Atlanta construction

[Shoe2728]

Anyone know if there is still traffic slow up due to construction on I75 just south of Atlanta, heading that way end of Nov.

[jaycocamprs]

Shoe2728 wrote:
Most are shorter but not faster. If we were taking RV then the shorter routes are fine, because we are never in a hurry anyway and there is more scenery to look at. This time though we are driving around 12 hours before we stop, makes for a long day.

Google, Map Quest, ect. all are good and will give you a time based on a steady drive at the speed limit, under optimal conditions. The chance of making it thru Atlanta with optimal conditions is not good.
I just came up I-75 from Macon today. It's better than it has been, lots of new pavement

[lizzie]

Shoe. US 231 is 4-lane all the way to Montgomery. I lived and worked in Atlanta for 10 years so the traffic does not bother me. What bothers me is sitting out on I-75 around McDonough waiting for two hours. This is a fairly new thing and even happens on weekends and times that used to be good to go straight through. Good luck on your trip. lizzie

[Shoe2728]

I don’t mind driving thru Atlanta have done so numerous times, yes traffic is slow but has been pretty much moving. Its the construction zones, when traffic is really backed up. I have checked several suggested routes on here. Most are shorter but not faster. If we were taking RV then the shorter routes are fine, because we are never in a hurry anyway and there is more scenery to look at. This time though we are driving around 12 hours before we stop, makes for a long day. I have been the I75, (I280 around Atl) I20, I22 route before and it was fine. Put the truck on cruise and able to text and even doze off a little (LOL). I tried to look at GDOT and it looks like some nightly lane closures for bridge work on the North bound side. Still weighing options.Thanks for everyone’s input.

[cmcdar]

I ALWAYS try to time my drive through Atlanta to be EARLY morning on a SUNDAY.

Last year I went thru at about 8:AM on a Sunday and there was very little traffic on the road.

This year if I cannot make it during the early Sunday AM window I will use Rt 27.

[Kaz]

Shoe2728 wrote:
Anyone know if there is still traffic slow up due to construction on I75 just south of Atlanta, heading that way end of Nov.

Two things: people who freak out about Atlanta traffic just need to travel more. Atlanta's not even in the top 10 (see here: Top 10 Worst Traffic Cities and if you've ever driven anywhere in any metropolitan area, Atlanta will be completely tolerable. I usually just fall in behind a sensibly driven 18-wheeler, take I-285 around the city, and get through the urban area happy and relaxed.

Second, yes, there still is construction on I-75 south of the city (where GDOT is expanding the freeway near McDonough), and there's also construction on I-75 north of the city (where the next Braves stadium is going in, along with about a gazillion changes to the arterial connections). Plus, they're resurfacing some areas that go through Atlanta, which leads to more of the same. I'd say GDOT does a medium-good job staging the construction to avoid unnecessary tie-ups, but unfortunately work zones have a lot of *necessary* tie-ups. It's just life. As noted above, the Atlanta metro area has some area of construction pretty much year-round.

Having said that, though, I don't see that a route from JAX to Memphis takes you through Atlanta. I show the shortest route as US-27/GA-520 to Columbus, then US-280 to Birmingham, then I-22 (the new interstate mentioned above) to Memphis. I never taken US-280 through Birmingham (I expect it's a challenge) but the rest of the route is great. I've done most portions of it numerous times and it's mostly rural highways (often multi-lane) in good condition. I'd double-check your route. Or PM me and I'll send you what my routing programs show as the preferred route.

Skip

[Shoe2728]

lizzie, looked at that route and it looks pretty good. Is 231 four lane most of the way. Wont be taking fifthwheel so just driving and staying in west memphis overnight then on to Bartlesville,Ok. Long drive to Memphis so sometimes interstate less stressful and dont have to worry about going thru small towns. Yes thanks for the update on I22 I was thru there a while back and they were close to completion.

[lizzie]

Shoe. Are you aware that the new interstate (I-22) between Birmingham and Memphis is now open? We returned that way last summer from KC. From Jax take I-10 west to US 231 at Cottondale. Turn north and continue on 231 to Montgomery. Then get on I-65 and continue to north of B'ham where you switch to I-22 (old US 78). lizzie

[rwess]

Shoe2728 I would take US280 from Birmingham to Columbus and then go to Albany to Tifton where you can hit I-75 south. Not sure about the Birmingham to Columbus section, but from Columbus to Albany to Tifton is very good 4 lane divided highway @65mph. This is better than sitting in the Atlanta traffic.

[RGar974417]

I agree with the others. Do anything to avoid Atlanta. I pulled through there twice, 20 years apart. Once at 11pm and once at 4:30 am. I thought by avoiding the daytime it would be better. It wasn't.

[Shoe2728]

Iam going to Memphis from Jax,Fl and google maps is showing I75 to I20 as fastest route, takes me right thru Atlanta, changed to taking 285 around Atlanta to I20. We are leaving at 4:30am next Wednesday from Jax that would put me in Atlanta around 9:30 at least rush hour traffic should be down a little, I know its always rush hour going thru Atlanta. Last time I came thru there south bound in Oct. 2016 pulling a fifthwheel it wasnt so bad going thru Atlanta, but contruction on the other side had us backed up for almost an hour.

[lizzie]

Due to the placement of our homes (south of Tallahassee & north of Atlanta)we have to drive through Atlanta often. In the past year I-75 south of Atlanta has become very problematic 24/7. There is simply too much traffic for the present infrastructure to handle. Road construction, an accident in either direction, a holiday just complicates an already bad situation. We have started using the I-85 to I-185 (to Columbus) route, continuing on US 27 to Tallahassee. Surprisingly, it is not further, we cut an hour off our normal time, and we avoid the possibility of long waits. It is also a very pleasant drive. lizzie

[Allworth]

Some part of I-75 in the Atlanta metro area has been under construction since I started at Georgia Tech....in 1959.

[Roadpilot]

I went through Atlanta 2nd week of Sept. with a 45' MH towing a stacker. It was a Sunday and we had no problem. Flew right through.

[rwess]

Do not go through Atlanta. Traffic is a nightmare. I-75 on the northside is bad. Going straight thru downtown is bad, I-285 is really bad. The southside is a nightmare. I live about 45 miles west of Atlanta and I hate driving thru Atlanta, especially when I am towing my camper. There are too many idiots on the Interstates there going 100mph and cutting in front of you and slamming on their brakes.
Look at using US-27. It is a 4 lane highway, mostly divided, from Chattanooga to Tallahassee. From LaGrange to Columbus/Fort Benning is interstate. Just map it out and see what works best for you to cut over to US-27 and where to cut back over to I-75.
It is a very nice pleasant drive with 65mph in rural areas, which is most of the way.