First time drive to Atlanta/Alpharetta, GA

I live in Alpharetta, and used to live in Huntsville, AL (near you) and travel to Guntersville/Albertville quite often.

The answer to your question totally depends on what day and time you are coming over to Alpharetta.

If Friday afternoon, don't even think about going down to I-20, then I-285 and then north up 400. I commute that everyday and can tell you it is a nightmare.
If Friday afternoon, I'd go to Huntsville and head toward Scottsboro. You have a choice at that point -- stay on 72 and head to Chattanooga and then take I-75 south to Atlanta

OR

take 35 over to and through Fort Payne, then pick up Hwy 20 east to Rome, Cartersville and Canton, then take 140 down to Alpharetta.

If on Saturday, do the I-20, I-285 and GA 400 route
or
do the I-565 to Huntsville, 72 to Scottsboro, I-24 to Chatanooga, I-75 to Cartersville, Hwy 20 to Canton and then 140 to Alpharetta.

I've been around Atlanta a number of times now. Once getting caught in 5 o'clock traffic, not fun. The other times have been sort of mid day & were not overly stressful but then my traffic tolerance may be a little higher than most since every trip for us begins & ends dealing with the Philly, Baltimore, Washington corridor.

A good navigator in the right seat helps. This way you can take advantage of HOV lanes or at least avoiding the washing machine lane that is lane #1 with all of the locals flying on & off the exits.

I would go down thru Gadsden to I-20, then east to Atlanta. Take I-285 around to GA-400 north up to Roswell, Alpharetta. Yes you can avoid the interstates, but the traffic and lights will cost you more time.

lizzie wrote:
I hate to discourage a new member but there is just no way to get to where you are going in Alpharetta without lots of traffic.

From a native to the very area, I can tell you this simply is not true.
Once you get to I-75, go south until you reach Marietta. Take the Ga. Hwy 120 east exit and follow it to Roswell. At the dead end in Roswell turn left on Ga. Hwy 9 to Alpharetta.

Yes, these are surface streets with the usual traffic lights, etc. but this is a multi-lane route that does move quickly with a 45 mph to 55 mph speed limit.

I would take I-65 S to I-565S to US231-431 then US431. Then US411 at Gadsden AL. Take GA 20E to I-75 S to exit 277, GA92. GA 92 is 4 lane hwy which may have some traffic and traffic lights but shouldn't be a problem if you have time. GA Hwy 92 runs right into 140. Not the fastest way but the roads are good.

I hate to discourage a new member but there is just no way to get to where you are going in Alpharetta without lots of traffic. There are ways to work with the interstates but when you get back into Alpharetta/Johns Creek it is just one traffic light after another. I hope you are not towing an RV? My advice is to get a good route printed out for easy access and try to familiarize yourself with which directions you will need to be turning. Use an in-car navigation system if you have one, but try to have a mental image of where you are going also. I drove to work through this area for 10 years and survived and you will too! lizzie

Are you in a hurry or leisure?

And are you towing or just running over in a car?



My choice for towing, large motorhome, or uncomfortable on backroads: Towing Route. It is about 30 miles longer, but crossing all of the big ridges will be done on nice multilane roads.

My choice for car or the one I would take in my truck camper would be:Non-towing route.

Notice both routes take 120 over to your destination, keeping you off the beltway 295 which is the worst just about anytime of the day.

Will give a caveat while I have done most of the roads these routes take, I've never been in a hurry while taking them and it has been a couple of years since I've been on them. I have not been on 120 or in Alpharetta, so hopefully someone from the area will give a better route in that area if it exist. I stay out of the Atlanta area if at all possible.

Just go to Google maps and type in your origin and destination and it will get you there no problem. You will stay on the extreme north of Atlanta so traffic will not be a big problem.

My starting point is from Elkmont, AL, closest I can see on a map is that 140 is near to Rivermont Pkwy in Alpharetta that I am going to.

Does that help?

Hard to advise when you don't narrow down the start point or destination. Small town or nearby intersection would be very helpful. Also, how big is the vehicle you are driving?

Based on the little info you provided, best guess is:

You won't even get near Atlanta traffic if you come over either 411 or pick up I-75 in Chattanoooga. Can't be sure the best way to those points because you left your starting point very vague.

From I-75, you can either catch 120 in Marietta over to Alpharetta area. May be better choices depending on exactly where you are going.