For those concerned about driving through Atlanta - a primer

[Bob_Shaw]

HOW TO DRIVE IN ATLANTA:
1. You must first learn to pronounce the city name, Atlana. Old-timers are still allowed to call it Alana.

2. The morning rush hour is from 5:00 am to noon. The evening rush hour is from noon to 7:00 pm. Friday's rush hour starts on Thursday morning.

3. The minimum acceptable speed on I-285 is 80 mph. On I-75 and I-85, your speed is expected to at least match the highway number. Anything less is considered 'Wussy'.

4. Forget the traffic rules you learned elsewhere. Atlanta has its own version of traffic rules. For example, Ferraris and Lamborghinis owned by sports stars go first at a four-way stop. Cars/trucks with the loudest muffler go second. The trucks with the biggest tires go third. The HOV lanes are really designed just for the slow Floridians passing through who are used to hogging the left lane everywhere.

5. If you actually stop at a yellow light or stop sign, you will be rear ended, cussed out, and possibly shot. Unless there is a police car nearby.

6. Never honk at anyone. Ever. Seriously. It's another offense that can get you shot.

7. Road construction is permanent and continuous. Detour barrels are moved around for your entertainment pleasure during the middle of the night to make the next day's driving a bit more exciting. Generally, city roads other than the main streets have more potholes and bumps (usually speed bumps) than most dirt roads in the countryside.

8. Watch carefully for road hazards such as drunks, possums, skunks, dogs, barrels, cones, furniture, cats, mattresses, shredded tires, squirrels, rabbits, and crows.

9. Be aware that spelling of street names may change from block to block, e.g., Clairmont, Claremont, Clairmonte.

10. If someone actually has their turn signal on, wave them to the shoulder immediately to let them know it has been “accidentally activated”.

11. If you are in the left lane and only driving 75 in a 55-65 mph zone, k, e.g., you are considered a road hazard and will be “flipped off” accordingly. If you return the flip, you'll be shot.

12. For summer driving, it is advisable to wear potholders on your hands.

[Bob_Shaw]

One thing I noticed that was missing when I copied the list from another site was: The old ladder in the roadway. We seem to get a fair amount of those.

[deweysmith5]

1. Will Boston over Atlanta any day. Will take Atlanta over Chicago.
2. Ran over a mattress on I75 once in Atlanta.
3. Every road, street, avenue, boulevard is named Peachtree.

[Jack_Diane_Free]

Have gone through Atlanta many, many times on the bypass and I rely on my Garmin GPS and common sense to keep me in the correct lane. Gives me lots of notice to move over. Sometimes have to be a little aggressive to change lanes but when people see 60 ft of truck and trailer coming over they usually let you in. Not any worse than 401 across the top of Toronto. I do not know when people freak over Atlanta. Just drive it.

[dodge_guy]

I went through on a Friday at noon, if that's all Atlanta has to offer give me more! I'll take Atlanta traffic anytime!

[mgirardo]

I've read plenty of "Worst Traffic Cities in the US" news stories. I've never seen Atlanta ranked in the top 10. Here's an example.

-Michael

[Sea_Dog]

I have driven through and around Atlanta annually
for forty years.
I can see no problem.

Compared to the 401 through Toronto,
driving I75 through Atlanta is a stroll
down a country lane!

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

The only thing that makes Atlanta even more "fun" is snow - which we have discovered turns immediately into Black Ice, the likes of which we have never seen in Michigan - and which also seems to make the locals freak out and IMMEDIATELY lock up their brakes......

[portscanner]

I live near Atlanta and I can offer only 2 corrections to your list.

Item 2 - minor correction: The speed limits are clearly marked on the interstates on those red, white and blue signs. There are 3 speed limits in Atlanta; 75, 85 and 285. BTW: In case you had some worries, the 285 actually means "85 MPH going 2 directions around in a circle"

Additional item - which Hiking Hunter got - every street is named Peachtree.

[wbwood]

Atlanta is not that bad...but if you can't stand traffic nad want to be a fuddy duddy, then drive at night and don't stop...lol

[jsmart]

obgraham wrote:
Most of us know that the major urban cities are going to be a p.i.t.a. in a motorhome.

But there are also smaller cities where the confusing roads, traffic and drivers are bad out of proportion to the city's size.

I nominate Tulsa. With Salt Lake City just a tad behind. Any others??

I405 in Seattle is getting weird, we now have two HOV lanes between Bellevue and some place north. One lane is HOV with 3+, the other one you can drive in if you pay money (more road taxes, even though we have crappy roads and one of the highest state gas taxes around).
And there is nevera time when that freeway is not crowded, we've even tried driving on 405 at 0300, still bumper to bumper through Bellevue.

[obgraham]

Most of us know that the major urban cities are going to be a p.i.t.a. in a motorhome.

But there are also smaller cities where the confusing roads, traffic and drivers are bad out of proportion to the city's size.

I nominate Tulsa. With Salt Lake City just a tad behind. Any others??

[WILDEBILL308]

Now that you have got that down would you come on down to Dallas and teach us how to drive the canyons on I-30. The north 610 loop. or perhaps the some of the other easy places to drive like north 820/I-35W exchange in Fort Worth that was designated one of the most congested road in US. I drove Atlanta this summer and didn't think it was bad.
Bill

[TNRIVERSIDE]

Good post. I have found that my Garmin GPS with updated maps works good in getting through Atlanta. It will tell me what lane I need to be in in advance of any turns or lane change.

[AdirondackJack]

Great tips Bob, we knew there had to be some secrets. Made our day and too good not to re-post on our FB page (with credit of course)! Thanks, Jack (https://www.facebook.com/OurSnowbirdRVTrails)