Atlanta is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country.
It’s expected to surpass Philadelphia as the eighth-largest city in the U.S. within the next 3 years. And it could very well end up climbing even higher than that in the near future.
Atlanta’s population growth has helped the city in all kinds of ways. But it has also hurt the city where driving is concerned.
In addition to being one of the fastest-growing cities, Atlanta is also one of the most congested places in America. That means that Atlanta traffic is no joke. People are often forced to sit in bumper-to-bumper traffic jams and endure an increased risk when it comes to accidents.
Here are some of the ways you can navigate Atlanta traffic like a pro, regardless of whether you’ve lived in Atlanta your whole life or just moved there.
Avoid Rush Hour Traffic
“Rush hour” tends to last for about 6 hours in Atlanta. It’s not out of the ordinary to see people out on the roads at 4 a.m., and often times, the roads in Atlanta stay busy until about 10 a.m.
That being said, Atlanta traffic is at its worst in the morning between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. If you can avoid the roads during that time period, try to do it at all costs.
The rush hour traffic also returns between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. once the workday winds down. It’s a good idea to stay off the roads between these hours (if possible).
Know the Most Dangerous Roads
There are several main highways that run in and around Atlanta, including I-20, I-75, and I-85. That’s where commuters tend to spend most of their time navigating Atlanta traffic.
But there are also tons of other roads that run through Atlanta, forming intersections throughout the city. Some of these intersections are known for the car accidents that they cause.
The worst intersections for Atlanta drivers include:
- Jimmy Carter Boulevard and Peachtree Industrial Boulevard
- East Park Place and Stone Mountain Highway
- Cobb Place Boulevard and Earnest Barrett Parkway
Take the time to learn about the roads you should steer clear of in Atlanta. You can reduce your risk of getting into an accident by finding an alternate route.
Rely on Traffic Apps
If you don’t know where you’re going when you’re driving around in Atlanta, it’s easy to get lost. Stay on the right path by downloading one of the many traffic apps available to you.
You can go with apps like Waze that work in all cities or get something more specific to Atlanta like the WSB-TV traffic app.
Stay Patient When Atlanta Traffic Strikes
Those who live in Atlanta are often better off using public transportation throughout the week as opposed to driving. It helps them avoid Atlanta traffic and the frustration that comes along with it.
But if this isn’t an option for you, driving in Atlanta doesn’t have to be the worst thing in the world. Just learn to keep your cool and stay off the roads when rush hour is in full force.
You might want to learn how to meditate, too, to remain level-headed when road rage threatens to get the best of you.
