Your Guide From Atlanta to Newark: Routes, Airports, Costs, and Tips

Traveling from Atlanta to Newark is one of the more common trips for Atlanta residents, especially for business in the New York–New Jersey area, visiting family, or catching cruises from the Port of New York and New Jersey. Whether you’re flying out of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), considering a road trip, or combining train and air, this guide walks you through what to expect and how to plan.

Overview: Your Main Options From Atlanta to Newark

From Atlanta, most travelers heading to Newark, New Jersey choose one of three main options:

• Fly directly from ATL to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
• Drive from metro Atlanta to Newark
• Combine train/bus with driving or flying

For most people in Atlanta, flying is fastest, driving can be cheaper for groups, and train/bus options work best for those who prefer not to fly or drive long distances.

Flying From Atlanta to Newark

1. Airports on Both Ends

Atlanta (Departure):

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
• Address: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
• Main Atlanta hub with extensive domestic and international service.

Newark (Arrival):

• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
• Address: 3 Brewster Rd, Newark, NJ 07114
• Major airport serving Newark, New York City, and North Jersey, with direct rail links into Manhattan.

Most Atlanta travelers heading to Newark fly ATL → EWR without connections.

2. How Long Is the Flight?

• Typical nonstop flight time: about 2 hours in the air
• Allow at least 4–5 hours door-to-door from central Atlanta to your Newark destination, including:
  • Travel from your home/hotel to ATL
  • Security and boarding
  • Taxiing and deplaning
  • Transit from EWR to Newark, Manhattan, or surrounding areas

3. Getting to Atlanta Airport

From inside metro Atlanta, you have several options:

MARTA (Train):

• MARTA’s Red and Gold Lines both go directly to the Airport Station, located inside the Domestic Terminal.
• Good choice if you’re staying near:
  • Midtown (Arts Center, Midtown, North Avenue stations)
  • Downtown (Peachtree Center, Five Points)
  • Buckhead/Sandy Springs/Dunwoody along the Red Line
• Helps avoid traffic and parking costs.

Driving & Parking:

• You can use:
  • ATL Economy Lots
  • Park-and-ride lots or off-site parking services near the airport
• For long trips, many Atlanta residents compare:
  • On-site economy parking (more convenient)
  • Off-site lots with shuttles (often lower daily rates)

Rideshare/Taxi:

• Popular from neighborhoods like Virginia-Highland, Inman Park, West Midtown, Decatur, and Brookhaven.
• Often easiest for early-morning or late-night flights.

4. Arriving and Getting Around Newark

Once you land at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR):

AirTrain Newark:

• Connects airport terminals to:
  • Newark Liberty International Airport Station
• From there you can take:
  • NJ Transit trains to Newark Penn Station or New York Penn Station (Manhattan)
  • Amtrak (for longer-distance connections)

To Newark City Center:

• Many travelers take NJ Transit to Newark Penn Station, then walk, rideshare, or local bus to their final destination.

To New York City (Manhattan):

• Common route:
  1. AirTrain from your terminal to Newark Airport Station
  2. NJ Transit train to New York Penn Station (midtown Manhattan)
• For business trips from Atlanta, this is a frequent pattern: ATL → EWR → Manhattan by rail.

Driving From Atlanta to Newark

If you prefer to stay on the ground, driving from Atlanta to Newark can be straightforward, especially for families or small groups.

1. Approximate Distance and Time

• Distance: Around 850–900 miles, depending on your exact starting point in Atlanta and route
• Driving time: Often 13–15 hours of actual driving
  • Most Atlanta drivers split this into 1.5–2 days

2. Common Driving Route

A typical route from Atlanta to Newark:

1. Begin on I-75/I-85 through downtown Atlanta
2. Take I-85 North to I-285 or continue toward I-85 into the Carolinas
3. Connect to I-77 or I-95 heading north
4. Continue on I-95 through:
   • North Carolina
   • Virginia
   • Washington, D.C. metro area
   • Maryland
   • Delaware
5. Stay on I-95 into New Jersey, then follow signs to Newark

Drivers from areas like Marietta, Smyrna, or Sandy Springs often first connect to I-75 or GA-400 toward downtown, then follow I-85.

3. Things Atlanta Drivers Should Consider

• Tolls:

  • I-95 through the Mid-Atlantic and into New Jersey has multiple toll sections.
  • Consider a toll pass (for example, regional passes accepted in Eastern states) if you drive this route often.

• Traffic Patterns:

  • Heavy traffic near Charlotte, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Newark/New York metro.
  • Leaving Atlanta early in the morning can help you clear I-285 and I-85 before peak traffic.

• Overnight Stops:

  • Many Atlanta drivers stay roughly halfway in North Carolina or Virginia, depending on pace.
  • Pick lodging near major interstates (I-95 or I-77) for easier access.

Atlanta to Newark by Train or Bus

There’s no single-seat train that takes you directly from Atlanta to Newark in just a few hours, but there are workable rail and bus options if you don’t fly.

1. Amtrak From Atlanta

Departure:

• Amtrak – Peachtree Station (ATL)
• Address: 1688 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309

Typical Pattern:

• Take an Amtrak route from Atlanta to cities like Washington, D.C. or Philadelphia, then transfer to another train heading to:
  • Newark Penn Station
  • or nearby stations in New York/New Jersey

This option is:

• Slower than flying
• More relaxed than driving, with the ability to move around, work, or read

2. Bus Options

Long-distance bus services often connect:

• Atlanta (departing from downtown or near Midtown)
• To Newark, New York City, Philadelphia, or other major East Coast hubs

From there, you can:

• Continue by local train (NJ Transit) or bus into Newark.

This can be a budget-friendly way to travel from Atlanta, though it usually takes significantly longer than flying.

Comparing Your Main Travel Options

Here’s a simple comparison to help Atlanta travelers weigh the main choices:

Costs and Budget Planning From Atlanta

While prices change constantly, Atlanta travelers often consider:

• Flights:

  • Costs are influenced by season, time of booking, and time of day.
  • Flying midweek or at off-peak hours can sometimes be cheaper from ATL.

• Driving:

  • Factor in:
    • Gas (850–900 miles each way)
    • Tolls (especially in the Northeast)
    • Wear and tear on your vehicle
    • Possible overnight hotel if you break up the trip

• Parking at ATL:

  • Long-term economy parking adds daily costs.
  • Using MARTA or getting a ride to the airport can reduce this.

• Ground transport in Newark/NYC:

  • NJ Transit or local buses tend to be more economical than taxis for reaching central Newark or Manhattan.

Travel Tips Specifically for Atlanta Residents

1. Choosing Your Departure Time

• Morning flights from ATL:
  • Often less affected by delays that build during the day.
• Be aware of:
  • Atlanta rush hour on I-285, I-75/85, and GA-400 if you’re driving to the airport.

2. Using MARTA to Simplify Your Trip

If you live or stay near:

• Midtown, Downtown, Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Doraville, East Point, or College Park,
  MARTA’s rail system can:

• Eliminate parking costs at ATL

• Avoid potential traffic on I-75/85

Tip: Allow extra time if you need to transfer lines at Five Points.

3. Planning for Weather

• Atlanta:
  • Summer thunderstorms can cause delays at ATL.
• Newark/New York area:
  • Winter snow and ice can affect flights and ground transportation.
• For tight schedules (like important business meetings in Manhattan), many Atlanta-based travelers:
  • Fly up the day before, especially in winter or peak storm seasons.

Important Points for Atlanta–Newark Business and Family Travel

• Business trips:

  • Many professionals in Buckhead, Midtown, and Downtown Atlanta:
    • Fly ATL → EWR, then NJ Transit to New York Penn Station for meetings in Manhattan.
  • Keep buffer time between your flight arrival and first meeting.

• Family visits or college trips:

  • Newark is near many New Jersey and New York colleges.
  • For campus visits, combine:
    • Flight to EWR
    • Then train or rideshare to the campus area.

• Cruises and ports:

  • Some cruises leave from areas near Newark or Bayonne, NJ.
  • For port access, flying into EWR is often more direct than using New York’s airports.

Key Contacts and Locations for Atlanta Travelers

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

• Address: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
• General information is available through their main phone directory and airport information counters inside the terminals.

MARTA Headquarters (for route and schedule help)

• Address: 2424 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
• MARTA staff at rail stations can assist with directions to the Airport Station.

Amtrak – Atlanta Peachtree Station

• Address: 1688 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)

• Address: 3 Brewster Rd, Newark, NJ 07114

For the most accurate and current details (schedules, parking rates, and service alerts), check directly with the airport, transit agencies, or carriers before your trip.

Traveling from Atlanta to Newark can be fast and straightforward if you choose the option that fits your schedule, budget, and comfort level. Whether you’re boarding a morning flight from ATL, planning a road trip up I-95, or riding the rails, a bit of planning on the Atlanta side will make the entire route to Newark smoother.