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| Home > City Guide - Atlanta - Getting There By Road | ||
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Getting There By Road The USA has a 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 113kph (70mph) on rural Interstates, 105kph (65mph) on urban Interstates and 88kph (55mph) on other roads. Locals regularly exceed these limits and pass with impunity on both left and right sides. 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; children under the age of five years are required to be seated, belted, in the back of the car in a child protective seat and helmets are mandatory for motorcycle riders. As a deterrent, radar detectors are common. Fines can be issued 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 minimum age for driving in Atlanta is 16 years; however, there are various restrictions for drivers under 18 and 21 years. It is best to check with the Georgia Motor Vehicle Division website (www.dmv.state.ga.us). International Driving Permits are also recognised. The Southern Automobile Association (AAA; tel: (800) 926 4222; website: 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 or 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, Roswell and other suburbs outside the ring. An urban highway, GA400 links the northern suburbs with the city centre and provides easy access to the north Appalachians. GA400 is a toll road; the cost levied depends upon the mileage driven. 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) 321 2222 or (404) 584 1731; website: 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. |
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