I75: through Atlanta or around it??

[buckeye]

Does anyone know if it would be better to go straight through Atlanta or to go around the beltway? I'm guessing around it. We'll be hitting the city at around 1 or 2 in the afternoon.
Thanks for any opinions!

 

[Eeyore1954]

When I drive to Augusta, GA (from Chicago ), we always take I-275 around Atlanta. I tried a straight shot through Atlanta one time on I-20 and it was awful. Didn't help that it was the middle of rush hour, either.

The trip around will seem like it is taking forever, and it does! But at 1 or 2 in the afternoon you shouldn't hit that much traffic.

You may want to check and see if there is any road construction going on as that could impact travel times.

Have a safe trip!

 

[kml2000]

I live outside of Atlanta and I can tell you that which road to take changes hourly.

You need to consider if it is weekday or weekend. As the earlier poster said, check for construction - some construction projects here are weekend projects..........

The first thing to do is listen to WSB AM 750 on the radio for traffic updates. They have traffic updates REGULARLY. This station has a good bit of power and you can pick it up quite a distance outside Atlanta.

At that time of day, I would go straight through in the HOV lanes. When we drove from Augusta to my grandparents (on the other side of Atlanta from Augusta) we went straight through on I-20 and never had problems. Of course, we ALWAYS timed our trips NOT to be in rush hour.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

Unless it's changed from when I lived in GA, I-285 can have traffic as heavy as traffic through downtown. If you take the Perimeter, go westbound, as it is shorter going that way from I-75 north of the city to south of the city.

One good thing about the HOV lanes through Atlanta (unless this has changed) is that they are HOV lanes 24/7. At the right time of day, you could make the straight shot through downtown in the HOV lanes with no problem.

I second what kml2000 said -- WSB AM 750 is great for traffic reports.

 

[padams]

Drive straight through on I-75. I-285 is a much longer distance, and the traffic can be just as bad. Also, trucks are not allowed on 75 inside the perimeter (285) unless the truck has a local delivery to make). Therefore, 285 is filled with trucks, and 75 will have significantly fewer. If there is more than 1 of you in the car, then get in the HOV (high occupancy vehicle) lane (far left lane) and stay in it until it ends. You are not likely to have any problems at 1 or 2 in the afternoon.

 

[DisOrBust]

Padadms gave me the same advice and we arrived at 1pm on a Sat and blew threw the center of Atlanta. If your really going to arrive there before 2-3pm I would definitely go for it!

 

[padams]

Hi DisOrBust- glad to hear you made it through Atlanta quickly.

 

[DisOrBust]

Thanlks Padams! My DH thought I had finally lost my mind when I told him to drive thru Atlanta, lol! I told him trust me..its advice from the boards....

 

[EUROPA]

Yes drive straight through....and remember 75 is not only the name of the Interstate but the min speed too. I'm not kidding people fly on that road so be prepared to keep up with traffic.

 

[kml2000]

Eurpoa just gave you some excellent advice. Be careful on 75 approaching, going through, and on the outskirts of Atlanta. People think they are on the Audubon (??sp)!!!!!

I still think straight through is the best way to go!