Atlanta By-pass

[testa50]

Just take 75. You might get a bit of traffic, but on 285 you're guaranteed a white-knuckle drive surrounded by 18-wheelers.

[Saintmarks]

Originally Posted by netdragon

HOV lanes can get backed up, so you still need to pick the right times. But I agree it's a better choice than 285.

If you hit metro ATL during rush hours, I still suggest to use the state routes far from ATL typically called things like the "outer beltway" and "Northern arc". Routes like 27. They are divided truck routes meant to bypass the entire metro. You'll get hit with stoplights, but will be moving the rest of hte time.

As someone who's taken a trailer through Washington, DC when it was backed up, I know full well you don't want to get caught in traffic during rush hour.

I started to suggest taking 82 west at Tifton to Albany and the the 520 corridor to Columbus, 185 to LaGrange then 27 up to Rome and GA 51 to Calhoun and back on to 75. This is 4 laned almost the entire route. even though you will have stops through the various towns on the way. Thought it might get shouted down, but since you mention it, I will second it.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by netdragon

Load up Google Navigator on your Android and turn on voice navigation. It'll take you around the red areas.

Waze will do that, too.

[tonygeorgia]

Originally Posted by testa50

just take 75. You might get a bit of traffic, but on 285 you're guaranteed a white-knuckle drive surrounded by 18-wheelers.

+1

[netdragon]

What I'm amazed at is how many people go on the forum just to ask how to get through Atlanta. It really is a black hole for driving, isn't it?

My father, when he moved down here this year, said traffic is horrendous but not quite as bad as he imagined it would be based on everything he heard. He has learned to make good use of surface roads. Once you learn that, and aren't stuck using highways, you're in good shape. I almost never use the highways during rush hour but I also intentionally avoid driving during rush hour as much as possible.

What really stinks is getting out of Atlanta on holidays.

[netdragon]

Originally Posted by Saintmarks

I started to suggest taking 82 west at Tifton to Albany and the the 520 corridor to Columbus, 185 to LaGrange then 27 up to Rome and GA 51 to Calhoun and back on to 75. This is 4 laned almost the entire route. even though you will have stops through the various towns on the way. Thought it might get shouted down, but since you mention it, I will second it.

OP - I'd either avoid rush hour and take the diamond lane, or do what's suggested above.

[Saintmarks]

Originally Posted by netdragon

OP - I'd either avoid rush hour and take the diamond lane, or do what's suggested above.

Albany has a bypass, most other towns are small, you would have to go thru LaGrange. Plans are for US 27 to bypass LaGrange someday and tie in with the junction of 185 and 85 but last time I was there was no sign of anything starting on that yet. Carrollton is not too hard, some lights, Rome has a bypass too, so really not a bad drive. Would be MUCH less stressful than 75 as well.

I like having a little more time to take non-interstate routes. Sometimes on my drive from Texas to Georgia, I will get off the interstate and go down the parralleling US highway. Never any traffic, usually a US highway that is well built, just a few traffic lights here and there in the small towns, but is so much more interesting than the endless sameness of the interstate.

[netdragon]

It's nice that people can do that down South. In New England where I grew up, state highways are usually too old and congested to be much use.

[bornjacksonian]

Your best bet is 285 but the time of day will also be a factor. Going directly through the city you will have to deal with even more volume of cars when entering the downtown connector. Taking 285 West/South on around to 75 will be the better option.

[Saintmarks]

Originally Posted by bornjacksonian

Your best bet is 285 but the time of day will also be a factor. Going directly through the city you will have to deal with even more volume of cars when entering the downtown connector. Taking 285 West/South on around to 75 will be the better option.

Would still say the worst part of any trip north out of Atlanta during rush hour will be north of 285, be it 75 in Cobb, 400 in Fulton or 85 in Gwinett or any stretch of the arc of 285 between the three.