By pass Atlanta

Bob P13 wrote:
I will be traveling from Charlotte NC to Pensacola Fl. Next week. The primary route (I-85) goes thru Altanta Ga. Other than the beltway around Atlanta, is there any way to avoid the Atlanta traffic?

Bob, if it really bothers you...I would go 77 to 20 in Columbia out 20 to exit 113 take Ga rt 83 down to 75...75 down to Tifton,Ga..to 319 to 19 in Thomasville,Ga to Tallahasse. to 1-10 to Pensacola...now, is it longer or slower, I don't know...Chuck

I made it thru Atlanta in one piece. Got there around 11:15 and made it through to the other side by 11:45. There was rain so the knuckle heads who can't drive in the rain were out in force. A couple of minor fender benders slowed things down to 15mph. But the suggestion by most of you was to stay in the left lane was with out a doubt the ticket!
Thanks to everyone.
Now in a week or so I will do it again in the other direction.

Stay LEFT!! Once I-85&I-75 join in downtown get left and stay there, till you are south of I-20. Then look for the I-85 airport signs.

And I'll be the goofy looking guy driving the Lance TC with the "take no prisoners" look in his eyes as he shoot thru the downtown area. In the past I've noticed that Atlanta has some agressive drivers so they will meet their match tomorrow as I zip thru town.

I should be heading through about the same time as you. Look for a goofy looking guy in a BMW looing for a place to make the delivery to. (I will be taking a car to a customer Tuesday AM) The traffic in the northern suburbs is worse than downtown most anytime

I'm heading out tomarrow morning and will bite the bullet and take I-85 straight thru Atlanta. From past experiences I do recall the lanes branching off onto exits with little warning. I should be going thru there after the morning rush hour so I will keep my fingers crossed that it is an uneventful journey.
Thanks to everyone for their input, it was very informative. I'll let you know how I make out.

We travel through Atlanta frequently. Go straight through, non-rush hour and when the stadium is empty.

For what it is worth, a trucker I know drives straight through. If he is caught, he considers the $50.00 fine a "toll" for the time saved by doing so.

I'm making the same trip in reverse at the end of the month. I hate driving through Atlanta, but I just bite the bullet and do it. I've driven that route a hundred times and tried numerous alternatives and they all took significantly longer. I usually take 85 right through Atlanta and try to time it after 9:00 a.m. to miss morning rush hour.

I tried cutting diagonally across Georgia, but it took 14 hours instead of 9.5 and I had difficulty finding diesel when I needed it. Many of the roads are county roads and change numbers when you cross the county line, so it can be challenging to navigate.

I also found that taking the bypass around Atlanta didn't save any time. The traffic can be just as bad on the bypass as it is in town and it's quite a bit longer.

If you take 85 through town, pay close attention to the signs. There are a couple of places where the left or right lanes suddenly turn into exit only lanes.

Sure, you could take US 441 near Athens, GA, then US 129 to Macon and US 80 to Columbus and on to I-85 (or US 280 on up on Opilika). I never took any of these routes to avoid Atlanta, but I have towed on every segment of the route--just to be clear: every mile of each segment.

I am not making this as a recommendation. I have towed through Atlanta many times without incident or delay, but you do have a choice, and depending on the particular trip it is one I might well make.

My great grandparents came to Texas from Banks County Georgia; my best college friend lived in Atlanta; my wife's favorite uncle lived in Columbus--we have made many trips to North Georgia with our trailer in tow.

I'm partial to the east side on 285 when in my rig. If in a car I shoot through downtown in non- peak hours. They now have the speed limit raised to 65 most of the time on 285.

If your in a TC you'll be fine either route

West side 285 seems rough as a cob since they attempted repairs

Regardless of the route time it to hit it before or after rush hour times.