Holiday Travel Advisory: Expect Heavy Traffic Across Georgia Roads

December 20, 2024
1 min read
Holiday travel can mean delays, frustration, and potentially dangerous conditions. Even with lane closures suspended for construction, emergencies and incidents can cause unexpected slowdowns. Knowing when and where to expect traffic helps drivers plan for safer, more efficient trips.

As the holiday season approaches, Georgia drivers should prepare for increased traffic congestion on interstates and major roads statewide. The Georgia Department of Transportation has released travel forecasts for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.

What to Expect This Holiday Season

According to GDOT, metro Atlanta will see moderate-to-heavy traffic during late afternoons leading up to both holidays, particularly from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on December 23 and 24 and again on December 30 and 31. While lighter-than-usual traffic is anticipated on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, commuters should be cautious of returning congestion later in the week.

Outside metro Atlanta, travelers should watch for heavy congestion on major interstates, especially I-75 southbound near Stockbridge and I-16 around Savannah. North Georgia routes near Chattanooga and Northeast Georgia are also predicted to be bottlenecks during the holiday season.

Specific Areas to Avoid

Metro Atlanta:

  • Heavy traffic on surface streets begins as early as December 19, intensifying on December 23 and 24.
  • As usual, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will be lighter on the roads.
  • Traffic on surface streets and interstates is expected to build again on January 2 and 3 as holiday festivities wind down.

Key Statewide Routes:

  • I-75: Expect bottlenecks near Stockbridge (southbound) and northbound near Chattanooga.
  • I-16: Congestion likely in East Georgia near Savannah.
  • I-95: Light congestion anticipated in Southeast Georgia near Florida.
  • I-85 and I-185: Heavy traffic near Alabama and Northeast Georgia.

Why This Should Catch Your Attention

Holiday travel can mean delays, frustration, and potentially dangerous conditions. Even with lane closures suspended for construction, emergencies and incidents can cause unexpected slowdowns. Knowing when and where to expect traffic helps drivers plan for safer, more efficient trips.

What’s Next

Drivers should plan their routes and travel times carefully, using resources like GDOT’s 511 service for real-time updates. Safe driving practices, including preparing vehicles for winter weather and monitoring travel apps, can minimize holiday travel headaches. For more details, visit 511ga.org or call 511 for 24/7 travel assistance.


Holiday travel can mean delays, frustration, and potentially dangerous conditions. Even with lane closures suspended for construction, emergencies and incidents can cause unexpected slowdowns. Knowing when and where to expect traffic helps drivers plan for safer, more efficient trips.
B.T. Clark
Publisher at The Georgia Sun

B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.

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