OT Driving South OT

g8golfer

Heading to Destin Florida early on Saturday morning. I went last year at this time but had to leave after 1 day because of the Hurricane Michael. Looking for some traveling advice. GPS shows 2 ways and both are about the same distance and time. 1st way is go to Chattanooga to Birmingham to Montgomery to Destin and the 2nd way is Chattanooga to Atlanta to Destin. Just wondering if anyone would recommend which way to go? I know a lot of members live in the Atlanta area and I know traffic is crazy. Thanks for the advice. 

YEMTrey

If given the chance to avoid Atlanta, do so.

JethroBodeen

I would avoid Atlanta at all cost as well...

g8golfer

I’m getting the feeling that driving through Atlanta is a terrible idea 

Shiff

We take lots of road trips from here in Pennsylvania to the South and West.  We have probably done more than 25 cross country trips and one of our very important rules is to avoid Atlanta.  The few times we have ignored that rule cost of lots of lost time (hours, some times) to get through that mess around Atlanta.

GATraveller

Whichever way you go make it through Eufaula and stop at Doughnut King for some doughnut holes. Best in the country. 

MotownVol

I I go through Atlanta if going to Panama City, but Birmingham if going to Destin.

ColbyLang

GATraveller said:

Whichever way you go make it through Eufaula and stop at Doughnut King for some doughnut holes. Best in the country. 

I killed a few deer in Eufaula a few years ago....donuts are amazing 

Jupiter Jim

Atlanta is all about timing if it's am or pm rush hour avoid if not it's ok and I'm in a 35' motor home.

DoubleEgger

It won’t be any issue to go through ATL.  Just take I75S to I285W to I85S. There’s not much traffic on the west perimeter on a Saturday. 

TideEggHead

If you can figure out how to go interstate most of the way that would be key! Montgomery to Destin (3 hours) is not bad but once you get to Andalusia or Opp it is 2 lane most of the rest of the way in (sucks if you get behind a truck).

nolaegghead

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsC4kf6x_Q0

SmokeyPitt

I would check to see if there is any construction planned around Atlanta. I live north of Atlanta and took the same route a few saturdays ago (Sat Sep 21). I lost about 45 minutes in traffic due to construction. Several counties also have September break so this contributed as well. 

http://www.511ga.org

Honestly though if the time and distance are the same I would just avoid Atlanta. Looking at Google maps Chattanooga-->east of B'ham-->Montgomery seems like a better route anyway. 

theyolksonyou

Bad news.  I24 west from I75 to AL is routinely a disaster in the weekends due to construction.  Honestly, use Waze and just follow directions from there.  Rarely gives bad info.  

lentsboy007

Went to Florida in July, avoided Atlanta and went thru Montgomery .  Good decision 

lentsboy007

Went to Florida in July, avoided Atlanta and went thru Montgomery .  Good decision 

kl8ton

This is ATL at 5pm. Not.  The.  Best.  Timing. 

theyolksonyou

kl8ton said:

This is ATL at 5pm. Not.  The.  Best.  Timing. 

If you look to your right, there is a great institute of higher learning.  

g8golfer

Yeah I’m going to stay away from Atlanta. Let’s just hope the red tide doesn’t hit the gulf agin like last year. 

TideEggHead

@g8golfer You are good brother, we were just in PC over the weekend. Perfect weather, fish were biting, and traffic wasn’t bad either.

g8golfer

TideEggHead said:

@g8golfer You are good brother, we were just in PC over the weekend. Perfect weather, fish were biting, and traffic wasn’t bad either.

I’m not really into fishing but that water sure looks clear 

nolaegghead

Mangrove snapper?

TideEggHead

@g8golfer That was the bay, the gulf is crystal clear too. @nolaegghead Spot on! Brought some home to cook later this week, the one pictured got tossed back since it was right around minimum to keep.

ColbyLang

Just returned from Orange Beach. Water was beautiful the whole time we were there. No fishing as a 2.5 and 4.5 year old demanded sand time! 

fence0407

@g8golfer yall need to stop at Priester's Pecans on the way. 

https://www.priesters.com/

80 Bishop Bottom Rd, Fort Deposit, AL 36032

g8golfer

fence0407 said:

@g8golfer yall need to stop at Priester's Pecans on the way. 

https://www.priesters.com/

80 Bishop Bottom Rd, Fort Deposit, AL 36032

Never heard of it before but looking online it looks delicious