I-75

[DISHUD]

Has anyone driven down I-75 thru Atlanta on the way to Disney?

We are driving down In Aug from the Chicago area , and my neighbor who stays in Florida for the winter was telling me to avoid Georgia/Atlanta, that the construction and back ups were terrible, and gave me alternate directions through Alabama, the only problem with this is that it adds a couple of hours drive time to an already long drive.

I guess what Im looking for is confirmation that I-75 is in fact, having alot of construction and backups, and it would be worth our while to take another way down..

Thanks

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

If you time it right Atlanta is not a big problem(avoid from 7-10am and 4-7pm). South GA does have some construction going on, but agian we have not found it to be a big problem when we drive from Knoxville(3 or 4 times a year). Before you go check www.georgia-navigator.com to get info on construction projects. If you stop at the GA welcome center as well as the other rest areas you will be able to get updates along the way.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

My family and I always take I-75 every summer when driving to WDW and we have never had any problems driving threw Atlanta. There have been times when there was traffic and that was during 1998 when the Cardinals were playing the Braves because Mark McGuire was breaking the home run record that year, so a lot of people wanted to see the game. However every other time we have had no problems and once we get past Atlanta, it's an easy drive right to Walt Disney World.

 

[DVCKennyD]

Hello,

We just returned from WDW a few weeks ago and I can verify that there was some awful backups on I75 southbound just north of Atlanta... It was so bad, that we decided to take our chances and exited at Acworth, picked up a local map and created our own detour around the mess, picking up I75 further south via I20. I was totally caught offguard because it was late afternoon on a Saturday(around 4:00PM)!! I'm also from Chicagoland area and am in traffic all the time, but this back up was just brutal... Signs along the road stated something to the effect of "next 4 miles 40 minutes- seek alternate routes". That does somebody from Illinois a lot of good.

Ken

 

[Laz]

I have been in 6 hour backups on 75 when they wouldn't let anyone off the road to detour. It can be terrible. My dad takes the alternate route down I 65. It is a route many spring breakers take to Panama City. What he has noticed is that many are begining to figure this route out, and the traffic is increasing. He also warns of cops on the smaller roads.

 

[Starr W.]

Has anyone driven down I-75 thru Atlanta on the way to Disney?

We are driving down In Aug from the Chicago area , and my neighbor who stays in Florida for the winter was telling me to avoid Georgia/Atlanta, that the construction and back ups were terrible, and gave me alternate directions through Alabama, the only problem with this is that it adds a couple of hours drive time to an already long drive.

I guess what Im looking for is confirmation that I-75 is in fact, having alot of construction and backups, and it would be worth our while to take another way down..

Thanks

You'll probably run into construction anywhere during the summer on any interstate(it's orange barrel season).

Just from being to Atlanta alot and having friends who live there and complain about traffic. I would try if possible to avoid rush hours(which I think start very early, my buddies in the northern burbs leave for downtown at 5:30 ).

 

[mgilmer]

I am a truck driver and I drive Nashville-Tifton, GA several times a week. Traffic around Atlanta is totally dependent on time of day you choose to drive thru Atlanta. There is ongoing construction on the northside of Atlanta going southbound on I-75 but it is only a problem during the rush hour(s) 6-9 am EDT and 3-7 pm EDT. I always try to time my trips thru Atlanta late at night around 10 or later and just zip right thru. It is also ok between 10-2 during the day just not as deserted as at night. South of Atlanta you will not hit any construction to speak of until south of Tifton on I-75 around the 60 mile marker thru the Fla line but it is not that bad.

 

[Belle1962]

yes--there is ongoing construction NORTH of Atlanta which is causing major backups--North and South bound. I livein the "zone". Lucky me.

http://georgia-navigator.com/alerts#GDOT-ALERT-351224

NORTHWEST GA:
Catoosa County:
1 lane closed at Exit 350 (SR 2/Battlefield Pkwy.)
Cobb/Bartow/Cherokee counties:
Daily and overnight lane closures as needed in both directions between Barrett Pkwy. (Exit 269) and US 411/Chatsworth Highway (Exit 293). Click here for details.


You can exit off I75 SOUTH, go to the right and you will hit highway 41 as an alternate and then get back on I75 at Barrett Parkway.

You can exit I 75 NORTH, go to the left and you will hit highway 41 for use as an alternate and then get back on I 75 in Chatsworth/Highway 411.

While on the road you can call the GA DOT at 888-424-4929 and get a live person with (hopefully) up to date traffic info. Program that number into your cell phone.

 

[clkelley]

I always time my trips to go through Atlanta about 10pm.

I don't come from the North, I come in on I-20, then pick up I-75 Downtown.

I go through downtown instead of taking the bypass because you lose the trucks through downtown, they have to take the bypass.

 

[Praying Colonel]

We had no problems driving through Atlanta last time. Of course, going south through Atlanta at 2 a.m. on a Saturday morning and north through Atlanta at 10 a.m. on a Sunday morning probably had something to do with it.

 

[VMK_Princess_Chloe]

We should hit atlanta.. like central Atlanta going on I-75 at about 6 or 7 am on Saturday morning, according to directions.. should that be ok?

 

[TyRy]

We are also from the Chicago area and took the route through Alabama. Worked out great for us as we only had weather problems on the way down, but no horrible traffic back-ups. I know in the "For those folks driving" thread their are directions for the alternate route. If we head down again this year, we'll probably take that route again.

My in-laws came back from "wintering" in Florida and said next time they would also do the Alabama route as they hit some horrible back-ups.

 

[DISHUD]

Thanks everyone for your help, I think we are going to take the rt thru Alabama, why take the chance of getting caught in a major backup.

 

[manning]

I have been in 6 hour backups on 75 when they wouldn't let anyone off the road to detour. It can be terrible. My dad takes the alternate route down I 65. It is a route many spring breakers take to Panama City. What he has noticed is that many are begining to figure this route out, and the traffic is increasing. He also warns of cops on the smaller roads.

Shhh

I know a better way but ain't talking!!!

 

[clkelley]

The only problem with the route through Alabama is once you get on 231 you have to pass through many small towns with lots of stop and go traffic and lots of lights. I live in Alabama and have tried that route a couple of times and I hate it!!

 

[seashoreCM]

How do they not let people get off the road to detour? You mean they actually close the exits? How do people stop to eat or buy gas?

Disney hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm