Orlando to Atlanta

[LisaR]

Has anyone ever driven this? Mapquest is showing about 8 hours but I never trust mapquest. Is that pretty accurate? Is it a pretty easy drive?

 

[Jennasis]

No WAY it's an 8 hour drive! I can make it to Orlando in 8.5 (maybe 9) hours from the Middle of North Carolina! My cousins live 20 minutes south of Atlanta and I think they can do it in 5.5.

 

[PixieDust32]

No, we make maybe 5 or 6

 

[LisaR]

I'm such an idiot! I put Orlando in Mapquest which gave me a time of 6 hours and 50 minutes. I forgot to mention that I added an hour to the time since I live about an hour from Orlando. Oops! But still, you guys are saying 7 hours is even too long? The place we are looking at going to is Ellijay, GA and everyone says that is an hour outside of Atlanta. I just want to get a feel for the time. Thanks!

 

[padams]

With no traffic or road construction, and minimal stops for restroom, gas, etc., the drive can be made in about 5 to 6 hours. I'd plan on 7 hours.

 

[MomofKatie]

Yeah, I'd say it's closer to 6 or so (depending on if you hit rush hour in ATL or not). My mom lives in the N GA mountains about an hour north of Atlanta, and we can get to Orlando from her house in 7 hours.

 

[Robinrs]

I usually leave EARLY in the morning to avoid traffic and it usually takes 5 -6 hours. The only time it took 8 was when there was lots of construction on I-75.

 

[LisaR]

Yeah, I'd say it's closer to 6 or so (depending on if you hit rush hour in ATL or not). My mom lives in the N GA mountains about an hour north of Atlanta, and we can get to Orlando from her house in 7 hours.

Thanks! So do you like the N. GA mountain area? We have never been and are just looking for a place to hang out with family, hike and relax. The area sounds pretty.

 

[buckler]

To do it in 5 or 6 hours you would have to be speeding. I wouldn't advise that unless you want risk getting a ticket! We see a number of police cars along the highway trying to catch speeders.

 

[Jennasis]

To do it in 5 or 6 hours you would have to be speeding. I wouldn't advise that unless you want risk getting a ticket! We see a number of police cars along the highway trying to catch speeders.

I know it's wrong, but when I'm heading to WDW, I am like Mr. Sulu on the Starship Enterprise. Maximum warp.

 

[PixieDust32]

DH would never take a risk of getting a ticket, he always goes the speed limit.It used to take us longer when the kids were younger and they wanted to stop to eat and potty breaks every hour, but not anymore.
I would say 6 hours, we leave really early, like 4 AM since we are about 40 miles northeast of Atlanta to avoid the nightmare Atlanta traffic. We normally arrive to Orlando around 10:30-11:00AM.

 

[si-am]

Geez, I've never made it from Atlanta to Orlando in less than 7.5-8 hours. I do like to stop every two hours or so, though, to stretch my legs, buy a drink. Plus, there is ALWAYS constuction in South Georgia around Tifton/Valdosta, and that does slow you down a bit.

 

[ChristmasElf]

No WAY it's an 8 hour drive! I can make it to Orlando in 8.5 (maybe 9) hours from the Middle of North Carolina! My cousins live 20 minutes south of Atlanta and I think they can do it in 5.5.

No way are they doing Atlanta in 5.5 hours from Orlando unless they are driving like a bat outta heck. 7 hours at best and that is with speeding.

 

[Robinrs]

To do it in 5 or 6 hours you would have to be speeding. I wouldn't advise that unless you want risk getting a ticket! We see a number of police cars along the highway trying to catch speeders.

Geez, I've never made it from Atlanta to Orlando in less than 7.5-8 hours. I do like to stop every two hours or so, though, to stretch my legs, buy a drink. Plus, there is ALWAYS constuction in South Georgia around Tifton/Valdosta, and that does slow you down a bit.

Wow, I driven to Orlando from Atlanta at least 30 times in the past 10 years and I always take 5 -6 hours. I also don't do a lot of stopping, we stop TWICE and we always know where.

The only time we took considerably longer was when I took a friend who had to get out and walk every hour or so for her back... ... I will NEVER do that again!

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

With no traffic or road construction, and minimal stops for restroom, gas, etc., the drive can be made in about 5 to 6 hours. I'd plan on 7 hours.

When is there NOT traffic or construction going through Atlanta?

I agree, 5 or 6 hours from Atlanta.

 

[padams]

When is there NOT traffic or construction going through Atlanta?

I agree, 5 or 6 hours from Atlanta.

That's exactly why I said plan on 7 hours. Atlanta and traffic are like peanut butter and jelly or spaghetti and meatballs.

I believe you can dial 511 in GA to get interstate traffic reports (haven't tried that lately). If your trip is soon, there is road construction on I75 north of Valdosta, south of Perry. The Connector (where 75 and 85 merge in downtown ATL) is being repaved on weekends.

 

[buckler]

NEW ‘SUPER SPEEDER LAW’ STARTS NEW YEAR WITH NEW FINES

(JANUARY 1, 2010) Georgia drivers should mark that date on their calendars and put a sticky note next to their keys.. January 1st, 2010. It’s the day the new state ‘Super Speeder Law’ goes into effect in Georgia. And any high-risk drivers who make a habit of ignoring posted speed limits will be the first to feel the pinch of higher state fines (called fees) on their wallets.

How much higher? The new law titled HB160 tacks-on another two-hundred-dollar state-fee for any driver convicted of speeding at 75-or-more on any two-lane roads.. OR convicted of speeding at 85-and-over anywhere in Georgia. Those new state fees will be in addition to any local fines already in effect in the jurisdiction where the speeding offense occurs.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

That's exactly why I said plan on 7 hours. Atlanta and traffic are like peanut butter and jelly or spaghetti and meatballs.

I believe you can dial 511 in GA to get interstate traffic reports (haven't tried that lately). If your trip is soon, there is road construction on I75 north of Valdosta, south of Perry. The Connector (where 75 and 85 merge in downtown ATL) is being repaved on weekends.

I agree, add at least an hour for traffic and construction if you have to go near Atlanta. If you start at the Southern part outside the city, 5 or 6 is about right.

I don't think I have ever driven through Atlanta without coming into construction. The good news is that those folks don't drive slow, so you can zip on through without getting a ticket.

 

[LisaR]

Thanks everyone! We will be going to a place called Ellijay, GA which everyone claims is an hour north of Atlanta. Mapquest shows it to be a straight shot up 75 until it splits off at 575 near Kennesaw.

I will plan on 7 hours to Atlanta from Orlando. I drive pretty fast but we will have our puppy with us (about 5 months old at the time of the trip) so we will probably stop a little more than normal.

 

[mouseaddicts]

If you are going to Ellijay it will take you about 8.5 hours. Ellijay is in the middle of nowhere and it's a two lane road from either 75 or GA400. If you like small town life you may enjoy it. As for me I would go nuts spending a week there.