I want to go to Dalton Ga from my home north of Greenville, SC on Friday morning to arrive in Dalton by 9:00 or so. I suspect that the quickest way would be to run down 85 to 285 to 75 but I fear that would put me on 285 about 7:30 am. Is that rush hour already?

It seams that early in the morning, it might be possible (and certainly more scenic) to go straight across north Ga. 76 perhaps? How much of that is 4 lane? If I'm willing to speed a bit, would that be a faster route?

Any thoughts are appreciated.

Bonus Question: On the way home on Sat late afternoon, I will be leaving Hiawassee GA, headed for north Greenville, and am thinking that the Cashiers/Highlands area might not be too far out of the way to grab dinner on the way home. Thoughts or suggestions for that route?

Many Thanks...and try to catch the coverage of the Tour De GEorgia on Fox South and OLN.

Go Lance!

HHHm,
Bad News: You will be heading with the rush hour traffic that early, Good News: you will be against it once you head out of the city once you get off 285 back onto 75S.....yes, it is busy that early...I drove in from 85S in the AM and right after you pass the airport, it would stop every morning and inch in from there....be patient Hopefully someone that comes in that way will respond too....

Coming in on I-85 and onto I-285 will be slow at that time of the day, but I don't think US76 will save you time either. That's a pretty slow route along the foothills, with many towns. Long stretches of it is 2-lane, so I don't think you'll get there any sooner.

I'll stick to the Interstate. Perhaps get up earlier to make the drive.

Oh, and if you really hate traffic, I think a better alternative MAY to take exit 129 on I-85 and then go on GA53 all the way to I-75.

My suggestion is to leave 2 hours earlier than planned to allow for the traffic.
I 285 at that time of day is often a parking lot. I cannot imagine a worse time for 285 unless it is 8 AM.

Traffic can be thick on I 285 at 6:30.
At 5:30 you might not be part of a park-in.
You can do that, or take your chances on the mountain road. It is going to be full of cars too at that hour of the morning.

The Georgia 53 option discussed earlier is worth a try. I would still allow extra time. You could leave I 85 on US 129 and drive into Gainsville. Start looking for GA 53 signs and follow those across the state.
It is no bargain either.
I do think it would allow you to drive a much shorter distance on 2 lane roads.
I 85 is not that bad as far as Gainsville, although it can start to bog down by 7 am or so, but usually your traffic jams are between Gainsville and Atlanta.
Don't count on speeding on those roads.
They are not built for it, and traffic conditions will not allow it.

south of 53 is GA 20-took us an hour from GA 400 to get there, check out a map to get a feel for this and other advise.

They are so overdue for a connecting road-Northern Perimeter-that it is sad.

No one in the north wants but so many people need it.

Thanks for the replies. I believe my plans have just changed. I have a rule against getting up before 5:00 (actually, I had a rule against getting up before 6:00, but I was willing to break it for Lance)

So, I think i'll just go to Dahlonega for the end of stage 5 instead of Dalton for the beginning. Should I assume that 85 to 129 to 53 is the route to Dahlonega as well? No cross country options there either?

Many thanks.

If you leave I 85 on US 129 and turn northwest, Gainsville is 15 miles to the city center.
The road to Dahlonega is Georgia 60.
I don't think 53 is a bargain because it does not go there! You turn north on 400 at the 53/400 intersection.

Whether or not that is better than taking 60 from Gainsville, I don't know because I have not regularly driven that route. Either way will get you there.

Wbat is the appeal of Dahlonega?
I once considered a job there and said Oh No.

Thands for that correction. I see us getting lost, I've changed my plans so many times I have everything confused.

What is the appeal of Dahlonega? For me specifically?

The 5th STage of the Tour De Georgia is finishing there on Friday. Saturday's stage goes from AThens to Hiawassee, thus the bonus question, which no one has gone for yet! Lance Armstrong will be riding along with the rest of the Posties, as will quite a few big-name euro teams, including uber-sprinted Mario Cippolini and BObby Julich, an American who rides for the Euros. Should be interesting.