Southbound I75 thru Atlanta, Friday or Saturday

We came through southbound on Jan.2nd. We passed I 285 @ 905 AM. We slowed down once for maybe a mile, and probably averaged 45mph.

Mark

Southbound 75 outside the loop is where a lot of construction is going on and the road surface is the worst I have ever seen. Came thru late at night and discovered when I got home that the accordion shade had broken its strings. I had stopped at a rest stop north of there, SB and took a nap and the shade was OK then, I have to assume the road was so rough it broke the string. 285 down the west side is not a whole lot better. Late at night going thru downtown is probably the best, shortest and smoothest ride. The lanes are narrow, but at 2 or 3 am there is a limited amount of traffic. Just stay a couple of lanes over from the right, as the right lanes are always turning into exit only lanes.

Check the schedules for various sports activities too. They usually post them on the electronic signs as to when to avoid certain areas.

Charles

We always use the bypass. Saturday morning (or anytime on Saturday) would be better than Friday night.

If you can come through on Friday between 10am-2pm, would probably be the best time. Friday afternoons get busy by 3pm.

We live south of ATL, and pull our TT through it regularly going up to north Georgia. I can really be a crapshoot, you never know when a wreck can happen etc. We've had trips through that we ran 40-50mph most of the way through, and others we probably averaged 10mph. You just never know.

Even if you hit it on Friday afternoon, just pick a middle lane, and relax and take your time. People will cut in front of you etc. Fuel up and use the restroom around Cartersville, and just go with the flow.

Traffic in ATL stinks just about anytime.

Go straight through, do it on a weekday, not during rush hour, and use live traffic on Google maps to keep track of backups. There are many alternative routes that flow.

M.R.E. wrote:
What is the best day now ? Last year I went thru on Saturday and it was a mistake, lots of construction and backups.

Impossible to answer because it varies from day to day.

Do NOT take the bypass; that's where all the trucks are.

Avoid rush hours; 6 to 10 AM and 3 to 6 PM.

Sunday is usually best; Saturday next. But as you found out, construction and moron drivers can screw it up anytime.....and that's not just Atlanta.

M.R.E. wrote:
I am towing a 5th wheel.

We tow a 5ver too, tho not on every trip thru Atlanta. If your question is about the HOV lane we take it while towing and see others doing the same.

My mistake. The bad construction was north of Atlanta , went down to one lane. It took forever. If they do their construction on weekends then I'll do Friday.

I am towing a 5th wheel.

I just read a story about a multicar pileup on I-75 south of Atlanta and north-bound 75 is closed. I don't know if this is the current situation.

As for your question, I don't recall when I went up 75 in GA and did not hit construction activities. So that's just normal. We try to avoid rush hours but frankly we just take it as we get it. A 10 minute or so slowdown somewhere in the area is to be expected. Take the HOV lane assuming you have at least two in the truck. That speeds things along to some extent. Any diversion will burn much more time than just gritting you teeth and driving straight thru.