Best and worst roads and times to drive in Georgia during Christmas travel rush

by Joe Hennessy

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - The Georgia Department of Transportation is tracking 11 major interstates outside of metro Atlanta, and Interstate 16 eastbound and westbound is projected to have heavy congestion during the holiday travel period.

In total, Georgia DOT has 11 major interstates outside of the metro that they are tracking:

I-75 is predicted to have heavy congestion southbound and northbound coming out of Atlanta in Stockbridge.
I-85 and I-185 are predicted to have light congestion in West Georgia (near Alabama).
I-20 is predicted to have light congestion eastbound and westbound in West Georgia (near Alabama).
I-20 is predicted to have light congestion eastbound and westbound in East Georgia (near Augusta).
I-24 is predicted to have moderate congestion in Northwest Georgia (near Chattanooga).
I-75 is predicted to have moderate congestion northbound and southbound in North Georgia (near Chattanooga).
I-16 is predicted to have heavy congestion westbound and eastbound in East Georgia (near Savannah)
I-475, I-75, and I-16 are predicted to have heavy congestion in West Georgia (near Macon).
I-75 is predicted to have moderate congestion northbound and southbound in South Georgia (near Valdosta).
I-85 is expected to have moderate congestion near Northeast Georgia (near South Carolina).
I-95 is predicted to have moderate congestion northbound and southbound in Southeast Georgia (near Florida).

AAA predicts 3.8 million Georgians will travel this holiday season, which would set a new record, and 3.4 million of them will be in cars on the roadways, like I-16.

Best time to drive for the holidays

The best time to travel on Tuesday, December 23, was before 10 a.m., according to AAA. Between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. was the worst time to hit the roads.

I-16 EB, WB expected to be one of most heavily congested roadways outside of metro Atlanta (picture taken at 11 a.m.)

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are expected to have minimal traffic impacts, but Friday, December 26, will be heavily congested between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.

“The best advice? Hit the road early,” said Montrae Waiter, AAA-The Auto Club Group Spokeswoman. “Speeding does not guarantee that you’re going to get there any faster because at the end of the day, it’s all about getting to your destination safely and enjoying the holidays with the people we love.”

Georgia DOT will temporarily suspend lane closures on interstates, major state routes, and roadways near key shopping areas, malls, and retail districts.

It will be from Tuesday, December 23, at 6:00 a.m. to Sunday, December 28, at 10:00 p.m., and then again from Wednesday, December 31, at 5:00 a.m. to Friday, January 2, 2026, at 5:00 a.m. for New Year’s Eve travelers.

Construction crews may still be active near highways, and some long-term lane closures could remain in place for safety reasons.