I need help from Atlanta, GA natives!

[blurredvision]

I live in central Kentucky, and will be heading down to Orlando, FL in just a couple of weeks for vacation. I will be driving the distance, and hope to make a stopover somewhere around Perry, GA. I've been as far south as Chattanooga, but never on down I-75 around Atlanta.

Basically, from what I've heard from friend's and relatives, Atlanta roadways are a bitch if you've never been there before. I've perused a few maps to try and find the easiest way through or around, but nothing stands out.

I need help figuring out which is the best way for a vacationer like me to get through or around Atlanta. Keep in mind I'm not used to big city driving, and would like the most stress-free drive-through possible. I plan to leave my home around 11am, which by my calculations, should put me at or around Atlanta around 4pm, give or take a little. Should I leave earlier, later? What is the best route? Thanks for any road numbers you can give and any routes you can explain.

 

[KeyserSoze]

Well, your options are going to be straight through on 75 South, which takes you through the city. Or the bypass, 285. I don't know what it's going to be like at that time, but either way it's not difficult to navigate.

But yes, traffic can be really bad at certain times.





KeyserSoze

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: KeyserSoze
but either way it's not difficult to navigate.

This is what I'm hoping, as I'm not a bad driver. Just not used to much traffic, so I'm a tad worried .

 

[Feldenak]

IMO, avoid the bypass. Drivers and traffic always seemed to be worse on the bypass than 75 (in my experience). You could try PMing Fausto, he could probably hook better info.

 

[WhiteKnight77]

If you can, leave a bit earlier in the day to avoid rush 3 hours (it starts about 4 and lasts til 7, sometimes it even starts earlier). Trying to go straight through Atlanta at 4PM is not a good idea, the Downtown Connector will be getting packed at that time. At that time of day, both 285 and 75 will be getting horendous, but if you have to, take 285 West to pick up 75 S on the far side of the city.

 

[Ulfwald]

YHPM.

I drive 75-285 every day.

 

[frostgiant]

Just stay on I-75 the whole time. If 75 is bogged down, so will 285 which is less direct. Traffic starts getting "sticky" around 3PM.

 

[GoodToGo]

Leave earlier, traffic at 3pm is not too bad. Once its 4pm, things start getting messy specially in the downtown area (where I-85 joins I-75) and at the merger of I-75 and I-285.

 

[PlatinumGold]

Originally posted by: blurredvision
I live in central Kentucky, and will be heading down to Orlando, FL in just a couple of weeks for vacation. I will be driving the distance, and hope to make a stopover somewhere around Perry, GA. I've been as far south as Chattanooga, but never on down I-75 around Atlanta.

Basically, from what I've heard from friend's and relatives, Atlanta roadways are a bitch if you've never been there before. I've perused a few maps to try and find the easiest way through or around, but nothing stands out.

I need help figuring out which is the best way for a vacationer like me to get through or around Atlanta. Keep in mind I'm not used to big city driving, and would like the most stress-free drive-through possible. I plan to leave my home around 11am, which by my calculations, should put me at or around Atlanta around 4pm, give or take a little. Should I leave earlier, later? What is the best route? Thanks for any road numbers you can give and any routes you can explain.

time it so you go thru atlanta late at night.

 

[myusername]

IMHO, you do not want to hit 75S through the city, particularly after several hours on the road. There are a couple curves where it is a bitch to stay in your own lane at speed, and you also have to watch for other people straying out of their lanes. Not saying it's completely unsafe, just very nervewracking

 

[amdskip]

I was just through there. We were told that the bypass has construction (straight through has none) and that you should avoid the bypass unless it is rush hour. Take the bypass during rush hour.

 

[amdskip]

Originally posted by: myusername
IMHO, you do not want to hit 75S through the city, particularly after several hours on the road. There are a couple curves where it is a bitch to stay in your own lane at speed, and you also have to watch for other people straying out of their lanes. Not saying it's completely unsafe, just very nervewracking

No way man. I pulled this trailer straight through Atlanta 70-75 mhp at 10pm at night with no problems. You just need to be alert and awake and its cake.

 

[KK]

You want to leave at least 2 hours earlier. No later.

KK

 

[Dulanic]

Go around, far far around, people in georgia can NOT drive, and that is NOT a stereotype, they cant. I dont know what it is, why it is, but it's the truth. I thought drivers in Chicago and Dallas weren't exactly the best, but they are 100 times better then the drivers in Atlanta.

 

[cmdavid]

yeah you're leaving at about the worst possible time.. either two hours earlier or 4 hours later...

 

[myusername]

Originally posted by: amdskip

Originally posted by: myusername
IMHO, you do not want to hit 75S through the city, particularly after several hours on the road. There are a couple curves where it is a bitch to stay in your own lane at speed, and you also have to watch for other people straying out of their lanes. Not saying it's completely unsafe, just very nervewracking

No way man. I pulled this trailer straight through Atlanta 70-75 mhp at 10pm at night with no problems. You just need to be alert and awake and its cake.

South? Cause southbound is a little bit trickier than northbound. Done it without incident several times, but it's still not pleasant with other traffic around. Amazing how much 75 clears off after midnight though.

 

[Ulfwald]

Originally posted by: Dulanic
Go around, far far around, people in georgia can NOT drive, and that is NOT a stereotype, they cant. I dont know what it is, why it is, but it's the truth. I thought drivers in Chicago and Dallas weren't exactly the best, but they are 100 times better then the drivers in Atlanta.

That is because they are all transplant yankees who think they know how to drive.

 

[fredtam]

DO NOT USE 285. Go straight through.

 

[blurredvision]

Damn guys, you are all suggesting different routes and different times! I have no problems leaving earlier or later, I just have to figure out the times of when I get to places.

But from what I gather, I basically do not want to be anywhere on 285 or 75 from around 4pm-7pm. If I leave earlier, this puts us into the problem of getting to the hotel a little too soon. We plan on staying in Perry, GA, just south of Macon. Is there anything really interesting to do around this part of GA that we can bide our time with? I'd hate to get to the hotel at 4 or 5pm, then just sit around for the rest of the night. On the opposite side, I'd hate to get to the hotel around 9pm, and basically have to hit the sack to get right back up in the morning to hit the road again. I like my rest .

So, with that said, what else do you guys recommend?

 

[KK]

Well, there are some outlets just south of McDonough at Locust Grove. You could waste some time there. Not sure what there is to do down in Macon or in Perry.

KK

 

[GT578]

Just try to time it so that you pass through atlanta before 3pm. usually traffic starts building up at 3 or slightly before.....earlier on fridays. People can't drive here....people drive 60mph on the left lanes. Truck drivers think they own the road. Just be alert and you'll be fine. Faster lanes are safer as most of the dumb drivers stay to the right...

 

[cyclistca]

Leave early or late. You don't want to be in Atlanta traffic around 4:00 pm. I would rather be early then sit in traffic that's for sure.

 

[Turkish]

my only suggestion is to leave earlier. when i stayed in atlanta for 5 weeks, traffic seemed to get built up around 4pm.

 

[blurredvision]

Well, it seems as if my girlfriend and I will be leaving a bit earlier instead of later. I talked it over with her, and we want to get the vacation started as soon as possible.

 

[FreshPrince]

1 secret about heading down to Florida for Atlantans is to catch 675, then 75. Especially since you're going through around 4:00PM.