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August 4, 2010 3:19 PM Subscribe
Traffic & routing advice needed in Nashville & Atlanta. (No, really, these are related.)
This coming Friday I'm loading my car up with my worldly possessions (or those that the movers haven't already taken) and driving down to start a new job in St. Petersburg, FL. It's a two-day drive from my current location, and I've booked a hotel just south of Atlanta (Morrow, specifically) for me and my cat to spend the night.
My route takes me through two major metro areas on the first day, though: Nashville and Atlanta. Google Maps thinks it's best to drive straight through the downtowns of both of these cities, but Google Maps doesn't seem to have a good grasp of this concept called "traffic". So to those of you "on the ground" in these areas, what route would you recommend I take through the area?
Nashville: I'll be approaching from the north on I-65, and departing to the south on I-24. Approximate time will be 2 PM, plus or minus an hour. Am I better off taking the Briley Parkway? It looks like a longer distance on the map, but if downtown traffic is going to be snarled at that time it might be worth it.
Atlanta: I'll be approaching from the north on I-75, and need to get to Morrow (i.e., I-75 on the south side). Approximate time will be 7 PM, plus or minus an hour. This is going to be painful no matter what I do, right? Should I take I-285? Should I take it all the way around or cut over on the Lakewood Freeway? Or something else entirely?
I have experience with big-city traffic (Chicago, to be precise), so I don't mind a lot of cars; what I want to avoid is bumper-to-bumper stop-and-go stuff.
Apologies I can't spend longer in either of your fair cities; hopefully I'll be able to do so some other time.
This coming Friday I'm loading my car up with my worldly possessions (or those that the movers haven't already taken) and driving down to start a new job in St. Petersburg, FL. It's a two-day drive from my current location, and I've booked a hotel just south of Atlanta (Morrow, specifically) for me and my cat to spend the night.
My route takes me through two major metro areas on the first day, though: Nashville and Atlanta. Google Maps thinks it's best to drive straight through the downtowns of both of these cities, but Google Maps doesn't seem to have a good grasp of this concept called "traffic". So to those of you "on the ground" in these areas, what route would you recommend I take through the area?
Nashville: I'll be approaching from the north on I-65, and departing to the south on I-24. Approximate time will be 2 PM, plus or minus an hour. Am I better off taking the Briley Parkway? It looks like a longer distance on the map, but if downtown traffic is going to be snarled at that time it might be worth it.
Atlanta: I'll be approaching from the north on I-75, and need to get to Morrow (i.e., I-75 on the south side). Approximate time will be 7 PM, plus or minus an hour. This is going to be painful no matter what I do, right? Should I take I-285? Should I take it all the way around or cut over on the Lakewood Freeway? Or something else entirely?
I have experience with big-city traffic (Chicago, to be precise), so I don't mind a lot of cars; what I want to avoid is bumper-to-bumper stop-and-go stuff.
Apologies I can't spend longer in either of your fair cities; hopefully I'll be able to do so some other time.
For the ATL, if you really do get to 285 around 7pm on 75 South, you will generally be okay to go through downtown on the connector, barring any sort of terrible accident. If you get there closer to actual rush hour, it's going to be uglier. However - things in your favor - most schools haven't started back (traffic is always far, far worse once that happens). Because school isn't back in for most metro counties, we still get a Thursday through Monday sort of reprieve on traffic (yes, it is still bad, but it's nothing like usual).
I-285 is not, in my opinion, that great if you can cut through down town. I've lived in and around Atlanta all my life, and unless the Connector is just totally locked down, 285 is just a really, really long slog.
posted by Medieval Maven at 3:47 PM on August 4, 2010 [1 favorite]
I-285 is not, in my opinion, that great if you can cut through down town. I've lived in and around Atlanta all my life, and unless the Connector is just totally locked down, 285 is just a really, really long slog.
posted by Medieval Maven at 3:47 PM on August 4, 2010 [1 favorite]
Atlanta -- you'll be fine driving straight through on 75, 285 will be worse. The evening rush hour pattern is traffic radiating away from Atlanta, and I-285 to the extent that people are trying to get over to whatever artery takes them out. In town the main issue is the connector getting gummed up (intersection of 85, 75, and 20), but by 7pm it will be moving quickly.
posted by kovacs at 3:52 PM on August 4, 2010
posted by kovacs at 3:52 PM on August 4, 2010
Best answer: I live in Nashville and drive through downtown, on the interstate, at rush hour on a daily basis. I haven't killed myself yet. It's slow, but rarely impassable at rush hour, and before 3:30 it's totally fine. Briley is fine, too, but it won't save you any time, even at the height of rush hour. (It becomes a regular street for several miles, with a lower speed limit and stop lights.)
posted by thinkingwoman at 3:52 PM on August 4, 2010
posted by thinkingwoman at 3:52 PM on August 4, 2010
Best answer: Stay away from Briley Parkway - lots of lights. Coming through to I-24 from I-65 isn't too bad at all, and you'll be avoiding the worst of rush hour. Listen to any of the local radio stations for warnings on accidents ahead and so on and you'll be fine. About the time you get to the LaVergne/Smyrna area on I-24, you're in good shape. Past Murfreesboro and you're home free all the way to Chattanooga. It's a pretty scenic drive, too - over Monteagle, through the hills and then down along the river. Keep an eye on the split and stay towards the right as you begin heading out of Chattanooga or you'll wind up on I-75 Northbound to Knoxville.
Atlanta will suck no matter what - taking The Connector through downtown is the most direct path, but if there's an accident, you're hosed. I-285 is your best bet for an alternate. Basically, you pick your poison. You may come in at the end of rush hour, since you'll be going against the northbound traffic, and the joining everyone leaving for the south once you get past downtown. It's hit or miss - stay with either WGST (640AM) or WSB (750AM) for constant traffic reports.
Your last chance for Starbucks in TN after Murfreesboro is Manchester. After that, there's one in Dalton, GA.
posted by jquinby at 3:52 PM on August 4, 2010
Atlanta will suck no matter what - taking The Connector through downtown is the most direct path, but if there's an accident, you're hosed. I-285 is your best bet for an alternate. Basically, you pick your poison. You may come in at the end of rush hour, since you'll be going against the northbound traffic, and the joining everyone leaving for the south once you get past downtown. It's hit or miss - stay with either WGST (640AM) or WSB (750AM) for constant traffic reports.
Your last chance for Starbucks in TN after Murfreesboro is Manchester. After that, there's one in Dalton, GA.
posted by jquinby at 3:52 PM on August 4, 2010
I drove through Nashville around 1pm in the afternoon at the end of June (from the Airport to Missouri, but it was the same I 24/I 65 N route), and it was no problem. There were cars, but we were all moving at 65mph or above. I was traveling north but I saw no problems either direction. Just watch for the road signs because all of those interstates merge and split, and it seems like you have to be in the left lane for one split, then the right lane for the next split. Maybe it just bugged me because I couldn't stay in one lane the whole time. YMMV.
I can't help you with Atlanta...sorry!
posted by MultiFaceted at 3:53 PM on August 4, 2010
I can't help you with Atlanta...sorry!
posted by MultiFaceted at 3:53 PM on August 4, 2010
If you or your cat have a smartphone, you can check Georgia Navigator. It's like a weather map for the Interstate and will let you know what traffic looks like and where any incidents are before you get into town. (or call a friend and get them to look it up for you while you drive)
I think at 7pm you would be fine on I-75.
posted by Frank Grimes at 3:56 PM on August 4, 2010
I think at 7pm you would be fine on I-75.
posted by Frank Grimes at 3:56 PM on August 4, 2010
On further thought - thinkingwoman is dead on. Briley doesn't save any time and shrinks to a 2-lane road after it crosses I40. There are a couple of lights on this stretch and it's frankly a pain.
Also take heed of MultiFaceted's advice regarding the highway signs (or tune way in to your GPS if it's giving you directions). There are some weird little merges and lane changes in the area where I-24/I-40/I-440 all sort of come together.
posted by jquinby at 4:00 PM on August 4, 2010
Also take heed of MultiFaceted's advice regarding the highway signs (or tune way in to your GPS if it's giving you directions). There are some weird little merges and lane changes in the area where I-24/I-40/I-440 all sort of come together.
posted by jquinby at 4:00 PM on August 4, 2010
Nashville -- You should be OK going through downtown. Traffic on 24 E through downtown starts getting slow around 3:30.
Atlanta -- Around 7, you should see slow traffic on 75 S from Northside to I-20. At 6 it's a lot worse. Definitely start listening to WSB or WGST as you get close to the city.
posted by Gridlock Joe at 4:18 PM on August 4, 2010
Atlanta -- Around 7, you should see slow traffic on 75 S from Northside to I-20. At 6 it's a lot worse. Definitely start listening to WSB or WGST as you get close to the city.
posted by Gridlock Joe at 4:18 PM on August 4, 2010
Or, if you can check twitter, follow @ajcwsbtraffic - that way if there is something going down you'll know long before you will want to tune into the radio.
posted by Medieval Maven at 4:28 PM on August 4, 2010
posted by Medieval Maven at 4:28 PM on August 4, 2010
On a normal Friday at that time of night, I'd expect some slowing on I-75 from 14th Street to I-20, but nothing all that bad. For Atlanta.
However, I note for the record that Friday is a home game for the Atlanta Braves. They will also retire Tom Glavine's number. Attendance will be high. The good news is that anyone who wants to see the retirement ceremony will want to be in their seats by 7:15. As such, I expect there to be a few more cars on the road than normal, but it probably won't be as bad as a Halloween that falls on a Friday during a rainstorm, which is the "perfect storm" for Atlanta traffic.
posted by ob1quixote at 5:57 PM on August 4, 2010
However, I note for the record that Friday is a home game for the Atlanta Braves. They will also retire Tom Glavine's number. Attendance will be high. The good news is that anyone who wants to see the retirement ceremony will want to be in their seats by 7:15. As such, I expect there to be a few more cars on the road than normal, but it probably won't be as bad as a Halloween that falls on a Friday during a rainstorm, which is the "perfect storm" for Atlanta traffic.
posted by ob1quixote at 5:57 PM on August 4, 2010
Beaten a bunch on Nashville but I would just head on through, 2PM will be no problem.
posted by ghharr at 7:58 PM on August 4, 2010
posted by ghharr at 7:58 PM on August 4, 2010
Best answer: Atlanta:
If you can time it to reach downtown Atlanta a little AFTER 7pm, you'll probably be fine. Definitely not before 7pm, so if you are running early, stop for a meal or something.
Gridlock Joe (ha!) is right that if I-75 slows down, it'll happen where he said. Pretty much just after you first spot the downtown skyscrapers, you will reach Northside Drive and the point where things get congested. Pay attention to signs and do NOT get onto I-85 northbound. After the I-85 merge (to form the Downtown Connector proper, skyscrapers on both sides) GET TO THE LEFT and stay there. That way you will tend to miss the INSANE baseball exit/merge traffic (think: SUVs full of suburban white people using mobile devices constantly). Stay in the left aaaaaaaall the way to where 75 and 85 split again (75 splits to the left) and then you will be home free. That stretch of 75 right after the split is crazy wide and normally weirdly empty at all hours.
Caution: listening to WSB (750 AM) or WGST (640 AM) can be a soul sucking exercise, because most of the time it's conservative talk radio. They have traffic reports every 8-10 minutes.
You should take the Downtown Connector route (I-75), not the I-285 perimeter. The perimeter is a lot tighter (no room to add lanes since the 80s) and all trucks that are passing through are required to take 285 (not allowed to cut straight through town on 75/85/20). All those trucks can make things a bit crowded, although personally I like driving around trucks because they are professionals (you know, they use their damn turn signals, see mine, etc.).
If you do take 285 (don't), don't cut across Lakewood Freeway. Just stay on 285 and go around to 75.
posted by intermod at 9:35 PM on August 4, 2010
If you can time it to reach downtown Atlanta a little AFTER 7pm, you'll probably be fine. Definitely not before 7pm, so if you are running early, stop for a meal or something.
Gridlock Joe (ha!) is right that if I-75 slows down, it'll happen where he said. Pretty much just after you first spot the downtown skyscrapers, you will reach Northside Drive and the point where things get congested. Pay attention to signs and do NOT get onto I-85 northbound. After the I-85 merge (to form the Downtown Connector proper, skyscrapers on both sides) GET TO THE LEFT and stay there. That way you will tend to miss the INSANE baseball exit/merge traffic (think: SUVs full of suburban white people using mobile devices constantly). Stay in the left aaaaaaaall the way to where 75 and 85 split again (75 splits to the left) and then you will be home free. That stretch of 75 right after the split is crazy wide and normally weirdly empty at all hours.
Caution: listening to WSB (750 AM) or WGST (640 AM) can be a soul sucking exercise, because most of the time it's conservative talk radio. They have traffic reports every 8-10 minutes.
You should take the Downtown Connector route (I-75), not the I-285 perimeter. The perimeter is a lot tighter (no room to add lanes since the 80s) and all trucks that are passing through are required to take 285 (not allowed to cut straight through town on 75/85/20). All those trucks can make things a bit crowded, although personally I like driving around trucks because they are professionals (you know, they use their damn turn signals, see mine, etc.).
If you do take 285 (don't), don't cut across Lakewood Freeway. Just stay on 285 and go around to 75.
posted by intermod at 9:35 PM on August 4, 2010
Do you have Sirius or XM? Atlanta shares a traffic/weather station with Miami.
There's also a traffic site - georgianavigator.com so if you have someone you can call & say "Dude, what's the traffic look like?" you can do that - I have a friend who calls me all the time & has me check.
posted by pointystick at 4:44 AM on August 5, 2010
There's also a traffic site - georgianavigator.com so if you have someone you can call & say "Dude, what's the traffic look like?" you can do that - I have a friend who calls me all the time & has me check.
posted by pointystick at 4:44 AM on August 5, 2010
ob1quixote makes a good point about the Braves game. I'm not really convinced that by the time you get there (assuming you hit the perimeter north at 7pm) that it will be that much worse than the mess that is the Watermelon 500 (ie, 285).
posted by Medieval Maven at 6:27 AM on August 5, 2010
posted by Medieval Maven at 6:27 AM on August 5, 2010
Try to time any drive through a city at off-peak hours and you should be fine. That's a general rule of thumb. Midday, early morning before 7am, or evening after 7pm should get you through without hassle. Check traffic cams before you go to find where the construction is.
posted by JJ86 at 7:13 AM on August 5, 2010
posted by JJ86 at 7:13 AM on August 5, 2010
Also, Georgia Navigator is on Twitter: @GA_Traffic
Gridlock Joe (ha!)
Thanks. :)
17 years as a radio and TV traffic reporter, and still work for Metro Traffic.
posted by Gridlock Joe at 7:34 AM on August 5, 2010
Gridlock Joe (ha!)
Thanks. :)
17 years as a radio and TV traffic reporter, and still work for Metro Traffic.
posted by Gridlock Joe at 7:34 AM on August 5, 2010
Response by poster: If you or your cat have a smartphone, you can check Georgia Navigator.
Unfortunately, I don't have a smartphone, and my cat gets really pissy about letting me use hers.
Thanks, everyone, for the advice. I'll post back here once I'm in Florida and let you know how it went.
posted by Johnny Assay at 7:34 AM on August 5, 2010
Unfortunately, I don't have a smartphone, and my cat gets really pissy about letting me use hers.
Thanks, everyone, for the advice. I'll post back here once I'm in Florida and let you know how it went.
posted by Johnny Assay at 7:34 AM on August 5, 2010
Response by poster: So, uh, yeah. Gang aft agley and all that.
After a late departure, I hit Nashville around 3 PM local time and discovered that there was a nasty jam on I-40 where it gets twinned up with I-24. After an increasingly desperate series of (self-imposed) detours on city streets, I ended up on I-440, which was crowded but moving. I'd estimate that I probably took 60-75 minutes traversing the metro area.
On the other hand, that meant that I got to Atlanta much later than expected, so no traffic there! Yay?
posted by Johnny Assay at 7:59 PM on August 6, 2010
After a late departure, I hit Nashville around 3 PM local time and discovered that there was a nasty jam on I-40 where it gets twinned up with I-24. After an increasingly desperate series of (self-imposed) detours on city streets, I ended up on I-440, which was crowded but moving. I'd estimate that I probably took 60-75 minutes traversing the metro area.
On the other hand, that meant that I got to Atlanta much later than expected, so no traffic there! Yay?
posted by Johnny Assay at 7:59 PM on August 6, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by baho at 3:24 PM on August 4, 2010