Atlanta Traffic on The Drive

[bj21]

We are driving down I75 to get to The World. We should hit Orlando around midday on a Sunday, avoiding rush hour, but I've heard horror stories of dead standstills in ATL. Is there a good way to get around the city, or should I just take the rte mapquest is sending me, and plow right through? What have been the experiences of others?

 

[MCoryB]

I'd love to know about this as well, since I'll be passing through Atlanta on a Saturday afternoon.

Right now, it's 5pm there, and according to the transit colorization on Google Maps, the majority of the 75 through Atlanta is green, except a relatively small portion colored red. It would be nice if it was equally fine (or better) on the days you and I will be passing through there!

 

[bj21]

I'd love to know about this as well, since I'll be passing through Atlanta on a Saturday afternoon.

Right now, it's 5pm there, and according to the transit colorization on Google Maps, the majority of the 75 through Atlanta is green, except a relatively small portion colored red. It would be nice if it was equally fine (or better) on the days you and I will be passing through there!

Yes it certainly would! I didn't even think to check Google Maps. Thanks for the idea!

 

[MACfamily4]

We drive through Atlanta every year on our way to Florida. The only times I remember not being at a dead standstill or at least significantly slowed down for traffic at some point were when we hit the city between 3-5 a.m. (This is one of the reasons we became all-night drivers - avoid St. Louis and Atlanta traffic). If you hit Atlanta in a storm, add two hours.

Having said that, we've never tried to find an alternate route. I would be interested to know if there's a better way.

 

[Lori1960]

It all depends when you get into Atlanta.I would try to get to Atlanta after 10.00am and before 3:00 pm.

 

[Belle1962]

Local here. During the weekday I would avoid any time frame 7 -10:30 am and 2:00 - 7:00 pm. On weekends, when we travel to FL we usually hit the city around 9 am. However, we do go through the city for other reasons than going to FL. We have , luckily, not had any major issues. A longer but alternate route would be 285 around the city. And it has it's own traffic problems. Before leaving home check the GA Navigator website for any construction that may be happening. They usually list when they expect traffic to be heavy due to special events. I would also check the Braves home schedule.

 

[bj21]

We drive through Atlanta every year on our way to Florida. The only times I remember not being at a dead standstill or at least significantly slowed down for traffic at some point were when we hit the city between 3-5 a.m. (This is one of the reasons we became all-night drivers - avoid St. Louis and Atlanta traffic). If you hit Atlanta in a storm, add two hours.

Having said that, we've never tried to find an alternate route. I would be interested to know if there's a better way.

I actually lived in St. Louis for several years and didn't think traffic was that bad except during rush hour. I've heard about several-hour dead stand-stills in Atlanta though. Not looking forward to that!

Local here. During the weekday I would avoid any time frame 7 -10:30 am and 2:00 - 7:00 pm. On weekends, when we travel to FL we usually hit the city around 9 am. However, we do go through the city for other reasons than going to FL. We have , luckily, not had any major issues. A longer but alternate route would be 285 around the city. And it has it's own traffic problems. Before leaving home check the GA Navigator website for any construction that may be happening. They usually list when they expect traffic to be heavy due to special events. I would also check the Braves home schedule.

This had crossed my mind. Lucky me, they have a game at 1:35 that day- almost exactly when I plan to come through.

 

[ty93850]

go through early in am ie 2am
. I never slow below 70 mph at that time.

 

[HappyGal]

Barring a Braves game, weekends should be fine anytime!

 

[Dismom55]

Your question is relative, I am from the Dayton area and hate the Atlanta traffic because all those lanes terrify me, but I do it each time without incident. I have driven thru it at night, during the traffic for a Braves game, in the middle of rush hour and middle of the weekend. Just be prepared for anything, take a break slightly before you get to that point, relax and make the best of what ever you find. If you are from a big city it will not bother you, if you are from a city the size of Dayton, you will be amazed the people put up with all this everyday. Me I was agog at all the lanes going the same direction at one time, but made my way and wished my hubby was doing the driving.

 

[CatNipRules]

I hate Atlanta traffic and try to avoid it at all costs. When we moved to Alabama, we hit Atlanta at 3 in the morning to avoid all of the traffic.

We went to the zoo there one weekend and at 10 in the morning it was at a dead standstill. I vowed to never do it again. Which is why we are flying as well as a number of other things. LOL!!

 

[weezyree]

No way around it without driving a tons of miles and there is a lot of construction going on in the entire area. The same time spent trying to avoid it may as well be spent in it.

Good luck and safe travels!

 

[bj21]

go through early in am ie 2am
. I never slow below 70 mph at that time.

Wish we could do this but there's no way. I have horrible night vision and DH can't stay awake. Plus neither of us sleep well in the car.

 

[Belle1962]

link to GA Navigator(traffic) website. You can also call dialing 511 while you are in the state.

http://www.georgia-navigator.com/

 

[emksmama]

We've driven through Atlanta 3 times, and the best was last summer, we hit it around 11pm on Friday night and flew right through (the Friday of Memorial Day weekend even!) and then coming back, it was around dusk on a Saturday, so maybe 9ish? Again, no trouble. First two times through ATL we hit HORRIBLE HORRIBLE traffic. Once I bailed off and ended up on wacky two lane roads with construction...never again. Another time we were heading home (Indiana) and DH decided to take 285 for the bypass. Never again...it was during a rainstorm, and we were at a standstill. I have family in Gainesville, and they told us to forget the bypass, forget alternate routes, just plow through on 75 and avoid rush hour/Braves traffic if possible.

This year we hope to hit Atlanta around midnight on a Saturday night, and the only thing we are watching for is to make sure I wake up our 9 year old DD...she was entranced by the city lights last summer and can't wait to see them again!

 

[finaldynasty]

Driving through the city on 75 on Sunday morning should be fine...I would avoid Sunday's between 8-11 am when folks are headed to church. I would also agree that detouring to 285 is a crap shoot. I live in an eastern suburb of Atlanta and drive through the city every day for work and alot of weekends for family obligations and most Sundays are rather mild barring construction, which they won't have downtown for a while...

 

[AshleeH]

We hate Atlanta traffic - on some trips to Florida (not Orlando) we've taken the alternate route through Birmingham and much prefer that drive!

For Orlando or other trips that take us through Atlanta, we use the bypass. Adds a few minutes of driving time, but we've never had a problem with it (vs. the numerous traffic jams we've been in whenever trying to go through the city at all hours).

 

[stmize]

if there are 2 or more in the car hit the hover lane on 1-75 it will take you straight thru to the other side of Atl. it's moving even if all the other lanes are at a stand still.

 

[firecracker725]

I would discourage you from using the "bypass". That road is actually much busier than the connector (75/85) that runs directly through the city. Sundays should be perfectly clear.

 

[Dismom55]

if there are 2 or more in the car hit the hover lane on 1-75 it will take you straight thru to the other side of Atl. it's moving even if all the other lanes are at a stand still.

That is good to know, we do not have this hover lane, how is it marked? I would love to know so I will recognize it and use it the very next time I go thru Atlanta. We do not have such a thing in our town and I do not remember seeing it when there. Thanks for the tip.