best route or time to go thru atlanta

[Willjx6]

Save your mental state, fo around

Planning a trip from Macon, Ga to Nashville, Tn. Looking for best route around Atlanta or best time to take I285 around even in the very early morning.

AVOID ALANTA AT ALL COSTS! Just driving a car through is bad enough, towing a trailer..... Never.

 

[Stealth13777]

As an Atlanta resident I agree with most of what has been said but also have slight differing opinions. First, I take 285 in either the far right or second from left lane. I’d rather be in the second from right lane but it’s badly torn up between 75 on the south side and 75 on the north side (on the west side of the city). I hate 285 but still prefer it to going through the city towing the trailer, and have done both routes. Be prepared for ppl to merge at 30mph and to brake at the I20 intersection because nobody can drive anymore.

Please, please, please do not be in the far left HOV lane. You are impeding traffic, and even though they rarely ticket you are not supposed to be there with a trailer. The express lanes are similar but will ticket (photo) every time if you drive in them with a trailer.

My preference in your case would be to do one of the alternate routes proposed. Or even consider coming up 75N, then taking 285W to I20W and on from there. The Bama route is better than the Ga route if you plan a little more time.

I’m in the before 6 (through the city before 6) or after 8pm camp. 285 is usually fine by 8pm even with Braves games. Mid-day can also be ok traffic wise but the drivers, despite there being less of them, are demonstrably worse - so early or late for me.

 

[LincolnGuy]

Best time? No - best time. I've driven thru downtown most times I went. A little unnerving for the novice. Follow the painted signs on the highway and plan ahead on your side to side lanes to get in the right position. The Beltway is overcrowded with vehicles trying to get around. I've seen hours of stops on the loops, east and west. Had the best times right down the middle like a bowling alley.

 

[wkelly5688]

Planning a trip from Macon, Ga to Nashville, Tn. Looking for best route around Atlanta or best time to take I285 around even in the very early morning.

Before 6 am, or between 10 and 2. Sunday most anytime is good. And go straight through. 285 is no better and much further.
Of course all it takes is one fender bender at anytime to cause problems.

 

[Longshhm]

Our experience with Atlanta, towing a fifth wheel is pretty extensive. The best routes we’ve taken THRU Atlanta is to schedule it for off hours (midday, late night, or wee hours) and to go straight through. I-285 is an accident waiting to happen, regardless of the time of day; it’s crazy, and people who don’t have a clue about towing a load will run you over and cut you off. Seen many big rigs slide the trailer tires on 285.

 

[Totyour]

Planning a trip from Macon, Ga to Nashville, Tn. Looking for best route around Atlanta or best time to take I285 around even in the very early morning.

If I were you I would plan a route around Atlanta, especially towing a camper. No matter what time you travel through Atlanta the crazy drivers and heavy traffic is horrible.

 

[sgprice]

As a long time resident of N Atlanta (worked and lived in the Duluth, Suwannee, Buford area for 20 years), I totally agree with the folks recommending you avoid the Atlanta area all together. You can find a route thru Alabama and then N to Nashville that while will take a bit longer will be waaaay less stressful. In addition by going this way you will avoid the I-75/I-24 inter change in Chattanooga and the mountain pass at Monteagle neither of which would be fun pulling a rig. We now live in FL and on our last trip to Camp Margaritaville on Lake Lanier we cut off of I-75 at Macon and went east of Atlanta and glad we did, was a MUCH more pleasant trip. IF you decided to brave the Atlanta metro roads, I second the folks suggesting you try an hit it on off hours (which is really only late to early Sunday hours now…) and stay on I-75 thru the city and stay in the middle lane. 285 is horribly rough and people think they are in a NASCAR race on 285.


Cheers,

 

[Recovering Workaoholic]

I avoid it by taking 27 to the west of Atlanta, but I'm alway either coming from or going through Columbus via I-185. heading north I get on 27 at Lagrange and follow it to Rome then go over to Calhoun to get back to I-75. I went south through ATL on a Sunday morning this past May with no real delay, it's just rough especially around the airport. And I only went around to 85 west. I did elect to avoid it by using 27 on the way back. Always see several campers on 27, worst part is the towns along the route.

 

[Scott'n'Wendy]

Well..RV tourism won't be picking up in Atlanta with this thread....lol

 

[grumpypapa]

We also have found the best route thru alanta is hwy 75 ,sunday morning before church gets out,still busy ,but, not crazy,we drove around alanta once,way too far.

 

[WhittleBurner]

We also have found the best route thru alanta is hwy 75 ,sunday morning before church gets out,still busy ,but, not crazy,we drove around alanta once,way too far.

Good advice, that is what we do. Only check to make sure there isn't a football game that day. Tailgaters could get you. Happened to us once.

 

[Eleven99]

We go to and through Atlanta quite often.....it is definitely a coin toss. When we travel east we have an overnight place in Augusta. We usually take I20 and try to go through Atlanta between 9:30 to 11am and 1:30pm to 3pm....We have found anything before or after these times will surely increase your traffic never mind any accidents, fires or other foolery.

We live just south of the TN state line off of I65. When we head home from Atlanta, we usually exit in Addison off of I20, head north to Gadsen and take SH278/67 home. Yes, it is a bit longer (not that long)...but no traffic or Birmingham and our commute is riddled by beautiful country roads and small towns all the way home.

Safe travels.

 

[WhittleBurner]

I live just north of Atlanta and pull through there half dozen times a year. Your choices are go through early (before 6) or between 10 and 2. The best route is right straight through Atlanta on 75. Get in the HOV 2 lane and stay there. Should have no problem. Be safe...

I didn't thinnk you could use the HOV lane towing ?

 

[Bungy]

Do it every time going thru SLC.

 

[Sleeping Rainbows]

It is definitely illegal to tow in the HOV lane in Utah. $600 fine IIRC.

 

[Bungy]

Never said it was legal!