Moving From Guide

Moving From Atlanta, GA

Everything you need to know about leaving Atlanta — from top destinations and moving tips to your farewell checklist.

Population: 498,715COL Index: 108Median Home: $400,000Avg Winter: 34°F

Why People Leave Atlanta

Every city has its trade-offs. Here are the most common reasons residents decide it's time to move on from Atlanta.

1

State income tax rates up to 5.49% motivate high earners to relocate to states with lower or no income tax.

2

Career opportunities elsewhere attract ambitious professionals looking for growth in emerging job markets.

3

Many residents seek a change of pace — whether it's a smaller community, different climate, or closer proximity to family.

Top Destinations From Atlanta

Explore the most popular places people move to when leaving Atlanta, with distance, drive time, and cost comparisons.

New York, NY

870 miles
13 hour drive
via I-95 South / I-85 South

Chicago, IL

720 miles
11 hour drive
via I-65 South / I-24 South

Houston, TX

790 miles
12 hour drive
via I-10 East / I-65 North

Dallas, TX

780 miles
12 hour drive
via I-20 East

Charlotte, NC

245 miles
4 hour drive
via I-85 North

Nashville, TN

250 miles
4 hour drive
via I-24 West

Tampa, FL

460 miles
7 hour drive
via I-75 South

Miami, FL

660 miles
10 hour drive
via I-75 South

Orlando, FL

440 miles
6.5 hour drive
via I-75 South / Florida's Turnpike

Raleigh, NC

410 miles
6 hour drive
via I-85 North

Austin, TX

920 miles
14 hour drive
via I-20 West

Dallas, TX

780 miles
12 hour drive
via I-20 West

Jacksonville, FL

350 miles
5.5 hour drive
via I-75 South / I-10 East

Savannah, GA

250 miles
4 hour drive
via I-16 East

Denver, CO

1,400 miles
20 hour drive
via I-20 West / I-30 West

Philadelphia, PA

780 miles
12 hour drive
via I-95 South / I-85 South

Washington, DC

640 miles
10 hour drive
via I-85 South

Tampa, FL

460 miles
7 hour drive
via I-75 North

Raleigh, NC

410 miles
6 hour drive
via I-85 South

Orlando, FL

440 miles
6.5 hour drive
via I-75 North

St. Louis, MO

555 miles
8 hour drive
via I-64 East / I-65 South

Columbus, OH

560 miles
8 hour drive
via I-71 South / I-75 South

Kansas City, MO

800 miles
12 hour drive
via I-49 South / I-40 East

Miami, FL

660 miles
10 hour drive
via I-75 North

Cincinnati, OH

460 miles
7 hour drive
via I-75 South

Indianapolis, IN

530 miles
8 hour drive
via I-65 South

Louisville, KY

420 miles
6 hour drive
via I-65 South

Memphis, TN

390 miles
6 hour drive
via I-22 East

New Orleans, LA

470 miles
7 hour drive
via I-59 North / I-20 East

Richmond, VA

530 miles
8 hour drive
via I-85 South

Los Angeles, CA

2,513 miles
45.7 hour drive
via I-20 West

Phoenix, AZ

2,065 miles
37.5 hour drive
via I-20 West

San Antonio, TX

1,146 miles
20.8 hour drive
via I-20 West

San Diego, CA

2,454 miles
44.6 hour drive
via I-20 West

San Jose, CA

2,742 miles
49.9 hour drive
via I-20 West

Fort Worth, TX

976 miles
17.7 hour drive
via I-20 West

San Francisco, CA

2,776 miles
50.5 hour drive
via I-20 West

Seattle, WA

2,832 miles
51.5 hour drive
via I-20 West

Oklahoma City, OK

982 miles
17.9 hour drive
via I-20 West

El Paso, TX

1,676 miles
30.5 hour drive
via I-20 West

Las Vegas, NV

2,265 miles
41.2 hour drive
via I-20 West

Portland, OR

2,820 miles
51.3 hour drive
via I-20 West

Baltimore, MD

750 miles
13.6 hour drive
via I-95 North / I-40 East

Milwaukee, WI

870 miles
15.8 hour drive
via I-65 North

Albuquerque, NM

1,651 miles
30 hour drive
via I-20 West

Tucson, AZ

2,002 miles
36.4 hour drive
via I-20 West

Fresno, CA

2,596 miles
47.2 hour drive
via I-20 West

Sacramento, CA

2,707 miles
49.2 hour drive
via I-20 West

Mesa, AZ

2,048 miles
37.2 hour drive
via I-20 West

Omaha, NE

1,062 miles
19.3 hour drive
via I-95 North / I-40 West

Colorado Springs, CO

1,544 miles
28.1 hour drive
via I-20 West

Pittsburgh, PA

678 miles
12.3 hour drive
via I-95 North / I-40 East

Boise, ID

2,382 miles
43.3 hour drive
via I-20 West

Salt Lake City, UT

2,055 miles
37.4 hour drive
via I-20 West

Minneapolis, MN

1,180 miles
21.5 hour drive
via I-95 North / I-40 West

Honolulu, HI

5,841 miles
106.2 hour drive
via I-20 West

Charleston, SC

346 miles
6.3 hour drive
via I-20 East

Knoxville, TN

202 miles
3.7 hour drive
via I-65 North

Fort Lauderdale, FL

761 miles
13.8 hour drive
via I-95 South / I-40 East

Chattanooga, TN

135 miles
2.5 hour drive
via I-95 North / I-40 West

Madison, WI

908 miles
16.5 hour drive
via I-95 North / I-40 West

Grand Rapids, MI

833 miles
15.1 hour drive
via I-65 North

Huntsville, AL

186 miles
3.4 hour drive
via I-20 West

Greenville, SC

178 miles
3.2 hour drive
via I-95 North / I-40 East

Asheville, NC

214 miles
3.9 hour drive
via I-95 North / I-40 East

Des Moines, IA

962 miles
17.5 hour drive
via I-95 North / I-40 West

Spokane, WA

2,546 miles
46.3 hour drive
via I-20 West

Birmingham, AL

182 miles
3.3 hour drive
via I-20 West

Sioux Falls, SD

1,232 miles
22.4 hour drive
via I-95 North / I-40 West

Fargo, ND

1,450 miles
26.4 hour drive
via I-95 North / I-40 West

Scottsdale, AZ

2,054 miles
37.3 hour drive
via I-20 West

Arlington, TX

959 miles
17.4 hour drive
via I-20 West

Aurora, CO

1,562 miles
28.4 hour drive
via I-20 West

Bakersfield, CA

2,553 miles
46.4 hour drive
via I-20 West

Anaheim, CA

2,491 miles
45.3 hour drive
via I-20 West

Santa Ana, CA

2,489 miles
45.3 hour drive
via I-20 West

Long Beach, CA

2,513 miles
45.7 hour drive
via I-20 West

Virginia Beach, VA

676 miles
12.3 hour drive
via I-20 East

Rochester, NY

970 miles
17.6 hour drive
via I-95 North / I-40 East

Finding Movers in Atlanta

Navigating the moving company landscape can be overwhelming. Here's what to keep in mind when hiring movers in Atlanta.

Get Multiple Quotes

Always get at least 3 in-home or virtual estimates. Prices in Atlanta can vary by 30-50% between companies for the same move.

Verify Licenses

Check USDOT numbers for interstate moves and state licensing for local moves. Avoid movers who only accept cash or won't provide written estimates.

Time It Right

Moving during off-peak months (October–April) can save 20-30%. Midweek moves are also typically cheaper than weekend slots in Atlanta.

Packing Up in Atlanta

Packing up a house in Atlanta? These tips will save you time, money, and headaches on moving day.

Start with the Garage

Homes in Atlanta often accumulate years of garage clutter. Start there — you'll free up staging space and reduce your load.

Protect Your Floors

Use furniture sliders on hardwood and carpet protectors on stairs. Moving heavy furniture can cause costly damage to your home.

Label by Room and Priority

Color-code boxes by destination room and mark 'open first' essentials. You'll thank yourself on unpacking day.

Handle Yard Equipment Early

Drain fuel from mowers, blowers, and trimmers. These items need special handling and should be prepped days before the move.

Photograph Your Setup

Take photos of how electronics, shelving, and wall art are arranged. It makes recreating your space in your new home much easier.

Your Atlanta Farewell Checklist

Don't leave anything behind (except the memories). Complete these 10 essential tasks before your last day in Atlanta.

Cancel or transfer utilities (electric, gas, water, internet)
Forward your mail through USPS (set up at least 2 weeks early)
Update your address with banks, insurance, and subscriptions
Transfer or obtain new vehicle registration and driver's license
Notify your employer and update payroll records
Say goodbye to neighbors, friends, and colleagues
Get copies of medical and dental records
Close or transfer local gym memberships and services
Return library books, rented equipment, and borrowed items
Do a final walkthrough and document the condition of your home

Ready to Leave Atlanta?

Get free, no-obligation moving quotes from top-rated movers experienced with Atlanta relocations.