Traffic / Commute from Marietta to Decatur (Atlanta: house, neighborhoods, place to live)

[GASouthernAlumni09]

I have recently accepted a job in Decatur. I will be commuting from Marietta. I have to be at work at 8:00 am. Mapquest tells me to take I-75 to I-20 to get into Decatur and says that the drive is about 43 mins. Should I go this way or should I take I-285 East to Exit 48 (Flat Shoals) which Mapquest says the drive is about 50 mins.

Does anyone make this commute? Which way is recommended, going downtown or taking the loop? What can be expected of traffic?

Thank you for all your help I'm new to the Atlanta area and I am still learning my way around.

[floyd242]

Woa, flat shoals? Where in Decatur are you working?

Both of those commutes are going to be hellish, but if you leave your house at 6-6:30 you're commute in the morning should be fine. In the afternoon I would just avoid 285 at all costs... 20->75N will be your best bet 95% of the time.

Georgia Navigator :: Traffic Maps is a good resource.

[TakeAhike]

To clarify--do you need to travel from Marietta to Flat Shoals Rd/Decatur?

This is not 'Decatur, the city of'.

I think I would want to move closer to work at the first opportunity.

The commute back to Marietta would intimidate me.

[GASouthernAlumni09]

[quote=TakeAhike;11188571]To clarify--do you need to travel from Marietta to Flat Shoals Rd/Decatur?

Yes. I do need to travel from Marietta to Flat Shoals Rd.

Sorry I didnt mean to label it as the City of Decatur. Im new to the Atlanta area of about 3 months so Im still learning .

[LovinDecatur]

Originally Posted by floyd242

Woa, flat shoals? Where in Decatur are you working?

Both of those commutes are going to be hellish, but if you leave your house at 6-6:30 you're commute in the morning should be fine. In the afternoon I would just avoid 285 at all costs... 20->75N will be your best bet 95% of the time.

Georgia Navigator :: Traffic Maps is a good resource.

I would agree. And leave early

[bizchick86]

Having actually had experience taking 285 to work, I can tell you that 285 E and S is definitely much better than 75S and going through the connector in the morning rush hour. I had to take 285 S for work at one point, and that commute is a breeze. There was hardly anyone going down that route in the morning. However, having to take 285 N and then 285 W in the afternoon is hellish around the top end of the perimeter.

Take 285 in the morning and 75 in the afternoon.

[TakeAhike]

[quote=GASouthernAlumni09;11197067]

Originally Posted by TakeAhike

To clarify--do you need to travel from Marietta to Flat Shoals Rd/Decatur?

Yes. I do need to travel from Marietta to Flat Shoals Rd.

Sorry I didnt mean to label it as the City of Decatur. Im new to the Atlanta area of about 3 months so Im still learning .

It doesn't matter except that you would need a different route if you were trying to arrive in the City of Decatur, I think.

good luck to you

[10scoachrick]

Depending on where you pick up 75S from 'Marietta' you may just end up hating yourself. Hopefully, you are pretty close to the top-end perimeter...the traffic cams show stopped traffic through Windy Hill some mornings. Any more exits to the north and you should start looking for a new place to live. Be sure to have good sunglasses for the eastbound stretch of 285 in the AM(if that is your chosen route) and may the force be with you in the PM. Good luck!

[bornjacksonian]

Question:

I hope to be residing in the Atlanta area sometime in early 10' and want to know why you wouldn't have taken 285 around to the Flat Shoals Parkway exit? How is the traffic on 285 in the mornings (7,8,9) east towards Decatur. I been looking at properties in Marietta and a lot of friends I know live in the area. My current employer headquarters is located in Decatur and I hope to be relocated there as well. Thanks for your feedback.

[LovinDecatur]

Originally Posted by bornjacksonian

Question:

I hope to be residing in the Atlanta area sometime in early 10' and want to know why you wouldn't have taken 285 around to the Flat Shoals Parkway exit? How is the traffic on 285 in the mornings (7,8,9) east towards Decatur. I been looking at properties in Marietta and a lot of friends I know live in the area. My current employer headquarters is located in Decatur and I hope to be relocated there as well. Thanks for your feedback.

These people are serious when they say I285 E from Marietta is murder, especially between I75 and I20. There will be complete gridlock on the Perimeter as commuters attempting to get on I85 S and I20W.
You'd save your sanity by locating in one of the NE/E neighborhoods and visiting your Marietta friends on the weekend.