Road trip from Atlanta to New Orleans
This relaxed road journey from Atlanta to the always-bustling New Orleans will create many memories, regardless of your preferences for breathtaking coastal vistas, amazing beaches, soulful music, fast vehicles, and the Civil Rights Movement’s history.
It takes eleven hours to drive the 680 miles from Atlanta to New Orleans. Along with the Gulf Shores, Cheaha State Park, Lake Talquin State Forest, and Panama City, significant cities include Birmingham, Jackson, Baton Rouge, Columbus, and Tallahassee.
We’ve highlighted the greatest routes, locations to stay overnight, our top tourist destinations, and the ideal time of year to travel from Atlanta to New Orleans so you can get the most out of your trip.
How long will the road trip take from Atlanta to New Orleans?
| Route | Distance | Driving time |
| The Jackson Route | 680 miles | 11 hours |
| The Coastal Route | 720 miles | 15 hours 40 minutes |
Two alternate routes from Atlanta to New Orleans are what we’re going to recommend. The quickest route, which passes through Jackson, is 680 miles long and takes 11 hours to drive without stopping.
A longer alternate route, which covers 720 miles in 13 hours and 40 minutes, is Florida’s breathtaking coastline.
Planning a few overnight stays along the route is the best approach to handle a drive this length. The drive will take at least two to three days to finish, but if you have more time, there are lots of amazing sights to see along the road to keep you entertained.
The best route for a road trip between Atlanta and New Orleans
Despite their differences, our two suggested routes are likely to satisfy any road trip. You may enjoy an amazing combination of countryside, scenic national parks, and historic cities along the Jackson Route.
You’ll get to explore the Talladega Superspeedway, stretch your legs in Cheaha State Park, and take in the sights of Birmingham and Jackson as you travel through four southern states. After the travel, you’ll be energized to explore one of the most popular cities in America.
However, you’ll likely want to take the Coastal Route if you’re looking for a beachy experience. Although the landscape is more diversified on this drive, there are still plenty of sights to view and towns to explore.
If you wish to spend some time at the beach before traveling to the Big Easy, it also offers a fantastic coastal overnight stay.
You’ll get to drive through Columbus and Tallahassee on the way to the Gulf Coast. For those who enjoy the beach and the outdoors and wish to relax in the sun, this is a fantastic choice.
Leave Atlanta on Interstate 20 (I-20) and go west to Exit 30 for the Jackson Route. Stop shortly at the Pine Mountain Gold Museum for a history fix along the route.
After that, get back on I-20 and head west into Alabama. On the route to AL-281, take Exit 191 for US-431 south, pausing at Cheaha State Park to stretch your legs.
If you want fast vehicles, Talladega Superspeedway is an excellent detour. Take the winding road to Gunterston Rd/Hanging Rock Rd and then onto North Boulevard.
Before turning onto Interstate 59 (I-59) and entering the city of Birmingham, continue west on I-20. After taking a break, proceed west on I-20 through a number of regions before entering Mississippi.
Proceed west through the Bienville National Forest until you get to Jackson’s Exit 96A. This is a good place to spend the night and explore the city.
After you depart, you will have to go through a number of other communities on Interstate 55 (I-55) South. Before taking the interstate into Louisiana, you could take a wider detour to see Homochitto National Forest.
Proceed to Exit 29B, where you may either take Interstate 12 (I-12) west to the amazing metropolis of Baton Rouge or continue south to enjoy Joyce Wildlife Management Area.
To reach your final destination, the bustling metropolis of New Orleans, take Interstate 10 (I-10), which passes via Lake Maurepas and Lake Pontchartrain.
The Coastal Route
In order to use the alternate route, you must exit Atlanta on Interstate 75 (I-75) and travel south until you get to Exit 21 for Interstate 185 (I-185), where you will join Interstate 85 (I-85).
To get to Columbus, head south on this road until you get to Exit 10 for GA-22 and then Exit 1 for GA-85. From the city, take US-280 south, merge with US-27, and continue until you reach Kolomoki Mounds State Park-Museum.
After entering the state of Florida, continue south on US-27 until you reach Tallahassee, which is an excellent starting point for exploring the Aucilla Wildlife Management Area.
Get on FL-20 and go west, then take US-231 south to Panama City, a fantastic seaside overnight destination where you may swim in the sea or watch the sunset in the evening.
You’ll feel like you’re on the beach for the remainder of your drive. To get to the town of Pensacola, you’ll first take US-98 West, which will take you along the coast past Rosemary Beach, Destin, and Pensacola Beach.
To go to Mobile, another fantastic seaside town with lots of amenities, take FL-292 West and AL-182 to the Gulf Shores. From there, take the parkway to Exit 26B, where you’ll connect with I-10 west.
After crossing the bridge and reaching the Big Easy, continue on I-10 west, making a stop in Biloxi if you want to visit this lovely port city.
Notable places between Atlanta and New Orleans
There are several great cities and villages along the way, regardless of the route you choose to take between Atlanta and New Orleans.
You won’t want to miss these excellent hotels out of all of them:
A memorable trip through history at Jackson
Given that our route is named for Jackson, which is only 4 hours away from New Orleans and two-thirds of the way, it’s a wonderful place to spend the night. Additionally, it’s a sizable city in a handy location for stopping before heading south into Louisiana.
Jackson serves as the capital of Magnolia State, is on the Freedom Trail, and holds significant historical value in the Civil Rights Movement.
After a long day of driving, the Old Capitol Inn, a boutique hotel, is an ideal spot to relax and rest. You can stretch your legs and see some of Jackson on foot during your stay here, which is conveniently located downtown close to important museums.
The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and the original state capitol building, which was constructed in 1839 in the Greek revival style, are just two of the many fantastic attractions.
The renovated home of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Eudora Welty and the Museum of Natural History are also located there.
The hotel itself features pleasant and elegant rooms, some with a terrace, free parking, and a fantastic on-site restaurant with a theatrical dining room. You’ll be prepared to take on the last drive to New Orleans after your stay.
Panama City’s A beach paradise
This city offers plenty of chances for water sports, coastal cycling, and fishing trips and is well-known for its turquoise horizon and infinite white sand beaches.
A stay at the Hyatt Place Panama City Beach-Beachfront is strongly advised for an elegant way to cap off your trip. You might even think about staying an additional night at this lovely beachfront hotel because it offers so many benefits and services, all of which are enhanced by décor with a marine feel.
This is a beach vacation spot a little outside of the downtown center. Panama City’s famous beach and a number of theme parks are located just down Beach Front Road.
Although its beach and pier are its main draws, you can also visit the Bear Creek Feline Center, which is run responsibly, the Panama City Publishing Company Museum to learn more about the aging art of prints, or the Man in the Sea Museum to get a sense of the underwater life for yourself.
When you’re ready to relax, you can head back to the sleek and contemporary hotel to take in the views of the sea, swim in the amazing outdoor pool, or bathe in the hot tub before enjoying your preferred cocktail at the bar.
An oasis for fans of art in New Orleans
You’re going to be in for a treat when you get to the Big Easy. New Orleans is renowned for its exciting nightlife, thriving music scene, and mouthwatering restaurants. Additionally, its architecture reflects the French, African, and American cultures that coexist there.
Why not indulge and fully appreciate New Orleans’ distinctive French heritage after traveling this far? The Maison de la Luz is a singular and unforgettable destination; it doesn’t get any better.
You’ll know you’ve discovered something unique as soon as you step through the door. You’re also close to the downtown business and arts sector, if you can bring yourself to leave.
There is something in this city for everyone, regardless of your interest in great art or history. Explore the New Orleans Museum of Art or the National WWII Museum. You might drive to Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve for a more outdoor experience.
Additionally, there is the famed and well-known Mardi Gras, New Orleans’ late-winter carnival, that saturates the city’s streets with vibrant parades and street celebrations.
Attractions on a road trip between Atlanta and New Orleans
On this amazing road trip from Atlanta to New Orleans, you will undoubtedly have an abundance of options for locations to see. Here are some of the best sights you’ll see on your way to the Big Easy if you’re short of time.
The Jackson Route
1.Pine Mountain Gold Museum– See this glittering museum in Villa Rica before you leave Georgia. It’s in a park with traces, a railroad, the original mine ruins, and a museum for of all ages.
2.Cheaha State Park, Alabama-The highest point in Alabama and the southernmost tip of the Appalachian Mountains is this park, which is part of Talladega National Park. There are many twisting forest routes along the drive itself to help you relax.
3.Talladega Superspeedway, Alabama- This motorsports facility features a 2.66-mile race track and offers daily 45-minute trips free of charge, making it appealing to both movie fans and NASCAR fans.
4.Birmingham, Alabama- Birmingham, which is in the centre of Alabama and is home to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, has a rich history and many charming neighbourhoods. Visit the Botanical Gardens, Vulcan Park & Museum, and Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum.
5.Jackson, Mississippi-Visit the Mississippi Agricultural & Forestry Museum, the Museum of Natural History, and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum to learn more about an important era in modern American history.
6.Lynyrd Skynyrd Monument- A memorial in Magnolia, Mississippi honouring the members of this iconic Southern rock band, including leaders Ronnie Van Zant, who died in a plane crash in 1977.
7.Baton Rouge, Louisiana-This state capital will amaze you with its magnificent Capital structure, which provides guided tours and an observation deck with a view of the entire city.
8.Houmas House Plantation-The magnificent Houmas House Plantation in Darrow, Louisiana, is a must-see for anybody interested in the lavish lifestyles of the the wealthy who formerly called Louisiana home.
The Coastal Route
1.Columbus, Georgia- This little village in west Georgia has a lot of treats in waiting for you. Explore the rustic Botanical Gardens, walk the Chattahoochee RiverWalk, and aim high at the Coca-Cola Space Science Center.
2.Kolomoki Mounds State Park – Museum-A museum centered around Georgia’s oldest great temple mound, which was probably constructed and maintained by Native Americans between 350 and 750 A.D., enhances this archeological site in Blakely, Georgia.
3.Tallahassee, Florida- Admire the mossy Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park, visit the Mission San Luis de Apalachee to learn about the state’s Spanish roots, see the Antique Car Museum, and then stroll through Railroad Square Art Park.
4.Lake Talquin State Forest-This woods, which is located just outside of Tallahassee, has 10 distinct places to explore and surrounds the Lake Talquin reservoir on the Ochlocknee River. Think about stopping here for lunch because there are many of picnic areas and shaded paths.
5.Panama City, Florida- There are many beaches and locations to rent jet skis, bikes, and paddleboats. At your leisure, you can tour Panama City’s parks, beachfront farmer’s markets, and a number of specialized museums, such as the Man in the Sea Museum.
6.Pensacola, Florida –The first Spanish settlement inside the continental boundaries of the United States is this one. The historic city features examples of Victorian and Greek revival architecture in addition to numerous preserved eighteenth-century structures from its Spanish heritage.
7.Gulf Shores, Alabama-There is a State Park with a wooden boardwalk and a fishing pier in case you brought your fishing gear, making it another excellent spot to pause for a sandy walk along the gulf shore.
8.History Museum of Mobile-The diverse collection of artwork and artifacts in this museum tells the tale of Mobile. The stunning historic city hall building serves as its home.
9.Biloxi Lighthouse-This 1848 cast iron lighthouse, which stands 61 feet above the coast and has a tradition of female keepers, would be an excellent spot to get out of the car and enjoy the view.
10.Pearl River Wildlife Management Area-As soon as you enter Louisiana, you get your first taste of the Bayou. You might be inclined to pause and search for gators in this wide track of wetland forest habitat on either side of I-10.
Best time for a road trip from Atlanta to New Orleans
Depending on what you want to see, how well you cope with the heat, and how much you want to spend, you can drive from Atlanta to New Orleans at any time of year.
Summer is the cheapest season, but it’s also the hottest and most humid, with temperatures ranging from 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. You may sample New Orleans’ various gastronomic pleasures at a reasonable price thanks to the city’s Coolinary New Orleans event, which is held to promote tourism.
The early winter months of November through January can be the best time of year for you if you don’t mind the heat. If you visit in December, you can see the colorful Christmas decorations, and the temps remain in the mid 40s to low 60s.
Although hotels will cost more than in the winter or summer, you may still enjoy the warm weather and busy streets during the second most popular time of year to visit, which is from the spring after Mardi Gras until May.
You could schedule your trip around a number of festivals and major events, such as the French Quarter Festival and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, which take place in April and May, in addition to their trademark celebration, Mardi Gras.
Frequently Asked Question
What is there to see between Atlanta and New Orleans?
Between Atlanta and New Orleans, you can explore the historic town of Montgomery, Alabama, and the scenic Natchez Trace Parkway. Both offer rich history, charming towns, and beautiful landscapes.
What is the best road trip to take?
The Pacific Coast Highway (California Highway 1) offers stunning coastal views, cliffs, and beaches from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Alternatively, Route 66 provides a nostalgic cross-country adventure through iconic American landmarks and small towns.
Which city is bigger, Atlanta or New Orleans?
Atlanta is significantly larger than New Orleans in terms of population and land area. As of the latest data, Atlanta has a population of about 500,000, while New Orleans has around 390,000.
How many days is enough for New Orleans?
Three to four days is ideal for experiencing New Orleans’ key attractions, like the French Quarter, Garden District, and local cuisine. This allows time for both sightseeing and enjoying the city’s vibrant culture.
Is New Orleans cheaper than Atlanta?
Overall, New Orleans tends to be slightly more affordable than Atlanta, especially when it comes to dining and accommodations. However, prices can vary depending on the area and time of year in both cities.
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