Georgia and Alabama - route information
 

First I wanted to thank everyone for the help with weather and wardrobe in Georgia this time of year.

I have my itinerary set for my business trip and wanted to get a few pointers. It is going to be a very quick trip, with a lot of driving due to locations, airline routes, and time constraints. So no sightseeing, just working, sleeping, eating, and driving - lots of driving ;) Fortunately I will have a coworker with me to share the driving.

We fly into Atlanta on Monday the 23 at about 5:30 pm and drive to Augusta. It looks like the best route will be to just take Hwy 20 east all the way to Augusta. Any better route? How will traffic be getting out of Atlanta? I am from the SF Bay Area, so I can deal with pretty much any traffic you can throw at me, I just want to know what to expect.

Any good dinner recommendations enroute? I love BBQ and southern food and want to try to stay away from the business-trip-default of Applebees. Would it be better to get dinner in Atlanta or a suburb and wait out the commute or to get on the road and eat enroute?

In Augusta, any breakfast recommendations? The hotel is just of Hwy 20, so something close to there would be great.

The next day, after visiting our client, we are driving to Birmingham. It looks like taking Hwy 20 west is the best route. Is it better to take another highway around Atlanta or just cut straight through on 20?

Any good eats enroute from Augusta to Birmingham? Good places to stop for coffee and rest breaks?

Any good breakfast recommendations in Birmingham? Our hotel is off Hwy 280 on the southeast side of town.

Many thanks!

I don't have any food recommendations except to say that in spite of being a chain, Cracker Barrel has good southern style food. And you'll find one at nearly every major intersection of highways.

As for the route, yes -- take highway 20 to Augusta, then back to Birmingham. I'd suggest you bypass Atlanta on I-285 on the south loop, then pick up I-20 again on the way to Birmingham. Good luck.

Dear Wayne - I beg to differ with you on the route from Augusta to B'ham. As I have driven this more times than I can count in the last 20 years, stay on I-20 straight thru Atlanta....there is absolutely no need to bypass Atlanta...you would go many miles out of your way and encounter much unnecessary traffic and possible construction. However, coming out of the airport to head towards Augusta, you would want to take 285 East to put you out about 10 miles further east down I20. The only places you will pass thru here are chains on the exits.
As for places to eat, the Blue Willow Inn, if open for supper, in Social Circle is about 45 minutes down I-20 and would satisfy any cravings for southern food. If you wait until Augusta, Famous Dave's on Washington Rd is one of our favorites. There is also a great NO style restaurant not too far from I-20 - French Market Grille...cajun popcorn, oyster artichoke soup, blackened fish, peanut butter pie...call for directions from your hotel.There is a local bagel shop - Mally's Bagels for breakfast - you would need to check address as I believe they have moved. Cracker Barrel is always good for breakfast.

On the drive to B'ham - the Official rest area at the Alabama state line is nice - clean, large enough to walk around, gather local info, etc but no coffee. There is a great B-P at one of the major exits after Atlanta/Six Flags but unfortunately I can't remember the exit number...it had a bakery and coffee bar!! Most of the larger gas stations are now carrying semi-decent coffee and fresh Krispy Kreme donuts....try the creme filled chocolate covered ones!
Sorry I don't really know breakfast places in B'ham...we tend to frequent Hardees for the biscuits - try the ones with country ham - when we are there and have to eat out. There are lots of restaurants out 280....If you are near the Summitt there is PF Changs - oriental with a nice view out back, a Cheesecake Factory, a Macaroni Grille - I realize these are chains but still not a bad meal. If you want a really local experience, try going to 5 Points towards downtown and eat at Highland Grille - prob need reservations.
Have a good trip!

If you can find the time to "do" the Blue Willow, I highly suggest it.........southern food at it's best!!

www.bluewillowinn.com

Depending upon the time of day you travel to Birmingham, that might be the better time to stop. The Blue Willow does lunch and dinner.

Thanks! You guys are the best.

I think ausc59 is right on the money with directions and food instructions. In fact, I was going to suggest Blue Willow also.

If you land at the Atlanta airport at 5:30, by the time you get a rental car and head out it will be 6:30. Traffic shouldn't be too bad then. If you are hungry and want southern cooking, you can eat at Paschal's in Concourse A or the atrium at the airport. There may be some traffic as you leave 285 on 20 east for about 15 miles. If traffic is bad and its getting late, there are some restaurant options at the Turner Hill/ Stonecrest Mall/ Hwy 125 exit.

Great sandwiches/soups/salads at Panera Bread. Gladys Knight's Chicken and Waffles has a good mix of Southern cooking including BBQ. Several other chain restaurants there.

If there is time to eat a real "dinner", DO eat at the Blue Willow. Take the Social Circle / Hwy 11 (turn left coming from Atlanta) exit - just about an hour from the airport. (wihout traffic) Great southern cooking.

Even though you say you don't have time for sightseeing, you have to, have to, HAVE TO at least take a 15 minute detour and take a drive through Madison, GA. Take the Hwy 441 exit - it will be just a few miles from the Social Circle exit. This town is BEAUTIFUL. Sherman did not burn it on his march to the sea and there are absolutely gorgous antebellum homes. Most of the town is a historic district. If you didn't eat at Blue Willow and want good Italian food and great pizza, eat at Amici's on the town square. A delightful place to get out of the car and stretch your legs. Some cute shops in town too. )ironically enough, the headquarters for Applebee's used to be here - but no Applebees!)

Another option would be to eat at the Ritz Carlton Reynolds Plantation. It's about 30 miles more past Madison. Ritz did a lakefront lodge perfectly. Can't say enough about the bar and food and ambiance. The spa is great too if you had time to stop for a splurge.

The remaining drive to Augusta is one of the most boring sretches in Ga. Straight highway - not much to see, but easy fast driving.

The restaurant suggestions in Augusta so far are good ones.

On the way back to B'ham, you may want to stop by one of the above places you didn't get to stop at earlier. There's another Amici's on the square in Covington. That small town is revitalizing its square too. There's a cajun restaurant as well as a NY style deli (complete with pickle bar!)

DEFINITELY just go straight thru Atlanta on 20. Avoid rush hour if possible. Stopping and eating and relaxing for 40 minutes before you get to Atlanta to let the traffic clear will result in a much better trip.

If you've never had a Chik-Fil-A sandwich, stop at one of the may in the SE. They "didn't invent chicken, just the chicken sandwich". Their chicken biscuit for breakfast is divine.

One more comment regarding your previous post about clothes. I strongly agree with the last post I read by the Augusta native. If your clients are in Augusta and Birmingham, DRESS UP. Wear hose. Sorry. It's true. It sounds like you won't be with them long. I travel this state for business (put 500 miles on the car in 2 days this week) and I dress for business and then change into capris, sandals and breathable top in the lobby restaurant of a Hampton Inn or similar on my way out of town.

DRESS COMFORTABLY for your long drive across these states but DRESS UP for clients in Augusta and B'ham. Your industry may be different, but in my experience business people in these towns dress more conservatively than Atlanta.

I worked with a consultant that came in to work for a week in Macon and was told she didn't need to stay for Friday. That may be true, but the difference in her bare legs and sandals vs. the attire of the people that had paid her way from New Mexico was considerable. I don't think she made a favorable impression at all - way too casual.

If you stop in Covington, it may look familiar. The TV show "In the Heat of the Night" was filmed here. Some pretty antebellum homes too - just not as many as Madison.

The pilot and first season of the original "Dukes of Hazzard" was filmed here too. Many times people think the place looks familiar but can't figure out why.

Thanks for all the help - and the additional comments on wardrobe.