![]() |
Home - City Guide - Atlanta - Road | ||
![]() |
||
Road America has a grid network of sequentially numbered Interstate (I) highways. The roads with numbers ending in 0 cross the country east to west, and those ending 5 run north to south. Maximum speed limits are 112kph (70mph) on rural Interstates, 105kph (65mph) on urban Interstates and 88kph (55mph) on other roads, but locals regularly exceed these limits. In business or residential districts, a limit of 48kph (30mph) applies. The maximum legal alcohol to blood ratio is 0.08%. Both front and backseat passengers must wear seatbelts, and helmets are mandatory for motorcycle riders. As a deterrent, radar detectors are common and warnings of checkpoints are frequently signed; fines can be imposed on the spot for seatbelt or helmet offences, speeding and also throwing litter from the vehicle. Drink-driving is always prosecuted and can result in penalties of up to US$1000 fine plus 12 months in jail. The Atlanta driving age limit is 16 years for a restricted licence and 18 years for a full licence; a non-resident over 16 years can drive on a full valid licence from their own state or country. International Driving Permits are also recognised. The southern American Automobile Association (AAA; tel: (800) 926 4222; web site: www.aaasouth.com) has insurance schemes and breakdown recovery for members at competitive prices, and also provides free maps and tourist guides. Emergency breakdown service: AAA (800) AAA HELP (222 4357) Routes to the city: Atlanta is intersected by Interstates 20, 75 and 85. I-20 travels west to Birmingham (Alabama) and Dallas (Texas), and east to Augusta and Columbia (South Carolina). I-75 passes through Atlanta on its way north from Florida to Michigan. I-85 heads southwest to Montgomery (Alabama) and northeast to Charlotte (North Carolina) and Virginia. I-285 is a perimeter highway that rings the metropolitan area, but the city has expanded northwards to Marietta and Roswell and other suburbs outside the ring. An urban highway N41 links the northern suburbs with the centre and gives easy access to the south Appalachians; this is a toll road (cars 40 cents) for a short town-bound section. Driving times to Atlanta: from Montgomery (Alabama) - 3 hours 20 minutes; Columbia (South Carolina) - 4 hours 20 minutes; Nashville (Tennessee) - 4 hours 50 minutes. Coach services: Greyhound (tel: (800) 231 2222 or (404) 584 1731; web site: www.greyhound.com ) has a new 24-hour coach station, at 232 Forsyth Street SW, off Peachtree Street SW, where baggage and parcel services, ticketing and fast food are available. Greyhound operates coaches throughout the USA; some direct destinations include Memphis, Nashville, New Orleans and Orlando. |