The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Best, worst times to drive on Fourth
A clue: Early and late might help you avoid traffic jams.
The Fourth of July holiday this week may add fuel to Atlanta’s usual hellish commute.
To help you avoid getting stuck in holiday traffic this year, Google Trends analysts came up with the best and worst times to hit the road in 25 U.S. cities based on 2017 data.
The analysts examined the total number of cars on the road at a given time during last year’s holiday period beginning Monday, July 3, 2017, through Thursday, July 6, and assessed speed and location data from Android phones with their location services enabled.
While the best times to leave your house before July 4th are the early morning
r late evening of July 3rd, those who can’t get out until Wednesday should consider hitting the road between 4 and 6 a.m., according to Google Trends.
In Atlanta specifically, the optimal time to hit the road
if you’re headed out of town on the day of is 4 a.m. on Wednesday, July 4. The worst time: 3 p.m., likely when peo- ple are on their way to a fire- works destination.
Metro traffic begins to rise shortly before 6 a.m. and doesn’t fall until around 6 p.m.
And if you’re headed back after the fireworks show, con- sider holding out until after 11 p.m. to avoid a traffic jam.
The 2018 AJC Peachtree Road Race, which takes place on Fourth of July every year, will result in several area closures along Monroe Drive and Peachtree Street between July 2 and the 4th, though most closures are expected to reopen around noon on Wednesday.
Here’s a look at approximately when Atlanta traffic peaks around the holiday: Tuesday: 3 p.m. Wednesday (Indepen- dence Day): 3 p.m.
Thursday: 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. And remem b er, when you’re on the road: Geor- gia’s new distracted driving law, the state’s most sig- nificant change to its traffic laws in a generation, we nt into effect on July 1.