Favorite stretch of interstate in GA? (Atlanta, Columbus: garden, moving, congested)

[andrewmeteorology123]

What is everyone’s favorite stretch of any interstate in Georgia? My favorite is probably I-75 between Atlanta and Chattanooga as the interstate enters the Cumberland Plateau region.

[Brian_M]

wut? lol... ok, perspective here... as a motorcyclist, ALL interstates suck. There are zero "good" stretches, only slightly less hellish, and there are None of those in Georgia. Don't worry, it's not like there are any that I've found on this side of the Mississippi.... actually, the only section that comes to mind is I-80 through Colorado.



As the fastest means for driving from A to B, they do their job.

[JayHey]

Yeah, the best stretch of interstate is when the traffic is moving along with no slow downs.

There are several scenic highways in Georgia which are fun to drive on or have pretty scenery.

[AUGnative]

My vote would go to I59 in extreme NW GA in Dade County followed by I75 between metro Atlanta and Chattanooga.Also, I95 along the coast has some pretty spots, especially where it crosses the Altamaha. The rest of the interstates look pretty similar.

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by AUGnative

My vote would go to I59 in extreme NW GA in Dade County followed by I75 between metro Atlanta and Chattanooga.Also, I95 along the coast has some pretty spots, especially where it crosses the Altamaha. The rest of the interstates look pretty similar.

I-59 between Chattanooga and Birmingham is gorgeous. Nothing else on Georgia interstates compares.

[Atlanta Scientist]

From I285 down GA-400 south to I-85 until you hit I20 at night.

[andrewmeteorology123]

Originally Posted by Iconographer

I-59 between Chattanooga and Birmingham is gorgeous. Nothing else on Georgia interstates compares.

I can agree with that one as well. The mountains in north GA always make for a beautiful drive, interstate or not. I also enjoy the drive when I-75 cuts through the mountains between Dalton and Ringgold, even though that section is quite short compared to I-59.

[DJDeadParrot]

"I just LOVE I-16 between Macon and Savannah"

- Nobody, ever

[cwkimbro]

Originally Posted by DJDeadParrot

"I just LOVE I-16 between Macon and Savannah"

- Nobody, ever

Originally Posted by Atlanta Scientist

From I285 down GA-400 south to I-85 until you hit I20 at night.

Originally Posted by Iconographer

I-59 between Chattanooga and Birmingham is gorgeous. Nothing else on Georgia interstates compares.

This last one, I never thought about. In fact I-24 and I-59 might be the only interstates in Georgia I have never been on.


Overall, at least outside the connector in Atlanta, I really like interstates the best when the different directions split up and there is a tree buffer in the median.

[WanderingImport]

575 is the only interstate in Georgia I’ve never driven. Every other one, 24, 59, 75, 85, 185, 16, 516, 475, 285, 985 and 95 I’ve driven their full length.

None are really all that spectacular to be honest. All have their quirks.

24: a few miles in length, it’s hilly and traffic can be a mess coming into Chattanooga. Decent scenery but capacity lacks a bit as there’s only 2 lanes in each direction.

59: another nice one, short and good scenery. Traffic isn’t all that bad.

75 & 475: it’s a good interstate in South Georgia. Capacity is good until 475 when ATL traffic starts adding into the equation. After it slacks back up after Cartersville, it’s good again until Ringgold. Also nice scenery. Arguably the fanciest interstate in Georgia with the elevated express lanes. Horribly under capacity from 475 until Henry county when lanes expand.

85: is best in Mid West Georgia from the Alabama line until the perimeter. Should probably be expanded to 3 lanes in each direction all the way to Alabama. After the perimeter, 85 just sucks, though the downtown connector views of ATL are incredible. Something nice to look at while crawling along. Expanded lanes in Gwinnett just don’t matter, traffic almost always sucks and tends to bottleneck going north between Shallowford and Jimmy Carter. Expansion is badly needed (and will slowly happen) after MOG to the SC border. Avoid if possible.

185: Good quality interstate and generally quiet from LaGrange to JR Allen Parkway in Columbus. I never had any issues driving it in Columbus. Not much scenery though.

985: generally congested and lacking capacity all the way up to Gainesville. Needs to be expanded beyond Gainesville by a few miles at least. There’s a section in Flowery Branch if you look to the west, there’s pretty views of the foothills beyond Lake Lanier.

16: notoriously boring. It’ll be nice when the interchanges at 75 and 95 are done.

516: lacks capacity during the day south of 16 to DeRenne. 16 & 516 interchange badly needs reconfiguration. My wish here is that it could be limited access past Garden City to 95 but that seems impossible. No scenery whatsoever.

95: an excellent flat freeway to go fast on. Just watch out for the cops, particularly in Camden county. Traffic has increased over the years from the SC border to Richmond Hill. Could probably use an expansion in the near future. Some marshland for views but generally boring.

285: the perimeter. Like 85, it just sucks. Too much traffic particularly on the top end. A second perimeter is needed.