Ashville NC to Houston Tx /Avoiding Atlanta

[Leno]

I will be heading back to Houston area next week from Ashville area. I really want to avoid Atlanta if possible. Any suggestions?

[BillMFl]

441 south out of Ashville is a very pretty drive but slow compared to interstates. Also hilly and somewhat narrow for a big rig just south of Ashville. I do it every now and then in my van camper. You can stay on 441 all the way to I10 in Florida which is what I like to do in my van. Haven't used this route in my MH.

[RonWSl]

Depends on your planned route once south of Atlanta. I am one of those that will go out of my way to miss that madness. Route we take from Ashville to go west and then pick up US Hyway 441 south, and once below Atlanta, go west to pick up I-75 again Not a bad route at all.

[down_home]

An alternative is I40 to I75 Knox to Chatt to US72 S Pittsburg divided four lane to Huntsville, Al 465 to west through Huntsville and US72 etc to Cherokee, Al and then onto thee Natchez Trace to near Jackson Miss, and I20 and down I55, I think, look it up to I10. It may take a little longer since I haven't mapped the route but we took it a couple of times to enjoy scenery. we didn't go down to I10 though since our destination was Arizona until Texas. Lots of water and open country on US72 east of Huntsville and light traffic with few traffic lights. Once on the Trace and just take time and enjoy. bring your rod when you get to the lake. Fix dinner off one of the pull offs, usually since traffic is generally very light until Tupelo area. Two average full service camp grounds right off Trace in Miss and that's all.
Just a possibility

[TexasH]

I've done the Atlanta route lots of times. I've never had much of a problem taking I-85 to I-285 around the east side of town, and back to I-85 on the South side. Stay on I-85 south to Montgomery, then I-65 to Mobile, then I-10 and I-12 to Houston. There is always traffic around Atlanta, but no worse than around Houston. Just avoid the rush hours, and avoid the "downtown connector" and the north and west sides of I-285. I've sometimes get heavy traffic, but seldom slowed to a stop. Watch the signs for staying in the right lane and you should be alright. I would certainly not go way out of the way just to miss it!

[kohldad]

I agree taking I40 west to I75 to I59 down south is the easy and pretty way to avoid Atlanta.

With the new bridge in Knoxville, just stay on I40, don't take the bypass. If it is rush hour, just stop at Camping World on the east side of Knoxville and browse for an hour or two to let traffic clear.

About the best place to fuel up is just before I75 heads south from I40. Big truck stops catching all of the I75 & I40 traffic.

[artguys]

Best time to transit Atlanta is 1am to 4am...end of issue. There are many layover opportunities on I85 from the S Carolina border to Atlanta. After disposing of Atlanta the rest is a breeze.

[jci49]

According to Bing Maps, to go through Chattanooga and Birmingham it takes 30 minutes and 40 miles more (15 hours compared to 14.5 hours). So, it is your choice. There is a long stretch around Fort Payne, AL where they have been working on the Interstate since the beginning of time that is really frustrating because the make you drive 45-55 mph for no good reason / that is when you can tell what the speed limit is since it seems to change several times. I have never really found Atlanta to be so bad if you avoid any rush times. They tend to speed a lot which to me, means you should be able to maintain the posted speed limit. I also understand the police are cracking down on speeders! Best wishes for a safe trip home!!

[Leno]

I drove thru Atlanta 2 weeks ago, thinking a Sunday would be okay. It was a nightmare..Not sure if I want to take the chance again, lol
Although I don't like driving in Houston, it is familiar ground.

[rv2go]

You could take I-40 to Knoxville, 75 to Chattanooga, 59 to Slidell, then 12 and 10 west.

But, What's the problem with Atlanta? I have driven all routes around and thru Atlanta and find Atlanta no different than any large city. IMO, Lots easier that Houston.