Atlanta to Vegas: How Atlantans Can Plan the Perfect Trip to Las Vegas

Heading from Atlanta to Vegas is one of the most popular long-distance trips Atlantans take—whether you live in the metro area, are flying in through Hartsfield-Jackson, or are adding Las Vegas onto a longer Atlanta-based vacation. This guide walks you through how to get from Atlanta to Las Vegas, what to expect, and how to plan efficiently from an Atlanta perspective.

Main Ways to Travel from Atlanta to Las Vegas

For most people in Atlanta, there are three realistic options:

1. Fly non-stop or with a connection
2. Drive I-20 / I-40 across the country
3. Combine train and bus (for those who avoid flying)

Flying is by far the most common and practical option, but each has a niche.

Quick Comparison: Atlanta → Las Vegas Travel Options

Flying from Atlanta to Las Vegas

Your Home Base: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

If you’re leaving from Atlanta, you’ll nearly always depart from:

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
6000 N Terminal Pkwy
Atlanta, GA 30320
Information: (800) 897-1910

For most Atlantans, this means:

• MARTA to the Airport Station on the Red or Gold lines
• A ride-share or taxi to the North or South Terminal
• Airport parking in one of ATL’s decks or off-site lots

If you’re already visiting Atlanta and flying out, planning enough time to navigate ATL is important; it’s one of the busiest airports in the world.

Non-Stop Flights: Fastest Way ATL → LAS

Non-stop flights from Atlanta (ATL) to Las Vegas (LAS) typically:

• Take about 4 to 5 hours of flight time
• Depart from Concourse T, A, B, C, D, or E depending on the airline
• Arrive at Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas

What Atlantans usually care about:

• Early morning departures: Often smoother security, better odds of on-time arrivals.
• Red-eyes back to Atlanta: Many trips home from Vegas land early morning at ATL, which impacts work schedules the next day.
• Time zone difference: Las Vegas is usually 3 hours behind Atlanta, so a late afternoon ATL departure can still get you into Vegas early evening local time.

Connections and Layovers

If you’re more price-sensitive or booking last-minute, you may see:

• 1-stop flights through other major hubs
• Longer total travel time (6–9 hours or more)
• More risk of delays in winter or bad-weather seasons

When connecting back to Atlanta, keep in mind:

• ATL’s size means tight layovers can be stressful
• You may have to move between concourses using the Plane Train underground system

For many Atlanta-area travelers, paying slightly more for non-stop flights is worth it to avoid delays and missed connections.

Getting to and from ATL within Metro Atlanta

A big part of planning Atlanta-to-Vegas is just getting to the airport smoothly.

🚇 MARTA (Recommended for many city/near-Perimeter residents)

• Take the Red or Gold line to Airport Station, located inside the terminal.
• Useful if you’re staying in Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Doraville, or near any MARTA rail.

🚗 Driving & Parking

• On-site parking: Domestic and International garages, economy, and park-ride lots.
• Many Atlantans use long-term or off-airport parking to save money, then take a free shuttle to the terminal.

🚕 Ride-Share / Taxi

• Designated pick-up areas outside the North and South Terminals.
• Helpful for travelers coming from suburbs like Marietta, Decatur, Duluth, Fayetteville, or McDonough.

Driving from Atlanta to Las Vegas

Driving from Atlanta to Las Vegas appeals to those who:

• Want a cross-country road trip
• Are moving from Atlanta to Nevada
• Prefer to avoid flying and have several days to spare

Approximate Distance and Time

• Distance: Roughly 1,900–2,100 miles, depending on your route
• Driving time: About 28–32 hours of actual wheel time
• Realistically: 3–4 days one-way with rest, meals, and sleep

Common Driving Route from Atlanta

A typical route many Atlantans use is:

1. Take I-20 West out of Atlanta (passing through Alabama and Mississippi)
2. Connect to I-30 / I-40 West through Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico
3. Continue west through Arizona into Nevada, then on to Las Vegas

This route:

• Uses major interstates
• Offers many hotel, gas, and food options
• Passes through several large cities where you can safely overnight

Considerations for Atlanta Drivers

• Weather:
  • Summer: High heat in Texas, New Mexico, and Nevada; plan for vehicle cooling and extra water.
  • Winter: Snow or icy patches possible at higher elevations.
• Car prep in Atlanta:
  • Get your vehicle checked at a trusted local shop before leaving—especially brakes, fluids, and tires.
• Time off work:
  • Factor in that you’ll spend a turnaround of nearly a week if you drive round-trip.

Driving can be memorable, but for most Atlantans on a short trip, flying remains much more practical.

Train and Bus Options from Atlanta to Vegas

There is no direct train from Atlanta to Las Vegas, but some travelers piece together train and bus segments.

Starting Point: Atlanta’s Amtrak Station

Amtrak Peachtree Station
1688 Peachtree St NW
Atlanta, GA 30309
Phone: (800) 872-7245

From Atlanta, you might:

• Take Amtrak from Atlanta north or west (such as to New Orleans or another major hub)
• Transfer to another Amtrak route going toward the West
• Use a bus connection to reach Las Vegas

This type of trip:

• Can take 2–3+ days one-way
• Involves multiple transfers
• Works best for travelers who actively enjoy long rail journeys and are not on a tight schedule

For most Atlanta residents and visitors, this is more of a niche option than a mainstream choice.

When to Travel from Atlanta to Las Vegas

Time of Year

From Atlanta’s perspective, timing can significantly affect your experience:

• Summer:
  • Vegas is extremely hot (often well over 100°F).
  • If you’re used to Atlanta humidity, the dry heat will feel different but still intense.
• Fall and Spring:
  • Popular times for Atlantans to go, with more moderate temperatures.
• Winter:
  • Cooler in Vegas; can be a nice change from Atlanta’s damp cold.
  • Flights around the holidays can be busier and pricier.

Weekday vs. Weekend

• Weekend trips are common among Atlanta professionals: leave Friday, return Sunday or Monday.
• Mid-week trips (Tuesday–Thursday) can sometimes mean:
  • Easier-to-manage crowds
  • More manageable prices on lodging and some entertainment

Planning Your Trip from Atlanta: Practical Tips

1. Build in Time at ATL

Because Hartsfield-Jackson is so busy, Atlantans often:

• Arrive 2 hours early for domestic flights, sometimes more during peak times
• Account for:
  • Security lines
  • Time to reach your concourse on the Plane Train
  • Potential shuttle time if you’re parking off-site

2. Consider Time Zone and Jet Lag

Las Vegas is generally three hours behind Atlanta:

• Morning flights from Atlanta can feel early in Vegas time.
• Returning to Atlanta on a red-eye can mean:
  • Landing in ATL early morning local time
  • Feeling more tired at work or school the next day

Many Atlanta-based travelers schedule a buffer day after they get back.

3. Pack Smartly from Atlanta’s Climate

Leaving Atlanta’s weather and arriving in Vegas can mean a big shift:

• In summer, both cities are hot, but Vegas is usually hotter and drier, so pack:
  • Light, breathable clothing
  • Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen)
• In winter, Atlanta may be cool and damp while Vegas is:
  • Cool and dry during the day, sometimes cold at night
  • Layers are useful, especially if you plan to walk the Strip.

Using Atlanta as a Starting Point for Group or Event Travel to Vegas

Many people plan:

• Bachelor / bachelorette trips from Atlanta to Vegas
• Work conferences that leave from ATL
• Family meetups where Atlanta is the gathering airport

If you’re organizing a group:

• Consider meeting at an Atlanta hotel near the airport the night before for out-of-town participants.
• Use MARTA or hotel shuttles to simplify arrival at the airport.
• For corporate departures, some Atlanta companies coordinate:
  • Group check-ins
  • Shared transportation to ATL from offices in Downtown, Midtown, Perimeter, or Cumberland areas.

Helpful Atlanta Locations and Contacts for Trip Prep

If you’re preparing your Atlanta-to-Vegas journey, these local resources can be helpful:

• Airport Information (ATL)
  Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
  6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
  General Info: (800) 897-1910

• MARTA Customer Service
  Headquarters: 2424 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
  Customer Info: (404) 848-5000

• Amtrak Peachtree Station (for train-bus combos)
  1688 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309
  Info / Tickets: (800) 872-7245

These points of contact can answer questions about schedules, access, and services starting from Atlanta.

Traveling from Atlanta to Vegas is straightforward once you understand your options: most locals and visitors fly non-stop from ATL to LAS, while a smaller number drive or piece together train and bus routes. By planning around Atlanta’s airport logistics, time zones, and your own schedule, you can make the trip as smooth and predictable as possible.