Driving thru Altanta question

[disneyfan56]

The other thread about driving from Syracuse got my husband and I thinking about our own drive down to disney in August.

We're in NJ, but my husband always likes to try different routes just for the pure enjoyment.

So, he is thinking that we could drive out to PA and pick up 81 and take it down to 75, and we would have a nice scenic drive.

But once we get to the Altanta area, is better to stay on 75 or take 285 and circle the city. We would be passing through there early on a sunday morning in the beginning of August.

Any opinions of which route would be least stressful?

 

[sbkline]

I've done it both ways and have never had a problem either way. Of course, when we've gone straight through Atlanta, it's been either very late at night/past midnight, or 6 or 7 PM on a Sunday night, or something like that. Anytime we've come up to Atlanta at a time when I thought rush hour might be a factor, we've taken the bypass.

I'd imagine you'd be fine early in the morning on a Sunday. I think I personally prefer to go straight through if possible. Not only is it quicker (assumming you're not backed up in traffic, of course), but I enjoy seeing the city as I go through. It's especially pretty at night, which in your case, it wouldn't be, but it's still a pretty sight.

 

[HollyBelle]

I agree that it all depends on the time and day when you get there. I think you would be safe to drive straight through early on a Sunday morning. And it is much more scenic than going out around the city.

 

[Mikester71]

Done them both too myself. First trip back in March 2005 - took the bypass. Still ended up getting caught in traffic, so don't think I saved any time really. Second trip in March 2007 - stayed on 75 and shot straight through the heart of the city. WAY more scenic and actually way quicker if you don't get caught in traffic. Our third trip last month - I went to take the bypass, but got mixed up somehow. Actually, my new GPS wanted me to stay straight on 75, but the TripTix from AAA had me going the bypass. Finally ended up letting the GPS find my way back to the 75 south and just stuck on it and went straight through the heart of the city again. Like I said above, WAAAY quicker if you happen to not get any traffic.

For the record, all three times were on a Friday night between 6-9pm during Canadian Spring Break week. :wave:

 

[unkadug]

The other thread about driving from Syracuse got my husband and I thinking about our own drive down to disney in August.

We're in NJ, but my husband always likes to try different routes just for the pure enjoyment.

So, he is thinking that we could drive out to PA and pick up 81 and take it down to 75, and we would have a nice scenic drive.

But once we get to the Altanta area, is better to stay on 75 or take 285 and circle the city. We would be passing through there early on a sunday morning in the beginning of August.

Any opinions of which route would be least stressful?

Go straight through. 285 is a lot extra mileage, with little scenic value.

Driving through any major city is never a walk in the park, but the 75/85 downtown connector isn't really THAT bad (IMHO), especially on a Sunday. :wave:

 

[magicmaya]

I'd take 75.I live in atlanta.We usually drive that way.Good luck.Atlanta's a boring city.

 

[Wilt Dasney]

Sunday morning should be smooth sailing. Go straight down 75, keep an eye out for the 75/85 split south of downtown, and you should be golden.

Edit: I don't think you even have to worry about the split going south, since the main road just becomes 75 again and 85 splits off from it. Going north, you have to pick one or the other.

 

[mickeysaver]

For your "arrival time" on I-75, I would say to drive straight through Atlanta vs taking 285, which is never a "pretty" ride.

 

[disneyfan56]

Thank you all for your input. It sounds that going through on a sunday morning shouldn't be too bad.


Now we just have to wait until August to go. That's the bad part

 

[Larry Mondello]

Sunday morning go straight thru; will not be a problem. Bypass BTW is only one mile longer and you do get to go under a runway at ATL. I know some people who have made the mistake of circling 285 twice.

 

[GatorGambit]

Take it from another ATL-ien...take I-75 straight through and stick to the HOV lanes. Make sure that you don't accidently take the exit onto I-85 North or Northside Drive from I-75 South, both of which branch off from the HOV lanes on I-75 South.

 

[Dwarful]

We always go through on a Friday night or Saturday morning. We always stick to 75. Personally, I think Atlanta gets a bad rap, we haven't had any troubles...and compared to some areas, their signage is actually pretty decent.

 

[sbkline]

I wouldn't worry about Atlanta nearly as much as I would be concerned about the southern half of Georgia as a whole. Every flippin' time we go through, no matter what year it is, there is always lots of roadwork taking place on I-75. During the daytime, it often results in traffic coming to a screeching halt, where it may take an hour or so just to move 5 miles. During the night, when traffic is lighter, they are constantly jacking around with the speed limit. 60 mph here, down to 50 there, back up to 55 here, back up to 65 there, etc. I think the Governor of Georgia knows whenever we're coming through and tells his highway people to start tearing up the roads to mess up our trip. :brick::lol:

 

[MichRX7]

I think the Governor of Georgia knows whenever we're coming through and tells his highway people to start tearing up the roads to mess up our trip. :brick::lol:

I don't think it's just you, we were through there just the other day and I-75 north of Valdosta is brutal (as always). It seems like there is never-ending construction in that area.

As for Atlanta, go straight though at that time on a Sunday it'll be much faster.