driving 75 but I want to avoid Atlanta traffic (Columbus, Macon: construction, congested)

[popcorn247]

I will be driving through Georgia on my way to the Midwest. I really hate driving in heavy traffic and would like to go clear around Atlanta....clear around. Is there any way you might suggest to avoid the congested traffic?

[alco89]

If you don't drive through between 7-9 AM and 3-7 PM Monday-Friday, you'll be fine. On the weekends, the downtown connector may get congested, but that's for only like 3 miles and to remedy that you can just bypass the city on 285. Otherwise.......I really don't know what to tell you, other than use a bunch of back roads.

[MattCW]

Depending on where you're coming from and where you're going, you might could go through Montgomery and Birmingham. Google says Orlando to Nashville via that route is only an hour longer than through Atlanta. You cold also branch off at Tifton or Cordele and follow US 27 through Columbus and Rome.

[Born 2 Roll]

Originally Posted by popcorn247

I will be driving through Georgia on my way to the Midwest. I really hate driving in heavy traffic and would like to go clear around Atlanta....clear around. Is there any way you might suggest to avoid the congested traffic?

What part of the Midwest are you headed to?

[popcorn247]

Originally Posted by Born 2 Roll

What part of the Midwest are you headed to?

Indiana - Lafayette

[Brian]

I have family in Tippecanoe, Montgomery, Boone and Fountain counties in that area.

I am thinking, maybe take route to Rome, GA on 27/127 and continue down to Griffin, GA to I-75 toward Macon?

I have tried using Google Maps, but I am struggling with their new format.

[netdragon]

285 on weekends and nights in the NW metro is no good due to construction on the Atlanta Rd interchange in Smyrna. You'd have to get off on S Cobb Dr.

Honestly, you're going to get through Atlanta just to hit construction in Chattanooga, which almost always has construction for whatever reason. I'd avoid 75 altogether once you get near Atlanta. I'd take 285 on the West side until I-20, then take I-20 West until Thornton Rd, and take a right then 6/278 through Dallas, Rockmart and Cedartown, then get off of that and go through Center, AL until you get to I-59, then take that up to I-24 West of Chattanooga to avoid most of the construction in Chattanooga.

Google may say it's slower, but you'll save time avoiding I-75 from Atlanta to Chattanooga.


IF you go through the Atlanta area:

Take 285 on the West side until you get to South Cobb Dr in Smyrna (just across the river) then take South Cobb Dr North until Windy Hill Rd, then take that East until you hit I-75.

[toll_booth]

Honestly, as long as you avoid rush hour (as some have noted), I'd just bite the bullet and drive all the way through. You could try using I-285 around the west side, but all that's going to do is trade the multi, multi-laned Downtown Connector for a pretty busy truck corridor.

While we're here, it is EXTREMELY important to note one particular aspect about our freeways: Ignore the 55 mph speed limit. Seriously. If you value your rear bumper, and possibly your life, ignore it. Cops won't even touch you if you're going 65 or so, which I've found to be a pretty reasonable speed to set my cruise control on in town.

[ElleKaye]

Originally Posted by Brian

I have family in Tippecanoe, Montgomery, Boone and Fountain counties in that area.

I am thinking, maybe take route to Rome, GA on 27/127 and continue down to Griffin, GA to I-75 toward Macon?

I have tried using Google Maps, but I am struggling with their new format.

I strongly dislike the new format. You can click the "?" button in the bottom right and then click the "Return to classic Google Maps" link to go back. You have to do it every time, but it's worth the few extra clicks.

[toll_booth]

Originally Posted by ElleKaye

I strongly dislike the new format. You can click the "?" button in the bottom right and then click the "Return to classic Google Maps" link to go back. You have to do it every time, but it's worth the few extra clicks.

Agreed! And what is up with the low resolution and slow refresh rate of the satellite view?!