Living in atlanta...what is the quickest route to Destin? any tips for the car trip?? thanks

Well, there are a couple of ways to get to Destin from the Atlanta-area -- unfortunately, none are a straight shot.

Easiest (but slowest):
Head south on I-75, head West on I-10, head south on Hwy 85, follow signs thru Niceville, across Mid-Bay Bridge into Destin

A bit more complicated:
Head south on I-85, then south on I-185 into Columbus. Head West on Hwy 80, then south on Hwy 431. 2-lane it thru Euphala, etc. into Dothan, head south on Hwy 231. West on I-10, south on Hwy 85 (same as above).

There are lots of other options (continue heading south on Hwy 231 into Panama City, then West on Hwy 98 into Destin (avoid toll), etc.

Google Maps shows an even different route, so choose wisely!

I've done that trip a couple of different ways, but oddly I've never tried the routes suggested above. I-75 to I-10 seems very far out of way imho.

I thought the fastest way was usually I-85 south to Evergreen AL and then 31-41-87-98 east.

It involves a bit of backtracking at the end, but staying on I-85 for a long time helped make up that time. As thepeters said, there is no good straight shot.

Oops, I meant I-85 south to I-65, then leave the interstate around Evergreen. I forgot about the switch over to 65 in Montgomery.

I believe the I-85 -> I-65 route is what Google Maps recommends. Seems to be a lot more small roads/small town traversing, though.

I have done the I-85/I-185/431/231 route several times, and it seems to be the most straightforward.

I only included the I-75/I-10 set of directions in case the original poster wanted to stick to major highways -- it is, indeed, very much out of the way, but do-able.