Best Route from Atlanta?

[kg]

Is this still the best way to get down to Sowal from Atlanta? We're coming to Rosemary Beach (and we promise not to dig giant holes, put up giant canopies or litter on the beach!) I found the directions below from a 2006 thread. Want to make sure there aren't any new shorter routes.... Thanks for any advice.

Old Post:
"85, 185, 80, 431, 165 , 431 again, I-10, 331, 98, 395.
321 miles from our house in Midtown. Since that time we have completely stopped using 331 and now take highway 79 off of I-10 down towards Panama City. This brings you in on the East side of 30A. "

 

[Lynnie]

Is this still the best way to get down to Sowal from Atlanta? We're coming to Rosemary Beach (and we promise not to dig giant holes, put up giant canopies or litter on the beach!) I found the directions below from a 2006 thread. Want to make sure there aren't any new shorter routes.... Thanks for any advice.

Old Post:
"85, 185, 80, 431, 165 , 431 again, I-10, 331, 98, 395.
321 miles from our house in Midtown. Since that time we have completely stopped using 331 and now take highway 79 off of I-10 down towards Panama City. This brings you in on the East side of 30A. "

Yes, on the beginning. In Dothan, take 231 to Campbellton and take a right on 273, then left on Hwy 77 (Chipley). This dumps you on I-10 and saves about 15-25 minutes depending upon how fast you drive. I take Hwy 81 instead of 79, but if you are more east on 30-A, maybe 79 is better for you.

If you take 81, veer right onto Hwy 20, then left on 331......and you're there! I am in S. Buckhead and door to door for me is right at 5 hours.

Hwy 81 actually has some attractions: The No Name Place. And, there is someone in a house that sells beer - if the sign is on, you are welcome to stop and chat for a minute.....it's a quiet route, no traffic lights like in PCB, etc.....

Drive safely!!

 

[jodiFL]

My last trip i went the above route TO ATL and did 85/331 on the way back. Was 35 minutes shorter on my way back. Mileage was a little bit more but 45 mph vs. 65 mph. made up for it.

 

[jwscfa]

I am in Columbus, Georgia and the way I go is down I-185 until it ends at Fort Benning then take U.S. 27 South to Blakely, Georgia turning right in Cusseta. U.S. 27 is mostly four lane with very little traffic and is lightly patrolled. At Blakely take Georgia Hwy 62 West toward Dothan. It turns into Ala. Hwy 52 and comes into Dothan 1/2 way around Ross Clark Circle at the hospital. Take a left on Ross Clark Circle and follow until it hits 231 South. If you want to avoid Dothan altogether take a left on County Hwy 55 just before you get to Webb, Alabama. Stay on Hwy 55 and it comes back into 231 just above the Florida welcome center. The only downside that I see to this route is that I have no cell service (T-mobile) until I reach 231.Total travel time for me to Blue Mountain Beach using this route and I-10 and 331 is 3:30 from Columbus but would be shorter to Rosemary using the other routes that take you into the eastern end of Hwy 98.

 

[Will B]

You're going to get a bunch of different answers.

I take 85s out of Atlanta to exit 16 in Alabama, cut over to 231, take it to Troy, head south on 87, hop over to Kinston from Elba, hang a right on 153, and head straight for DeFuniak and 331. I live in west Marietta and can make it in as little as 5:15 to Santa Rosa Beach.

It's ultimately your call. If you don't mind two lane back roads, there are loads of routes, but if you want to stick to major roads, you're stuck with far fewer options...

Lynnie...you brave enough to try my route seeing how your house in SRB is right behind me?

 

[skippertoo]

Is this still the best way to get down to Sowal from Atlanta? We're coming to Rosemary Beach (and we promise not to dig giant holes, put up giant canopies or litter on the beach!) I found the directions below from a 2006 thread. Want to make sure there aren't any new shorter routes.... Thanks for any advice.

Old Post:
"85, 185, 80, 431, 165 , 431 again, I-10, 331, 98, 395.
321 miles from our house in Midtown. Since that time we have completely stopped using 331 and now take highway 79 off of I-10 down towards Panama City. This brings you in on the East side of 30A. "

Yes, This was my post in 2006 and that is the way we still like to go.

The Chipley way can cost you that much time as well. I have done both and staying on 431 to I 10 is quicker especially at interstate speeds. If you like small towms and antique stores give Chipley a shot.

Skip

 

[Bluznbeach]

Here's our route from Dunwoody to Inlet Beach:

1. 85 south to Montgomery
2. Taylor Road (exit 9) south to 231
3. 231 to 167 on the outskirts of Troy
4. 167 to 87 through Elba and Samson to the FLA line where it becomes 83
5. 83 to 20 in Bruce
6. 20 east about six miles to 79, and then
7. 79 south to 98 west in PCB

We like it because there's very little traffic between Troy and 98 and we avoid the speed traps in Bonifay. However you end up going, drive safe and enjoy the ride!

 

[traderx]

Is this still the best way to get down to Sowal from Atlanta? We're coming to Rosemary Beach (and we promise not to dig giant holes, put up giant canopies or litter on the beach!) I found the directions below from a 2006 thread. Want to make sure there aren't any new shorter routes.... Thanks for any advice.

Old Post:
"85, 185, 80, 431, 165 , 431 again, I-10, 331, 98, 395.
321 miles from our house in Midtown. Since that time we have completely stopped using 331 and now take highway 79 off of I-10 down towards Panama City. This brings you in on the East side of 30A. "

That is the route I like except I would forget 165 these days. I went down last week and 431 is almost completely four laned between Phenix City and Eufaula hence the 165 advantage has waned. There is a several mile stretch of two lane but there are a couple of passing lane areas along the way.

I have never had good luck on 79 plus it seems like a long drive from I-10 to 98.

 

[cheesehead]

Ok, I've gone this way. 3 hrs +10.
331to 20, to 81 which turns into 87, in al.
to troy, left on 231 towards mont. About 30miles, right on 80, immediate left at gas station
you come to a flashing yellow, right on hy 85, about a mile to freeway.
you're at exit 16{waugh}
you're on you're way.
no easy route to I-85.
2 lane rd, but, not very busy.

 

[Matt J]

U-Haul one way rental.