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4 cleaner spots within a 3-hour drive

Atlanta is breathing 4.8 cigarettes a week

15.2
PM2.5 µg/m³
62
AQI
5.5
Cleanest in reach · µg/m³
See the 4 cleaner spots

Where are you?

Search covers Canada and the United States.

The better move within a 3-hour drive

Dates

Dates follow you into hotel searches. Live inventory is confirmed by the provider.

Montgomery looks like the better move.63% cleaner air with a verified 2 h 55 min road trip. Rankings balance cleaner air with trip ease.

Within Atlanta

  • Downtown15.2 µg/m³
  • Midtown15.2 µg/m³
  • Buckhead15.2 µg/m³
  • Decatur15.2 µg/m³
  • Sandy Springs15.2 µg/m³
Every town is also available in the ranked list.
Atlanta Local readings Clean · PM2.5 0–5 Good · 5–9 Elevated · 9–15 Polluted · 15–35 Unhealthy · 35–55 Severe · 55+
Top pick
Ellijay
Cel-shaded illustration of Ellijay
#1EllijayPM2.5 10.4Checking road routesaves 1.5 cigs/wk

Georgia· PM2.5 10.4 µg/m³

North Georgia apple-country town at the edge of the Blue Ridge, with cabins and cool foothill air.

32% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 10.4 µg/m³ here vs 15.2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 10.4/22 × 7 = 3.3 here; 15.2/22 × 7 = 4.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

4.8 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Atlanta right now

32% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 8:12 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Blue Ridge
Cel-shaded illustration of Blue Ridge
#2Blue RidgePM2.5 10.4~1 h 50 min drivesaves 1.5 cigs/wk

Georgia· PM2.5 10.4 µg/m³

Mountain town in the north-Georgia Blue Ridge, a cool forested reset with a walkable core of inns and cabins.

32% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 10.4 µg/m³ here vs 15.2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 10.4/22 × 7 = 3.3 here; 15.2/22 × 7 = 4.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

4.8 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Atlanta right now

32% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 8:12 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Gainesville
Cel-shaded illustration of Gainesville
#3GainesvillePM2.5 11.1Checking road routesaves 1.3 cigs/wk

Georgia· PM2.5 11.1 µg/m³

Lake Lanier resort city in the north Georgia foothills, with open-water air and lakeside lodging.

27% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 11.1 µg/m³ here vs 15.2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 11.1/22 × 7 = 3.5 here; 15.2/22 × 7 = 4.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

4.1 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Atlanta right now

27% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Dahlonega
Cel-shaded illustration of Dahlonega
#4DahlonegaPM2.5 11.1~1 h 25 min drivesaves 1.3 cigs/wk

Georgia· PM2.5 11.1 µg/m³

Gold-rush town in the north-Georgia foothills, set higher than Atlanta with wineries, inns and B&Bs.

27% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 11.1 µg/m³ here vs 15.2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 11.1/22 × 7 = 3.5 here; 15.2/22 × 7 = 4.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

4.1 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Atlanta right now

27% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Cleveland
Cel-shaded illustration of Cleveland
#5ClevelandPM2.5 11.1Checking road routesaves 1.3 cigs/wk

Georgia· PM2.5 11.1 µg/m³

North Georgia foothills town near Helen and Unicoi, higher and cooler than metro Atlanta, with cabins.

27% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 11.1 µg/m³ here vs 15.2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 11.1/22 × 7 = 3.5 here; 15.2/22 × 7 = 4.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

4.1 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Atlanta right now

27% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Helen
Cel-shaded illustration of Helen
#6HelenPM2.5 20.4~1 h 55 min drive

Georgia· PM2.5 20.4 µg/m³

Alpine-themed village on the Chattahoochee headwaters in the north-Georgia mountains, a cool foothill escape with inns.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 20.4 µg/m³ here vs 15.2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 20.4/22 × 7 = 6.5 here; 15.2/22 × 7 = 4.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Atlanta

34% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 8:12 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Clarkesville
Cel-shaded illustration of Clarkesville
#7ClarkesvillePM2.5 23.3Checking road route

Georgia· PM2.5 23.3 µg/m³

Northeast Georgia mountain town near Tallulah Gorge, a waterfall base with cool ridge air and inns.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 23.3 µg/m³ here vs 15.2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 23.3/22 × 7 = 7.4 here; 15.2/22 × 7 = 4.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Atlanta

53% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 8:12 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Forest Park
Cel-shaded illustration of Forest Park
#8Forest ParkParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 4.8 cigs/wk

Georgia

Georgia community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Vinings
Cel-shaded illustration of Vinings
#9ViningsParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 4.8 cigs/wk

Georgia

Georgia community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Clarkston
Cel-shaded illustration of Clarkston
#10ClarkstonParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 4.8 cigs/wk

Georgia

Georgia community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Chamblee
Cel-shaded illustration of Chamblee
#11ChambleeParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 4.8 cigs/wk

Georgia

Georgia community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Still smoky
Morrow
Cel-shaded illustration of Morrow
#12MorrowParticle data unavailableChecking road routesaves 4.8 cigs/wk

Georgia

Georgia community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Fort Payne
Cel-shaded illustration of Fort Payne
#13Fort PaynePM2.5 5.5Checking road routesaves 3.1 cigs/wk

Alabama· PM2.5 5.5 µg/m³

DeSoto Canyon-adjacent town in Alabama's Appalachian foothills, higher and cooler than the state's lowlands.

64% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 5.5 µg/m³ here vs 15.2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 5.5/22 × 7 = 1.8 here; 15.2/22 × 7 = 4.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

9.7 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Atlanta right now

64% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Montgomery
Cel-shaded illustration of Montgomery
#14MontgomeryPM2.5 5.6~2 h 55 min drivesaves 3.1 cigs/wk

Alabama· PM2.5 5.6 µg/m³

A major Alabama city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

63% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 5.6 µg/m³ here vs 15.2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 5.6/22 × 7 = 1.8 here; 15.2/22 × 7 = 4.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

9.6 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Atlanta right now

63% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Gadsden
Cel-shaded illustration of Gadsden
#15GadsdenPM2.5 6.7Checking road routesaves 2.7 cigs/wk

Alabama· PM2.5 6.7 µg/m³

Alabama community with lodging and a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

56% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 6.7 µg/m³ here vs 15.2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 6.7/22 × 7 = 2.1 here; 15.2/22 × 7 = 4.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

8.5 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Atlanta right now

56% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Tellico Plains
Cel-shaded illustration of Tellico Plains
#16Tellico PlainsPM2.5 7.1Checking road routesaves 2.6 cigs/wk

Tennessee· PM2.5 7.1 µg/m³

Cherokee National Forest gateway on the Tellico River, a quiet Smokies-adjacent base with cabins.

53% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 7.1 µg/m³ here vs 15.2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 7.1/22 × 7 = 2.3 here; 15.2/22 × 7 = 4.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

8.1 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Atlanta right now

53% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Birmingham
Cel-shaded illustration of Birmingham
#17BirminghamPM2.5 7.7~2 h 45 min drivesaves 2.4 cigs/wk

Alabama· PM2.5 7.7 µg/m³

A major Alabama city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

49% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 7.7 µg/m³ here vs 15.2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 7.7/22 × 7 = 2.5 here; 15.2/22 × 7 = 4.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

7.5 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Atlanta right now

49% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Charleston
Cel-shaded illustration of Charleston
#18CharlestonPM2.5 7.8~5 h 50 min drivesaves 2.4 cigs/wk

South Carolina· PM2.5 7.8 µg/m³

A major South Carolina city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

49% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 7.8 µg/m³ here vs 15.2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 7.8/22 × 7 = 2.5 here; 15.2/22 × 7 = 4.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

7.4 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Atlanta right now

49% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Folly Beach
Cel-shaded illustration of Folly Beach
#19Folly BeachPM2.5 7.8~6 h 10 min drivesaves 2.4 cigs/wk

South Carolina· PM2.5 7.8 µg/m³

Barrier-island beach town just south of Charleston, swept by open Atlantic wind, with rentals and small inns.

49% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 7.8 µg/m³ here vs 15.2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 7.8/22 × 7 = 2.5 here; 15.2/22 × 7 = 4.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

7.4 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Atlanta right now

49% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Bowling Green
Cel-shaded illustration of Bowling Green
#20Bowling GreenPM2.5 8Checking road routesaves 2.3 cigs/wk

Kentucky· PM2.5 8 µg/m³

Kentucky community with lodging and a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

47% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 8 µg/m³ here vs 15.2 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 8/22 × 7 = 2.5 here; 15.2/22 × 7 = 4.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

7.2 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Atlanta right now

47% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Jul 27, 6:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is modelled for this town — no monitoring station is close enough for a live AQHI.

HotelsRentalsDirections
Bad week ahead? Check the 7-day outlook — if it won’t clear, book the trip

7-day outlook

Plan the next seven days

Pick a day, or compare the whole week. Weather is forecast; air quality is the latest available reading.

Loading the week…

Finding the nicest days and reachable cities.

Observed Jul 27, 7:00 p.m. EDTLast scan Jul 27, 8:27 p.m. EDT · 53 min ago

Why live rankings? Smoke plumes are patchy and shift with the wind, so no direction is reliably cleaner. This list is recalculated from live PM2.5 every hour — and if everything nearby is smoky, it says so.

How we work this out →

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What this means · Atlanta

Oof.

4.8cigarettes

per week, if this air holds

Act two · The scale

Where today lands

From a crisp horizon to smoke you can taste — here’s your reading on it.

15.2 µg/m³
CrispSome smokeHeavy smoke

Act three · The ladder

What each rung feels like

  • 0–3µg/m³Natural. About as clean as outdoor air realistically gets.
  • 3–5µg/m³Clean. Crisp, destination-worthy air.
  • 5–9µg/m³Good. Clean city air; most people will not notice anything today.
  • 9–15µg/m³Elevated. Usually no big deal today; sensitive lungs may notice hard exercise.
  • 15–35µg/m³Polluted. Smoke or traffic pollution is now worth acting on.
  • 35–55µg/m³Unhealthy. Symptoms become more likely, especially with asthma or heart disease.
  • 55+µg/m³Severe. Everyone should reduce exposure and clean the indoor air.

Act four · The fine print

The receipts

What is PM2.5?

Fine particles about 30× thinner than a human hair — small enough to slip through your lungs and into your bloodstream. We measure them inµg/m³: micrograms of particle mass in a cubic metre of air.

The math

PM2.5 here is 15.2 µg/m³.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at this level: 15.2/22 × 7 = 4.8 cigarettes.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
See the full method →