Atlanta traffic question

Our daughter needs to drop off her car at the Atlanta VPC this Friday afternoon for shipment to Germany. The address is 2579 Campbell Blvd. in Ellenwood(30294) and they'll be heading northeast on I85 into the Atlanta metro. 

GPS says 5.5-hours, but that doesn't seem to be accounting for traffic. How much of a delay should they expect going around/thru the south side of the city about noon on Friday?

Also, they're planning on spending the night somewhere nearby - any suggestions on good/bad areas around Ellenwood?

Use google maps on a PC. You have arrive by and depart at options for time, and it does take traffic into account. 

I don't really know that part of town, but I'll point out that as she swings by the airport she will be a stone's throw from the Porsche Experience Center.

In reply to nderwater :

Lol I wish I was going!

Any ideas on good/bad areas to find a hotel in/near Ellenwood?

Atlanta traffic is an unpredictable beast.  I've hit stand-still traffic at 2:00 AM on a Sunday morning.

I'm pretty sure the traffic is directly proportional to your anxiety and the need to be there on time.

I'd give it an extra hour.  (Although I actually wouldn't expect much traffic near Ellenwood)

In reply to SVreX :

Thanks!

How's that area, am I ok finding a hotel nearby for them?

I wouldn't expect too bad going into the city at noon. How far/near from Ellenwood are you looking to have them stay? While I don't know anything about Ellenwood, it seems to be in one of the blind spots as far as known "good" areas. I believe that Stockbridge, a little south, is alright, and Decatur is a nicer area as well (but more traffic getting there). 

In reply to Pete Gossett :

no. Just..... no. Nothing there but motel. And no tell motel at that. Closest hotels are downtown/ midtown. Honestly most are good. The further you are from the actual highway the better..... in downtown stay west of 85. ...Midtown east of 85.

connector (that's the combined section of i85 and i75 through town) turns to a parking lot around 2 pm on fridays.

So further reading says you are coming in on I 85. From MS? If so take 285 around the south side. (Signs will say Macon) stay on 285 to 675 south. Not sure of exact exit but ellenwood is roughly around anvil block road area. (Army supply corps base there). The googles will help I'd exact roads but shipping companies are all over there. 

i live about 6 miles north of thee and would not reccommend any hotels on the se side where she will be short of some right next to the airport. Those are generally traveller oriented and clean.

In reply to itsarebuild :

Thanks!!! That's what we needed to know!

Yeah, I agree with itsarebuild. SE Atlanta is a sketchy area for a hotel. 

Downtown and near the airport both have good hotels, but they are pricey. If you want a decent place at a decent price, you gotta get away from the city. 

If you attempt to enter or leave Atlanta at around 5 on a weekday, you encounter phenomena similar to a black hole where you stop forever and cannot escape.

That time of day, you'll either be fine or be delayed two hours.

Ok, I booked them a hotel by the airport for $144 w/tax. Not cheap, but better than something in a unknown location. 

Their appointment to drop the car off is at 2pm in Ellenwood. Considering the documentation states a "white-glove inspection" my hunch is they'll be there an hour or more, so it sounds like they'll hit some pretty E36 M3ty traffic heading back to the airport. 

Thanks for all the tips & advice!

When we go to ATL for bowl games, we usually stay at one of the hotels near the airport at the end of the Marta line.  They are (or were) nice.  Not cheap but bowl game times never are.