Best Road Trips From Atlanta

🚗 160 miles ⏱️ 3 hours

On this stunningly scenic road trip, you will visit America's most visited national park, the Great Smoky Mountains, and discover a wonderland of wildlife, hiking trails, and breathtaking mountain views.

The drive itself is dotted with pretty landscapes such as Don Carter and Tallulah Gorge State Parks. Make sure to stop by Dillsboro Chocolate Factory if you have a sweet tooth.

🚗 1,080 miles ⏱️ 19 hours, 30 minutes

The majestic Niagara Falls is a world-famous natural wonder straddling the border. You can witness the sheer power and beauty of the falls through seasonal boat tours and observatory decks.

There is never a dull moment on this adventure - on the way you can visit Ruby Falls near Chattanooga, Honky Tonk Highway in Nashville, Mammoth Cave National Park and many other amazing places.

🚗 430 miles ⏱️ 8 hours, 10 minutes

Nashville, the heart of country music, is rightfully famous for its lively music scene, historical landmarks, and Southern hospitality. Make sure to visit the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame.

You will have plenty of new places to discover on this drive, such as Bryson City, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg, Dollywood, and Knoxville.

🚗 870 miles ⏱️ 13 hours

New York City, the city that never sleeps, is home to iconic sites like Times Square, Central Park, and the Statue of Liberty. This is an amazing destination to experience world-class museums, theater, and dining.

On your way to the Big Apple, you can visit Kings Mountain National Military Park, Charlotte, Edgar Allan Poe Museum in Richmond and Washington DC.

🚗 1,160 miles ⏱️ 20 hours, 30 minutes

Boston is a beautiful and historic city where you can enjoy the Freedom Trail, which connects 16 historic sites, visit Harvard University, and explore world-class museums.

Make sure to plan your time accordingly, because you will have plenty of places to visit en route, such as Bryson City, Asheville, Blue Ridge Parkway, and Shenandoah National Park.

🚗 480 miles ⏱️ 8 hours, 10 minutes

Memphis is synonymous with blues, soul, and rock 'n' roll. While here, add iconic sites like Graceland, and the National Civil Rights Museum to your list of places to visit and catch a live gig at Beale Street.

On your way to Memphis, you can expand your road trip to visit Talladega Superspeedway, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and Elvis Presley Birthplace in Tupelo.

🚗 680 miles ⏱️ 11 hours

Explore the busy streets of New Orleans, a melting pot of French, African, and American cultures. You will enjoy its world-renowned jazz music, Mardi Gras festivities, and delicious cuisine during your stay.

On your way to the Big Easy, we recommend visiting Cheaha State Park, Birmingham, Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson and Baton Rogue.

🚗 780 miles ⏱️ 11 hours, 20 minutes

Explore the nation's capital, Washington DC, and discover its rich history through landmarks like the White House, Capitol Hill, and numerous museums of the Smithsonian Institution.

On the way, you can stop in Asheville and Roanoke and enjoy the scenic views on the Blue Ridge Parkway as well as visit the stunning Shenandoah National Park.

🚗 300 miles ⏱️ 6 hours, 10 minutes

Immerse yourself in the beating heart of the arts scene and historical architecture of Asheville. Don't miss the iconic Biltmore Estate and the thriving craft brewery scene during your visit.

On the way, you can make stops at the beautiful Lake Blue Ridge, Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson City and Dollywood in Pigeon Forge.

🚗 150 miles ⏱️ 2 hours, 10 minutes

Journey to Birmingham and explore its important civil rights history, which you can learn more about at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, world-class culinary scene, and the renowned Birmingham Zoo.

On your way there, you can visit Sweetwater Creek State Park, International Motorsports Hall of Fame and Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum to make the best of this relatively short road trip.

🚗 120 miles ⏱️ 2 hours

To explore Chattanooga's stunning scenic beauty, visit in the fall when the weather is great and the trees begin to turn golden. You will also get to visit the Tennessee Aquarium and Lookout Mountain.

This short but scenic drive to Chattanooga will take you to Red Top Mountain State Park, Tellus Science Museum and Dalton Little Theatre before you reach your destination.

🚗 250 miles ⏱️ 3 hours, 50 minutes

Savannah is possibly the most well-known for its historic squares, Spanish moss-covered trees, and antebellum history. Make sure to book a ghost tour before your visit to see the city from a different perspective.

On your way to Savannah, stretch your legs at the High Falls State Park and spare some time to visit MAS (Museum of Arts and Sciences) and Tubman Museum in Macon.

🚗 350 miles ⏱️ 5 hours, 20 minutes

History and architecture lovers are in for a treat in Charleston. The city is known for its well-preserved architecture and cobblestone streets that date back to the 17th century when the city was founded.

As you make your way to the Atlantic Ocean from inland, you can visit Macon, and spend some time at Cathedral Basilica of St. John The Baptist and Forsyth Park in Savannah.

🚗 815 miles ⏱️ 14 hours, 20 minutes

Miami offers a stark contrast to Atlanta's urban landscape. Here, you will love the beautiful beaches, lively nightlife, and colorful neighborhoods like Little Havana and different cuisines.

Just before you reach Florida, you can visit Savannah on this road trip. Make sure to spend some time in Jacksonville, Daytona Beach, Orlando and Cape Canaveral before you reach your destination.

🚗 540 miles ⏱️ 10 hours, 10 minutes

Orlando, the theme park capital of the world, offers endless fun for all ages with attractions like Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld.

You might be in a hurry to reach the amusement parks of Orlando, but we recommend taking the drive slow to visit Savannah, St Augustine, Palm Coast and Daytona Beach on the way.

🚗 960 miles ⏱️ 16 hours, 30 minutes

Escape to Key West, the southernmost point of the continental US! Enjoy its laid-back atmosphere, colorful historic homes, and stunning sunsets at Mallory Square.

This sizeable drive will allow you to discover amazing new places such as Macon and Savannah, as well as Florida gems such as St Augustine, Orlando, Cape Canaveral and Miami before you reach Key West.

🚗 920 miles ⏱️ 14 hours

Dallas is a great destination if you are looking for the perfect mix of cultural attractions, such as the historic Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, and genuine Texan hospitality and cuisine.

On your way there, make a stop at scenic Chattanooga, listen to some amazing live music in Nashville, stroll on Beale Street, and enjoy some BBQ in Memphis.

🚗 360 miles ⏱️ 7 hours

The best way to enjoy sunny Florida is by relaxing on the white sand beaches of Destin, famous for its stunning Gulf of Mexico views, excellent fishing, and family-friendly water activities.

As you make your way to the Gulf of Mexico, you can visit the National Civil War Naval Museum in Columbus and then go beach hopping at beautiful Panama City.

🚗 990 miles ⏱️ 15 hours

Austin is known as the "Live Music Capital of the World" and is home to annual festivals like SXSW, amazing eateries, and beautiful outdoor spaces like Zilker Park.

Make sure to put aside some time to visit the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, as well as Mobile, New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Houston on the way.

🚗 790 miles ⏱️ 16 hours

Visit Baltimore to explore its historic Inner Harbor, the National Aquarium, and unique neighborhoods like Fells Point, where you will get to experience the city's maritime history firsthand.

This scenic road trip will take you past Asheville, parts of the legendary Blue Ridge Parkway, Luray, at the doorstep of the Appalachian Trail, and Washington, DC.

🚗 860 miles ⏱️ 13 hours

See Chicago's easily recognizable skyline in person, and treat yourself to some deep-dish pizza. The city is home to iconic landmarks like Willis Tower, Millennium Park, and the Art Institute of Chicago.

This northerly drive will take you through beautiful Chattanooga, the music city of Nashville, Gateway Arch, and the National Blues Museum in St Louis.

🚗 760 miles ⏱️ 13 hours, 30 minutes

Detroit is known for its automotive heritage, which you can learn more about at the Henry Ford Museum. You are in for a treat if you are a music lover; the city is home to the one and only Motown Records.

This drive will take you through one of the most scenic national parks in the country, the Great Smoky Mountains, and past Gatlinburg, Dollywood in Pigeon Forge and Knoxville.

🚗 500 miles ⏱️ 8 hours, 35 minutes

Panama City Beach, known for its crystal-clear waters and white sand beaches, is a premier destination for sun-seekers and families looking for a fun-filled vacation.

Before you hit the beach, you can spend some time at Talladega Superspeedway and visit Birmingham, Montgomery and Destin en route, if you have the time.

🚗 80 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 20 minutes

Macon is a great antidote to the hustle and bustle of the big city. The city is known for its music with Otis Redding and The Allman Brothers Band both calling Macon home.

You can make this drive to Macon the perfect day trip by adding Clayton County International Park and High Falls State Park to your itinerary.

🚗 50 miles ⏱️ 55 minutes

Discover the beauty of Lake Lanier, with its jagged coastline and beautiful islands dotted throughout, making it a perfect escape from Atlanta. This is a premier destination for boating, fishing, and water sports.

You can extend this short drive by making a detour to the Southeastern Railway Museum in Duluth or spending some time in the charming small town of Suwanee.

🚗 25 miles ⏱️ 25 minutes

Stone Mountain Park is one of Georgia's most visited attractions and is a great place as a weekend getaway. The park is also home to paths surrounded by lakes such as Stone Mountain Lake and Venable Lake.

The park is only a short drive from the city center, but you can spend some time in Scottdale and Clarkston before you reach your destination.

🚗 85 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 25 minutes

Escape to Lake Oconee for a peaceful treat. You can play golf, enjoy kayaking on the still water of the lake or hike the tens of miles of trails. There's plenty to do here on a day road trip from Atlanta.

Seeing that this is a shorter drive, you might want to explore places en route, such as Covington, Hard Labor Creek State Park or the city of Madison.

🚗 70 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 20 minutes

Athens is a charming Southern town that is home to the University of Georgia and is known for its excellent food and live music scenes. Pretty Watson Mill State Park is also a short drive from here.

On your way to Athens, consider a stop at Fort Yargo State Park, near Winder, with its 260-acre lake, which is great for fishing, swimming, and watersports.

🚗 145 miles ⏱️ 2 hours, 20 minutes

The city of Augusta is Georgia's second oldest after Savannah and hosts The Masters golf tournament. It is also home to the scenic Augusta Riverwalk and the Morris Museum of Art.

If you are not in a hurry to reach Augusta, we recommend visiting the charming towns of Covington, Madison and Thomson on the way.

🚗 150 miles ⏱️ 2 hours, 10 minutes

Explore Georgia's “Little Grand Canyon” at Providence Canyon State Park. A hidden secret in Southwestern Georgia, the Providence Canyon State Park is little known outside Georgia.

On your way to the state park, we recommend exploring Newnan and LaGrange, as well as visiting the National Civil War Naval Museum and National Infantry Museum in Columbus.

🚗 70 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 20 minutes

One of the most beautiful small towns in Georgia, Rome is where three rivers meet with a backdrop of pretty landscapes. The town also has a Victorian downtown and an ancient mound complex.

En route, you can also visit Gone With the Wind Museum in Marietta, Red Top Mountain State Park and Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville.

🚗 100 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 40 minutes

Milledgeville was once the capital of Georgia and is known for its antebellum architecture and historic sites, including the Old Governor's Mansion and a picturesque downtown.

You can also visit Covington and Madison on your way to Milledgeville, and enjoy a picnic at the beautiful Hard Labor Creek State Park en route.

🚗 80 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 20 minutes

Callaway Gardens features a trail that connects different parts of the gardens, including the world's largest man-made beach around Robin Lake and a butterfly center with over 1,000 butterflies.

This is a short drive, which is great for a day trip but seeing that Newnan and LaGrange lie near the route, you can choose to extend your trip to visit them.

🚗 35 miles ⏱️ 50 minutes

Suwanee is a beautiful small town known for its high quality of life, busy and lively Town Center, and extensive park system with interactive public art installations and popular community events.

The drive from Atlanta to Suwanee is quite short, so you can make a detour to Duluth to visit the Southeastern Railway Museum if you have the time.