Deiving I 75. What times are ideal to travel in Atlanta

[ain0004]

All I have heard from the moment we have elected to drive is how bad Atlanta is. I have been to Atlanta and drive once in Atlanta traffic. What are ideal times that we could travel and avoid this problem

 

[Poohs Pal]

We always stay on I75 when we drive thru Atlanta. Don't use the bypass unless there is a significant problem on I75. If 2 or more people are in your car use the HOV lanes. Watch the HOV as you may accidentally take an exit. If I am driving during a low traffic time I make sure to always stay in the center lane and not bother with HOV lane. Twice I have been stuck in the far right lane and ended up doing a tour of Atlanta..LOL.. I know better now..To monitor traffic as you approach Atlanta use WSB 750 am. I now have Sirius so start monitoring about and hour out. I would avoid driving thru if possible from 6am to 9am and 2pm to 7pm. I try to time it to get thru before morning rush or late evening. Fridays are always bad no matter what time during the day Weekends are a piece of cake if you have ever been stuck in rush hour but it can still be bad. Last time went thru on a Sunday morning about 10am and was surprised how bad traffic was..

 

[grimley1968]

I agree with the previous post except for Fridays. We normally drive through Atlanta just as the pp mentions, and at about 8:30 PM on Friday nights (if going to WDW). The only reason we go very much below the speed limit at this time is because I feel even 45 MPH is a little fast going through a couple of the curves through town. I'm normally being passed by dozens of people who probably don't like me very much at that time. Of course this is well past rush hour.

 

[ain0004]

Thanks for the input. We are driving in the weekend to and from. So hopefully this will help with traffic. Hubby wants to take the bypass. Both suggest avoiding bypass may I ask why?

 

[grimley1968]

Hubby wants to take the bypass. Both suggest avoiding bypass may I ask why?

Because a) I-75 is a straighter shot through the city and b) I-285 is often just as packed or worse than I-75.

 

[Poohs Pal]

Thanks for the input. We are driving in the weekend to and from. So hopefully this will help with traffic. Hubby wants to take the bypass. Both suggest avoiding bypass may I ask why?

Everyone else will be using the bypass including semi's. It actually takes longer then just staying on I75. The weekend is the best time to drive thru Atlanta and yes the locals will be buzzing by you... You didn't ask about the Macon bypass but I am going to give my 2 cents. Take the bypass in Macon to save yourself some extra miles and time.

 

[LadyBeBop]

What days and times would you be going through Atlanta?

For the most part, weekends are fine. Just stay in the HOV/carpool lane on I-75. Do not take the outer belt. However, you may run into traffic just before or after a Braves (baseball) or Falcons (football) game; that's why I'm asking when is your trip?

 

[2girlsmomma]

Biggest advice for Atlanta I can give is to be very alert for upcoming accidents or construction. This is really the only big holdup on weekends, but they can be BIG holdups. I find more delays on the bypass than I do I-75.