I-20 to I-75 shortcut (camp creek parkway)

[mikewdw]

if you drive I-20 to I-75 have you taken the cut off called camp creek parkway (i think). is it shorter timewise? we are planning on dec. 18 about
5 pm. i know its crazy, rush hour in atlanta on the fri. before Christmas week but it is the earlies we can leave and our Disney tickets start 19th. any info on how easy it is compared to going straight I-20 to I-75.
thanks,
mikewdw

 

[clkelley]

I always go through Downtown Atlanta. It is much easier than the Atlanta Bypass. The semi rigs HAVE to take the bypass, so you lose them through downtown.

 

[ScubaCat]

The first question would be .. which direction are you coming from on I-20?

I would avoid camp creek parkway at all costs; I can't imagine how that would save you any time.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I always go through Downtown Atlanta. It is much easier than the Atlanta Bypass. The semi rigs HAVE to take the bypass, so you lose them through downtown.

When my family and I also go down I-75 we also go through downtown Atlanta and have never had any major issues doing that.

 

[P.I. Squirrel]

I don't think you want to take Camp Creek Parkway. It leaves I 20 as Thorton Road, then becomes CCP, but dead ends at the airport entrance. It does not get you anywhere near I 75.

Play it by ear. Tune to 750 am for traffic reports, or dial 511 on your cell (free). If you have an internet cell phone, visit "georgia-navigator.com".

Then, take 20 to 75, or 285 south to 75, depending on traffic. Usually, 285 is better, but can change. Once on 75, you will be in the soup until exit 212, off and on jams for about 25 miles.

The particular day you are travelling will be the day everyone leaves town for their Christmas vacation. Pack some patience. You may have luck on your side this year, in that Christmas Day will still be a week away.

 

[clkelley]

The first question would be .. which direction are you coming from on I-20?

I would avoid camp creek parkway at all costs; I can't imagine how that would save you any time.

Since the OP is from Alabama, I would imagine that they are coming East on I-20 from Birmingham.

 

[ScubaCat]

Since the OP is from Alabama, I would imagine that they are coming East on I-20 from Birmingham.

Ahh - good point

Coming from that direction, I'd take 20 east to 285 south to 75 south. The lower left corner of 285 is rarely backed up.

If you have a web-enabled phone, you can bring up www.georgia-navigator.com and check out the traffic that way. (It's fun to do that while driving. )

 

[mikewdw]

i will be coming from alabama on I - 20 east so 675 isnt until the other side of atlanta. how do you think 285 traffic will be compared to traffic going I-20 to I-75 directly on Dec. 18th, about 3:30 - 5:00 pm? i know that will be rush hour on the last friday before Christmas but we both teach and that will be the earliest I can get out of school.

 

[ScubaCat]

Take 285. The south side of 285 is almost never backed up.

 

[mikewdw]

it looked about the same distance on google maps but how is it going 285, crossing I-85 to get to I-75 south?

 

[Pixie Princess]

Normally I'd say avoid 285 at all costs, but to me 20 becomes more of nightmare the closer you get to Atlanta. And honestly, 20 is a stop and go mess between Atl and Birmingham without the complication of holiday travel thrown in. I'd ditch it as soon as I could! Take 285 to pick up 75.

I second the advice about tuning in to 750 AM for traffic reports. Best in the city.

 

[ScubaCat]

ack - sorry for the slight misinformatoin there. For some reason I thought you were just going to the airport!

Nevertheless, I stand by 285 all the way. The only part of 285 that's consistently bad is the top end and east side. The section you are on is almost *never* backed up, and it's way less trafficy than going through downtown. Unless there is a major wreck on that section of 285, that's the way you should go hands down.

 

[P.I. Squirrel]

i will be coming from alabama on I - 20 east so 675 isnt until the other side of atlanta. how do you think 285 traffic will be compared to traffic going I-20 to I-75 directly on Dec. 18th, about 3:30 - 5:00 pm?

One thing in your favor this year is the calendar. Since you will be passing through a full week before Christmas, there should be very little actual Christmas traffic.

This week (Thanksgiving), Monday was slightly backed up on the southside. Tuesday was horrible. Bumper to bumper until after 9pm from Mount Zion Blvd (exit 231) to past Hwy 81 in McDonough (exit 218). That easily adds about an hour to your trip.

For Christmas week, it will be roughly the same. The worst traffic will be early in the week.

The earlier you can get through, the better. The worst southside traffic usually occurs between 4 and 7pm.