We’re past the Christmas traffic rush. Now, motorists only have to beat a couple of congested days before the start of 2026.
The good news: officials anticipate the lead up to New Year’s Day won’t be as bumper-to-bumper as what some drivers endured during Christmas travel.
Traffic to and from downtown Atlanta should be less severe in the final hours of New Year’s Eve after the city ditched the traditional Peach Drop in favor of fireworks and a drone show that officials said will be visible across a wider swath of the city.
Still, some traffic is expected on the days leading up to the holiday. With sufficient preparation, you may be able to avoid congestion in metro Atlanta and around the rest of the state.
The heaviest traffic around the new year is expected from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, the Georgia Department of Transportation said. The agency’s projections are based on last year’s data.
Light traffic is anticipated on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and continuing through Jan. 4.
More than 3 million Georgia travelers are hitting the road to celebrate the end-of-year holidays, the AAA auto club previously said. Among those Georgia travelers, 3.4 million will pack their vehicles and arrive by car. That’s a slight increase of nearly 2% from last year, according to AAA.
Across the state, GDOT expects the areas with the worst traffic to be I-75 between Atlanta and Stockbridge; I-16 near Savannah; and I-475, I-75 and I-16 near Macon.
Moderate congestion is expected on I-24 and I-75 near Chattanooga; I-75 near Valdosta; I-85 in northeast Georgia near South Carolina; and I-95 in southeast Georgia near Florida. Light traffic is anticipated on I-85, I-185 and I-20 in west Georgia near Alabama; and I-20 in east Georgia near Augusta.
Other areas around Atlanta could see some backups as locals and visitors head to events to ring in 2026. But Underground Atlanta might seem emptier this year.
Instead of the downtown site packing in partygoers to watch the Peach Drop, Atlanta’s version of New York City’s Times Square ball drop, officials are planning a citywide fireworks and drone display. At 11:48 p.m. Wednesday, a 12-minute synchronized “Digital Drone Peach in the Sky” show will be followed by synchronized fireworks across multiple sites.
“We are reimagining that tradition with Countdown Over ATL,” Mayor Andre Dickens said in a statement. “We cannot wait for residents and visitors to experience several fireworks displays that will light up the night across Atlanta. All you have to do is step outside, hit your neighborhood spot, meet on a rooftop or watch from your backyard.”
Revelers hanging out downtown and in Midtown will have the best views of the drone Peach.
To ease the flow of holiday traffic, GDOT will temporarily suspend lane closures on interstates, major state roads and streets near key shopping areas, malls and retail spaces. The suspension will last from 5 a.m. Wednesday to 5 a.m. Jan. 2.
That does not mean some lanes won’t still be blocked for emergencies, and construction work may still take place along highways. Some long-term closures may also remain, though GDOT did not specify which ones.
About the Author
Keep Reading
The Latest
Featured
