Community Forums

skitcharoo · 11-25-2019, 03:24 PM

Since semi trucks can not be driven thru downtown Atlanta on I-75, they have to take the outer belt around Atlanta, I was wondering if the same rules apply to motor homes. I spoke with the Customer Service Department of the Atlanta Police Department and asked if a motor home could be driven thru downtown Atlanta on I-75. i knew I was in trouble when the person I posed the question to didn't know what a motorhome was. This person suggested I call the Georgia State Patrol. I called them and posed the same question. They didn't know either. They suggested I call the Department of Transportation. I called them and asked the same question. The person I talked to didn't know either but said they would find out. I was put on hold and when the person came back on the line they had forgotten what the specifics of the questions was but did remember it was something about a mobile home. I repeated the question and said it was a motor home, not a mobile home. They put me on hold again and when they came back on the line I was told they were pretty sure a motor home can be driven thru Atlanta on I-75.

Not wanting to get a ticket for being pretty sure I can drive a motor home thru downtown Atlanta on I-75 does anyone know for sure?

gcamper · 11-25-2019, 03:37 PM

Been doing it for years. After BIL got his mirror torn off I now take the bypass. BIL chased the guy down and called the police. Police said he could find no proof the guy did it so he let him go. BIL did not get a ticket for being on 75 in Atlanta so I guess it’s ok.

MRUSA14 · 11-25-2019, 03:49 PM

I have traversed the Atlanta area numerous times using both bypass routes and I-75 straight through. No problem with 75 and if you do it the right time of day (between 10AM and 2:30 PM) it is faster than the bypass.

Waiter21 · 11-25-2019, 04:05 PM

I went through it last spring. unfortunately it was rush hour. I'm not sure if the bypass would be any better during rush hour.

Capt. Steve · 11-25-2019, 04:10 PM

Lived there for 35 years. Have always drove the coach right through Atlanta. Just remember that the travel lanes are narrow.

HJLowell · 11-25-2019, 04:16 PM

Just time your trip to miss rush hour.
It starts at 6 am to about 10 am
Then 3 pm to 6 or 7 pm.
But we buzz right through the rest of the time.
Never an issue.

W.J. Demo · 11-25-2019, 04:51 PM

Just came south in I-75 through Atlanta about a month ago. Saw the signs prohibiting thru travel ( not all travel) by 18 wheelers and figured they did apply to our MH. However, our built-in Kenwood/Garmin nav kept warning me that travel on that route was prohibited. Was very annoying till we got south on I-85 and the warning finally shut off.

Bigd9 · 11-25-2019, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skitcharoo

Since semi trucks can not be driven thru downtown Atlanta on I-75, they have to take the outer belt around Atlanta, I was wondering if the same rules apply to motor homes. I spoke with the Customer Service Department of the Atlanta Police Department and asked if a motor home could be driven thru downtown Atlanta on I-75. i knew I was in trouble when the person I posed the question to didn't know what a motorhome was. This person suggested I call the Georgia State Patrol. I called them and posed the same question. They didn't know either. They suggested I call the Department of Transportation. I called them and asked the same question. The person I talked to didn't know either but said they would find out. I was put on hold and when the person came back on the line they had forgotten what the specifics of the questions was but did remember it was something about a mobile home. I repeated the question and said it was a motor home, not a mobile home. They put me on hold again and when they came back on the line I was told they were pretty sure a motor home can be driven thru Atlanta on I-75.

Not wanting to get a ticket for being pretty sure I can drive a motor home thru downtown Atlanta on I-75 does anyone know for sure?

Check this web article out. Look at the definition for "truck"

https://dps.georgia.gov/sites/dps.ge...20Highways.pdf

Wizard · 11-25-2019, 04:58 PM

Just try not to get into either inside or outside lanes until near your exit.

robertkathy · 11-25-2019, 05:12 PM

i was directed to take i-85 a month ago by my gps

NXR · 11-25-2019, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt. Steve

Lived there for 35 years. Have always drove the coach right through Atlanta. Just remember that the travel lanes are narrow.

What is a "travel lane" and what is the width? I thought all interstates were supposed to be 12'.

Ray

NXR · 11-25-2019, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigd9

Check this web article out. Look at the definition for "truck"

https://dps.georgia.gov/sites/dps.ge...20Highways.pdf

Thanks for the link. Henceforth I shall refer to myself as a "motorcoach".

(O.C.G.A. 40-6-52)
 A "truck" is defined as any vehicle equipped with more than six wheels except buses and motorcoaches.

Ray

Ucbyrickg · 11-25-2019, 05:35 PM

I live in Marietta just outside the perimeter, when I took my class B license it stated no travel through Atlanta. The signs clearly say trucks over six wheels. When there are events in town, hundreds of tag axle buses navigate the surface streets. I drive my 40’ tag axle coach with a toad through 75 all the time, 285 is too long, rough and congested. I haven’t been pulled over yet.

My understanding is it is to limit the possibility of a truck bomb, 400 has stricter restrictions inside the perimeter.

The truck definition posted looks pretty clear, I would copy that and carry it just to give the assumption to police that you thought you were ok.

Bigd9 · 11-25-2019, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NXR

What is a "travel lane" and what is the width? I thought all interstates were supposed to be 12'.

Ray

The standard Federal mandated lane width for Interstates is 12 feet. HOWEVER, states can request exceptions if they can show why it is not feasible. There are many Federal requirements such as steepness of grades curvatures, guardrail placements and interchange placements that sometimes are just not practicable or possible for some reason, and exceptions can be granted. There are a lot of hoops to jump through, but the Feds are not unreasonable.

I don't know what the lane widths are in Atlanta, but I swear the times I have gone through, the lanes feel like they are about 6 inches narrower than my coach!!! Kind of like when you approach some toll booths. My wife always says "they want you to fit through there???"