Thinking of stop in Atlanta (en route from CT)

[chilipyro]

We'd like to see the King Tut exhibit in Atlanta (on the way to FW), and were thinking of spending two nights outside of Atlanta on the way down. If we did this, we'd arrive in the early evening on a Friday, and leave early morning on Sunday (we'd do the museum on Saturday). However, going through Atlanta implies a major change to the route from New England - most notably, a very long stretch through the Appalachians. We will be pulling a trailer that is on the large size for our TV, so the extra ups and downs have me concerned. On top of that, there was a recent thread here advising that travelers should give Atlanta a wide berth (due to lots of construction along that route).

So, I am wondering a couple of things, from those who have traveled this route before:
1) just how bad (in terms of ups and downs) is that 350 mile (or so) stretch along I-81?
2) If my goal is to stay outside of Atlanta, and drive in and out the next day (as opposed to passing through Atlanta), will I be able to avoid the construction delays pretty easily?

 

[Shan-man]

I would probably not do the I-81 route, and would do I-20 (in GA) instead. And then do I-75 from Atlanta to FL, of course. That only adds about 250 miles to your route, and they are flat, easy miles. Coming in on 20 you may want to look into camping at Stone Mountain.
Atlanta won't be bad early morning on Saturday or Sunday. Get closer to noon and it becomes a crap shoot.

 

[katejay]

I use to live in Atlanta and made the trip from RI to Atlanta a dozen times or so.I always went I-85 from Virgina straight into Atl..It was a nice ride that way there are some sections of hills going through N.C. and some as just enter Goergia.Driving hard it was amout a 16hr trip and from Atl to WDW about 6-7hrs.I did take I-81 once when I drove from upstate NY to Atl.I do recall it being more ups and downs than I-85.

 

[Shan-man]

The only problem with I-85 is that you are adding a couple of fairly major cities to the route, Greensboro and Charlotte. Taking I-20 is about 50 miles further, but the only "major" city is Fayetteville, NC. And I think this route will be much flatter. Either way will work fine. BTW, I always do I-85 from Raleigh, but I don't worry about traffic or hills, my moho is very spry!

 

[chilipyro]

Thanks for the tips - both on the route and the camping. Stone Mountain looks nice. Coming from the North, it seems strange to have a campground along a large lake - and not have any swimming allowed in the lake. I suppose the problem would be gators .

 

[Shan-man]

And the brain-eating amoeba!