Georgia Department of Transportation issues holiday travel forecast

The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) announces that during the July 4th Weekend, all interstate lane closures will be suspended beginning Friday, July 3, at 6 a.m., through Monday, July 6, at 6 a.m., to increase safety, ease travel, and reduce delays.

Important Reminders for Motorists:

• While lane closures are suspended, construction crews may still be working near roadways, and some long-term closures could remain in place for safety reasons.
• Emergency or incident-related lane closures may still occur at any time, as needed.
• Stay alert, move over one lane when possible, and reduce speed when traveling through an active or currently inactive work zone.

Additionally, weather conditions can impact travel on the roads. Rain increases crash risk by 60%, and extreme heat (over 90 degrees) causes a 20-30% increase in road debris, such as tire blowouts.

Outlined below are the anticipated best and worst travel times. Georgia DOT is sharing the following travel forecast for the 2026 July 4th Weekend, based on historical traffic data from the previous year, and urges travelers to always plan ahead and exercise caution on the roads.

On major interstates outside the metro Atlanta area, travel data from 2025 showed the following traffic trends during the July 4th travel period:

Major interstates outside of metro Atlanta:

• I-75 is predicted to have moderate congestion to heavy congestion southbound and northbound out of Atlanta into 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-24 is predicted to have light congestion in Northwest Georgia near Chattanooga.

• I-75 is predicted to have light congestion northbound and southbound in North Georgia near Chattanooga.

• I-16 is predicted to have moderate congestion westbound and eastbound in East Georgia near Savannah.

• I-475, I-75, and I-16 are predicted to have moderate 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 predicted to have light congestion near Northeast Georgia near South Carolina.
• I-95 is predicted to have light congestion northbound and southbound in Southeast Georgia (near Florida)

On metro Atlanta area interstates, travel data from 2025 showed the following traffic trends during the July 4th travel period:

Metro Atlanta Interstates:

• Motorists should expect typical congestion on Thursday, July 2, from 3-7 p.m.
• Motorists should be advised of potential heavy traffic on Friday, July 3, from noon-8 p.m.
• Motorists should expect light to normal traffic on Saturday, July 4.
• Motorists should expect typical congestion to return on Sunday, July 5, and Monday, July 6, particularly from 3-7 p.m.

Metro Atlanta Surface Streets: 

• Heavy traffic is expected to begin in the early afternoon to late evening on Tuesday, June 30 through Thursday, July 2.
• Normal to light traffic is expected from Friday, July 3, to Sunday, July 5.

Express Lanes Schedule: July 1-5, 2026

Below are the anticipated schedule changes for the South Metro Corridor Express Lanes for the July 4th Weekend. RED directions indicate a change from the usual schedule. Travelers are advised to check the updated schedules and plan their routes accordingly during the holiday weekend. No changes are expected for the Northwest Corridor. Please note that the schedules are subject to change due to current traffic needs.

Peach Pass Usage Updates:

• Peach Pass is accepted at the express lane systems in Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, North Carolina, and Rhode Island.
• Current interoperability is set with Florida’s SunPass, E-Pass, and LeeWay. It is also interoperable with North Carolina’s Quick Pass.
• Users coming from accepted states into Georgia can utilize their pass on the Georgia Express Lanes.
• For the most current updates and directional information, please visit the Peach Pass website at PeachPass.com.

Safe Driving Tips:

If you find yourself traveling this July 4th holiday, do so safely with these best practices in mind:

• Drive defensively:
  • An increase in out-of-town drivers is expected on July 4th Weekend. Use caution for unfamiliar drivers on the roads.
  • Be alert and aware. Slow down and approach with caution if you see a car with its hazard lights on.
  • Maintain a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you in case they come to an abrupt stop.
  • Don’t drive distracted. Stay focused on the road for any sudden incidents.
• Move over for First Responders:
  • Traffic-related incidents are a leading cause of death for law enforcement officers. Do your part to ensure highway safety by driving alert, eliminating distractions, and staying focused on the road.
  • Georgia’s Move Over Law requires motorists to slow down and move over one lane, if possible, if an emergency or Georgia DOT vehicle with flashing lights is parked on the shoulder of the highway.
  • Vehicles included in the law include all first responders (law enforcement, fire, EMS), utility vehicles, Georgia DOT vehicles, HERO & CHAMP units, and wreckers responding to a crash.
• Call 511 to request HERO or CHAMP Assistance
  • Highway Emergency Response Operators (HERO) patrol the metro Atlanta area 24/7. It is a free service in the state of Georgia provided by the Georgia DOT.
  • HERO assists motorists by changing flat tires, jump-starting batteries, providing fuel or coolant, pushing vehicles to the shoulder, transporting motorists to safe areas away from traffic, performing minor mechanical repairs, restoring normal traffic flow after incidents, and administering first aid.
  • Coordinated Highway Assistance & Maintenance Program (CHAMP) operators patrol interstates outside of metro Atlanta (except I-59 and I-24) and is also a free service provided by Georgia DOT. CHAMP operators assist stranded motorists, change tires, maintain traffic flow, and identify several maintenance issues.

Travel Best Practices:

• Make sure child safety is a priority in your vehicle:
  • Ensure all children in the vehicle are appropriately buckled up before driving to your destination.
  • If a child cannot fit properly into a seat belt, keep them in a booster seat.
  • Remember that seat belts should never rest on the stomach area or across a child’s face.
  • When stopping at a store along the trip, do not leave children unattended in the vehicle.

Leverage 511GA Travel Services: 

• Prepare for your journey by utilizing the comprehensive travel services offered by 511GA. Visit 511ga.org or download the free 511GA app on Apple or Google for:
  • Turn-by-turn navigation, estimated travel times, and real-time travel speeds.
  • Travel forecasts and real-time road conditions, closures, and construction to ensure a safe arrival at your 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.
  • Access traffic cameras along your drive to stay informed about current road conditions and events.
• Plan ahead with My511 – Create and save routes and cameras:
  • Save your Memorial Day destination route and use it in our step-by-step navigation tool.
  • As you travel, stay informed about closures, construction, and incidents in real time by activating My511 alerts.
  • Save and view traffic cameras along your drive to stay informed about events currently happening on the road.

Call 511 to speak with a live operator 24/7/365. Your safety and convenience are our top priorities. For up-to-date information about travel conditions on Georgia’s interstates and state routes, call 511 or visit www.511ga.org before heading out. 511 is a free service that provides real-time statewide information on Georgia’s interstates and state routes, including traffic conditions, incidents, lane closures, and delays due to inclement weather 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Callers can also request HERO assistance in metro Atlanta or CHAMP service on highways in other regions of the state.