Construction/delays on I-20/I-75? (Atlanta, Tifton: towns, downtown, interstate)

[Tourister]

All

Just wondering if anyone could pass along any significant construction delays I should expect (mid June) along the I-20/I-75 route from Birmingham to Atlanta, and Atlanta down to Tifton. Was actually thinking of the route that takes I-285 west of Atlanta proper.

Still trying to decide if I want to take the interstate route from Birmingham to Tifton, which I've done before and stays on mainstream roads, or take the US 280/GA 520 route which is more rural and slower, but fewer miles...

Thanks...

[netdragon]

I'm confused... I-285 is the beltway and is usually slower than going straight through Atlanta. Are you talking about the construction in midtown? If going from I-20 to I-75, you'd be bypassing the construction. Or are you talking about something different?

[Tourister]

Originally Posted by netdragon

I'm confused... I-285 is the beltway and is usually slower than going straight through Atlanta. Are you talking about the construction in midtown? If going from I-20 to I-75, you'd be bypassing the construction. Or are you talking about something different?

Well, maybe I need to be educated

Recalling how I went through Georgia in 2001, and comparing it to the map, it appears I can bypass the heart of Atlanta by taking I-285 south from I-20 to the Landford Parkway, then east back to I-75. I thought this was the route I took when I went through here in 2001, thinking it might be advisable to avoid the traffic in Atlanta. I guess that same philosophy applies.

I've also heard of some real construction nightmares through Atlanta, and if I've got that wrong, please advise!

My whole point in asking is that I'm trying to decide between the I-20/I-75 route between Birmingham and Tifton, or the US 82/GA 520 route. The former is on established interstate highways, while the latter is on a shorter, but more rural route through smaller towns. The latter should be a shorter route (time-wise), but the former is more "familiar" in that its on interstate highways. Part of me says to stick with what's familiar, the other says take the new route and save some time.

Never too proud to defer to someone with better knowledge or experience, so if there's a smarter choice here, please lemme know!

T

[GoodScout]

Originally Posted by Tourister

All

Just wondering if anyone could pass along any significant construction delays I should expect (mid June) along the I-20/I-75 route from Birmingham to Atlanta, and Atlanta down to Tifton. Was actually thinking of the route that takes I-285 west of Atlanta proper.

Still trying to decide if I want to take the interstate route from Birmingham to Tifton, which I've done before and stays on mainstream roads, or take the US 280/GA 520 route which is more rural and slower, but fewer miles...

Thanks...

As long as you avoid downtown Atlanta on the weekends (where they have an horrific repaving program going on) you should be OK. Take I-20 to I-285 South to I-75 South.

I did the 280 route 10 years ago from B'ham to Cordele, and it was LOOOOONG.