Travel through Atlanta

[SeabeeCPOret]

Planning a trip to Florida this winter and rally don’t like going over the Smokey Mountains on I 40. I’ve been through Atlanta in my car which was not a great experience. Does anyone have any suggestions. One thought was to go through at 3 or 4 am.

Thanks

[ArtJoyce]

We try to go around on the beltway about 6am. We been known to stop short of town and get up early and go around town.

[krivanj]

9-11 am is not so bad.

[traveldawg]

Originally Posted by SeabeeCPOret

Planning a trip to Florida this winter and rally don’t like going over the Smokey Mountains on I 40. I’ve been through Atlanta in my car which was not a great experience. Does anyone have any suggestions. One thought was to go through at 3 or 4 am.

Thanks

It would be helpful to know where you are starting from. And where in FL you plan to go.

If you are traveling south on I-75 from TN then consider getting over to US27 in Calhoun, GA and taking it to Columbus, GA (get on I-185 to travel through Columbus) then US280/US80/GA82 to Tifton, GA and back on I-75 south.

[DR60]

My own experience is driving through LA or San Francisco, [ not Atlanta]. If I just have to go there or through there, I make sure to go at 3 am or so. It seems to get me through with the least amount of traffic. If I'm there for business I will be there when they open in the morning, and be on my way by 9am. DR

[Warhorse6]

I would not take the beltway around Atlanta. Road is terrible and nothing but trucks. If I have to run thru the city, best time is early on weekends. If we have to go thru Atlanta it’s at these days and times or not at all. Otherwise take a few extra miles to drive around. Weekdays can be a 90 minute transit or all day. Flip a coin. Usually more of the latter.

[Camper25]

I've been thru Atlanta hundreds of times and the best time is 10am or 2pm... but not Friday. I just choose a lane over towards the right and ease on, leaving the left lanes for those in a big hurry.

[TB673]

Weekends may be the best bet, and if you plan to go thru town on a Sunday, check to see if the Falcons are playing at home.

Tim

[hamm2018]

Originally Posted by SeabeeCPOret

Planning a trip to Florida this winter and rally don’t like going over the Smokey Mountains on I 40. I’ve been through Atlanta in my car which was not a great experience. Does anyone have any suggestions. One thought was to go through at 3 or 4 am.

Thanks

We have driven our rig thru Atlanta and around on the beltway. The beltway was far worse, the road had potholes really big potholes. We have a 45-foot toy hauler 5th wheel pulling with a 3500 Ram. I go thru Atlanta when we head that way. I try to hit it around 11am to 1pm.

[Charming]

I agree with Camper25 TB673 we usually go through mid-day or on the weekend. Just find a lane to the right and stick with it. We have been making trips through the city in various vehicles since the 1980s.

[Toyman01]

I don't run through Atlanta often but I end up going through Charlotte fairly regularly and have tackled Chicago, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, and several others. The beltways frequently turn into a race track that is best avoided, so I usually stay off the beltway and run right through the center. Get in the right or next to the right lane and run slightly slower than traffic. Maintain your lane and let traffic flow around you. Frequently you can find a commercial truck doing the same thing and fall in behind him. Be patient and go with the flow.

[Americanrascal]

Like Traveldawg says. I assume you are coming in from the north????

Exit I-75 at GA 53 Calhoun. Proceed west to US 27 in Rome. Take US27 south through Bremen and Carrollton to LaGrange. At LaGrange , turn left onto GA 109 (Catholic church at intersection) and proceed 3 miles to Interstate 85. Enter northbound for about 1/4 miles and exit I-85 onto I 185 southbound. Proceed through Columbus to Ft Moore (Ft Benning) enter on to GA 520 (US 280) heading south east to Albany. As you enter Albany take the exit onto US 82/US 19.

On the east side of Albany you have 2 options: take US 82 east to I-75 and rejoin at Tifton, or;

Take the GA 133 exit and take it though Doe Run, Moultrie and then Valdosta and re join I-75.

At the moment GA 133 is being developed into a major 4 lane highway and there is some construction between Albany and Moultrie. The rest to Valdosta is complete. US 82 to Tifton at the moment until construction is complete on GA 133 may be better. When it is complete it will be the best route.

Regardless you'll be happy with this 4 lane RV friendly route. Most speeds are 65 mph with many easy places to stop along the way. A very few traffic lights in Rome, Carrolton, LaGrange and Albany. You will see very few cars and trucks on this route as its lightly used. (Best kept travel secret north south or back through Georgia that totally avoids Atlanta)

When you consider the potential for traffic jams and wrecks on the ATL highways the time comes out about the same to Florida. Better yet you avoid having a wreck on Atlanta interstates--- as I have being rear ended on 285.

[Vermont_Darren]

Lived in Atlanta for 25 years. Here's my two cents.

Times to avoid are 6am-10am and again from 3pm-8pm. Avoid all day on Friday.
Saturdays can sometimes get a little busy if something's going on during the day or the Braves are playing.

Agree with the others. Avoid I-285. It's all trucks and potholes. And on the north end currently, horrific construction.

When you go through, pick the second lane from the right as much as you can. It will keep you from dealing with the mergers flying in and out of the freeway. South of the city if you're staying on I-75 remember the far 2 right lanes will depart to go on I-85. Don't be the guy who has to cross 3 lanes to stay on.

[Jim.B1]

Originally Posted by Camper25

I've been thru Atlanta hundreds of times and the best time is 10am or 2pm... but not Friday. I just choose a lane over towards the right and ease on, leaving the left lanes for those in a big hurry.

I totally agree with Camper25.
Between 10:00-2:00, and the outside lane has never been a problem for us in the last 12 years heading either north or south on I-75.
Let everyone pass you and relax.