[msilagy]

I have found a route thru Alabama from The Villages to I65 (in Montgomery) which will take you north to the midwest states far away from the disaster in Atlanta. Atlanta traffic is awful on the best day but diverting 250,000 cars off I85 for the next few months till bridge is repaired spells long delays.

Take I75 94 miles to I-10W..... 166 miles to US 231, exit 130....... then approx 98 miles to I65 north (Montgomery). From there you can GPS wherever you are going. Completely bypasses Georgia.

This is just a suggestion from me on my way to Chicago - adds only about 56 miles to my trip and I have never seen Alabama. Have travelled thru Atlanta on I75 to and from Fl for 7 years between 10am and 2pm with little difficulty. I just think I might like to stay clear of the added congestion and confusion in Atlanta. Everyone of course can make their own determination as to what's best for their travels.

[villagetinker]

When I looked at the maps, the overpass failure is NORTH of the 75/85 split, and affects 85 only, so I am not sure of the impact on route 75 traffic, it might actually be lighter in the 75/85 area, as there will ne NO 85 traffic. There is a hotline for traffic info setup, I remember seeing it shortly after the news of the collapse, but I do not recall the exact info.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by msilagy

I have found a route thru Alabama from The Villages to I65 (in Montgomery) which will take you north to the midwest states far away from the disaster in Atlanta. Atlanta traffic is awful on the best day but diverting 250,000 cars off I85 for the next few months till bridge is repaired spells long delays.

Take I75 94 miles to I-10W..... 166 miles to US 231, exit 130....... then approx 98 miles to I65 north (Montgomery). From there you can GPS wherever you are going. Completely bypasses Georgia. Good luck.

That seems extreme. There must be a better way. Now, aps on phones direct minute to minute around clogged traffic.

[GolfGirl122]

The bypass suggested is also a nice way to head north and not contend with the hills near Chattanooga - and it's not too much out of the way.

[John_W]

Atlanta does have a beltway, it's I-285. When northbound south of Atlanta join I-285 West and follow until your just south of Marietta and then rejoin I-75. If you want to save some time and it's not rush hour, stay on I-75 into downtown and pick up I-20 West (the fire was north of I-20), follow west to I-285 and then to Marietta and rejoin I-75. Just take a look at the map, there are many options without going to Alabama.

Google Maps

[Boomer]

Originally Posted by msilagy

I have found a route thru Alabama from The Villages to I65 (in Montgomery) which will take you north to the midwest states far away from the disaster in Atlanta. Atlanta traffic is awful on the best day but diverting 250,000 cars off I85 for the next few months till bridge is repaired spells long delays.

Take I75 94 miles to I-10W..... 166 miles to US 231, exit 130....... then approx 98 miles to I65 north (Montgomery). From there you can GPS wherever you are going. Completely bypasses Georgia. Good luck.

Thanks for starting this thread and thank you for the suggestion.

A few years ago, we took a route through Alabama that added some time to the trip but it was not a terrible amount.

I hope this thread continues to gather information for those who want to avoid Atlanta this time.

[billethkid]

We travel to TN 2-4 times per year via I-75.

The I-85 closure will definitely affect the load on 75 in both directions.

That along with the ongoing construction north of Atlanta will make a bad/but tolerable situation worse....of course time of day is a big factor.

We always try ti time going through Atlanta mid morning or mid afternoon or after 10 PM and before 4 AM.

The bypasses will also be carrying more traffic as well.

Our alternate route north is to head to Jacksonville and pick up 95 then 26 through the Carolinas, onto 40 west to I 75 at Knoxville. This routing adds one hour to our 9 hour trip. For those who like scenic routes the trip through the Carolina and TN via ! 40 is spectacular....right through the mountains.

This is the way we will be going until such time as I85 is fixed.

Traveling between 10 at night and early morning to get through Atlanta doesn't work for me (the driver) anymore. Too tiring and the eyes at night are not what they used to be.

Good luck.

[John_W]

///

[Rickg]

Originally Posted by msilagy

I have found a route thru Alabama from The Villages to I65 (in Montgomery) which will take you north to the midwest states far away from the disaster in Atlanta. Atlanta traffic is awful on the best day but diverting 250,000 cars off I85 for the next few months till bridge is repaired spells long delays.

Take I75 94 miles to I-10W..... 166 miles to US 231, exit 130....... then approx 98 miles to I65 north (Montgomery). From there you can GPS wherever you are going. Completely bypasses Georgia. Good luck.

I take that way all the time, I bypass Atlanta, Chatnooga, and Nashville that way. It may take 1/2 to 1 hour longer, but by avoiding traffic jams it may not be any longer.

[Shimpy]

Originally Posted by msilagy

Take I75 94 miles to I-10W..... 166 miles to US 231, exit 130....... then approx 98 miles to I65 north (Montgomery). From there you can GPS wherever you are going. Completely bypasses Georgia. Good luck.

I've used this route several times going to Omaha or Minneapolis when gps wanted me to go through Atlanta. It's better than going thru Atlanta even though I've done it many times in the last 40 years but only takes once or twice when there is an accident to make you wish you hadn't.

[dewilson58]

Just drove thru Atlanta on Friday.

Yes, the damage is on I-85............but it backs up onto I-75.

The traffic normally exiting onto I-85 appears to be traveling farther North on I-75, then exiting.

I took I-285 (West) around Atlanta and it really wasn't bad. It was slow going, but rather than adding an hour plus, plus by avoiding Georgia............I thought it wasn't bad at all. It probably took us an additional 45 mins.

[PTY Sparky]

Are US 231 and 165 at least 2 lanes in each direction ?

[dietpepsi]

Originally Posted by PTY Sparky

Are US 231 and 165 at least 2 lanes in each direction ?

yes the are 4 lane open acess highways, but the best part about this the i75 from Chattanooga south to Florida it is almost white knuckle driving all the time both ways , however the alternative route is four lanes of the state highways ,the interstates are too lane each way however it is much more relaxed and easy driving so I am sure with the trouble with the traffic has picked up on this route however please beware this route is heavily patrolled by law-enforcement watch your speed it has become my go to routewhen going Chicago area

[msilagy]

This is just a suggestion from me on my way to Chicago - adds only about 56 miles to my trip and I have never seen Alabama. Have travelled thru Atlanta on I75 to and from Fl for 7 years between 10am and 2pm with little difficulty. I just think I might like to stay clear of the added congestion and confusion in Atlanta. Everyone of course can make their own determination as to what's best for their travels.

[Sable99]

What do you think the weekend traffic on I75 should be like? We should be traveling through Atlanta (to and from The Villages) on a Saturday. I'm wondering if a longer detour would be necessary on a weekend.