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Post by LilyRose on Jan 16, 2018 17:47:47 GMT
Oh trusty Peas, I beseech thee for advice. My mom and I will be driving from Chicago to FL next week. Our midway point appears to be right around Chattanooga, TN, where 24 turns into 75). I’m thinking we’ll stop here for the night, and since we’ll have pets in tow, we’ll need to book a pet friendly hotel in advance (that’s what I’m working on today). I’m looking at the La Quinta in East Ridge.
The problem with with this little plan is that we hope to hit the road the next morning around 6 am so we’ll get to our destination (Naples-ish) by the end of the day. But based on our stopping point, I guess that has us hitting Atlanta right around 8 am/morning rush. Am I nuts? Quite honestly, I’d rather sit in some traffic than have multiple lanes of traffic whizzing all around me.
Thoughts?
ETA: we’ll be passing through on a Tuesday morning.
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Post by disneypal on Jan 16, 2018 18:00:30 GMT
What day of the week will you be passing though Atlanta? That makes a difference. Friday mornings and the weekends are not as bad as most days (I think a lot of people telework on Friday).
Most days of the week, that is a really bad time, of course - it would be better if you waited until about 10:00 to pass through, traffic has usually died down by then. Sitting in traffic could add 1 - 2 hours to your trip, but of course waiting to leave later to avoid rush hour would do the same.
Have a safe trip!!
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Post by mcscrapper on Jan 16, 2018 21:06:13 GMT
What if you drove an extra 2 hours to Atlanta and still plan on leaving at 0600? Atlanta traffic at 0800 will be a parking lot.
I'd either drive just a tad farther or plan on waiting a few hours in Chattanooga before driving through at that time.
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mlana
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,523 
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Post by mlana on Jan 16, 2018 21:54:45 GMT
Drive the extra the night before to get thru Atlanta, then sleep in the next morning. It is so much less stressful to drive thru Atlanta at night once traffic has calmed down than it is to hit it any tim e before 10 am.
It’s about 2 hours from Chattanooga to Atlanta. If you are coming thru after 8pm, you could easily drive straight thru the city. this would be faster and shorter than going on 285. I remember construction being done of 285 west of the city a few weeks ago, but I’m not sure if it has been finished.
Marcy
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Post by Basket1lady on Jan 16, 2018 22:25:18 GMT
I've lived in Minneapolis, LA, New Jersey, Seoul, Boston and DC. I've been stuck in Atlanta traffic every time I've been through there. It isn't as bad as DC, but it's still a pain. I'd either 1. Stop before Chattanooga, 2. Leave at 8am to go through Atlanta at 10 am, or 3. Drive to the south side of Atlanta and stop there for the night.
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Post by nepean on Jan 16, 2018 22:29:49 GMT
I agree with previous posters, if at all possible get through Atlanta on the Monday night, stay on the south side of town, then you won't have to deal with so much gridlock the next morning. Atlanta traffic is no joke!
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Post by 950nancy on Jan 16, 2018 22:30:56 GMT
I was in Atlanta last year with the really bad construction problems. One main bridge burned, the road buckled and tossed a motorcyclist, and a semi truck overturned and spilled something slimy (can't remember). I'd drive the extra time and get out of Atlanta if at all possible. Other than the traffic though, I really loved the city and the food was fabulous.
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Post by georgiabeachbum on Jan 17, 2018 22:31:08 GMT
Oh I live in a northern suburb of Atlanta. No way you want to be in Atlanta traffic at 8 am. Would be so much better to get through the night before if you can. Or if you still want to stay in Chattannooga, don’t plan on getting to Atlanta before 10 am.
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