[Archived]

Use 285 to go around.

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I’m schedule do drive the first leg of a Nashville to Jacksonville, FL tomorrow (Saturday, April 1st) and am looking or advice regarding the road closures in Atlanta. I’m planning on taking this trip over two days and am hoping someone can provide advice on if I can get through this mess going South or if not, a suggested route that will keep me less than 400 miles per day.

While I thought it was a good idea to plan driving through Atlanta on a Saturday, it seems this may not be a great idea and I welcome input. And yes, this is NOT an April Fool’s Joke!



Input Appreciated.

[Dick]

As long as you have 2 days, head east on I-40 and pick up I-26 in Ashville, Join I-77 in Columbia and take I-95 to JAX.

You get to enjoy the Smokies and literally avoid the heartburn that comes with ATL.

However if you are convinced you want to go through ATL time it so you go through at 2:00 AM. Stay in the HOV lane no matter what time you go through and regardless of how many are on board.

If you think I am kidding about the time go through whenever you want and report back.

[Thomas]

Thanks Jon,

Is this a “Prevost Friendly” route? And, any suggestions where to camp overnight? Hookups would be a good thing.

[Harry]

It affects I-85 just north of the city where I-75 and I-85 split and heading north. Both north and south I-85 is closed at the split. I-75 is still open, but you can bet that will be a nightmare.

If your north or south bound using I-75 just take the I-285 loop around the west side of Atlanta. Don’t do the east loop, it’s much farther.

I’m going through there on Sunday, I’ll report back.

[Archived]

Mr. Guru: We took the same or a similar Interstate based route to Florida from ETLC a few years ago. We overnighted in a rest stop. I’d tell you which one … but after a while they are all pretty much the same. Unless we’re staying more than one night, we’ve always stayed in Interstate rest stops … except for two or three Wal-Marts but their parking lots can be tight. Casinos have worked well for us too.

[Archived]

Andy,

Anytime we are going to be on the FL east coast we go on the route described above. As to RV parks your best bet is to decide where you are going to end up for an overnight and do a search. When we have two days of travel we typically will stay in a rest area or Cracker Barrel unless there is an RV park within a stone’s throw from the interstate.

For you I would suggest you dry camp at a rest area or Walmart and get used to using all the features your coach has. Run your generator hard and often.

[Tim]

The only time we’ll go through ATL anymore is Sunday AMs through the city. Been stuck on I 285 too many times before. We’re heading out west from SC this Sunday so it’ll be I 85 South to I 285 west to I 20 west… maybe So, Tom, look for us. We’ll likely have the chairs set up in lane 2 if it’s bad. Come visit.

Or we can head north to I 26 to Asheville and I 40 west, Jon’s route in reverse, and more relaxing. ATL’s gotta be the worst. Sure glad we don’t live there anymore.

[Roscoeapproved]

Thanks for the rapid responses. Since I’m in middle TN it seems to make a lot of sense to go the more direct route of I-65 to 231 to I-10. Any input on this route is welcomed!

While I drove through Atlanta en route to Nashville from Florida, I hit it at good time with no delays. However, just a day before the interstate collapse, the Southbound traffic was backed up. Yeah, it’s Atlanta!

If I didn’t need to be at Prevost on Monday morning, I would have taken Jon’s suggestion and headed through the Smokies. But for this rookie, that would be a great three leg trip as it’s a lot of steep miles in a day. I will say that going through Monteagle with the Aware system on was a positive experience. After all, in the Flxible without cruise, I never get the chance to stretch my right leg!

---

Jeff and Lindsay

91 Marathon XL

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we run that route several times a year. About 7 hrs Nas to I- 10 A little bit of stop lights etc on 231 but once you get to 10 straight shot. You can see space camp off 65 around Huntsville. We have a Prevo member active with it. Bob

[David]

Andy,

There is one down grade of 6% for six miles. That is eastbound and down Black Mountian. It has at least three runaway truck ramps. They get used often. I’d suggest you not run up the eastbound side without slowing to the truck speed limit of 35 MPH at the top. Make sure whatever engine brake or trans retarder system you have is ON as you top the mountain eastbound. In my “classic” 8V92 running with a jake brake topping the mountain eastbound I find I only have to make 4-5 quick stabs on the brake pedal to maintain 35 MPH. On the brakes, you want to make a quick hard application not hold them on for a gentle speed reduction. If you ride the brakes your rotors will look like the ones on the NASCAR racers at Martinsville today! That would be red hot.

It is Prevost friendly but of course you will be passed by many other vehicles as they attempt to make a mad dash to the bottom. When you reach the end of the grade the speed limit goes back up to 70 miles per hour.

[Tim]

12:30 pm EST

Our own mobile command center leader Truk4u….. just informed me that I-75 north bound through Atlanta is clear. Never touch the brake pedal.

Ask me to post this message

[DON]

The alternate route of 65/231/10 worked out well. The only notable traffic was just outside of Jacksonville where an accident created a 30 minute parking lot. While it was sad for those involved, it was an opportunity to take a lunch break.

For the route, I took two equal legs and overnighted in Troy, AL.

[Archived]

Andy…would you please add the model and coach number in your signature so we can take a look at the details online? I bet it’s a beauty. Thank you.

[Tim]

Left Sarasota yesterday morning 7am and took the 75/10/231/65/24/57 route to get to central Illinois. Rolled up to the house at 1am this morning. Really did not like the 231 portion due to all the in town driving/stoplights etc. Will take my chances going through Atlanta next time!