how is the commute on 78 (Atlanta, Decatur: home, living in, malls)

[goodbyenyc]

I will be living in Grayson, and will be commutting to Decatur via 78. How does that compare to travelling to Atlanta. Is it a rough commute? I did drive rush hour commute to Sandy springs in the pouring rain and it was roughly an hour getting there.. didn't do the home commute. But I passed that up. Because I was scared of the commute. Any input would be great

[vandiver49]

The commute on HWY 78 is marinally better than most ATL expressway. The surface street portion is also congested during rush hour, but most traveller are headed to I-285. Its being uncerimoniously dumped onto Scott Blvd that the real nightmare begins.

[JPD]

Originally Posted by vandiver49

... Its being uncerimoniously dumped onto Scott Blvd that the real nightmare begins.

This is not at all realistic. I get on 78 at Brockett Rd every morning. Once I get past the hordes of cars trying to get onto 285 it is smooth sailing. I don't know what the traffic is like on 78 out in Grayson or Snellville, but to say the worst part is getting on Scott Blvd is simply not true.

[south-to-west]

Beware of the suicide lanes going through the Snellville and Lilburn portions of Hwy 78. The traffic on this part is miserable with multiple traffic lights, multiple strip malls where cars enter and exit, and several lanes that switch directions.

The good news is that for one, Highway 78 will take you straight to Decatur. Also, GDOT has plans to discard the suicide lanes on Hwy 78 and add a median. Good luck!

[JPD]

If you'll be working in Downtown Decatur you should experiment with various ways of getting into the city. It seems like most folks approach the downtown Decatur area from Church street, which forks to the left about 1/4 or 1/2 mile after 78 dumps you onto Scott Blvd. You might find it easier to pass Church Street and go a couple more miles down Scott to Clairemont Rd (go left), which will put you right in downtown Decatur. Depending on where in Dectur you'll be working this might save you some time.

My commute on 78 tends to be heavier in the afternoon rush than the morning rush, and appears to get clogged between the Brockett and Mountain Industrial exits.

[goodbyenyc]

Thanks for all the replies! It helps.