Ok, I need to go from CT to Atlanta Georgia. Is 81 lest conjested than 95.

I don't mind drive 30 minutes more to avoid mom, applying make-up, on cell phone, yelling at kids, mini van driving road YACK.

Any input?

take the Acela !!! does it go past DC yet ?

I81 is a pretty rurual (read boring) drive for the part I know between Harrisburg PA and onto I 40 in Knoxville TN. There are a couple of larger towns/citys along the way that can slow you down a bit if you hit rush hour but nothing huge. Check the nascar schedule to make sure you aren't hitting a race weekend at Bristol. Thats the only time I ever got frustrated on that stretch of road.

One note.... I 40 closed this morning through Knoxville, TN for a major construction project that is supposed to last over a year. The alternate is the loop around town on 640. (An extra 4 or 5 minutes)

I'm only familiar enough with 95 between Philly and DC to tell you you will save at least 10 bucks in bridge tolls by avoiding it never mind the city traffic in Baltimore and DC.

Forgot to mention.... Check last minute deals on travelocity etc. I used to get deals from Philly to Knoxville with a transfer in Atlanta for 200 bucks round trip through Delta. Atlanta is such a large airport I wouldn't be supprised if you could get a flight / rental car deal cheaper than your gas and time. (Driving from Philly to Knoxville is 10 hours with a heavy foot and very short gas stops. )

This post has been edited by afob3: May 1 2008, 11:17 AM

TOO Sweet,

Great feedback, I think I will pack a lunch and leave arround 9pm on Sunday night to get there. I'm thinkin arround 16 hrs or so. The bummer thing is I only go to my dealer and I will hit my time in Atlanta. 6000 miles already and havn't even made the second payment.
Thanks for the info afob, I will be taking 81. It soulds like a YAK free drive. :grin:

This post has been edited by Sort Em: May 1 2008, 11:29 AM

Yes, I would strongly recommend you take I-84 west to I-81 south to I-77 south to I-85 south to Atlanta. Nowhere near the congestion you will encounter in the New York to Richmond corridor, and more scenic also. As you come into NC on I-77 you will be crossing the eastern divide and crest of the Blue Ridge with long views of the Piedmont below. It is about 30 miles further from Hartford, but Google says it is a few minutes shorter and probably is.

If you decide to go the Knoxville route you'll pick-up I75 and go to Chattanooga, then on to the ATL. It's actually a smooth and somewhat scenic drive - not a lot of traffic and you can keep above 70 without fear.

I made many trips from Tallahassee to Knox in the past. One of the worst parts is 75 from here to ATL. THE worst part is driving through ATL. After that's it's pretty nice and relaxed. I'd rather fly into the Atlanta airport than drive through Atlanta any day ! (busiest airport in the world by the way)

Now I must move this to the Off Topic forum.