I have to make a trip to Charlotte NC, driving from Prattville. Most direct route is I85 through Atlanta. I’ve made the drive a few times. Was thinking about maybe cutting through Macon GA to Augusta GA to Columbia SC then to I77 into Charlotte. Google drive time shows about 30 extra minutes going this route vs going through Atlanta. I would gladly take the extra 30 minutes to avoid Atlanta.

Anyone have experience driving this route? If not I’m also open to any advice on the least stressful way to get through Atlanta

Thanks

I drove it weekly my friend down 85. If you can hit 85 in the 1 to 2 pm range it tended to be nit as bad. Whatever you do don't get on 285, I've never been rerouted there and nit immediately regret it. Other times I would get there in the 630 or 7 pm range and it wasn't bad at all.

If you can plan trips through ATL for 0230 its usually pretty smooth and fast. I used to make the Gump to Charlotte drive regularly and there is no easy way around that City-State. Even the times I tried to do the extra 30 minutes around trick just to make it peaceful they still find a way to make you mad.

We always went the Columbia , SC way. Less stressful!

Time it to avoid rush hour AM and PM and you can slip through easier.

Since we have moved to Hilton Head I have driven Atl 10 times at least in the past 6 months. Go thru Macon. When I move the boat from Huntsville I’m going the Macon route. Gonna take longer.

Prattville to Macon, easy drive. I would consider going from Macon to Athens then hit I85 at Carnesville. Macon to Columbia is an easy drive, just farther.


Go through Atlanta after 9:30am and before 3:00pm. My preferred time through ATL is 3am, have plenty of gas and no bathroom stops.

AL Dawg - You got the Right Read - Go the way you have planned. I made the trip for 14 years between Columbia and Tuscaloosa. Now we have to drive from Tuscaloosa to Rock Hill SC - no Fun in the ATL - EVER

I went to Winthrop for a year on a full scholarship. Super liberal small school. Back then it was liberal but still had some grounding.
It was a weird party and I dont know if I won or lost it.

Do the Macon to Augusta route. Enjoy the less stressful drive and scenery.

I 20 on the east side of Atlanta is a total construction zone. Especially where it intersects with I 285. They are building what looks to be at least 2 new bridges. Avoid it at any cost. When I head north I am near Atlanta well before 6 am. You can get thru without any problem before then. If you have an EzPass, that's another way to stay out of trouble. There's a lot of construction around Macon also.

The route you mentioned will take you more than 30 extra minutes. There’s a good bit of road construction going into Columbia and also into Augusta. My advice would be to pick a non-rush hour time to scoot through Atlanta and hop on 285 North to bypass the downtown slow down. I’ll be passing through Atlanta on Wednesday. As much as I would love to avoid it, there’s just not a good route to completely avoid it. Timing is everything when it comes to that place. Even then, one wreck can make it tough sledding.

I lived in Charlotte for 5 years so if you need any recommendations on places to eat or stay feel free to shoot me a PM.

The entirety of South Carolina is just about a start-stop construction zone. Don’t underestimate that stretch.

The 1st question is when do you plan on driving through Atlanta? It's not always doom and gloom. There's times I've breezed through on weekends early in the morning.

Appreciate the responses. I probably have a little flexibility on time of day but most likely will be traveling M-F. Sounds like the Macon route is a doable option and I’m honestly thinking even if it adds 45 - 60 minutes it might be worth it to avoid ATL.

I’ve been through ATL and other than bumper to bumper traffic, no issues. I’ve also been stuck on the interstate in downtown ATL and almost had a full on panic attack (guess it’s a phobia).