When is Atlanta's evening rush hour?

[Tuffy4God]

We are heading back to MN after our WDW trip in Sept and we're leaving on a Thursday. I'm just trying to figure out what time we want to leave Orlando to avoid hitting the after work rush hour in Atlanta.

Does anyone know how early it starts and how late it goes?

Thanks!

 

[Pumpkin910]

I asked this yesterday and was told about 4-6 pm. If you are heading into Atlanta you may be a bit better off because you are going against the traffic.

 

[Tuffy4God]

Thanks for the reply! I just don't want to leave too early and get us into Atlanta right at rush hour...I'd rather spend an extra hour in Orlando than on the road because of traffic.

I did a thread search and I didn't see your post. I'll have to look again.

 

[Pumpkin910]

I asked in a thread started by someone else about morning rush hour,lol.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3301494

 

[DebbieB]

I asked this yesterday and was told about 4-6 pm. If you are heading into Atlanta you may be a bit better off because you are going against the traffic.

I would think earlier than that to start. My company has an office in Alpharetta and my rule is to try to get out of there by 2:00 to go to the airport. Alpharetta is north, the airport is south, you have to go through the city. I had a trip where I could not leave until 4:00, it took almost 2 hours to get to the airport, it was a nightmare.

 

[Pumpkin910]

Thanks for that. It seemed to good to be true,lol. Here in Toronto rush hour can be 230pm-7pm.

 

[Alesia]

I would say more like 3:00 to 6:30.

And whatever you do, do not take the bypass. Just go straight through the city.

 

[Tuffy4God]

I would say more like 3:00 to 6:30.

And whatever you do, do not take the bypass. Just go straight through the city.

Thanks! We will most likely hit the later part of the rush hour, so I may just plan to stay away from Atlanta until 6:30...if we can swing it.

 

[sam_gordon]

Thanks! We will most likely hit the later part of the rush hour, so I may just plan to stay away from Atlanta until 6:30...if we can swing it.

Use the HOV lane (assuming there's someone else in the car with you). It will be the far left lane, designated with a diamond symbol.

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[Tuffy4God]

Use the HOV lane (assuming there's someone else in the car with you). It will be the far left lane, designated with a diamond symbol.

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Thanks for the info on that! Yes, there will be another person in the car with me...it'll be me, dh, ds 10 and dd 8.

 

[lylone]

Use the HOV lane (assuming there's someone else in the car with you). It will be the far left lane, designated with a diamond symbol.

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Make sure when you are using the HOV lanes to get out of them once you start getting out of downtown Atlanta. If they switch to mentioning "Peach Pass" you need to get out unless you have one. The police can stop you if you don't have one and they may catch your license plate and send you a nasty bill. In some parts of the interstate you have to have a Peach Pass to use the HOV lanes.
I think it is silly and live in Atlanta and don't have one. They charge for using the HOV lanes that we have already paid for with our tax money! Also prepared to drive FAST!

 

[carlamouse]

I got this one from someone on Facebook:

HOW TO DRIVE IN ATLANTA:
1. You must first learn to pronounce the city name, Atlana. Old-timers are still allowed to call it Alana.

2. The morning rush hour is from 5:00 am to noon. The evening rush hour is from noon to 7:00 pm. Friday's rush hour starts on Thursday morning.

3. The minimum acceptable speed on I-285 is 80 mph. On I-75 and I-85, your speed is expected to at least match the highway number. Anything less is considered 'Wussy'.

4. Forget the traffic rules you learned elsewhere. Atlanta has its own version of traffic rules. For example, Ferraris and Lamborghinis owned by sports stars go first at a four-way stop. Cars/trucks with the loudest muffler go second. The trucks with the biggest tires go third. The HOV lanes are really designed just for the slow Floridians passing through who are used to hogging the left lane everywhere.

5. If you actually stop at a yellow light or stop sign, you will be rear ended, cussed out, and possibly shot. Unless there is a police car nearby.

6. Never honk at anyone. Ever. Seriously. It's another offense that can get you shot.

7. Road construction is permanent and continuous. Detour barrels are moved around for your entertainment pleasure during the middle of the night to make the next day's driving a bit more exciting. Generally, city roads other than the main streets have more potholes and bumps (usually speed bumps) than most dirt roads in the countryside.

8. Watch carefully for road hazards such as drunks, possums, skunks, dogs, barrels, cones, furniture, cats, mattresses, shredded tires, squirrels, rabbits, and crows.

9. Be aware that spelling of street names may change from block to block, e.g., Clairmont, Claremont, Clairmonte.

10. If someone actually has their turn signal on, wave them to the shoulder immediately to let them know it has been “accidentally activated”.

11. If you are in the left lane and only driving 75 in a 55-65 mph zone, k, e.g., you are considered a road hazard and will be “flipped off” accordingly. If you return the flip, you'll be shot.

12. For summer driving, it is advisable to wear potholders on your hands.​

 

[dae3dae3]

Is there still much of a rush hour on Sunday?

 

[lylone]

Is there still much of a rush hour on Sunday?

Only if there is a Braves game, Falcons game or some other event happening downtown.