Road trip from Atlanta, GA to Allen, TX: How long will it take?

If you're planning a road trip from Atlanta, Georgia to Allen, Texas, you're probably wondering how much time you should budget for the journey. The good news? This is a doable drive that will take you through some of the most charming southern landscapes. The bad news? Traffic can play an important role in the total time it takes.

The fastest and slowest routes

The distance between Atlanta and Allen is approximately 800 miles. There are a few different routes you could take, but the most common one is to drive west on I-20 until you hit Texas, and then take I-30 north all the way to Allen. This route measures just over 830 miles and, under normal traffic conditions, should take about 12 hours. However, take note that this is also the most congested route, as you'll be driving through Dallas. Expect longer drive times if you hit traffic in the city.

If you want to take a longer but more scenic route, you could drive north from Atlanta through Chattanooga, Nashville, and Memphis before taking I-40 across Arkansas and Oklahoma. This route, which measures approximately 1,100 miles total, could take you around 18 hours. While it's the longer of the two main options, it's also less likely to be affected by urban traffic jams.

Time of day and traffic

No matter what route you take, traffic will play a role in how long it takes you to get from Atlanta to Allen. Rush hour in Atlanta can be brutal, so if you're departing on a weekday, it's recommended that you set out before 6:30 a.m. If you hit Dallas during peak traffic times, you could add an hour or two to your travel time.

On the flip side, if you can avoid rush hour and hit the road in the early morning or later at night, you'll save time. In optimal conditions, you may be able to complete the drive in less than 11 hours. Of course, these are all estimates--keep in mind that weather or road conditions could also add time to your journey.

Plan accordingly

In the end, how much time it takes you to drive from Atlanta to Allen will mostly depend on which route you take, which time of day you leave, and how lucky you are with traffic luck. Plan in advance, start early, and allow yourself plenty of time. Whether you're planning a new adventure or coming home after a long journey, this midwestern drive is well worth the effort.