Is 285 East the preferred route around Atlanta?

Good rule for Atlanta, or any city. Get in one of the middle lanes & hang on tight. Let the mayhem go by on either side. #1 lane for those zipping on & off. #2 lane for the local traffic doing more than one exit. #3 for me. #4 or more for the NASCAR drivers who like to roll the dice.

J&R wrote:
When your southbound I75 approaching 285. Take the 3rd or 4th lane from the wall in middle, your left.

3rd from left is the 1 to use. It will take you all the way thru. When you pass I-285 on the southside move left 1 more lane

I-285 traffic east side is terrible with GA400, spaghetti junction and I-20 being the worst. West side is rougher than a rock crawlers dream. Through the middle is the way. Stay out of the far left lanes, no vehicles over 6 wheels comm or non-comm. It's best if you can leave a couple of lanes to your right side, traffic getting on and off keep them hopping. As stated watch for exit only lanes and move left accordingly.

The main thing is don't get in a hurry and leave plenty of room to stop, when someone jumps into your safety margin, and they will, just add some more stopping space cause you never know when you'll need it in Atlanta. If you can laugh at those in a hurry instead of trying to boil tea, you'll be much happier once you exit this little burg.

Don't think that would work. Like has been said, the far right can be a pain because of traffic coming into that lane. However, stay away from the far left also. We had a tour bus accidently run up a ramp off the left lane and fall off at the top where it dead ended into a bridge. Several members of a college baseball team were killed. This happened something like a mile or so below the 285 loop on the top (north side) Stay in your lane and just run with the traffic. It would be better if you could pass through between 10 and noon. If you do decide the loop, then 285 east is the better, albeit a bit longer route.

Thanks to all of you, I will go straight through as you suggest. Like I had posted earlier that is the way we have traveled in the past, but misinformation had me thinking I had to go around.

Thanks again, Bill

Can two people in a truck and travel trailer use the HOV lane?

Trucks over 6 wheels must use 285 unless you have a delivery inside of 285. Does not apply to non commercial vehicles. I75 straight thru. When your southbound I75 approaching 285. Take the 3rd or 4th lane from the wall in middle, your left.

I am with the others. On that day and time of the day go straight on through. As others say pick a lane and stay in it. Don't get in the car pool lane and avoid the far right. As others have said the far right always becomes the exit lane and it is best if you can just stay in one lane as there is less chance of an accident.

Jim Shoe wrote:
A hint: Stay out of the far right lane. It will become "Exit Only" soon. When it does, move to the left again. Going around on I-285 just prolongs the misery.

X2 as we go through often although I usually use the HOV lane... 70 mph. Actually you can have two lanes that become exits but you'll have a couple miles warning for those. Tune WSB 750AM for traffic reports plus the overhead displays are a big help too. It's only two hours to Atl so do not leave too early...8:30.

Go straight through your best bet, stay in your lane you will be ok. The multi axle only applies to tractor trailers. Have a safe trip mid day through Atlanta is not a problem.