Planning a trip from Michigan to
To naples Florida. Does any one know the best way through Atlanta. Thanks in advance

 

not sure there is a "best" way...lol.....been thru there many times and its always a pill.......we take one of the beltways around.....either to the east side or the west......almost always are delayed.......avoid the am and pm rushes......we've had the best luck going thru around 10-11 am......last trip we went around the east side at 9:30 am.....took us an hour and a half.....

 

If you leave Michigan in the morning, early, you will probably be past Atlanta around 9-10pm....drive right through the center of the city quickest way to get to the other side....done it many times from Chicago to Naples...sleep just south of the airport...next morning easy route to Naples....

 

I lived in the Atlanta area for more then 20 years (just moved out about a year ago).

Dayton, OH is just 500 miles to Atlanta (yea, I know you said Michigan - just giving landmarks for planning purposes). If you're coming down I-75, you'll come through Chattanooga and that is a bit of a challenge. The climb up out of Chat is crazy because all traffic must negotiate a sharp, climbing uphill left turn just on the south side of the city. Hardly ever have I been through there and not gotten delayed by a crash. FWIW, Cincinnati is no barrel of fun either.

I-75 south to Atlanta is wide open but filled with both very slow and very fast traffic. Georgia drivers are notorious for driving slow in the far left lane then suddenly cutting across all lanes to catch an exit. BEWARE!

As suggested in another post, one can certainly ride directly through Atlanta. Sometimes it may take only 45 minutes or so and other times several hours. A minor traffic accident or disabled vehicle on the side of the road can cause gridlock within minutes. Rush hours are normally from about 5am (yes am) to about 9am and again between 3pm and 8pm). It is not unusual for southbound afternoon traffic to be stop and go 30 miles south of downtown Atlanta.

If you really don't want to go through Atlanta, I'd suggest taking a route well west of the metro Atlanta area.

Something like Hwy 53 southwest to Rome. Then Hwy 27 south to Newnan and Hwy 16 back to I-75. That's about 150 miles, some medium sized cities, and a lot of rural back roads.

As to the southern section of Georgia...watch for the speed and drug enforcement! Local and state police patrol the area heavily.

Hope that helps!


One last point...not sure when you're planning to go through Georgia but pollen season starts in the next couple weeks. If you have never experienced the Georgia pollen season, you will NOT believe it The pollen can be so thick it actually creates a "fog" - just riding through will coat your vehicle. Parking for any length of time will generally cover your vehicle. The roads can become so covered that driving them resembles riding over a light snow-covered road up north whipping up a cloud behind the vehicle.

If you can't handle pollen, start your meds well before going through the area.

 

When you get to Atlanta use the HOV lane snd just run straight through town. I live here and there really isn't a great alternative that's going to save you any time. So long as you are not running through town between 6:30-9:30 am you'll be okay, and anything after 4 pm you'll be in some traffic on the south side. If you are going to get here during the AM rush headed south you can exit north of town near cartersville and take 92 over to 278 and run that down to I-285 South to get back on 75 South.

 

+1 on 27 south. If you are not in a hurry, it's a nice ride well into Florida. Could hook up with 98 and take it almost to your destination

 

Just got back from the Keys, Naples, Daytona, Tampa - Friday. Did I mess up snow & ice here in Ky now.
As for Atlanta bust thru the middle if its not rush hour, when you get downtown, big sweeping curve, be careful, the traffic will come to a stop without any notice, fuel up in Ga.

 

Go too Everglades City and do Airboat Tour, close to Naples

 

The best way through Atlanta is around Atlanta.