Driving through/around Atlanta?

[deadheadbelle]

Hey everyone!

We are driving to WDW next week. We have driven 2 times before, but I have a question for some of you expert I-75 drivers. When I print out directions through Mapquest, it says to:

6. Merge onto I-75 S toward Richmond/Knoxville......446.6 miles

7. Merge onto I-475 S/GA-408 S via exit number 177 toward Valdosta....15.5 miles

8. Merge onto I-75 S....300.9 miles.


So, here's my question. Why am I getting off of I-75 to get on the bypass (I-475), only to return to I-75 15 miles later. We are driving through the night, so traffic should not be a factor. Is it really quicker to take the bypass rather than just stay on I-75 the whole way?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Poohs Pal]

If you are doing Atlanta at night I would stay on I-75. I have only done the by-pass on a Friday afternoon and even that was crazy, but much better than through Atlanta. Susan

 

[BennettsMom]

I would take I-475, it takes you around the city of Macon and to me it is shorter that going through it. I have traveled this way many times and I would not think of going any other way.

 

[GaTech]

Originally posted by BennettsMom
I would take I-475, it takes you around the city of Macon and to me it is shorter that going through it. I have traveled this way many times and I would not think of going any other way.

I agree, take I-475 no matter what time of day you are traveling through Macon. It is shorter, has more lanes, has less traffic and the road is in better condition. Follow the link to see how I-475 cuts the corner near Macon...Link

Your route through/around Atlanta is your issue. Avoid Atlanta anywhere near rush hour and stay on I-75. If you make it to Atlanta during rush hour, I suggest a nice sit down restaurant.

 

[deadheadbelle]

Originally posted by GaTech
I agree, take I-475 no matter what time of day you are traveling through Macon. It is shorter, has more lanes, has less traffic and the road is in better condition. Follow the link to see how I-475 cuts the corner near Macon...Link

Your route through/around Atlanta is your issue. Avoid Atlanta anywhere near rush hour and stay on I-75. If you make it to Atlanta during rush hour, I suggest a nice sit down restaurant.

Aha! I just assumed the I-475 thing was around Atlanta. It's Macon? Oh. Gotcha. Thanks for the information. BTW, we will be not me anywhere near Atlanta during Rush hour.

 

[GaTech]

How about a Braves-Red Sox World Series?

 

[deadheadbelle]

Originally posted by GaTech
How about a Braves-Red Sox World Series?

Sounds perfect to me!

GO RED SOX !!!!

 

[soupy11]

Hi there,

We are going to be driving thru Atlanta on I75 next Friday, October 8th at approx 11am to 12pm. Would you consider taking the detour around the city at this time? Thanks very much.

 

[GaTech]

Originally posted by soupy11
Hi there,

We are going to be driving thru Atlanta on I75 next Friday, October 8th at approx 11am to 12pm. Would you consider taking the detour around the city at this time? Thanks very much.

You will be fine at that time.

 

[Poohs Pal]

OPPS, I thought you were asking about Atlanta. I always by pass Macon ,less miles. Susan

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

deadheadbelle, we go about the same way that you are saying. 65 thru Louisville to Nashville
24 to Chattanooga
75 thru Atlanta

I used to drive many miles out of my way to avoid Atlanta as I hated the bypass until some kind soul on the DIS gave me the best advice ever. Since then I make sure to get to Atlanta before or after rush hour (although I have bit the bullet and done it when necessary) and take 75 straight through. Stay in the middle lane and it keeps splitting off until you are through. I would rather suffer for 10-15 minutes than the length of time it took me to take 475 which was crazy in the past (might have improved since??). The only bypass on the trip worth taking is the Macon bypass and it is easy. I am not the world's best city driver and I can handle this drive so it must not be too bad.

Best wishes for a safe and fun trip. Make sure to pick up a motel coupon book at the state line and you can save big bucks as well.

SG/Linda

 

[GaTech]

One more advantage to taking I-75 through Atlanta is the HOV lane. With 2 or more people you can ride in the far left lane and it will save you time when traffic builds up. Just remember, the HOV police are watching so only enter/exit the lane at the dashed striping. Crossing the solid striping will get you a ticket.

 

[deadheadbelle]

Thanks for the tips everyone!!!

1 week to go!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

GaTech, is there a certain lane I could get into when I enter Atlanta from the north so that I would not have to keep changing lanes back and forth to get through? Not only would it help me but it will be of immeasurable help to all the poor locals who have to put up with my frequent changes.

BTW, does the HOV lane go clear through as I want? You can only enter and exit on the dashed striping? I learn something new everyday. TY from your country bumpkin friend.

SG/Linda

 

[GaTech]

Originally posted by SlightlyGoofy
GaTech, is there a certain lane I could get into when I enter Atlanta from the north so that I would not have to keep changing lanes back and forth to get through? Not only would it help me but it will be of immeasurable help to all the poor locals who have to put up with my frequent changes.

BTW, does the HOV lane go clear through as I want? You can only enter and exit on the dashed striping? I learn something new everyday. TY from your country bumpkin friend.

SG/Linda

The HOV lane is your best bet. "LUV the HOV" The limits of the HOV lane on I-75 are from I-285(the perimeter) on the north side to a couple of miles south of I-285 on the south side. If you are passing through at non-rush hour the HOV doesn't make much difference. To make it through without changing lanes often, just stay to the left.

Another tip, if you want traffic information on any of the Interstates in GA you can call the State Transportation Management Center. When I am on a trip I call and ask if there are any incidents or construction delays on my route. It is very helpful!!!

To report or request information on traffic conditions or incidents, please call our TMC Customer Service Representatives at:
Cingular or Verizon wireless customers: dial *DOT
AT&T wireless customers: dial #DOT
Landline and other wireless carriers: dial 404-635-6800
Tollfree: dial 1-888-635-8287

Here is the Georgia Navigator website...
Georgia Navigator

I hope this helps!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

GATech, I have another stupid question. (sigh) I usually stay in the middle lane as 75 keeps splitting off from time to time and am wondering if I am in the HOV far left lane if I might not be put in a position to have to switch several lanes at the splits. I only ask because I am not the most confident driver and am careful to be extra safe so that I will never hurt anyone else. I have never had an accident that was my fault although I have been hit twice by others while I was sitting still. LOL

I always watch out for driver's with out of area licenses around here so that I can give them a break but unfortunately sometimes that does not happen in very busy urban areas, especially when you guys are running late for work or just getting off work and wanting to make it home in a hurry. LOL

SG/Linda

 

[chesirekate]

I agree to take I-75 straight through Atlanta if you're giong through at night, and to take the bypass around Macon (shorter than going through Macon). We went through Atlanta at about 6:30 in the evening on a Monday and only got tied up for 5-10 minutes, so it should be even faster later at night. I did notice all of the right lane break-offs you mentioned, I had to keep merging to the left to get out of the Exit Only lane. I did finally move over like three lanes at one time so I didn't keep getting caught in the break-offs.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

chesirekate, that is my strategy as well. just stay in the middle to avoid the off ramps and turn onlys and keep some space between me and the car in front to keep from being the wreck in the middle. LOL

We will be going through late on Sunday going down so that should be pretty easy but when we return (on a Wednesday) it will be dicey. Going to leave the resort earlier than we usually do and should be alright. Have done it before and should be able to do it yet again. Worth the pain at the end of the journey.

Can't wait for the day that they promised me decades ago when I will be able to put my vehicle on the automated roadway and watch tv while computers send us safely to our destination. LOL

SG/Linda

 

[GaTech]

Originally posted by SlightlyGoofy
GATech, I have another stupid question. (sigh) I usually stay in the middle lane as 75 keeps splitting off from time to time and am wondering if I am in the HOV far left lane if I might not be put in a position to have to switch several lanes at the splits.
SG/Linda

If you take the HOV you can stay in it without switching lanes all the way through Atlanta. If you are going through at night when there is no traffic and you are in the middle lanes, you will have to do some switching along the way. The one down side to the HOV, when the traffic is light and everyone is moving pretty fast, you will find people wanting drive even faster in the HOV lane.

Keep the Atlanta traffic questions coming but I may be able to respond for a few days.(see my counter below!!!) After lunch today I am gone for business then come back just in time to pack for Disney.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

GaTech, we will following right behind you. We leave Sunday. Thanks for all the great information. If you ever need info on Indiana let me know. LOL

SG/Linda