Atlanta to Baton Rouge: How Long Will it Take to Drive?

If you're a Southern soul in search of a road adventure, you probably have your sights set on hitting up the lively city of Baton Rouge from Atlanta. With so many routes to choose from and various traffic patterns, you might be wondering how long it will take you to get there. So, let's break it down.

Fastest and Slowest Routes

Firstly, let's talk about the different routes you can take. The quickest way is to take I-20 W towards Birmingham, then merge onto I-59 S, which eventually connects to I-12 W towards Hammond and Baton Rouge. This route is roughly 470 miles and takes about 7 and a half hours of drive time.

However, if you're looking to take a more scenic route and have some extra time on your hands, you can try using US-80 W instead of I-20. This route adds about 30 miles and an extra hour of drive time, but you'll get to enjoy the quaint city of Vicksburg and stunning views of the Mississippi River along the way.

On the flip side, the slowest and most congested route to Baton Rouge is through I-85 S towards Montgomery, AL, and eventually connecting to I-65 S towards Mobile, AS. While the distance is shorter at around 430 miles, you're looking at over 8 hours of drive time due to the heavy traffic in Montgomery and Mobile.

Traffic Patterns

Of course, traffic can significantly impact your drive time. Rush hour and peak travel times can add an extra hour or two to your trip, so it's worth looking at the traffic patterns.

If driving to Baton Rouge during the weekend or on weekdays outside of rush hour, you can expect the drive to take around 7-8 hours, depending on the route you choose. On the other hand, during peak traffic hours like Friday afternoons or Monday mornings, the drive can quickly stretch to 9-10 hours.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, there are a few different avenues you can take from Atlanta to Baton Rouge, all with their variations of twists and turns. If you're looking for the quickest option available, I-20 W, I-59 S, and I-12 W is your best bet, with a total drive time of around 7.5 hours (assuming average traffic).

However, if you have time to spare, the US-80 W route will offer some exciting pit stops and lovely scenery while still getting you to Baton Rouge in under 9 hours.

Safe travels!