Atlanta is Georgia’s busiest city and stays bustling and active. The city is full of people living in the city or commuting to it for work, creating a very high-density area. This means driving in the city can be different from the usual, non-major metropolitan city. If you are unsure of what driving in the city is like but have an upcoming trip planned, have no fear. We are here to help! Follow this guide with tips and tricks to prepare for driving anywhere in Atlanta.
Avoid Rush Hour
Traffic is constantly changing in the city and can still be unpredictable, but there are times to avoid always as much as possible. Rush hour tends to be in the morning from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and in the evening from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. However, peak traffic times can also arise when major events happen. For example, there are many major sporting teams in the city and whenever they have games, the traffic typically increases. We suggest prior to your trip looking into the schedules for the Braves, Falcons, Hawks, Dream, and Swarm. See if any team has home games while you are there and avoid areas near the stadium on the day of the game as much as possible.
Learn About the Major Roads and Highways
Driving in any area is always easier when you are more familiar with the roads you drive on. Before finding yourself in Atlanta without a clue about any of the roadways, we suggest learning some basic information about the roadways you may find yourself face to face with. The I-75 and I-85 are two big interstates that go through downtown parts of the city. They are often victims of traffic jams. Furthermore, the I-285 is one highway that is best to just be avoided at all costs. It is commonly referred to as the most dangerous highway in the U.S., so that should be enough of a warning to avoid it.
Use Navigation Apps
Some cities are easy to navigate on your own just by looking at street signs and using an old-school map. We highly suggest against that in Atlanta. You will definitely want to use navigation apps in Atlanta. The city’s streets are hard to understand and with unpredictable traffic, navigation apps will be your best friend. Having the guide of an app will be the biggest factor to making your Atlanta driving better!
