How early does rush hour start on the weekdays? Traveling through ATL - need advice (Atlanta: hotels)

[Kluch]

So we'll be driving down to Florida here in a couple of weeks (from Indianapolis) and as a halfway point I'm looking at booking a hotel right outside of Atlanta. Since we'll be coming down I-75 I was considering hotels on the north side (around Marietta) but also hotels on the southside (near McDonough). This would be a Thursday night stay where we get up early Friday morning and head out (probably by 7:30am). I was favoring staying on the north side because we'll be getting in fairly late at night Thursday (due to when we have to leave Indy) and it would be nice to not have to drive through one more city before we stop but then it occurred to me that rush hour might delay us somewhat in the morning (driving through ATL) if I stop on the north side.
Should I factor this in or will it probably be a non-issue? Every time we've driven through Atlanta during the morning it's been on a Sunday. I'm wondering if Friday rush hour traffic is enough a reason to avoid staying on the north side for the night if we want to get an early start without hitting much traffic. Thoughts?

[CMMom]

There is ALWAYS and I mean ALWAYS a logjam on I-75 south starting at about Stockbridge and lasting through Locust Grove. Sometimes it only takes 15 minutes to get through that area and sometimes upwards of an hour. And often for no apparent reason (no wrecks, etc...). If you can make it Thursday night to Locust Grove (just a couple of exits south of McDonough), you'll miss all of that Friday morning. Trust me on this.

[Kluch]

Originally Posted by CMMom

There is ALWAYS and I mean ALWAYS a logjam on I-75 south starting at about Stockbridge and lasting through Locust Grove. Sometimes it only takes 15 minutes to get through that area and sometimes upwards of an hour. And often for no apparent reason (no wrecks, etc...). If you can make it Thursday night to Locust Grove (just a couple of exits south of McDonough), you'll miss all of that Friday morning. Trust me on this.

Thanks, good to know!

[sedimenjerry]

Friday morning rush hour usually isn't as bad, but certain spots are generally getting slow by 7:30 (some well before then).
And yea, there's always something wrong with 75 south of town.

I know the pain of driving through one last city on a road trip but it's worth it. If you're coming through after 8PM Thursday, it shouldn't be too bad getting through and it'll be worth it Friday morning.

[aries4118]

Yes, definitely keep driving and get a hotel in the South Metro along I-75: In McDonough, Locust Grove, or Hampton.


Plus, you will get a night-time skyline view of Cumberland, Midtown, and Downtown.

[Citykid3785]

It’s much later than the Midwest, but I’d say 7am?

[Atlwarrior]

When I drive Uber and Lyft before my regular job. I try to be off the roads before 6 a.m. That's when I notice the traffic build-up. Also depends on what part of the city you are in, and the ability to take back roads.

[midgeorgiaman]

You have received great advice. I think most Georgians plan their travels around hitting Atlanta at a certain time. Lol.

I agree that getting through to the south side would be ideal, but one hangup on your 7 hour drive and before you know it, it's midnight and you are exhausted.

Something else to consider is that getting a room on a random Thursday night should not be difficult. I would wait until I got to Chattanooga to make the decision and then book a room north of Atlanta or south depending on how the drive is going. I say this as someone who nearly killed myself ( almost asleep) trying to make it to a prebooked room after getting stuck on a closed interstate for 2 hours. Now I wait to book rooms until mid-afternoon. It isn't worth saving $20 to be locked into a "I HAVE TO go another hundred miles" scenario.

If north of the city is your decision, I would try to leave by 630am.(It's picking up, but better than 730). If you have a Florida toll pass, those work on the Express Lanes coming into Atlanta and would help as well). Hope you have a safe and enjoyable trip!

[king john IV]

"Should I factor this in or will it probably be a non-issue?"
yes. factor that it.
"I'm wondering if Friday rush hour traffic is enough a reason to avoid staying on the north side for the night..."
no. North side is fine IF.....
"we want to get an early start without hitting much traffic. Thoughts?"
be on the Interstate before 5:30 AM on Friday for the best chance.

i used to drive in/around/and through Atlanta for five years.
(masks and Skype/Zoom changed all that)
6AM to 6PM on Friday is the worst, with Sunday night in second place.