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Route from Paducah, KY to Savannah, GA

We are traveling from Paducah, KY to Savannah and wish to by pass Atlanta traffic if possible without going too much out of the way. Anyone have suggestions on how to do that or if it’s possible?

Thanks,

Traveling from Paducah, KY to Savannah, GA, while avoiding heavy Atlanta traffic, is possible with a little planning. Atlanta can be congested, especially during weekday rush hours (roughly 6:30–9:30 AM and 3:30–7:00 PM). The standard route takes I-24 E from Paducah toward Nashville, then I-75 S toward Atlanta, and continues down I-16 E to Savannah. To bypass Atlanta efficiently without a significant detour, consider the following options.

Options to Avoid Atlanta Traffic:

  • Use the Western Bypass Route (I-285 around Atlanta): If you are already on I-75 S approaching Atlanta, take I-285 E (the Perimeter) to skirt around the city. This is slightly longer in distance but usually faster than driving through downtown Atlanta during peak times.
  • Timing Your Drive: If you can, plan to arrive at or pass through the Atlanta area outside of rush hours. Early morning before 6 AM or late evening after 7 PM usually allows you to go through central Atlanta without major delays.
  • Alternative Scenic/Backroad Option: For a more relaxed drive, instead of staying strictly on I-75 S to I-16 E, you can exit I-75 S at Macon and take US-41 S or GA-247 S toward Milledgeville, then rejoin I-16 E toward Savannah. This adds some mileage but avoids urban Atlanta traffic entirely.

Suggested Stops or Considerations:

  • Paducah to Nashville via I-24 E (approx. 2.5–3 hours).
  • Nashville to Chattanooga via I-24 E (approx. 2 hours 15 minutes).
  • Chattanooga to Macon via I-75 S (approx. 5–5.5 hours). Use I-285 to bypass Atlanta if passing during peak hours.
  • Macon to Savannah via I-16 E (approx. 3 hours). Traffic in Macon is lighter, and the drive to Savannah is generally smooth.

Overall, the most practical method is to plan your timing to either skirt around Atlanta using I-285 or travel through during off-peak hours. Avoiding Atlanta entirely using secondary roads is possible but will increase travel time significantly.

Using a navigation app like Google Maps or Waze during your trip can help dynamically adjust for any unexpected delays or construction around Atlanta.

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