Community Forums

Prof_T · 01-27-2021, 04:44 AM

We drove through Atlanta on 10/14/20 ( Wednesday) and back to home on 10/18/20 (Sunday). Like you I was concerned with traffic. In my research I determined time of day is more important than anything else. A lot of talk about 285 being just as congested or more so than 85 through downtown. As others have said avoid rush hour if at all possible. We planned on hitting the Atlanta outskirts on 85 North around 10-11 am or so and hoped to be through by no later than 1. That was on Wednesday and we had no issues. The traffic did stop one time about 30 miles out due to a wreck but after that it was smooth sailing. When we returned on Sunday there was a 10 mile back up due to bridge construction on I-85 south. Once we got through that Atlanta was OK since it was Sunday. Plan the time of day to hit it and that is about all you can do IMHO. Alternative routes around it for our trip were time and mileage prohibitive.

Tegra · 01-28-2021, 02:56 PM

Don't go through town, take the 285 bypasses east or west around the city. You can pick up 75 or 85 North or South from 285.

RRBattani · 01-28-2021, 03:05 PM

We go through 2-3 times a year. I prefer the 285 W bypass most of the time, but if you happen to hit Atlantal before 10am on a weekend, you can usually sail right through on 75/85.

BobHtr · 01-28-2021, 03:10 PM

We have traveled thru Atlanta several times in our motor home with a dinghy. We always use the HOV lanes. Mostly around 10AM northbound or 2PM southbound.

cavie · 01-28-2021, 03:12 PM

Eastside around Atlanta.. 441 south. Commerce to Macon.

Gearshift39 · 01-28-2021, 03:24 PM

I have found the best time to drive through Atlanta is between 12.05 AM and 4:30 AM. Any other time is crazy. Sunday at 1PM may be ok but my experience lately has been traveling south bound. The area north of the bypass has been awful. Congested is an understatement.

Glang11082 · 01-28-2021, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skitcharoo

I will be driving southbound thru Atlanta on Sunday, January 31st. With all of the road construction in the Atlanta area is there anything in particular I should watch out for? With the lane shifts just North of downtown Atlanta I am concerned about being able to change lanes quick enough to make it thru the Atlanta traffic with a 38 foot motorhome towing a full size pick-up truck. I anticipate going thru Atlanta between noon and 1:30 PM.

I always go through the center and never had a problem
45 ft Prevost and 26 Ft car hauler.

Twing · 01-28-2021, 03:43 PM

I drove thu on Monday, the bypass, going north on I75 485 the 285 to 85. It was mid day and traffic was moving well, no construction obstructions. Hope this helps. I often go right on thru central Atlanta and that works if not rush hours.
Good travels
Twing

BillBinNC · 01-28-2021, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skitcharoo

I will be driving southbound thru Atlanta on Sunday, January 31st. With all of the road construction in the Atlanta area is there anything in particular I should watch out for? With the lane shifts just North of downtown Atlanta I am concerned about being able to change lanes quick enough to make it thru the Atlanta traffic with a 38 foot motorhome towing a full size pick-up truck. I anticipate going thru Atlanta between noon and 1:30 PM.

I've driven an RV with toad through Atlanta many times and always stay on I85 though town as semis aren't allowed (don't take I285). Weekends are definitely better unless some event is happening. For the past ten years or so my preference is to drive through after midnight. For either direction I will stop at the closest rest stop and sleep till midnight, then get up and start driving. I try to avoid major metro areas but generally use the midnight technique when difficult to go around. Going around Atlanta is a miserable process since the road routings just don't cooperate.

skitches · 01-28-2021, 03:53 PM

No problems, size matters when going thru Atlanta. Steady speed, not to fast and you will be fine.

Todd727 · 01-28-2021, 03:56 PM

I'll go against the grain. I prefer 75 to 285, the suburbanites are worse trying to get off at the next shopping center IMO.

There is traffic everywhere, Miami is crazier than ATL to me, but my point is, plan for it.

I figure if all the semi's can drive it, than I can too. The problem is, people get in a hurry. I don't. Leave space in front of you. When it gets filled up, back off. You will get through.

Rich 1432 · 01-28-2021, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skitcharoo

I will be driving southbound thru Atlanta on Sunday, January 31st. With all of the road construction in the Atlanta area is there anything in particular I should watch out for? With the lane shifts just North of downtown Atlanta I am concerned about being able to change lanes quick enough to make it thru the Atlanta traffic with a 38 foot motorhome towing a full size pick-up truck. I anticipate going thru Atlanta between noon and 1:30 PM.

Yeah... A tough one! Just do NOT stay on 75 or 85 through the center of town. Those lanes are very narrow! Take the 285 Beltway anytime but Peak Travel Hours! Lots of Trucks, but you can do it!!

captlyn · 01-28-2021, 04:39 PM

Going through Atlanta on a Sunday is a wise choice. I went through early, about 8:00am on a Sunday morning and did not find the traffic any worse than Houston at that time.