AAA TripTik question - I 95 vs I 75

[DVC Grandpa]

Can anyone tell me why AAA is routing trips from Michigan to WDW on I 75 only thru Tennessee then over thru North and South Carolina to I 95 then down to Florida? In the past we have always driven the I 75 route. I have no idea why the “thru Atlanta” route is being avoided, can anyone help? (We will be traveling from Michigan to WDW during November). Thanks

 

[WDWisTheBest]

There could be many reasons for this routing, maybe it is just the way that the planner chose. But, I doubt this is the reason.

Maybe it could be due to the road construction on I-75 south of Atlanta almost to the Florida border?

My suggestion would be to follow the route you have always used, and just allow for road construction delays, if you do not get your answer from AAA.

 

[pooh_mania]

We received the same info from AAA and we are in ATL! Here's a link to construction information:

http://www.dot.state.ga.us/dot/fiel...econstruction/interstatereconstruction2.shtml

We plan to use I-75 because, even with delays, it should be shorter. I will post an update when we return.

Good luck.

 

[DVC Grandpa]

Any I 75 construction updates thru GA? We will be traveling thru GA on Friday, 11/21.

 

[Poohs Pal]

I believe it is due to construction. I was at my AAA office recently and was told to come in a few days before leaving to get the most up to date info. I'm leaving Thanksgiving about 3pm. . I will propably stay on 75 anyway. Susan

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

We just came back I-75 from ATL the week of Oct 5th.
We didn't have any construction problems at all. There is a bit near Macon but we went through on Sunday and no signs of delays anywhere. There is also a bit near Valdosta, but the last three times through there, no delays.
We did encounter some on the way home at the Macon construction but it was a delay on the southbound, and lucky for us we were going Northbound.
Therefore, no problems or delays for us the first week of October.
I would check the posted website from pooh_mania and definately stick to I-75 as it will be faster, despite any delays you may encounter.
Also, another hint - don't take the I-285 bi-pass around the city of ATL as AAA will always route you through. At busy times, trucks are not allowed on I-75 through the city, and the HOV (commuter lanes) on I-75 are great! All you need is one other passenger in the car to qualify to drive in the HOV. I have found (we live north of ATL) that a great number of accidents seem to happen on the bi-pass (I-285) and they seem to have the greatest proportion of delays, and much greater volume of traffic. This stands to reason because there are so many commuters to the suburbs here. I can't say that driving straight through ATL has ever been a problem for us.
Therefore, drive straight through the city on I-75 as well, and use the HOV lane.

 

[Poohs Pal]

Went in to AAA this morning with DSIS and asked about this, was told to stay on I75. I agree with Yzma and Kronk, don't bother with the bypass unless it's FRIDAY !!!!! Susan

 

[DVC Grandpa]

Poohs Pal - Susan, We will be driving to somewhere north of Atlanta on Thursday but come Friday morning we will be going thru Atlanta...most likely not durning the morning rush. Still stay on I 75 at that time of day?

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

DVC Grandpa - I-75 through the city anytime outside of rush hour should be fine. Again, use the HOV lane.
Also, tune into AM750, they give the best traffic reports in case there are any delays or accidents. The reports can be a bit confusing if you aren't from around here (it took me awhile) but just listen for anything mentioning I-75 - (Grady Curve is I-75 right downtown) and you should be fine.
We actually drove to WDW and left North Georgia on a Friday morning at 7:30 in May, and it actually wasn't that bad. We used the HOV (of course) and while other lanes were stopped we drove right through.
Have a safe and good drive!

 

[Poohs Pal]

DVC Grandpa: I have a book called along I75 by Dave Hunter( a must have IMHO). It states 6:30am-9:30am, afternoon, 4:00pm(2pm on friday)-6:30p avoid Atlanta and take the by-pass. I think yzma & kronk and their suggestion about the HOV is a great idea. If your an early riser when traveling I would try to hit that whole area by 5:30a. If you are concerned about the drive through and want to take the bypass it's only 5 extra miles. The one time we took the bypass for some reason it just seemed to take alot longer then staying on I75. Could be that everyone was driving soooo much faster on I75. I will be driving through the area the day after Thanksgiving and I plan on staying on I75 and it will be about 2pm. Susan

 

[FloridaCat]

That is strange routing as there is a lot of construction in the Jacksonville area. No big delays exept rush hour.

I drive back to my home state, IL and I always stay on I-75 through ATL. I do take the Macon bypass.

 

[DVC Grandpa]

Thanks All...We should get to Dalton, GA our first day so if things go right, we should leave Dalton around 8am and be thru Atlanta during the late morning missing any rush hour traffic.

 

[Belle1962]

Hi--I live south of Dalton & North of Atlanta. If you are leaving Dalton at 8:00 am on a Friday you should probably try to catch a traffic report before hitting the road. It is possible to get stuck in late morning traffic as late as 9:30 am.

Also--I agree with other posters: take the I75 HOV lanes right through town and then the bypass around Macon (follow the FLORIDA signs).

Depending on where you stay, the hotel may have a "business center" and let you use the internet that morning to check the I75 website mentioned above for up to the minute reports on construction.

Stop at the GA Welcome Center and pick up a state map. If you do hit construction you may be able to jump off I75 and use an alternate road for a few miles and then get back onto I75.

 

[FloridaCat]

I made the mistake of staying north of Atlanta one time on my trips from IL. Never again, I get to the intersection of the Macon bypass &I-75, or Tifton, my favorite.
With the rush hour traffic and the way I-75 lanes jump around, it is not worth t.