Atlanta Traffic on The Drive

[MCoryB]

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.

I've never heard an HOV lane being called a hover lane, but I like that. I'll definitely use it when I go through there in September.

 

[My_3_Mi_Princesses]

Hi all. After reading this thread I just decided to check to see if there is an Atlanta Braves game next Friday night. Sure enough the time I have us planning to get to Atlanta, between 6-8pm, there is a home game at 7:30pm.

So I guess a question for the local people or anybody really, how bad will this affect traffic? Should I try to get there before 6 and risk tougher rush hour traffic? Or should I try to get there more towards 8 and risk game time traffic???

Any advice would be appreciated! TIA

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I've never heard an HOV lane being called a hover lane, but I like that. I'll definitely use it when I go through there in September.

Local here - you now have to have a Peach Pass to drive in the HOV lane. Those lanes are now toll only and there is no option to pay it manually. So don't use it - you will find a ticket in the mail when you get home if you do drive it without the Peach Pass.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Hi all. After reading this thread I just decided to check to see if there is an Atlanta Braves game next Friday night. Sure enough the time I have us planning to get to Atlanta, between 6-8pm, there is a home game at 7:30pm.

So I guess a question for the local people or anybody really, how bad will this affect traffic? Should I try to get there before 6 and risk tougher rush hour traffic? Or should I try to get there more towards 8 and risk game time traffic???

Any advice would be appreciated! TIA

It's going to be a mess no matter what for you that Friday.

I would change my plan and try to go through Atlanta about 4pm. That will help some even though the traffic is going to be heavy at 4pm too it will be moving unless there is a big accident.

I definitely wouldn't want to be stuck in the game traffic. I did that by accident once and it was nearly a standstill for an hour.

Good luck!

 

[firecracker725]

Local here - you now have to have a Peach Pass to drive in the HOV lane. Those lanes are now toll only and there is no option to pay it manually. So don't use it - you will find a ticket in the mail when you get home if you do drive it without the Peach Pass.

That's only for I85 north of Spaghetti Junction. The remainder of I85 and I75 are the standard HOV lanes, including the connector.

 

[bj21]

We went through today (Sunday) about 12:15pm and flew right through. We did use the HOV lane and I sure hope we don't get a ticket in the mail! There was even a Braves game at 1:35, but it was rainy and from what I hear the Braves aren't exactly having a banner season, so it didn't seem to affect the traffic at all.

 

[Belle1962]

Local here - you now have to have a Peach Pass to drive in the HOV lane. Those lanes are now toll only and there is no option to pay it manually. So don't use it - you will find a ticket in the mail when you get home if you do drive it without the Peach Pass.


The pay lanes are only on 85 south. if you are doing I 75 you will not have any tolls. (I travel it every day into the city on my vanpool)

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

That's only for I85 north of Spaghetti Junction. The remainder of I85 and I75 are the standard HOV lanes, including the connector.

Ha!
I knew that ticket my husband got on the connector was for speeding and not because he hadn't paid for the Peach Pass yet. He wouldn't let me see it - he just said he got a ticket and said that was why. Gotcha!

I guess I should let it go but it is fun knowing I was most likely right. I think he hid the ticket someplace because I sure didn't see it in the paperwork I filed yesterday.

 

[My_3_Mi_Princesses]

It's going to be a mess no matter what for you that Friday.

I would change my plan and try to go through Atlanta about 4pm. That will help some even though the traffic is going to be heavy at 4pm too it will be moving unless there is a big accident.

I definitely wouldn't want to be stuck in the game traffic. I did that by accident once and it was nearly a standstill for an hour.

Good luck!

Thanks! I kinda figured this when I saw there was a game. I think getting there at 4 pm is impossible, well just not probable. Just one quick follow-up if possible, do you think in this instance it would be better to take the bypass? Again Thank you

 

[CouponCon]

We usually do a bathroom break before we hit Atlanta and make sure the van is fueled up...one time we hit it and it was stand-still traffic...this past spring break we had traffic, but it was moving right along....surprised me too since we were hitting it at quitting time. Good Luck!

 

[LovesTimone]

Hey... Check out the transportation board, I just posted some issues and suggestions for GA.

Drive the speed limit in GA.....

 

[Dismom55]

I guess I need to make my AAA pay for itself before I leave for WDW and check and double check with GA to be sure the rules have not changed because it is down I75 all the way for us and I certainly do not want to come home and find out I have added to my expense by finding a ticket in the mail.

 

[cjlvsccm]

OP - We always use the HOV lane straight through on I75, all times of the day, and have never had a problem. Just put on the cruise control, but still watch out for goobers. Most people obey the rule of not crossing the solid double lines, but there sometimes are some who try to enter the HOV lane when it's not the proper place.

I'm glad to hear that the new Peach Pass toll isn't on that road after all!

A pp mentioned a Bham route to skip Atl... it's all personal preference of course, but we HATE the Bham route! From where we are in North AL, it's much better for us to go up to Chattanooga to pick up I75. Happens to be within 5 miles of the same total distance as the Bham way, so it's a no brainer for us.

just my .02

 

[Suz333]

I do not recommend trying to use the bypass on a Friday afternoon around 4pm. My personal name for that situation is "the circular parking lot".

I think 8pm is more likely to be okay than 4pm. Local radio station AM750 has traffic updates every ten minutes or so. Heads up, it has a lot of talk radio.

Some local trafic terms:

"The perimeter" - I-285, what is being referenced as a bypass, a rough circle shape around the city. The big semi's that aren't making local stops HAVE to be on the perimeter, so I285 has far more truck traffic than going straight thru town.

"Inner loop" - that's the part of the perimeter that goes clockwise. If you are coming down I-85 into Atlanta, you would be travelling the inner loop, along the northeast section of the perimeter, down to I-675, then to I-75. The exit from I-85 to I-285 is a mess called "Spaghetti junction", and then you will likely get caught in a big traffic jam before Memorial drive if you are in afternoon rush hour.

"Outer loop" - the part of the perimeter that goes counter clockwise. I've avoided it during rush hour for a long time ... can't tell you about what the traffic pitfalls are these days.

"The connector" - that's the section of the interstate where I-75 & I-85 are joined. Here's where you find yourself with so many lanes heading in the same direction. It goes right through downtown.

"The Grady curve" - section of the connector close to Grady hospital ... this is just north of I-20. (I-20 runs east-west thru the city, south-ish end of downtown)

Rush hour - it really starts earlier on Fridays than other days of the week (so many people trying to beat rush hour that they just cause it to start earlier). Anything after 3 is risking traffic.

Good luck! I suggest saving your favorite Disney music for going thru Atlanta - at least you can distract yourself singing along to something fun

 

[monymony3471]

This was very informative, thanks to all the "locals" for posting their great suggestions and everyone else for asking what we are all thinking.

Can't wait to hit the road in August!

I personally feel in awe driving through Atlanta. That's one BIG city!

 

[kelleyrn2000]

I do not recommend trying to use the bypass on a Friday afternoon around 4pm. My personal name for that situation is "the circular parking lot".

I think 8pm is more likely to be okay than 4pm. Local radio station AM750 has traffic updates every ten minutes or so. Heads up, it has a lot of talk radio.

Some local trafic terms:

"The perimeter" - I-285, what is being referenced as a bypass, a rough circle shape around the city. The big semi's that aren't making local stops HAVE to be on the perimeter, so I285 has far more truck traffic than going straight thru town.

"Inner loop" - that's the part of the perimeter that goes clockwise. If you are coming down I-85 into Atlanta, you would be travelling the inner loop, along the northeast section of the perimeter, down to I-675, then to I-75. The exit from I-85 to I-285 is a mess called "Spaghetti junction", and then you will likely get caught in a big traffic jam before Memorial drive if you are in afternoon rush hour.

"Outer loop" - the part of the perimeter that goes counter clockwise. I've avoided it during rush hour for a long time ... can't tell you about what the traffic pitfalls are these days.

"The connector" - that's the section of the interstate where I-75 & I-85 are joined. Here's where you find yourself with so many lanes heading in the same direction. It goes right through downtown.

"The Grady curve" - section of the connector close to Grady hospital ... this is just north of I-20. (I-20 runs east-west thru the city, south-ish end of downtown)

Rush hour - it really starts earlier on Fridays than other days of the week (so many people trying to beat rush hour that they just cause it to start earlier). Anything after 3 is risking traffic.

Good luck! I suggest saving your favorite Disney music for going thru Atlanta - at least you can distract yourself singing along to something fun

Thanks for the info! We are going to hit Atlanta around 2pm on a Friday afternoon. We're planning to drive through as opposed to the bypass. How bad do you think traffic will be around 1:30-2pm? Thanks!

 

[bj21]

We didn't hit any real traffic on the way back either! Went through around 1pm on a monday. I'm still not sure how we got so lucky in ATL!!!

And definitely drive the speed limit in GA and FL! I have never seen so many cops with people pulled over in my life. Good thing my DH drove and not me!

 

[Goofy's_Biggest_Fan]

We've gone straight through Atlanta dozens of times over the years. We drive down I-75 from just north of Cincinnati. You WILL hit some traffic at all times of the day. Fortunately, the really heavy afternoon traffic doesn't hit until about 3:00 PM. Our goal (driving southbound) is to get by the airport exits by 3:00 PM, and you will miss the worst of the traffic. We've never had too much problems ever on Saturdays or Sundays. Headed northbound, I would try to get to the north side of Atlanta by about 3:00 PM.

Of course, accidents can slow you down any time.

Growing up, my mom and dad hated driving through Atlanta so bad, that my dad pulled over and made me drive through Atlanta. I was about 17 at the time. I guess he figured I was too dumb to get nervous! lol!

 

[Dismom55]

What time of day are you getting thru Cincy to get thru Atlanta before 3p? I am in Dayton Area and I also hate driving thru Cincy so we usually leave the Dayton area around 430a on a Sat morning. I know if I hate Cincy traffic, think how much Atlanta bothers me, but I do it just to get to WDW. Am I a nut or what

 

[jenluvs2go2disney]

My DH works in downtown Atl. We live north of the city and he takes I75 daily. Friday rush hour starts early, so the connector(downtown area) will be crowded. Summer traffic is lighter, but when school starts, it does get worse.

I would get there before 3pm or after 8pm to avoid the heavier traffic. It can take my DH 45 minutes up to 1 1/2 hours to go to work or get home depending on time/day on average. If something major is going on, 2-3 hours.

Saturdays and Sundays are fine. We came home this past Sunday from disney and there was no traffic late in the afternoon through ATL.

HOV lane is on the left side after exit 259 or so. Stay left before this exit, exit lanes are the 3 right lanes for I285. Exit 259 is the perimeter exits (I285). There is no toll here and no peach pass is needed. Do not use I285 (it is a parking lot), this is the one road that I always avoid, there always seems to be an accident.

School starts in some counties on August 1st, so traffic will get heavier around this date than it is now.

We left a week ago last monday at 6:45am and it wasn't that bad, we hit a little traffic, but when we went in Sept. at the same time, it was so much worse. We just can't get out of the house much before this with the kids.