How is the drive between HHI and Atlanta GA?

[vbarry]

We are flying to Orlando to get my mickey fix and then driving up to HHI for a week. I can fly home non-stop from Atlanta for $59.00 but wondering how the drive and the traffic was between HHI and Atlanta. The cheapest I can fly home from Savannah is $310 and then it gets cheaper if I choose Charleston or Jacksonville but these are not non-stop flights. Thanks!

 

[SusieBea]

We are flying to Orlando to get my mickey fix and then driving up to HHI for a week. I can fly home non-stop from Atlanta for $59.00 but wondering how the drive and the traffic was between HHI and Atlanta. The cheapest I can fly home from Savannah is $310 and then it gets cheaper if I choose Charleston or Jacksonville but these are not non-stop flights. Thanks!

We drive from southwestern Indiana to Hilton Head about 6 times each year. The drive between HHead and Atlanta takes about 4 hours. The drive between HHead and Macon (I-95 and I-16) is almost always a piece of cake. North of Macon where you pick up I-75, the volume of traffic picks up substantially as you would expect as you come into Atlanta, but is seldom horrendous.

 

[BigEeyore]

For us - it was more like 5 hrs from HHI to Atlanta. As long as you are not in the vicinity of Atlanta between 7-9 am and 4-7 pm traffic is not too bad.
Enjoy HHI - we loved it!

 

[Crystal_27]

As long as you are not in the vicinity of Atlanta between 7-9 am and 4-7 pm traffic is not too bad.
Enjoy HHI - we loved it!

That's actually quite conservative. Our (lovely) Atlanta rush hour typically spans from about 6:15 a.m.-9:30 a.m. and 3:00-7:00 p.m. I've lived in the Atlanta Metro area for 11 years now, and there is very little deviation from that pattern. The good thing is that with schools getting out around the area, you can expect an easier morning rush hour, but unless you want to sit for an undetermined amount of time on the interstates, it would be wise to avoid the times listed above, or at least try and come in on the front ends or back ends of the times. Happy travels!

 

[vbarry]

Is this also true on the weekends. We would be leaving on a Saturday. The nonstop flight would be great with kids but my husband would kill me if we are stuck in a TON of traffic.

 

[dis-happy]

Saturday traffic to the coastal/beach areas in summer is always horrendous (most 7 day rentals begin and end on Saturday). See if you can fly on Friday or Sunday instead if you are going to drive from Atlanta. Another option: look into flying to Columbia SC or Jacksonville FL. Both drives would be shorter than Atlanta.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Also, Atlanta is supposedly a HUGE airport, which is why we've never flown out of it. I hear you about prices to fly out of the different airports-I'm currently looking at different airports to fly from/to at Thanksgiving, and Savannah especially is so expensive. We've flown on connecting flights since 1993 (you can't get almost anywhere from here without changing planes) and although a non-stop is more convenient, changing planes isn't that bad once you get used to it.

 

[SaratogaShan]

Also, Atlanta is supposedly a HUGE airport, which is why we've never flown out of it. I hear you about prices to fly out of the different airports-I'm currently looking at different airports to fly from/to at Thanksgiving, and Savannah especially is so expensive. We've flown on connecting flights since 1993 (you can't get almost anywhere from here without changing planes) and although a non-stop is more convenient, changing planes isn't that bad once you get used to it.

Yes,
Hartsfield-Jackson International is indeed a HUGE airport. It shouldn't intimidate you though. The signage is great. You should be able to figure out where you are going without too much difficulty. I just flew out of Atlanta last week - no problems at all.

 

[vbarry]

Thanks everyone!

If I fly out of Charleston on Airtran I have about a 4 hour wait between flights. If we drive to Jacksonville I have about 50 minutes between flights. Is that long enough? They both connect in Atlanta. Thanks for any info!

 

[SaratogaShan]

I don't think that a 50 minute connection in Atlanta is long enough. That could be very dicey if you have even the slightest delay with your first flight. It takes quite a while to travel from one terminal to another in Atlanta.

 

[deerh]

Hi,
I have lived in the Atlanta area for 29 years. If you travel on a Saturday, LEAVING Atl, leave early in the morning. We are leaving this Sat for our trip to HHI. If LEAVING from HHI, leave when you want to on a Sat, but expect SOME traffic levels to increase at I-285 and I-675 area. Not too bad, but that is close to Atl airport.. Again, YMMV, as you never know when there are wrecks to slow you up... It usually takes ups 5-5.5 hrs to HHI.. The WORST traffic I hit is INTO HHI on a Sat or Sun! THAT is awful!!!!!
Enjoy your trip...

DeerH