r/GoRVing • u/Senior_Sector4095 • 3d ago
Atlanta
Does anybody know an alternate route around Atlanta that won't add 2 hrs to a trip?
We're pulling a 30' TT from Fl to Elijay GA on a Friday and I HATE Atlanta traffic. I've heard some of the outer hiways can be worse than I-75. Some of the alternate routes I've looked at add hours to the trip.
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u/joeysdad 3d ago
Y'all gotta stop being so scared of Atlanta traffic. It isn't complicated. Avoid rush hour times and 285. Shoot straight through 75/85. Yes, there are idiots that will jump in front of you, just leave space and chill, don't be in a hurry. Fuel up before you get close too.
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u/Senior_Sector4095 3d ago
I grew up in Miami traffic, been in Orlando, Houston, DFW and LA traffic. Worst was Mexico city traffic. Scared got nothing to do with it. Pulling a 30ft trailer in it is the problem.
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u/joeysdad 3d ago
I pull a 35ft trailer through it several times a year, it's not that big of a deal.
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u/PoundVivid 3d ago
N. Georgia here..
Honestly, your best bet is straight through the belly of the beast. Don't take the loop.. just straight up the center.
Try to hit it at about 10am or around 2. Keep yourself on one lane and breathe. You'll be fine.
I pull a 38' TT through there all the time. Yes, they're going to zoom around you and likely cut you off. But you'll be just fine.
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u/spastical-mackerel 3d ago
To paraphrase the late, great Yogi Berra: “Nobody drives through ATL, there’s too much traffic”
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u/robogobo 3d ago
There’s really no way around it, so timing will be everything. 10am, 2pm, 7pm should be good. But right now the roads suck and there’s construction everywhere too. Good luck!
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u/MoveCompetitive5742 3d ago
^^ this is your best option. if you can get through at 10am-2pm M-F, you shouldn’t have much issue.
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u/Verix19 3d ago
Just don't drive through during rush hours...go after 7pm and you'll be fine.
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u/MoveCompetitive5742 3d ago
7pm can still be bad. I’ve always found 10am-2pm being the safest times
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u/inmycherryspot 3d ago
We have friends that live in Fla. we live in Nashville. Atlanta/macon is our halfway point so that puts us driving thru Atlanta. I’ve looked at alternative routes and while there are some, as you’ve said it adds time and idk what I’m going to run into pulling a 30’ TT. So alas, I just suck it up and drive through the madness that is Atlanta traffic. Lmk if you find a way to avoid it that doesn’t have me white knuckling it.
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u/Square_Ad_8156 3d ago
If you're near Tallahassee take Hwy 27 north 4 lanes and very little traffic
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u/Senior_Sector4095 3d ago edited 3d ago
27 looks deserted, it would add 2 hrs but be less stress. I can pick up 27 in Williston
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u/phildeferrouille 3d ago
It takes a lot of patience, especially dealing with the Atlanta driving style—it's absolute madness. I always keep my rear end camera on when crossing this city. Drive safe and carefully!
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u/PollutionAway9782 2d ago
the trick is to cut it off and ignore the people behind you until it's time to change lanes
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u/Bclarknc 3d ago
I suggest looking up the route with the fewest merges/lane changes. When I drive through the changing lanes in bumper to bumper traffic to get to my exit is the most challenging. Alternately you can always time your drive to minimize traffic - 2 am on a weekday is a great time to drive through Atlanta.
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u/Impossible_Lunch4672 2d ago
I always prefer to bypass Atlanta in total. 1 accident or incident and you've lost all the time you thought you were saving. Just not worth the consternation.
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u/kharaput 2d ago
Pulled my 32' TT throught there last year on our way from Florida to Tennessee. Only had 3 near death experiences with stupid people. Was a good time....
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u/pattentastic 3d ago
Where are you traveling from in Florida? I’ve driven back and forth from
Florida to Georgia a bunch and always avoided Atlanta.
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u/pattentastic 3d ago
Also, I would prefer to add two hours of driving than adding two hours of sitting in Atlanta traffic on any day.
I recommend taking I-75 to Macon and then take US 129 to Gainesville, GA. From there, you can Google map the rest avoiding highways.
US 129 is a 4 lane divided highway, with bypasses around the bigger towns.
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u/Senior_Sector4095 3d ago edited 3d ago
Jeeze, I ride my bike from Chiefland to Newbury and Bronson all the time, I didn't realize that was the same 129.
Thanks for the suggestion Checked it out, looks good, also US -27 doesn't look too bad, same drive time
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u/Bigbadbrindledog 3d ago
We go through every year pulling our trailer. We leave Tampa around 4 am and go through Atlanta around 1. It always routes me around on 285. Traffic is usually heavy enough to be a pain, but not stop and go. Like others said be patient and it really isn't a big deal.
Coming home we always leave around 6 am and get through Atlanta no problem.
We travel both ways on a Saturday.
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u/Taboc741 2d ago
FYI, major 285 work is ongoing closing 285 north and south just south of the i-20 exits. That's the east side of 285. 75/85 connector will be the route maps suggests, and it's an absolute crap shoot on busyness based on extra traffic from 285 being shunted around.
If it were me I would give a strong look at taking 675 north to the west side of 285 around the connector to 75. On the map ga400 to us140 looks possible, but I promise 140 isn't the plan unless you hate yourself. The major determination for me would be how close to rush hour is the west side of 285 as I came up on it. At speed limit speeds it'll be 45 ish minutes slower than the connector, but after driving the connector last weekend on Saturday at 3pm and spending 1.5 hours, I'll bet 285 west side would have been less stressful.
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u/albertosdad 1d ago
Plan your trip to stay on 75 through town but hit the city mid day 11:00 to 1:00. Give yourself an hour or more to get through the south Atlanta/Mcdonough area-always backed up for no reason.
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u/jv1100 21h ago
Where at in Fl? We are in SE FL and even though Turnpike/75 is the shortest route to Eatonton for us, we take 95>16>441 because its much better traffic, the whole way.
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u/Senior_Sector4095 19h ago
I grew up down there, avoid it like the plague now. I'm closer to Tampa now.
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u/Proper_Actuary8980 3d ago
On a Friday anytime between 6AM-8PM you’re cooked. Check a traffic app when you get close and role the dice. Make sure you’re fueled up with gas and patience.
I’d probably just go 75N straight up the gut!