We leave this Saturday from Chicago (burrrrrrr) and are driving to Springhill Florida. AAA routed us through Atlanta via 75 to 285 to 75S. Why not go through directly on 75? Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Lucci

Unless you will be going through Atlanta at rush hour, I would go straight through on 75. You will just need to make sure you read the road signs carefully to stay on 75.

285,IMO,is usually more congested the 75/85.

Unless you will be going through Atlanta at rush hour, I would go straight through on 75. You will just need to make sure you read the road signs carefully to stay on 75.

285,IMO,is usually more congested than 75/85.

cgenster is right -- both times.

Even during rush hour you are better off just staying on 75. No need to bypass--takes forever. Just hold on tight and keep your eyes open, but you are prob used to the traffic in Chicago.

lucci, Florida sounds great this time of year. We are experiencing teens right now. The routing as far as 75S or I-285 is a crap shoot. A good website to check the Georgia highways is www.ganavigator.com. I agree, you are probably use to congested highways. D/n try 75s during morning rush hour.

mes3

Since you post using "we", I assume there are more than 1 of you. "Y'all" can use the HOV lane on 75 through Atlanta (far left lane) and that should help with traffic. I agree with the recommendations to not use 285. Trucks traveling thorugh Atlanta must use 285 so it has much heavier truck traffic. Only trucks making local deliveries are allowed on 75 and 85 through downtown Atlanta.

When you get to Macon, GA, use 475 (the Macon bypass). 75 goes through downtown Macon, and you don't need to do that detour unless you want to see Macon.

If time permits and you would like to see some of the Georgia/Florida country side take US-27 out of Chattanooga and when you get to US-19 in Florida take that south to the Spring Hill area. We drive that route often when driving to/from Nashville. That will take care of driving thru the Atlanta area.

Just stay on 75 all the way down. Avoid rush hour during the work week and you'll be fine.

Thanks for the Atlanta help..how is travel is that area when it is cold and freezing?

No different. Assuming you're coming thru on a Sat or Sun, you should have no problems.

It is suppose to warm up here in Atlanta the next couple of days back into the 30s and 40s. You'll think it's tropical. I, a native Chicagoan who has acclimated to the climate here, will still be cold. Have a safe trip.

The best time to drive through Atlanta is at 4 am.
And stay on I 75.

We recently did this drive and had no weather-related difficulties, but were caught in a huge traffic jam on the other side of downtown Atlanta. Traffic signs saying something like, "Holiday traffic, expect traffic delays throughout Henderson County," were not very helpful to someone with no knowledge of how far that would be! At home they usually say for how many miles the traffic is heavy.

Well, our road trip has been postponed until this Monday. Our goal is to get out of Chgo by 5am but don't know if we will get thru Atlanta on late Monday.

My question is does Monday/Tuesday traffic change the helpful advise that all of you have shared with me AND what happens in the south when it snows or freezes?

sorry so long,

lucci

Unless we are having an ice storm, you'll have no problems. I drove your route last night with snow coming down. Not cold enough for it to stick so it was just pretty snow.

Rush hour is rush hour in Atlanta. If you come through during rush hour, you are going to have problems no matter if you go 75 or 285. The traffic will be backed up on 75S heading into Atlanta and on 75 and 285 once you reach the Perimeter (285). Time your trip so you aren't driving through during rush hour. If you come during rush hour, you'll be in traffic.

Chances are slim (once in every 5 years or so) you are going to have any weather related driving problems in Atlanta.

It's over 700 miles from Chicago to Atlanta. By the time you get there, it'll be past rush hour.

Tomorrow, the first part of your trip have like 30% precipitation. Depending on forecast, you may want to take I-57 to I-24 instead of I-65. Only adds about 30 miles, and traffic and weather condition may be better. You should check forecast again tonite and before leaving.