This article is all about the best road trips from Atlanta.

If you’re thinking about taking a road trip from Atlanta, you’ve come to the right place!

I’m an Atlanta local, and I can tell you first hand that this is a great jumping off point for both day trips and weekend road trips.

Atlanta is surrounded by the best small towns and big cities that are easy to drive to.

Let’s dive in.

 

Best Road Trips From Atlanta for a Weekend

Here is a round up of the best road trips from Atlanta for a weekend adventure.

Chatannooga, TN

Atlanta to Chatannooga: 1 hour, 55 minutes by car.

Best for: Visiting the Tennessee River

Chatanooga is the perfect place to explore history and culture in Tennessee. And, its a surprisingly short drive from Atlanta.

What to see in Chatannooga: Explore 16+ mile restored riverwalk with main attractions, visit the extraordinary Ruby Falls, tour the Tennessee Aquarium and Tennessee Zoo.

 

Helen, GA

Atlanta to Helen: 1 hour, 45 minutes by car.

Best for: Bavarian themed fun, outdoor adventures in the summer.

Helen GA is a Bavarian themed town in the North Georgia Mountains.

This cozy town is just around 1.5 hours north of Atlanta. As you drive to Helen, you’re surrounded by the stunning Chattahoochee National Forest and gradual slope of Georgia’s mountains.

What to see in Helen: Visit Main Street for Bavarian themed shopping and dining. Ride the Georgia Mountain Coaster, go on a scenic hike, and try a wine tasting at one of many local vineyards (for the 21+ crowd).

Pro Travel Tip: This article shares the absolute best things to do during a weekend in Helen.

Dahlonega, GA

Atlanta to Dahlonega: 1 hour, 20 minutes by car.

Best for: Hallmark Christmas movie vibes, cozy mountain town atmosphere, local shopping and dining.

Dahlonega GA is the perfect weekend trip to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s a super short distance from the start of the Appalachian Trail and Lookout Mountain, Georgia’s tallest peak.

The best part is that Dahlonega is just over 1 hour north of Atlanta. Even though it’s so close to the city, you’ll feel like you’re far from the bright city lights in this cozy mountain town.

What to see in Dahlonega: Visit the town square for unique local gifts and highly rated restaurants, tour the Gold Museum, have tea at Waffle’s English Tea House, hike the Appalachian Trail and Lookout Mountain.

Pro Travel Tip: Dahlonega is legendary for Christmas. These 11 fun Christmas activities in Dahlonega will give you all the Hallmark movie feels.

Montgomery, AL

Atlanta to Montgomery: 2 hours, 20 minutes by car.

Best for: Visiting monumental historic sites.

The Civil Rights Movement began in Montgomery with pivotal events like the Montgomery Bus Boycotts. You can explore the city’s deep history and impact through its museums, memorials, and walking tours.

After a day at museums, dive into Montgomery’s food scene around the Lower Commerce Street Historic District or the Old Cloverdale Historic District.

Things to do in Montgomery: Visit the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, tour Old Alabama Town, kick back at The Alley or Riverfront Districts for music and entertainment.

 

Birmingham, AL

Atlanta to Birmingham: 2 hours, 15 minutes by car.

Best for: Civil Rights Movement history and classic Southern dining.

Birmingham was founded in the 1700’s and has been shaped by the iron and steel industries and later, the Civil Rights movement.

At just around a 2 hour drive from Atlanta, the Magic City is the perfect place for an adventurous weekend of dining and culture.

What to do in Birmingham: Absolutely schedule a trip to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, stroll the revitalized warehouse district at Pepper Place, and explore Birmingham’s lively food and brewery scene.

 

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, SC

Atlanta to Great Smoky Mountains National Park: 3 hours, 5 minutes.

Best for: Time in nature, a weekend escape.

If you’ve been craving a weekend reset Great Smoky Mountains National Park might be just the thing.

Spend a peaceful weekend camping, hiking, and resting inside a national park just 3 hours outside of Atlanta. Reserve your spot at a campground or book a cozy room at a lodge or Airbnb.

Things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Drive through Cades Cove and see historic buildings, hike a scenic trail to an overlook or waterfall, visit Cataloochee Valley around dawn or dusk to see reintroduced Elk.

Best Road Trips From Atlanta for 3+ Days or Long Weekend

Here are the absolute best long road trips from Atlanta to nearby cities and states.

Miami, FL

Atlanta to Miami: 10 hours.

Best for: Fun in the sun, beaches, tropical environment.

Miami might be a longer drive from Atlanta, but it is totally worth the 10 hour trip. And if you’re set on driving along the ocean, make time to stop en route to St. Augustine.

The city is full of top rated restaurants, beautiful beaches and warm ocean waters, and plenty of night life and shopping.

Miami is a perfect choice if you want variety during your road trip. You can plan a whole trip around art, history, and science museums and cultural sites. Or you can take a very different approach and hang out on the beach all day.

Orlando, FL

Atlanta to Orlando: 6 hours, 15 minutes.

Best for: Theme Parks like Disney World and Universal Orlando.

If you’re craving sun but don’t want to commit to a road trip all the way from Atlanta to Miami, consider Orlando.

Orlando is home to the most famous theme parks in the United States. Plus, its agreeable year round weather is a perfect escape on colder months.

Savannah, GA

Atlanta to Savannah: 3 hours, 40 minutes.

Best for: Southern charm and culture, vibrant food scene and night life.

Savannah might just be the ideal road trip from Atlanta. You’ve got everything from Victorian homes and fine dining to ghost tours and late night foodie spots.

When you go, add Savannah’s Historic District to your list and walk along the riverfront. If you have time, consider a visit to Hilton Head Island or Tybee Island somewhat nearby.

Charleston, SC

Atlanta to Charleston: 5 hours, 25 minutes.

Best for: Upscale cuisine, historic neighborhoods, river cruises.

Charleston is one of my very favorite southern cities. You’ll never run out of things to do when visiting The Holy City (named so for the city’s religious tolerance over the centuries and its numerous churches).

Bring your walking shoes for the cobblestone streets and fascinating walking tours. Book a sunset river cruise, shop the Charleston City Market, and don’t forget to reserve your restaurants ahead of time (things can fill up quickly in this foodie town).

Pro Travel Tip: Torn between Savannah and Charleston? In this post, I’ve covered everything you need to know to choose between these historic towns.

St. Simons Island, GA

Atlanta to St. Simons Island: 4 hours, 50 minutes.

Best for: Beautiful beaches and relaxing outdoor atmosphere.

St. Simons Island is the largest of the “Golden Isles” (one of four acclaimed barrier islands in Georgia).

A road trip to St. Simons comes in just under 5 hours, but considering how beautiful this island is, the drive is completely worth it.

You’ll find tons of activities from golfing and kayaking, to hiking the nature preserve and visiting the lighthouse. This is also the perfect destination for fresh oysters and sea food.

Nashville, TN

Atlanta to Nashville: 4 hours, 15 minutes.

Best for: Country music culture, live music and entertainment, sports events.

It’s hard to believe Nashville is a short road trip from Atlanta. But that makes it an ideal long weekend road trip.

Nashville is home to the Country Music Hall of Fame, famous bars on Broadway (dubbed Honkey Tonk Highway), and the jazz scene at Printer’s Alley. The food scene is full of Southern BBQ and creative brunch spots when it’s time to rest and relax.

My best advice is to book your stay close to one of these spots, so you can reduce driving and rideshare times.

Myrtle Beach, SC

Atlanta to Myrtle Beach: 6 hours.

Best for: Spring break, college beach culture.

Myrtle Beach South Carolina is more than just a Spring Break hot spot on the east coast.

Beyond the quintessential Myrtle Beach activities like Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, Myrtle Waves Waterpark, and the beach, there is lots to do.

A few examples – buy tickets to Carolina Opry for incredible live music performances, book a horse back ride, or explore the shopping neighborhood that was once an airforce base at The Market Common.

Raleigh, NC

Atlanta to Raleigh: 6 hours, 15 minutes.

Best for: Seeing shows, shopping, art museums.

Raleigh, North Carolina is a great choice for a cultural city trip. The city was founded in the late 1700’s as the state capital. Dubbed the “City of Oaks”, Raleigh takes pride in protecting its forests and green spaces.

It is also home to the North Carolina State Fair, North Carolina Museum of History, CAM Raleigh, and many other cultural and heritage sites. You can easily spend your time in the city shopping, eating at great restaurants, and visiting museums and parks.

 

Best Road Trips From Atlanta for a Day Trip

If you’re looking for the perfect day trip from downtown Atlanta, here are local favorites.

Sandy Springs

Sandy Springs has a scenic downtown and tons of local shops and restaurants to explore.

Visit a speakeasy in a hotel, try locally acclaimed food stops, or shop at local boutiques. The downtown is super walkable, so you can park and explore.

Lagrange

Lagrange is a great place to spend a day. This Georgia town is home to one of the original Coca-Cola factories, miles and miles of nature trails, and a historic downtown.

Tallulah Gorge State Park

A great place for nature lovers. This scenic gorge is one of the largest on the east coast, and close enough to Atlanta that you can drive there and back in a day.

Start your visit at the Jane Hurt Yarn Interpretive Center just inside the park. Make time to walk the 80 foot suspension bridge, see Bridal Veil Falls, and explore the incredible trails throughout the gorge.

Stone Mountain

Stone Mountain Park is right outside of Atlanta, so it is a super quick day trip.

Hiking the 1.3 mile round trip to the top of Stone Mountain gives you scenic views of Atlanta and panoramic views of the entire surrounding region. This is especially beautiful in summer when everything is green.

Wrapping up Best Road Trips From Atlanta

This article was all about the best road trips from Atlanta.

As an Atlanta resident, I love how accessible Atlanta is to surrounding cities and towns. I hope this guide helps you plan the best road trip from Atlanta!