Atlanta, is traffic really that bad?

[JB2K]

I've done the I-75 pass-through, a couple of times driving to/from WDW.

For my St. Louis friends, Atlanta traffic is comparable to North St. Louis County (talking Hazelwood, Boeing plant, etc.).

 

[Lemurone]

Yes, it's awful, but MARTA stinks too. Don't expect to just shoot down the line to your destination. You'll wait unless you're super lucky with timing. Taking MARTA from Buckhead to Alpharetta saves me no time over driving, which is insane as I see the traffic stopped from my moving train window. If there's a major event going on, you will not want to drive near it. If you need MARTA late at night, chances are you'll have to transfer trains so add a lot of time on for that. We moved here from NYC and almost want to cry at how bad MARTA is. We'd rather use the gas $ and pay for parking to go downtown in most cases.

 

[kydisneyfans]

We visited Atlanta during March madness basketball week this year and went to the Fri-Sun games at the Georgia Dome. We also went down to the World of Coke and the Aquarium on Saturday.

Parking was $10, which wasn't bad in my opinion. We spend more to park at Disney. Saw several lots in that price range. It was quick in and out too.

We pricelined Courtyard by Marriott by Cumberland Mall for $45 a night and drove downtown. Really had no problem on any of the 3 trips down and back. If anything, traffic was flowing too fast for my comfort zone.

There are plenty of places to walk to from the dome if you need a break, the CNN center food court is a short walk, many sit down restaurants are a few blocks away.

If you've never been to the World of Coke, I highly recommend it.

 

[dsanner106]

I live in atl and have for 25 years, and travel for a living. I think unfamiliarity with the city makes traffic issues seem worse. Atl is like every major city I have traveled in, if you don't know your way around. I rarely sit in traffic to compare with chicago, NY, Detroit, Houston, Dallas, LA, SF. All cities I frequent. You are here on the weekend so there is no rush hour. You will have no problem all the way to the dome. Parking there is not bad, lots of adjacent parking all in the 10 dollar range. You can walk from there to a lot of downtown atl attractions so the mid day break should be fine. Cumberland is not too far to commute in. If you were here during the week, the smart thing to do is NOT stay in Buckhead, Marrietta, Alpharetta etc. That is the worst part of town for traffic. I life 40 miles south of town and a 45 min. commute to downtown. My co-worker from Alpharetta lived 18 miles out and commuted an hour and 25 minutes. You just have to research your trips and you can take the traffic out of almost any big city. We were at the dome for a convention recently and walked to the World of Coke, Georgia Aquarium, up to the hard rock for lunch, CNN for a tour etc easily. Have fun and good luck.
Drew in Ga

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

Atlanta traffic is a nightmare, especially in the downtown area near the Dome and the streets are narrow and crossways and you can get turned around very quickly. Parking is crazy, but it's better to pay to park somewhere then leave your vehicle in an open lot.

The HOV lanes have been changed in some areas recently and you have to have some kind of Peach Pass in some stretches of Interstate.

The only time I haven't seen nightmarish traffic in Atlanta was this past New Years Eve just after midnight, we went to the Chik-fil-a Bowl and we left just after midnight and there were hardly any cars on the Interstate. I asked DH if he was sure we were still in Atlanta.

If you do the speed limit, you will get runover, just a warning.

 

[dakcp2001]

We go to a few Braves games every yr and stay in Alpharetta at a really nice Suites by Marriott. It is always clean, quiet and very reasonable. The staff is very friendly, free breakfast. $50-60 per night with AAA rate. Takes us about 35 mins to drive to stadium on hwy. Ga Dome is probably 5 mins closer to Alpharetta. If you allow time to drive, its not as bad. If you wait to last min., asking for it. Anywhere I go in Atl.,allow time and not as stressful.

As someone who lived in Alpharetta and commuted to the city, it takes a LOT longer than 35 minutes on a good day. You might get lucky on a weekend, but it took me well over an hour to get to the city from Alpharetta. It is a nice place to stay though, clean and safer area.

 

[KigerKat]

Yes, it is. I have lived all over the metro area and have had all kinds of nightmarish commutes. I started in Hampton, commuting to Norcross. Then I moved to Norcross and commuted to Kennesaw. Then I lived in Kennesaw and commuted back to Norcross. I have never had blood pressure problems until I moved here, and I know it's because of the traffic. I now live near Gainesville, and there is no way I will ever drive farther south than Lawrenceville ever again.

The good thing I can tell you is that weekends aren't too bad for downtown traffic. Weekdays, the roads are bogged down with commuters from the surrounding area since there are no other options other than driving for most of us. The only thing you need to watch out for is if there are a large number of other events going on the same weekend. Also, it seems like we have had a number of overturned tractor trailers around here lately that have held up traffic for hours. Unfortunately, there's no way to plan for that!

A warning for you about the HOT lanes: on I-85 in Gwinnett County (this is where the HOT lanes begin when coming from Raleigh), you must have at least 3 passengers to be free, and you still need a Peach Pass to ride in them and avoid fines. It's probably just best not to use them.

As former clarinet player, I wish your daughter luck!

 

[MTAPierce]

I've been to several large sporting events at the GA Dome. The last was the SEC Championship game a couple years back with Auburn was playing South Carolina. On those occasions we stay close to the dome and walk it. It's just way too congested otherwise.

However, for any other trip we've made to Atlanta (we live relatively close) we've always driven in if we were going somewhere (Coke, Aquarium, Etc.) So, if this is a large competition, you may want to stay close enough to walk, otherwise, I think you'll be fine if you are comfortable driving in traffic.

 

[lovebuzz]

Thanks Nature Mom! The hotel dh wants is the Embassy Suites, next to the Perimeter mall. If the MARTA is close, we might do that instead of fighting every other band parent/bus to the stadium. Word has it that we might have gotten the 7am competition slot!! ::::gulp::: That would have us at the stadium from 6am to close to midnight if we stayed all day. I am feeling we'll need to escape at some point for a few hours!

I work right by the Embassy Suites at perimeter. The Marta station is only a few blocks away and within walking distance. It is a great location, very safe with a lot of shopping and dining places. Plus perimeter mall has one of the new disneystores that is interactive. If you have any questions feel free to ask. Personally I don't think traffic is that bad. As long as you do not drive during peak times you will be ok.

 

[Priorityonecb]

Thanks LoveBuzz, great recommendation!! I went ahead and booked that one last night. Dh promised me he will not let us be late, and will handle all the driving. I figured it was best to keep him happy! Ohhh...interactive Disney store! I like the sound of that!

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I work right by the Embassy Suites at perimeter. The Marta station is only a few blocks away and within walking distance. It is a great location, very safe with a lot of shopping and dining places. Plus perimeter mall has one of the new disneystores that is interactive. If you have any questions feel free to ask. Personally I don't think traffic is that bad. As long as you do not drive during peak times you will be ok.

We went to that Disney store recently, and I can't say that I was impressed. It didn't seem any different than the previous Disney store. The kids in there weren't even paying attention to the interactive areas.

 

[SweetPeasMom2]

FYI, I don't think Marta starts running until 6am. So you might want to confirm that. It won't be a quick 5-10 min ride. Could be as much as 45 min or so. I am not sure w/that line though (it's 1hr from Dunwoody to Airport).

That area (where the Embassy is) is a good area and you'll enjoy having the mall right there.

If you decide to drive, it won't be too too bad.

 

[Priorityonecb]

Thanks SweetPeasMom2! How long would you all leave to get from the Embassy Suites to the stadium on a early Saturday morning, with a big competition being held there? I wondered too if the MARTA will run that early. I am really hoping we get a more reasonable start time than 7am!

We plan to do a dry run trip on Friday after we arrive. However, I assume Friday night traffic will be far worse than Saturday morning!

 

[LovesTimone]

Save yourselve the headache, stay downtown. You do not want to use the marta, its not very family friendly, people asking for money, not a good feeling late at night. BE very careful were you park in and around the dome, pay for parking!!! On the walking, be ready to walk lots of walking. There are some good places to eat in the downtown area, some are a bit pricey, just saying.

I live in what they consider metro Atlanta area, we are to the north of Atlanta, but I live outside the perimeter, which is good. 85 is insane. Check for Braves games, football, college and pro, that will really add to your time if you decided to stay away from downtown.

 

[Priorityonecb]

So many anti-MARTA. We've traveled all over, is it any better/worse than subways in DC or NYC? Reading so many hotel reviews the last week, and hearing of scary neighborhoods and places you wouldn't want to be at night. I am surprised! I never have thought of Atlanta as "dangerous"! I guess I've spent too much time in Savannah!

 

[DeltaDiamond001]

I live in Atlanta.

Yes, the traffic is just as bad as you've heard.

It's the busiest from 6-10AM and 4:30-8PM. The freeways turn in to giant parking lots, and the side streets are jam packed.

Buckhead and Midtown are almost always busy.

For a Saturday morning game, I'd leave at least 1.5 hours early. If something were to happen, you'd have ample time to readjust your plans.

Allow at least two hours after the game for lunch/dinner plans. Coming out of the stadium is RIDICULOUS.

 

[Priorityonecb]

You guys are great! Please forgive another question. The distance from Aquarium/World of Coke looks walkable to the stadium. Is that accurate? What about parking there (likely where we will go for mid day break) at one of the underground garages and just walking to the stadium? Logical or insane?

 

[tadamom]

Honestly, you can never predict the traffic here. I say rush hour is 24 hours a day, I know that it is really not but all it takes is one crazy driver to shut everything down! Also, any road work tends to be done at night and on the weekends to keep from having to deal with the workweek. The Dunwoody area is a great area and if it were me, I would probably just use MARTA (I believe it starts running at 5am). There is lots of shopping in that area and one of the stops is at Perimeter Mall.
I'm not sure how much walking that would be to go from the Dome to the World Of Coke/Aquarium, I don't think I would do it.
Also, be aware if you do take MARTA that after certain times in the evening different lines shut down so there will be transfers you will have to make. I don't know if they would effect you but check it out to make sure.

 

[Swimalie]

So many anti-MARTA. We've traveled all over, is it any better/worse than subways in DC or NYC? Reading so many hotel reviews the last week, and hearing of scary neighborhoods and places you wouldn't want to be at night. I am surprised! I never have thought of Atlanta as "dangerous"! I guess I've spent too much time in Savannah!

My sister was robbed at the Marta Little Five Points station. Watch your back on Marta. When I rode it alone at age 19 my mom made me carry pepper spray. I now live near DC and have yet to take Metro. But when we lived in Portland, OR we took Max almost daily and felt safe. Marta is another story.