Commute Question (Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody: home, good schools, living in)

[US-Traveller]

How long would it take you to commute from Duluth or Suwanee to Western Lithonia? It would be a typical 8AM to 4/5PM commute.

Is taking 85 to 285 the best way? How bad is the traffic that way?

Are there nicer areas closer over that way?

[US-Traveller]

Anyone know about this commute?

[nature's message]

According to Google Maps, taking I-85 to 285 is the quickest way. It's about a 45 minute commute (depending on traffic).

You will pass Decatur, which I think is a nice town. Also, you are a couples of miles from Buckhead/Sandy Springs/Dunwoody when you are at the 85/285 intersection. It's one of the wealthiest areas in the country.

[TakeAhike]

I think there are better routes but cannot provide this FYI.

Sugarloaf Parkway/316--heavily traveled and I would estimate over an hour each way.

If you lived in Dacula or Grayson/on the NE side you would have a better commute.

[PKCorey]

take 124 South out of Gwinnett....

The highway route doesn't make sense...

[Georgia]

There are a few routes. 316 is a pain in the arse and will be until the Rt 20 intersection is began and completed. Supposed to be by 2012. There are other ways too. You are still looking at 45 minutes. If you are working in Duluth/Suwanee, then I would also suggest the Dacula area.

[wxjay]

Why not choose to live in Dacula?

[US-Traveller]

I'd be looking at living in Duluth or Suwanee and commuting to just west of Lithonia. 45 minutes is what I mapped it out to be, but having experienced Atlanta traffic I was concerned that this might not work out. Are there some nicer areas closer to Lithonia? Nice community, good schools, upscale housing, etc.?

Here is the commute I am considering if I were to choose to commute from Suwanee to Lithonia:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...3&ie=UTF8&z=10

[TakeAhike]

I think you should double the estimated time.

There would be significant traffic in the Suwanee area and also from I 285 to US278 at Covington Hwy. The I20 traffic could affect the segment of your route at that point. If you can try the drive in person at different times of the day/night you might have a better idea.

The Dacula/Winder area might have some options--the 'Lawrenceville' area.

[PKCorey]

85 southbound isgoing to be a bear in the morning.

Honestly, the best thing to do is take any of the cross roads in Gwinnett that meet 124.Take 124 down to Old Covington Rd get to work. It will be faster even with all the lights. After Rosebud Centreville Rd, it is smooth sailings. The lights are more spaced out...

Going home in the evening, you will have congestion from Ronald Reagan Parkway upwards. You can't avoid that at all. You have more options in the evening than the morning.