Road Tripping to Panama City Beach: How Long Will it Take from Atlanta, Georgia?

Have you been dreaming of leaving the hustle and bustle of Atlanta and replacing it with sunny beaches and beautiful ocean views? Then a road trip to Panama City Beach, Florida is just what you need! But before you pack your bags, you need to know how long it will take to get there, so you can plan accordingly. Lucky for you, we've done the research and have the best routes mapped out for you.

Fastest Route: I-75 South and FL-77 South

If you're in a hurry to reach your destination, then the following route is your best option. Start your journey driving south on I-75 towards Macon, Georgia. Continue on I-75 and cross the Florida border until you get to exit 120 towards FL-77 S/Lynn Haven. After you exit, take a right onto FL-77 South and keep going for approximately 29 miles until you reach Panama City Beach.

The entire journey will be approximately 325 miles and should take around 5 hours, depending on traffic. During less busy times, it should only take around 4 hours and 30 minutes from start to finish.

Scenic Route: US-231 South and US-98 West

If you're looking to take a more scenic route, don't mind taking the long way around, and wish to take in some gorgeous views along the way, then we recommend taking this route. Begin at Atlanta and make your way south to Anniston, Alabama on I-20 East. Switch to US-431 South/US-231 South. Continue south on US-231 for about 111 miles then take a left onto US-98 West. Continue on US-98 for the final 51 miles, which will lead you straight to Panama City Beach.

This route is approximately 347 miles and should take around 6 hours, based on traffic. During quiet times, it should take approximately 5 hours and 10 minutes.

Traffic Conditions and Peak Hours

It's important to keep in mind the time and travel conditions when planning your trip to Panama City Beach. If you plan to start early in the morning or late in the evening, you should be able to avoid most of the heavy traffic. Rush hour traffic through Atlanta starts at around 6:30am and noon. Expect heavy traffic in Birmingham and Decatur, which you will pass through if you take the scenic route. Traffic throughout Florida can get busy in the late afternoon and towards evening time, so keep that in mind when planning your trip.

We hope this information has been helpful in planning your road trip from Atlanta to Panama City Beach. Now all you have to do is pack your bags, fill up your tank and hit the road with your music playlist ready for a memorable adventure!