Travel times and tips for Memorial Day travel from GDOT

ATLANTA – Memorial Day Weekend sees an increase in traffic and motorists statewide. The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) announces the suspension of all interstate lane closures beginning Friday, May 23 at 12:00 p.m. through Tuesday, May 27 at 5:00 a.m. to ease travel, reduce delays and increase safety.  Motorists are advised to reduce their speed when traveling through a work zone and to move over one lane when possible, as lane closures could be reinstated due to incident management or an emergency on the interstate. Also, crews may still be working near highways. 

Georgia DOT is committed to assisting motorists optimize their travel plans for Memorial Day Weekend by providing traffic forecasts across the metro Atlanta area plus interstates across the state, including best and worst times to travel, best practices, and most importantly, how to stay safe while driving, or in the event of an emergency. Motorists in the metro Atlanta area should anticipate an increase in traffic around popular tourist destinations, which include, but are not limited to Centennial Olympic Park, Georgia Aquarium, Piedmont Park, Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Six Flags Over Georgia, Zoo Atlanta and the Carter Center.  

Travel data from the previous three years has shown the following traffic trends for the metro Atlanta area:  

Metro Atlanta Interstates: 

• Motorists should be advised of potential heavy traffic on Thursday, May 22 from 12 p.m. – 8 p.m., and Friday, May 23 from 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. 
• Motorists should expect moderate congestion Saturday, May 24 from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
• Light to normal traffic is expected Sunday, May 25 and Monday, May 26 throughout the day.
• Motorists should expect typical congestion to return Tuesday, May 27 between 3 p.m.- 7 p.m. 

Metro Atlanta Surface Streets: 

• Heavy to normal traffic is expected to begin in the late morning to early afternoon on Wednesday, May 21 through Friday, May 23. 
• Light to normal traffic is expected from Saturday, May 24 to Tuesday, May 27. 

Express Lanes: May 23-26 

• The Express Lanes’ schedule changes are carefully assessed and based on recent data and trends. Orange directions indicate a change to the usual schedule. No changes are expected for the Northwest Corridor. Please note the following schedules are subject to change as needed.

Travel data from the previous three years has shown the following traffic trends for major interstates in and outside of the metro Atlanta area:  

• I-75 is predicted to have moderate congestion southbound and northbound out of Atlanta into Stockbridge. 
• I-85 and I-185 are predicted to have light congestion in West Georgia near Alabama. 
• I-20 is predicted to have light congestion eastbound and westbound in West Georgia near Alabama. 
• I-24 is predicted to have moderate congestion in Northwest Georgia near Chattanooga. 
• I-75 is predicted to have moderate congestion northbound and southbound in North Georgia near Chattanooga.  
• I-16 is predicted to have moderate congestion westbound and eastbound in East Georgia near Savannah.  
• I-475, I-75 and I-16 are predicted to have heavy congestion in West Georgia near Macon. 
• I-75 is predicted to have light congestion northbound and southbound in South Georgia near Valdosta. 
• I-85 is predicted to have light congestion near Northeast Georgia near South Carolina. 
• I-95 is predicted to have light congestion northbound and southbound in Southeast Georgia near Florida. 

Motorists traveling over Memorial Day Weekend are encouraged by Georgia DOT to utilize the following safety tips: 

Georgia DOT HERO and CHAMP support The Highway Emergency Response Operator (HERO) and the Coordinated Highway Assistance & Maintenance Program (CHAMP) are free services Georgia DOT offers to assist motorists in need. Motorists can dial 511 to request assistance or to connect with a first responder. 

• HERO operators patrol the metro Atlanta area clearing roadways and restoring traffic flow after crashes.
• HERO operators assist motorists in the metro Atlanta area needing roadside service like flat tires, overheated engines, jump starting dead batteries, and other vehicle maintenance issues. They can also administer first aid if necessary.
• CHAMP operators monitor interstates outside the metro Atlanta area (excluding I-59 and I-24). They also offer free roadside service, maintain traffic flow, and identify interstate maintenance issues. 

Move over for first responders 

• Traffic-related incidents are a leading cause of death for law enforcement officers. Please drive alert, eliminate all distractions, and stay focused behind the wheel. 
• The Georgia Move Over law requires all motorists to move over one lane, if possible, when there is an emergency vehicle with flashing lights parked on the shoulder of the highway. These include all first responders, HERO and CHAMP operators, and tow trucks dealing with a crash. 
• If traffic does not allow you to move over safely, the law requires motorists to slow down below the posted speed limit, and be prepared to stop. 

Stay in your car 

• Motorists should avoid getting out of their vehicles when stopped on the road. 
• Emergency assistance will provide proper instructions for drivers and passengers.  

Drive defensively 

• An increase in out-of-town drivers is expected for Memorial Day Weekend. Use caution for unfamiliar motorists. 
• Be alert and aware. Please slow down and use caution when approaching a vehicle with their hazard lights on. 
• Maintain a safe distance between you and the vehicle ahead of you in case they stop quickly and unexpectedly.  
• Do not drive distracted. Stay focused on the road for any sudden incidents. 

Utilize the many travel services of 511GA 

• Before you get behind the wheel, visit 511ga.org and download the free 511GA app on your Apple or Android device for turn-by-turn navigation, estimated travel times, and real-time travel speeds. 
• Check weather forecasts and real-time road conditions on 511GA to prepare for a safe arrival at your destination. 
• Select Drive Mode on the 511GA app to receive audio alerts and contact 5-1-1 hands-free. 
• Plan with My511 – Create and save routes and traffic cameras.
  • Save your Memorial Day Weekend destination route and use the step-by-step navigation tool. 
  • Be alerted to road closures, construction, and incidents in real-time when you activate My511 alerts. 
  • Save and view traffic cameras along your drive to see current events on the road. 
• If you have questions about travel times, Call 5-1-1 to speak to a live operator 24/7. 

Georgia Department of Transportation plans, constructs and maintains Georgia’s state and federal highways. We’re involved in bridge, waterway, public transit, rail, general aviation, bike and pedestrian programs. And we help local governments maintain their roads. Georgia DOT and its nearly 4,000 employees are committed to delivering a transportation system focused on innovation, safety, sustainability and mobility. The Department’s vision is to boost Georgia’s competitiveness through leadership in transportation.