Save money on your next flight
Skyscanner is the world’s leading flight search engine, helping you find the cheapest flights to destinations all over the world.
If you’ve ever wondered exactly how far paradise is from the heart of the American South, you’ve come to the right place. Getting from Atlanta, Georgia to the lush Hawaiian islands is no short jaunt, but we’ll break down the distance and logistics for you in detail.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Hawaii is approximately 4,600 miles from Atlanta when flying directly between the two destinations.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll look at the exact mileage between Atlanta and the major Hawaiian islands, flight times and routes, and driving distances to the nearest airports to give you a complete picture of the journey.
Flight Distance and Times from Atlanta to Hawaii
Honolulu, Oahu
The flight distance from Atlanta to Honolulu is about 4,939 miles (7,947 km). Given the great distance, direct flights can take around 9 hours and 30 minutes. Most flights have at least one stopover, with total travel times ranging from 12-18 hours typically.
Popular routes include connecting through major hubs like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Dallas. The island of Oahu is home to Hawaii’s capital and largest city Honolulu, world-famous Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor, and iconic sights like Diamond Head crater.
With top attractions, resorts, and the state’s busiest airport, Oahu draws over 5 million visitors every year.
Maui
The flight distance from Atlanta to Maui is approximately 4,921 miles (7,918 km). Direct flights would take around 9.5 hours, but most flights route through other cities like Los Angeles or San Francisco. Total travel times range from 12-18 hours typically.
The second largest Hawaiian island, Maui is beloved for its gorgeous beaches, dramatic cliffs, lush rainforests and waterfalls. Top attractions like Haleakala Crater, Road to Hana, and the towns of Lahaina and Ka’anapali draw over 2.5 million visitors per year.
The main airport in Maui is in Kahului, with flights arriving from major mainland hubs.
Kauai
The paradise island of Kauai is approximately 4,939 miles (7,947 km) from Atlanta by air. Direct flights would take around 9.5 hours, while routes with stopovers range from 12-19 hours of total travel time. Visitors fly into Lihue Airport, with connections through west coast hubs mainly.
Known as the “Garden Isle,” Kauai wows over 1 million annual visitors with its lush tropical landscapes, from the epic Napali Coast to Waimea Canyon. Top attractions like Poipu Beach, Wailua Falls and the Na Pali Coast highlight why Kauai stands out as the greenest and least developed major Hawaiian island.
Island of Hawaii
The flight distance from Atlanta to the Island of Hawaii (also called the Big Island) is about 4,938 miles (7,945 km). Direct routes would take approximately 9.5 hours, while flights with connections range from 12-18 hours. Visitors arrive at either Kona or Hilo airport.
Despite its name, the Island of Hawaii is the youngest and largest of the Hawaiian islands. Top attractions like Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which contains active volcanoes Mauna Loa and Kilauea, draw over 2 million annual visitors.
And amazing sights like volcanic craters, black sand beaches, waterfalls, coffee plantations and charming small towns showcase why Hawaii’s namesake island stands out.
Major Hub Airports and Possible Connections
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is one of the busiest airports in the world. Located just south of Atlanta, Georgia, it serves as a major hub for Delta Air Lines and offers many nonstop flights to destinations across the United States and internationally.
As of 2021, ATL handled over 75 million passengers, making it the busiest airport in the world.
Given its prime location in the Southeastern U.S., ATL offers numerous nonstop or one-stop options for getting to Hawaii. Most flights route through major West Coast hubs like Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Seattle (SEA), or Portland (PDX) before hopping over to Honolulu (HNL) or the other Hawaiian islands.
While it typically requires making a connection, the flight time from Atlanta to Hawaii is under 9 hours given the nonstop options from the West Coast.
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu
Located in Honolulu on the island of Oahu, Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) is Hawaii’s largest airport. As the main gateway for air travel to Hawaii, it offers nonstop service from many major U.S. hubs including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, Dallas, and New York City.
Given Atlanta’s status as a Delta hub, taking advantage of Delta’s nonstop routes from Los Angeles, Seattle or Portland to Honolulu is typically the most convenient option. Most itineraries would route through LAX, SEA or PDX before traveling the last leg over the Pacific Ocean to reach HNL in under 9 hours total travel time.
Connecting Flights Through Major West Coast Hubs
When traveling from Atlanta to Hawaii, most flights will route through one of the major West Coast airline hubs of Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Seattle (SEA) or Portland (PDX). Here are some details on the major connection points:
- Los Angeles (LAX) – Offers multiple daily nonstop flights to Honolulu on Delta, American, United and Hawaiian Airlines. Total travel time from Atlanta is typically under 9 hours.
- San Francisco (SFO) – United and Hawaiian Airlines operate multiple Hawaii flights per day from SFO. Connecting through SFO adds about an extra hour versus LAX.
- Seattle (SEA) – Alaska and Hawaiian fly nonstops to Honolulu, while Delta also serves Maui nonstop from Seattle. Total travel times are usually under 8.5 hours.
- Portland (PDX) – Smaller airport than others but also has nonstops to Hawaii on Alaska, Delta and Hawaiian Airlines making it a convenient connecting point for certain flights.
When booking Atlanta to Hawaii flights, be sure to compare routes through these West Coast gateways to find the best option based on price, timing and connections. With the frequency of Hawaii flights from LAX, SFO, SEA and PDX, travelers from Atlanta using these connecting hubs will typically get to their island destination smoothly and efficiently.
Driving Distance to Departure Airports
Driving to Atlanta Airport
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the primary airport most travelers depart from when flying to Hawaii from Atlanta. It’s located about 9 miles south of downtown Atlanta off Interstate 85.
Depending on traffic conditions, the drive time from downtown Atlanta to ATL airport ranges from 15 minutes to an hour.
Here are some approximate drive times and distances from major areas around Atlanta to reach ATL airport:
- From downtown Atlanta: 12 miles, 15-60 minutes
- From Buckhead: 10 miles, 15-45 minutes
- From Midtown: 8 miles, 15-45 minutes
- From Marietta: 22 miles, 25-90 minutes
- From Stone Mountain: 20 miles, 30-90 minutes
Traffic in the Atlanta metro area can be quite heavy during rush hours, so make sure to plan for extra drive time if traveling to the airport during peak commuting times. Using navigation apps like Google Maps and Waze can help you anticipate traffic conditions and route around delays as much as possible.
Getting to Honolulu, Kahului, Lihue and Kona Airports
There are four major airports in Hawaii that offer commercial flights from mainland US cities like Atlanta:
- Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu, Oahu
- Kahului Airport (OGG) in Kahului, Maui
- Lihue Airport (LIH) in Lihue, Kauai
- Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii Island
Most flights from Atlanta go into Honolulu, which is located about 9 miles northwest of downtown Honolulu. Drive time ranges from 15 minutes with no traffic to 45 minutes during busy times. There are rental car facilities on site if you want to explore Oahu by car.
Kahului Airport on Maui is just over 3 miles from Kahului town center and most resort areas, with a typical drive time of 10 minutes or less. Lihue Airport on Kauai is around 3 miles from downtown Lihue, also just a 10 minute drive.
On Hawaii Island, Kona International Airport is about 30 minutes driving distance from Kailua-Kona and the popular resorts along the Kohala Coast. The route involves scenic yet winding roads flanked by lava fields, so drive carefully and account for extra time if you rent a car there.
Various shuttle services, taxis, Uber/Lyft rides are also available at all airports if you prefer not to drive yourself. And many resorts offer shuttle buses or private car transfers to whisk you straight from the airport to your accommodations in comfort and ease after your long journey.
Conclusion
As you can see, getting from Atlanta to Hawaii takes no small effort! But the reward of tropical beaches, lush landscapes, and aloha spirit is well worth the lengthy travels.
By breaking down the flight mileage, route options, and driving logistics in detail, you now have all the information you need to plan your island getaway from the Southeast. Let us know if you have any other questions – we’re always happy to help travelers discover just how far paradise truly lies.