[retfc2@yahoo.com]

Originally Posted by kschwi

We had terrible luck heading north from the Villages on April 6th. We left at 6:30 am and didn't get through Atlanta until around 4pm. It must have taken close to 5 hours to get through that metropolitan area.

Therefore, we are trying to decide when would be the most desirable time to drive through Atlanta and where would be a safe place to stop if we need a bathroom break.

One option would be to avoid Atlanta altogether. My son flew down last March to visit and rented a car and drove through Alabama instead. Google maps says that is out of the way and will add an hour to our trip although it assumes Atlanta is not a mess. However, I wouldn't think Alabama has the potential for major traffic delays that are possible in Atlanta.

Last year on our way down to the Villages, we lucked out. We made it to the Atlanta are around 5:30 on Dec 31st and stayed in a hotel in McDonough GA and then left early on New Year's Day. We could do something similar this year but we might have a different experience since it won't be Sunday Dec 31st.

Any suggestions? Are there any roads closed due to the hurricane?

Take 75 N. to I-10 W. on I-10 to 231 toward Dothan continue to Birmingham, pickup I-75 N. of Birmingham. Mostly 4 lane all the way.

[nn0wheremann]

Originally Posted by kschwi

We had terrible luck heading north from the Villages on April 6th. We left at 6:30 am and didn't get through Atlanta until around 4pm. It must have taken close to 5 hours to get through that metropolitan area.

Therefore, we are trying to decide when would be the most desirable time to drive through Atlanta and where would be a safe place to stop if we need a bathroom break.

One option would be to avoid Atlanta altogether. My son flew down last March to visit and rented a car and drove through Alabama instead. Google maps says that is out of the way and will add an hour to our trip although it assumes Atlanta is not a mess. However, I wouldn't think Alabama has the potential for major traffic delays that are possible in Atlanta.

Last year on our way down to the Villages, we lucked out. We made it to the Atlanta are around 5:30 on Dec 31st and stayed in a hotel in McDonough GA and then left early on New Year's Day. We could do something similar this year but we might have a different experience since it won't be Sunday Dec 31st.

Any suggestions? Are there any roads closed due to the hurricane?

If you have a Sunpass for Florida toll roads (I-Pass and EZPass do not work) you can take the Toll Express lanes through Atlanta. If we are not traveling on a Sunday, we leave Chattanooga about 9 AM, hit the PeachPass Toll Lanes around 10 to 10:30, and these end where the HOV lane start. Sunpass is good on the Peachpass lanes, and two people in the car qualifies for HOV. Otherwise, Take I-57 to I-55 to I-155, to US 412, In Jackson Tn use the US 45 ByPass to US 45 South, the at Tupelo take I-22/US 87 east to I-65 in Birmingham, I-65 South to I-81 East at Montgomery, take Exit 15 for AL-10 to US 81 East, take that to I-75 at Tifton GA and you will then be 62 mles from the Florida state line. The roads are very lightly traveled, plenty of places to stop, and except for Birmingham the locations are safe and benign. No Atlanta or Nashville traffic. The route takes an extra hour, but you can lose that easily in Atlanta or Nashville. Overnight stay in Montgomery or along I-22 west of Birmingham rather than Birmingham is recommended.

[Gweezda]

We drove down from WI just before Milton didn’t see any serious damage on the route but took over 4 hours to get through Atlanta on a Saturday afternoon Stop and go traffic into through and out of town Could see no reason why A different route that adds an hour or two would be a good idea

[SIRE1]

Originally Posted by Deckboat234

Take 57 south to I24 towards Nashville. In Nashville Take I 65 s towards Huntsville AL. Stay on I 65 until you get in Montgomery al and then take I 85 east. You go about 11 miles and get on rt 110 towards union spring AL( good place for gas and bathroom) and get on rt 82 towards Eufala, AL. Stay on rt 82 all the way to Tifton, Ga and get on I 75 south. These state roads are mostly 4 lanes. Easy drive. I usually get gas and bathroom around Montgomery as there is not much too stop at until you get to Albany ga. where there is a loves truck stop that is clean. These state highways are about 3 to 3 1/2 hrs total until from Montgomery to Tifton

We drive from Michigan and I totally agree with this post. You will run into traffic in Nashville, but that is a small delay compared to what you can encounter around Atlanta. And that route is quite interesting. And much of the route from Montgomery to Tifton is 4 lane and an easy drive. We usually decide whether to do the I-75 vs I-69/I-65 route based on the weather forecast in KY & TN.

And when we do decide to go through Atlanta, we always plan for a potty stop at either at Buc-ee's in Adairsville (I-75 exit 310) or Cracker Barrel in Kennesaw (I-75 exit 271), where it's not obvious you are only going to the bathroom. You definitely need a stop before getting any closer to Atlanta because you will never know how long it will take till you hit the rest area by Macon. Trust me, there aren't many opportunities between !!!

And finally, I find it interesting to read the comments about Carbondale in this thread. My mother's family is from that area and I've always enjoyed visiting my relatives who lived between Carbondale and Marion and hearing all of their stories about life back then.

[Miboater]

I drive back and forth to Michigan about 6 times a year taking 75 all the way. I drive straight through and can usually make the trip in 16-17 hours. The only recommendation I can make is travel on Sunday. I've tried doing the drive during the week and the weekends and found Sundays seem to have the least amount of traffic and backups.

[MollyJo]

Originally Posted by Aces4

It's a crappy trip no matter how you drive it. You don't mention which part of Illinois but allow 2 days to Florida. Start very early first day and bed down in Dalton, Ga. as soon as you arrive. Hit the road at 3:00 AM from Dalton and that will get you through Atlanta about 5:00 AM which is much better traffic. If there are 2 of you, use the HOV lane if that is still a thing. Cruise the rest of the way to Florida, unload essentials when you arrive at your destination. Wind down for an hour and crawl into bed. The next day, work like the devil to set everything up again.

In time, you'll probably decide to fly down like many of us. Traffic behavior is getting worse and worse.

Dalton is a very impoverished town. I stayed at a Marriott near the University, but 1 block away is poor & nothing close to eat.

[centralillinois]

I always try to leave central Illinois late on a Saturday morning, stop a little north of Atlanta for the night, and go through Atlanta on Sunday morning. I go through the middle of the city, never around the bi-pass.

[Singerlady]

Are you taking I-75 THRU Atlanta? Don’t. Hope you’re taking the beltway I-275 AROUND. it surely is faster but not sure how much. Also, go around Atlanta at a non-rush hour. That’s your best hope.

[justjim]

Originally Posted by ColtsFan

We lived in Indianapolis and also always took 65 South to Montgomery, Alabama-----then got on 231 over to 10 to 75. We went through Atlanta once and said never again.

Going through Atlanta totally depends on timing. Early Sunday mornings you can shoot a cannon on I 75 as you drive through Atlanta and not hit anything. This is especially true on January 1 New Year’s Day morning. Going through Alabama (Birmingham, Montgomery, Dothan etc.) is about 70 miles further, lots of traffic signals, and about hour and half longer. We tried Alabama. No thanks. But to each their own.

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by MollyJo

Dalton is a very impoverished town. I stayed at a Marriott near the University, but 1 block away is poor & nothing close to eat.

Impoverished? I'll bet Dalton is surprised to hear that. All the years we've stayed there we never had any issue with poverty, hmmm. But then again, it depends on one's sense of pretentiousness.

Is Dalton, GA a good place to live?
Living in Dalton offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. Many families live in Dalton and residents tend to have moderate political views. The public schools in Dalton are above average.

What is special about Dalton, GA?
Dalton | Explore Georgia
Dalton's charming downtown, with numerous unique shopping and dining choices, is great for an afternoon of shopping and dinner. Dalton's attractions include: Festivals, Fine Arts, Civil War history, and Prater's Mill Country Fair.

Yeah, Dalton sounds like a real dive...

[ernpertuc]

Originally Posted by kschwi

We had terrible luck heading north from the Villages on April 6th. We left at 6:30 am and didn't get through Atlanta until around 4pm. It must have taken close to 5 hours to get through that metropolitan area.

Therefore, we are trying to decide when would be the most desirable time to drive through Atlanta and where would be a safe place to stop if we need a bathroom break.

One option would be to avoid Atlanta altogether. My son flew down last March to visit and rented a car and drove through Alabama instead. Google maps says that is out of the way and will add an hour to our trip although it assumes Atlanta is not a mess. However, I wouldn't think Alabama has the potential for major traffic delays that are possible in Atlanta.

Last year on our way down to the Villages, we lucked out. We made it to the Atlanta are around 5:30 on Dec 31st and stayed in a hotel in McDonough GA and then left early on New Year's Day. We could do something similar this year but we might have a different experience since it won't be Sunday Dec 31st.

Any suggestions? Are there any roads closed due to the hurricane?

We came down from Arkansas and did not want to go through ATL. We decided to stop in Phenix City Al. ( Columbus GA) and stayed the night on Thursday. The only problem was the drive through Montgomery on US 80. We left Phenix City on US 280 to US 82 and then hit 75 at Tifton GA. and then drove down to TV. The only draw back is the roads are US highways and not Interstate but US highways. Lots of nice scenery and a pretty easy drive to 75.

We will avoid ATL at all costs.

[Lancer]

Been driving to Florida from Michigan since 1960’s before the interstate was completed. Have always drove through Atlanta on 75. It’s a crap shoot that has gotten worse as years have gone by. Best time is between midnight and 4:00 am. Good luck.

[ChicagoNative]

From Chicago we’ve done 57 to 24 to 75 and 65 to 24 to 75. Taking 65 through Indiana is shorter distance by about 40 miles, but takes the same amount of time or longer than 57. No matter when you go, chances are your pinch points will be Atlanta and Nashville. Try to get through Atlanta before 6 am. Pack a lot of patience as you are going to run into traffic somewhere on the trip, and it may not be where you think it will be.

[swasmund]

We have just returned from Michigan. Travel was good, more traffic in KY and TN than anything. Atlanta - we used the express lanes and moved right along and we went through during rush hour this morning. Beware - there are lots of police coming out of Atlanta and all the way to the FL state line. We saw a lot of electric company trucks leaving FL. Starting north of Valdosta, GA you will start seeing billboards damaged and debris. Traffic moved right along.

[craarmy]

Just drove from WI down to FL. Went down to Jackson MS. Cut over to Mobile AL. Good roads, good traffic. 150 miles longer. I felt well worth it, for lack of traffic.