Coming to Atlanta

A few simple steps can make your Houston-to-Atlanta trip smoother:

• Check time zones:
  • Houston is in Central Time (CT)
  • Atlanta is in Eastern Time (ET)
  • Atlanta is one hour ahead of Houston, which matters for flights and meetings.
• Weather expectations:
  • Both cities can be hot and humid in summer, but Atlanta can be slightly cooler, especially at night.
  • Winters in Atlanta are generally mild but can see occasional cold snaps and light ice.
• Traffic timing:
  • If you’re driving into Atlanta, try to avoid weekday rush hours (roughly 7–9 a.m. and 4–7 p.m.).
  • Airport trips from central Atlanta often take 20–35 minutes by car outside of peak traffic.

Key Atlanta Contacts and Locations for Arrivals

Here are some official, stable points that are helpful to know when you’re coming into Atlanta from Houston:

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

  • Address: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
  • General information (main line): 404-530-7300

• MARTA Headquarters & Customer Service (Useful for transit questions)

  • Main Office Address: 2424 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
  • Customer information line: 404-848-5000

• Atlanta Amtrak Station (Peachtree Station)

  • Address: 1688 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309
  • Serves regional and long-distance rail passengers

These locations form the primary entry points for most visitors arriving from Houston.

Traveling from Houston to Atlanta is straightforward, with multiple options depending on your budget, schedule, and plans once you arrive. Whether you fly into ATL, drive across the Gulf states, or come by bus or train, understanding how Atlanta’s airport, highways, and transit systems work will help you settle in quickly—whether you’re here for a weekend or planning to make Atlanta home.