Getting From Philadelphia to Atlanta: Your Complete Travel Guide

Planning a trip from Philadelphia to Atlanta, Georgia? Whether you’re moving here, visiting family, coming for a conference, or just curious how the trip works, this guide explains all the main ways to get from Philadelphia to Atlanta and what to expect once you arrive in the Atlanta area.

Overview: Distance, Time, and Main Options

Philadelphia → Atlanta basics:

• Approximate distance: 750–800 miles by road
• Typical non-stop flight time: about 2 hours
• Driving time: about 11–13 hours, depending on traffic and stops
• Main options:
  • ✈️ Fly Philadelphia to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  • 🚗 Drive via interstate highways
  • 🚆 Take a combination of train and/or bus

If your destination is anywhere in metro Atlanta (Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, Decatur, Sandy Springs, or suburbs like Marietta or Duluth), your starting point is almost always ATL, the city’s major air hub.

Flying From Philadelphia to Atlanta

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

Main Airports Involved

• Departure:
  Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
• Arrival:
  Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320

ATL is one of the busiest airports in the world and is the primary gateway into Atlanta and the surrounding metro region.

Flight Time and Frequency

• Non-stop flights: about 2 hours in the air
• Typical total trip time: 4–6 hours door to door, once you include:
  • Getting to PHL
  • Security and boarding
  • Taxiing at ATL
  • Getting from ATL into the city

Flights between Philadelphia and Atlanta are usually frequent throughout the day, including early morning and evening options.

What to Expect When You Land at ATL

When you arrive in Atlanta, you’ll come into Hartsfield-Jackson. To get into the city or anywhere in the metro area, you have several choices:

1. MARTA (Atlanta’s Rail System)

MARTA trains are often the simplest way to reach central Atlanta from the airport.

• MARTA Airport Station: Located inside the airport, at the end of the Domestic Terminal (North-South line)
• Trains typically run every few minutes during the day
• Direct service to:
  • Downtown Atlanta (Five Points, Peachtree Center, etc.)
  • Midtown (Arts Center, Midtown)
  • Buckhead (Lenox, Buckhead)
  • North Springs / Doraville and other northern suburbs via connections

MARTA is especially useful if you’re going to:

• Hotels in Downtown or Midtown
• Major venues like the Georgia World Congress Center, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, or Georgia Tech
• Business districts along major MARTA stops (e.g., Buckhead)

2. Taxis and Rideshare

You can also use taxis or rideshare services from ATL:

• Taxi stands are well-marked outside the terminal
• Rideshare pickup zones are designated and signed inside and outside the airport
• Travel time to Downtown/Midtown is typically 15–30 minutes, depending on traffic

This option is convenient if you:

• Have a lot of luggage
• Are arriving late at night
• Are heading to areas not close to a MARTA station (many Atlanta neighborhoods are car-dependent)

3. Rental Cars

If you’re planning to explore the Atlanta metro area, or your hotel is in a suburb without good transit access, renting a car from ATL may be the most practical choice.

• ATL Rental Car Center: Connected via the SkyTrain from the main terminal
• From there, you can drive to:
  • Downtown/Midtown: roughly 10–20 miles north
  • Perimeter, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody: farther north via GA-400 and I-285
  • Other suburbs: such as Marietta, Alpharetta, Lawrenceville, or Peachtree City

Driving From Philadelphia to Atlanta

If you prefer the flexibility of your own vehicle, driving from Philadelphia to Atlanta is very doable in a day, though it’s a long one.

Typical Driving Route

Most drivers follow a route that uses a combination of I-95, I-85, and other connectors, generally trending southwest from Pennsylvania through:

• Delaware
• Maryland
• Virginia
• The Carolinas
• Into Georgia and Atlanta

Because construction and traffic patterns change, it’s smart to use a real-time navigation app for the most accurate route on your travel day.

Estimated Drive Time

• Total drive time: usually 11–13 hours (not counting long stops)
• Can be longer during:
  • Major holidays
  • Bad weather
  • Peak commuter traffic near large cities along the way

Many people choose to split the drive into two days, with an overnight stop in Virginia or North Carolina.

Arriving by Car Into the Atlanta Area

As you approach Atlanta, you will likely connect to the city’s main highways:

• I-85 and I-75 (which merge south of the city and run straight through Downtown)
• I-20 (east–west through Downtown)
• I-285 (the “Perimeter,” circling the city)

Traffic in Atlanta can be heavy during weekday rush hours (roughly 7–10 a.m. and 3–7 p.m.). If you have flexibility, try to time your arrival outside of peak commuting times.

Train and Bus Options From Philadelphia to Atlanta

If you don’t want to fly or drive, you can combine train and/or bus travel, though it generally takes significantly longer than flying.

Long-Distance Train to Atlanta

Atlanta is served by intercity rail at:

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

To reach Atlanta from Philadelphia, travelers typically:

• Take a north–south route that connects through another major city, then continue to Atlanta
• Total time is often well over 12–15 hours, depending on the route and connections

Trains are best if you value:

• The ability to move around and relax while traveling
• Not having to drive yourself
• A more scenic, slower-paced journey

From Peachtree Station, you can:

• Take a short taxi or rideshare to Midtown, Downtown, or Buckhead
• Connect to MARTA by a short vehicle ride to the nearest MARTA station (e.g., Arts Center or Midtown)

Intercity Buses

Bus companies may operate long-distance services between the Northeast and Atlanta, with stops in or near:

• Downtown Atlanta or nearby transit centers

Bus travel typically:

• Takes significantly longer than flying
• Can be cost-effective for flexible travelers
• May require transfers

Once in Atlanta, your final leg is similar:

• Use MARTA, taxi, or rideshare to reach your final destination anywhere in the city or metro area.

Comparing Your Options: Time, Effort, and Arrival in Atlanta

Here’s a simple comparison of common travel choices from Philadelphia to Atlanta:

What Someone in Atlanta Should Know About Visitors From Philadelphia

If you live in Atlanta and are coordinating with someone traveling from Philadelphia:

• Most will fly into ATL
  • You can meet them at the Domestic Terminal passenger pickup area
  • Or have them ride MARTA directly to a central Atlanta station near you
• If they drive, they’ll likely enter the region via I-85 or I-75
  • Make sure they understand Atlanta’s highway complexity and heavy traffic near Downtown and I-285
• If they take a train or bus, expect their arrival near Midtown/Downtown, then plan pickup or give them MARTA instructions from there

Practical tip:
Give visitors clear local instructions, such as:

• “From the airport, take MARTA northbound to Midtown Station, I’ll meet you there,” or
• “If you’re driving in, exit onto the Downtown Connector and look for signs to [landmark or neighborhood].”

Navigating Atlanta After You Arrive From Philadelphia

Once in Atlanta, how you get around depends on where you’re staying and what you’re doing.

Using MARTA Inside the City

MARTA rail and buses work best for:

• Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and some nearby neighborhoods
• Major attractions like:
  • Georgia Aquarium
  • World of Coca-Cola
  • Centennial Olympic Park
  • Mercedes-Benz Stadium
  • State Farm Arena

If you flew in from Philadelphia and plan to stay mostly in central Atlanta, you may not need a car.

When a Car Makes Sense

A car is often helpful or necessary if you’re:

• Staying in suburbs like Alpharetta, Marietta, Duluth, or Peachtree City
• Visiting multiple locations spread across the metro area
• Attending events in areas not well-served by transit

Most major car rental agencies have locations:

• At Hartsfield-Jackson ATL
• In central Atlanta (Downtown/Midtown)
• In larger suburbs around the metro area

Key Takeaways for Philadelphia–to–Atlanta Travel

• Fastest option: Non-stop flight from PHL to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
• Most flexible option: Driving, with direct access to your final destination anywhere in the Atlanta metro
• Alternative options: Long-distance train or bus, usually slower but can be more relaxed or budget-friendly
• Once in Atlanta, use MARTA, taxis, rideshare, or a rental car depending on where you need to go—central city areas are more transit-friendly, while many suburbs are easier with a car.

Understanding these options helps you plan the most efficient, comfortable way to get from Philadelphia to Atlanta, and to move around confidently once you arrive in the Atlanta area.