roadtrip from Atlanta to New Orleans
 

We are driving from Atlanta to New Orleans this February and are looking for the best way to go (via Birmingham I-20/59 or Montgomery I-85/65/10. Any suggestions? Points of interest, quality of roads, congestion etc.

Thanks

It's an easy drive. You can go through Birmingham and/or Montgomery and see items of interest there. You can go via the coast and visit the sugar sand beaches of the panhandle of Florida and enjoy things there.

What are your interests?

www.interstate-guide.com is often helpful

We did this drive (Texas to NC) earlier this year - on the way there via I-10/65/85 and on the way back via I-20. The former was much more enjoyable, in our opinion. The roads were a bit better and if you have the time to drive along the beach, it's a more aesthetically pleasing drive as well.

We slept in Mobile (at the Hampton Inn downtown - clean and good location). We ate at Wintzells Oyster's house, which was underwhelming. Our hotel said there was an excellent seafood place on the causeway there but we wanted something within walking distance since we had spent all day in a car :)

If you aren't in a hurry, I know the beaches south of Mobile are great (i.e. Gulf Shores). And between New Orleans and Mobile we drove along US 90 in Mississippi - it was a pleasant change of scenery from I-10 and the beach is of course a great place to stretch your legs!

We didn't run into any congestion on either route.

Do Birmingham and Montgomery--eat at Frank Stitt's Highland Grill in B'ham, and as you pass through Montgomery, visit the Southern Poverty Law Center's Civil Rights memorial designed by Maya Lin--one of the most beautiful and meaningful pieces of memorial art ever done, IMO.

Do as little time as possible on I-20. Not much there. I-10 will put you on the coast with all the Gulf towns.

ditto bigruss

Thanks for your suggestions!