Adsorption and desorption of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) onto granular activated carbon (GAC) were studied to get basic information on their removal from aqueous solution. Single species adsorption equilibria of 2,4-D dissolved in water have been measured using F400, SLS103, and WWL. Equilibrium capacity increased with decreasing pH. The magnitude of adsorption capacity of 2,4-D was the order of F400>SLS103>WWL. Kinetic parameters were measured in a batch adsorber to analyze the adsorption rate of 2,4-D. The internal diffusion coefficients were determined by comparing the experimental concentration curve with that predicted from the surface diffusion model (SDM) and Pore diffusion model (PDM). The linear driving force approximation (LDFA) model was used to simulate isothermal adsorption behaviors in a fixed bed adsorber and successfully simulated experimental adsorption breakthrough behavior under various operation conditions.