Birmingham-Atlanta-Orlando road trippers

[Jalva22]

For anyone that has recently done the route from Birmingham through Atlanta and down to Orlando, my main question is just how stressful is it to negotiate Atlanta? My father drove that route about 15 years ago and to this day swears he will never approach Atlanta again. I'm from small town Oklahoma and have driven in Dallas and Denver before, but don't like either place. Trying to decide whether to take that route or go south through Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, etc. Thanks!

 

[clkelley]

We live in North Alabama and frequently use I-20 between B'ham and Atlanta. Although, on my last drive to Florida, I went to Chatanooga instead and picked up I-75 in North Georgia. Seemed to be easier.

Depending on what time you get to Atlanta, it can be very fast, or very slow.

I would NOT get on the circle around Atlanta. Stay on I-20 through downtown, then get on I-75 South. You lose all the big trucks through downtown because they have to take the circle around Atlanta.

Now having said that. The portion of I-20 in Alabama, east of Birmingham is under construction, is very rough, and is a MAJOR speed trap. So you will get beat to death by the road, and will be watched by radar the entire way.

Carol

 

[manning]

My father drove that route about 15 years ago and to this day swears he will never approach Atlanta again.

Many today would be swearing with you dad. I suppose it depends on the time of day. Rush hours, forget it. We went thru there once during rush hour and crawled in the VEH lane.

Alabama is right now cracking down all over on speeding. They are writing record number of tickets.

 

[GEM]

Well, we aren't from there, but we have made that drive many times. We live in Arkansas now, and that is the way we always drive. We work it so that we hit Atlanta at very off times - like the middle of the night or VERY early morning. This isn't a problem for us because we usually drive all night anyway. We've never had any problem with Atlanta, and I second the information above about NOT taking the loop. And, for what it's worth, I grew up in a small town in Oklahoma - Chandler. And I don't find Atlanta too bad at all! Of course, we have also driven in lots of other major cities (New York, Boston, Washington, Houston, London, Paris, etc.) all with no problems. Maybe we're just brave. Or stupid.

 

[Jalva22]

You've got to be kidding me! I was born, raised and to this day live in Chandler! Without posting my name for the world to see, I'll just say my dad owned the Chevy dealership here until he retired in 99.

 

[GEM]

Oh my gosh! I'm certain that we know each other! Isn't that funny. I'll pm you!

Oh, and here's a little hint for you -

My mom is a children's author and taught junior high English in Chandler for many, many years.

 

[melanieewr]

When I can get a hold of DH's log I will write back and let you know some specifics of our trips. We have run the route quite a few times since DH races cars. We almost always do the route you have planned. Do what others have suggested and go through Atlanta either very very early morning or late night and I agree don't go the bypass route. It is so long! We ALWAYS make a stop in Birmingham at Dreamlands for the best ribs and banana pudding you will ever eat! We usually stop in Dothan AL to spend the night.

 

[GaTech]

I'm from Atlanta and the best advice I can give you is... STAY AWAY FROM ATLANTA AT RUSH HOUR!!! Let me clarify that, RUSH HOURS and 20 miles either side of I-285(the circle is really called the perimeter). Time your trip to avoid Atlanta from 6-10am and 3-7pm. The best way to remember this is try to go through Atlanta at night. On a positive note, the worst traffic in Atlanta is on the North side.

Another TIP, get gas in Georgia. We have some of the lowest gas prices.

 

[manning]

Gas prices... That's for sure. Same for Alabama. You go into florida and the price spikes up high then drifts down the further south you go.