The Georgia Department of Transportation is suspending construction-related lane closures in anticipation of increased traffic over Memorial Day weekend.
Lane closure suspensions will begin at noon Friday, May 26, and continue until 5 a.m. Tuesday, May 30.
The Georgia DOT advises drivers to be aware that while construction-related lane closures will be suspended, crews may still work near highways, and safety concerns may require some long-term lane closures to remain in place. Incident management or emergency, maintenance-related lane closures could become necessary at any time on any route.
The DOT is sharing its traffic forecasts for Memorial Day weekend for the metro Atlanta area. Drivers should plan for heavier traffic around popular tourist attractions and heavily-traveled areas, including Centennial Olympic Park, the Georgia Aquarium, Six Flags, Zoo Atlanta and the Atlanta Botanical Gardens.
The following information is based on travel data from 2019, 2021 and 2022:
- Historical travel patterns predict a boost in congestion on metro Atlanta interstates beginning the afternoon of Thursday, May 25.
- Metro Atlanta interstates are predicted to see heavy and worse-than-normal traffic on Friday, May 26, with an increase of congestion starting as early as noon.
- Drivers can expect to add approximately 30 to 45 minutes to their travel times.
- Saturday, May 27, is expected to see afternoon congestion on downtown interstates.
- Sunday, May 28, and Monday, May 29 (Memorial Day), are predicted to have lighter than usual traffic.
- On Tuesday, May 30, traffic is expected to increase to normal weekday commute travel times with a slightly staggered morning rush as motorists will be later getting back on the interstate.
According to the Georgia DOT, travel data from 2022 has shown the following traffic trends for major interstates outside of the metro Atlanta area:
- Interstate 20 eastbound congestion entering metro Atlanta; westbound congestion exiting the city toward Alabama
- I-75 is predicted to have heavy congestion southbound and northbound coming out of Atlanta in Stockbridge
- I-24 eastbound congestion in Northwest Georgia (near Chattanooga)
- I-16 westbound congestion exiting Savannah and I-16 eastbound congestion entering Savannah
Drivers can use 511 to plan their travel:
- Before hitting the road, visit 511ga.org and download the free 511 Georgia app for turn-by-turn navigation, estimated travel times and real-time travel speeds.
- Check travel forecasts or real-time road conditions on 511GA to prepare for a safe arrival at the destination.
- Need to use 511 Georgia hands-free? Follow the law, select Drive Mode to receive audio alerts and call 511 from a hands-free device.
- Save your Memorial Day Weekend destination route and use it in our step-by-step navigation tool.
- As you are traveling, be alerted to closures, construction and incidents in real-time by activating My511 alerts.
- Save and view traffic cameras along your drive to see current events on the road.
- Have questions about travel times? Call 511 to speak to a live operator 24/7/365.
