ATLANTA — Georgia motorists heading out for Labor Day weekend could see some relief from construction-related delays, but the Georgia Department of Transportation is warning travelers to prepare for heavy traffic beginning Friday afternoon.
Georgia DOT will suspend most lane closures on interstate highways across the state from noon Friday, Sept. 4, through 5 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, in an effort to reduce congestion and improve safety during the holiday travel period.
Some closures may remain in place because of emergency or safety concerns, the department said.
Based on traffic patterns from Labor Day weekend in 2025, Georgia DOT expects the heaviest metro Atlanta interstate traffic from noon to 8 p.m. Friday and noon to 6 p.m. Saturday.
Typical weekday congestion is expected from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, while traffic is forecast to be lighter Sunday and Labor Day, Sept. 7. Normal afternoon congestion is expected to return from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Travelers using surface streets could encounter heavy to normal traffic beginning early Wednesday afternoon and continuing through Friday. Lighter conditions are forecast Saturday through Tuesday.
The projections could be particularly useful for North Gwinnett motorists using Interstate 85 to leave or return to metro Atlanta during the holiday weekend. Georgia DOT expects relatively light congestion on I-85 in Northeast Georgia near the South Carolina state line, though travelers may encounter heavier metro Atlanta traffic before reaching that portion of the interstate.
Elsewhere in Georgia, motorists should prepare for varying conditions on the state’s major highways.
Georgia DOT predicts moderate to heavy congestion on I-75 between Atlanta and Stockbridge and heavy traffic around Macon on portions of I-475, I-75 and I-16. I-16 near Savannah is also expected to experience heavy congestion.
Moderate congestion is forecast along I-24 and I-75 near Chattanooga, while lighter traffic is expected along I-20 near Alabama, I-75 near Valdosta and I-95 near the Florida state line.
Motorists are encouraged to check current road conditions before leaving and throughout their trips using Georgia’s 511GA service. The free 511GA app provides real-time traffic speeds, crashes, road closures, construction information, weather conditions and traffic-camera views. Travelers can also call 511 for information or roadside assistance.
Georgia DOT’s Highway Emergency Response Operators, or HERO units, patrol metro Atlanta highways and assist with crashes, disabled vehicles, flat tires, dead batteries and other roadside emergencies. The Coordinated Highway Assistance and Maintenance Program, known as CHAMP, provides similar services on interstates outside metro Atlanta.
The department is also reminding drivers to follow Georgia’s Move Over law when approaching emergency vehicles, tow trucks, Georgia DOT vehicles and other authorized vehicles stopped along the highway with flashing lights. Drivers should move over one lane when it is safe to do so. If changing lanes is not possible, motorists are required to slow down and be prepared to stop.
Georgia DOT also recommends allowing additional travel time, avoiding distracted driving, maintaining a safe following distance and ensuring children are properly restrained before beginning a trip.
Real-time travel information is available at 511ga.org or by calling 511.