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Old 06-03-2014, 10:35 AM   #1
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Getting through Atlanta at rush hour

Ok, I've researched this from the internet to friends (including those that live or had lived in Atlanta) to my father. I cannot get a straight answer. If indeed we hit Atlanta at rush hour this Friday, do I take I75 straight through or I285 West? I've heard some horror stories about 285, but I've also heard we'll crawl through downtown if we stay on 75. We have a reservation at the Forsyth KOA that night. Then it's an easy drive to FW from there.

My goal is to pick a lane and stay out of the way. We're going to try and delay a little and hopefully get on the tail end of things. Thanks guys!
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Old 06-03-2014, 10:44 AM   #2
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I think I would shoot for getting in on the start of the rush hour if I had to pick a time. Getting there at the end, you will encounter all the delays from when it started. I would personally drive 50 -100 miles out of the way to avoid any part of Atlanta towing a trailer. Been there, done that and don't want a repeat.
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Old 06-03-2014, 11:00 AM   #3
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We went thru on a Friday night after a ball game - stayed on 75 - it was insane and worse when the lane we were in of the six lanes came to a dead stop at 70 mph in front of us - guy behind us asked if we were okay cause all he saw was lights and smoking tires 😝. - had quite a mess inside camper when we opened the door - coming home from Mickeys house we took the bypass around - MUCH better !!
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Old 06-03-2014, 11:17 AM   #4
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There is no easy route during rush hour. I live about 25 miles west of downtown Atlanta. If I were to pick a route I would go on 285 on the west side. Once you get past I-20 traffic will clear out somewhat. When you get through the tunnel under the airport runway you will want to be in the right or second from the right lane (preferred) to get back on I-75 south. The big bottleneck will be when you get back on I-75 on the south side. Rush hour on that stretch of the road in the evening can be a nightmare if there is an accident. The overhead message signs will alert you to any problems. Either get through before 3:30pm or after 6:30pm and it won't be too bad. The best lane on I-285 would be the 2nd from the right. Trucks (and vehicles over 6 wheels) are restricted to the 2 right lanes but the far right lane will have a lot of on/off merging traffic. It just takes a little patience and you will get through it, everyone does (eventually). You need to know how much room you need to stop safely and not allow any more room than necessary in front of you or people will cut in front of you and cause grief. Above all be safe!!
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Old 06-03-2014, 11:28 AM   #5
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When I was working down there I pretty much had to be out of the office by 2:15 or else I would be hitting rush hour heading back to the airport. Made a difference of over an hour delay if I got out late. That was taking I-285 back.

If I tried to take I-75 I always hit delays. There was just no way to avoid them unless I left so early it would have been pointless to even go into work.

When on I-285, keep an eye out around for the I-20 interchange. That seems to be the biggest delays but if you get over to the left far enough then you can zip around all the traffic stopped waiting to merge into the offramp.
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Old 06-03-2014, 12:03 PM   #6
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We leave home at 5:30AM, that puts in Atlanta at 2:30 if we had a straight shot. Factor in fuel stops (4?, and I may top off before getting into Atlanta) stopping for breakfast, picnic lunch at a rest area, I'm guessing 4:30ish.

So the consensus is 285? Seems like it.
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Old 06-03-2014, 12:07 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by OldCoot View Post
I think I would shoot for getting in on the start of the rush hour if I had to pick a time. Getting there at the end, you will encounter all the delays from when it started. I would personally drive 50 -100 miles out of the way to avoid any part of Atlanta towing a trailer. Been there, done that and don't want a repeat.
X2

I would go thru Alabama!

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Old 06-03-2014, 12:20 PM   #8
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As another option, when I was looking at doing a road trip their from Detroit, I had planned to take the east route, through Savannah. Most people assume since both Detroit and Orlando are on I-75 that that's the best route, but looking at the map, if you shoot over to I-95 you can avoid at lot more major cities than you hit if you take I-75. Mile wise they're about the same.

Now this might not work so well for the OP, as I think they said they're coming from further west, but it's an option for those of us who are pretty much straight north of Florida.
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Old 06-03-2014, 12:31 PM   #9
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We leave home at 5:30AM, that puts in Atlanta at 2:30 if we had a straight shot. Factor in fuel stops (4?, and I may top off before getting into Atlanta) stopping for breakfast, picnic lunch at a rest area, I'm guessing 4:30ish.

So the consensus is 285? Seems like it.

X2...285 at that time is your best crap shoot



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Old 06-03-2014, 12:32 PM   #10
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Crap shoot? Haha! Traffic Roulette.
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Old 06-03-2014, 12:40 PM   #11
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What I have experienced towing through Hotlanta numerous times at different days of the week...just stand your ground as you drive through their and other drivers will get out your way as you will be much bigger than them and most won't Nascar drive their way around you



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Old 06-03-2014, 01:00 PM   #12
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4:30pm on a Friday would not be a fun drive. That's the get out of town day. If you are going to be around Atlanta that time of day I would wait a couple more hours. There's a Pilot Truck Stop the next exit south of Red Top Mountain exit that may be a good place to wait it out and get fuel. You will still be a couple hours to Forsyth putting you there around 8-8:30. Best bet is to skip your meals and keep on trucking and get to Atlanta no later than 3:30pm.
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Old 06-03-2014, 01:51 PM   #13
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From what I've seen, Saturday coming back north mid day I should be able to take 75 straight through.
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Old 06-03-2014, 02:47 PM   #14
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Mid day on a weekend is usually not a problem going straight thru. Watch the overhead message signs for any problems.
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Old 06-03-2014, 03:41 PM   #15
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First off, the KOA in Forsythe is a nice CG. If you get in and don't feel like cooking, there pizza is really good and they usually will bring it to your site. We have camped there about a dozen times over the last 15 years.

Suggestions:
1. Leave earlier to make sure you don't hit rush hour. I always drive thru on I-75 because you don't have as many tourists who make last second lane changes in front of you. On weekdays I always try to hit atlanta between 9-11 am or 1:30 - 3:30 pm

2. Change your reservations and leave a day later. Saturday is not usually too bad going thru Atlanta.

3. Not sure where you are coming from in Indiana but you could cancel the Forsythe KOA and take I65 thru Mongomery Alabama and pick up I-10 in Mariana, Fl to I-75. There is a KOA off I-65 in Clanton, Ga which is about 531 miles from Indianapolis. It is another 506 miles to Fort Wilderness CG from there all via the Interstate.
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Old 06-05-2014, 08:44 AM   #16
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I'm with Old Coot. While we have never been to Atlanta, we used to go through part of Nebraska on the way to Rocky Mountain National Park just to avoid Denver. Much less stressful and probably a lot safer.
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Old 06-05-2014, 10:06 AM   #17
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A friend of mine got caught in Atlanta rush hour(s) traffic while towing his 30' Airstream. He kept the airstream, but now has a truck camper as well.
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Old 06-05-2014, 03:55 PM   #18
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We went through Atlanta Memorial Day weekend and stayed in the HOV for 75. You definitely want to be in Forsyth by 3pm. We drive a Class C 30ft.
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Old 06-12-2014, 07:18 PM   #19
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If I didn't have any business in Atlanta, I would totally avoid it if possible. Just like I would any other gigantic city, if I wasn't planning to visit an attraction or a stay.
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Old 06-12-2014, 09:26 PM   #20
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After going thru or around Atlanta for the first time in years, my nerves were shot. The BOSS said we won't come back that way and she was going to plot me a course around Atlanta. I let her do the planning. Needless to say, 4 hours later, we finally got around Atlanta! I was wore out from all the stop and go traffic. I said next time I'll take a pill and suck it up!
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