FROM BOB WIKMAN

I have checked the interstate road conditions foR the approaches to Chattanooga.  There is little to no impact from Hurricane Helene except for one major closure:

I 40 West from Asheville to Newport, Tennessee is permanently closed.  Avoid Asheville, NC entirely!...

which does not affect your travel

VIA PLANE:

  • If you are flying in to Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport it is just 5 miles (8km) east of downtown Chattanooga you may take an

  • Uber and possibly share with other Expats who are coming in close to the same time as you if you check with each other

  • Atlanta Airport to Chattanooga is 127 miles and takes about 2 and 1/2 hours.  If you are coming in and getting a rental car and need some pointers, let us know.

  • There is also Groome Shuttle ... they use a van or small shuttle bus and is allegedly cheaper than Uber.  They do take you from the airport in Atlanta to their office location in Chattanooga.  The Groome office is located about 15 minutes in Chattanooga from the Chalet Hotel on Choo Choo Avenue.

Note**  if you decide to use Groome Shuttle, they are situated at the domestic terminal in Atlanta and are not allowed to pick-up at the International Terminal

If you need information regarding driving to Chattanooga, just let me know.

DRIVING:

  • Due to some significant construction on I-24 into Chattanooga (in process before the storms), please allow an additional 5 to 10 minutes

  • DRIVING FROM THE Atlanta Airport to Chattanooga: 127 miles and 2hr 20 min ——

    • When you depart the rental car center follow signs to I-85 N towards Atlanta.

      , Merge onto 1-85 north

      , In about 7 miles, 1-85 will merge with I-75 N through downtown Atlanta. Traffic is always heavy through downtown corridor. Evening rush hour starts ramping up about 3:30 pm. 4pm through 7:30 pm is heaviest.

      , in approx. 10 miles, after passing through the downtown, 1-85 and I-75 will split. Keep right onto I-75 N towards Chattanooga. 

      , Stay on I-75 N for approx. 74 miles

      , MERge right onto I-24 W into Chattanooga. 

      , In 6 miles stay right to take exit #178 for Market St toward Lookout Mt

      . In 0.2 mi Keep right, follow signs for Lookout Mountain/Market St and merge onto Market St

      , In 0.2 mi Continue on Market St. 

      , Continue on Market St for 0.6 mi and turn right onto Choo Choo Ave

      , In .1 miles Hotel Chalet is on the right.  

      NOTE:

      There are free HOV lanes through downtown along 1-85 and I-75. Must be 2 persons or more in the car. 

      As you move North out of Atlanta there are pay-as-you-go express I-75 lanes. These require  GA Peach Pass or an EZ-Pass. If you have either pass you must register your rental car with the GA Peach Pass or the EZ Pass before you traverse these express lanes. If you do not register it, the fines can be as high as $81. Please do not ask Bob how he knows that!

      DRIVING TO CHATTANOOGA:

      I have checked the interstate road conditions for the approaches to Chattanooga. There is little to no impact from the hurricane except for one major closure:

      I 40 West from Asheville to Newport TN is permanently closed. Avoid Asheville NC entirely.

      From the NE:

    • Roanoke VA to Chattanooga: I-81 S towards Knoxville TN which merges onto I-40 west about 50 miles east of Knoxville, I-40 through Knoxville which merges with I-75 S in Knoxville, near Farragut TN take I-75 S towards Chattanooga/Atlanta, I-24 into Chattanooga.   

    • Significant construction near Christiansburg along I-81. Allow additional 10-15 minutes.

    • Some significant construction on I-24 into Chattanooga. Allow additional 5-10 minutes.

      From the Southeast:

    • Charlotte to Chattanooga: I 85 east to Atlanta, I-285 around northern Atlanta, I 75 north to Chattanooga, I-24 into Chattanooga. 

    • Significant construction on I-85 from Charlotte to Spartanburg . Approx. 40 miles. Allow additional 15-30 minutes.

    • All other major interstates 1-85, I-285, I-75 open with some limited construction.

    • Some significant construction on I-24 into Chattanooga. Allow additional 5-10 minutes. 

      From the South:

    • Gainesville FL to Chattanooga: I 75 N to Chattanooga through Atlanta, I-24 into Chattanooga.

    • Significant contraction in downtown Atlanta corridor where I-75 and I 85 merge together form about 15 miles. Allow an additional 15-20 minutes depending on time of day.

    • Some significant construction on I-24 into Chattanooga. Allow additional 5-10 minutes. 

      From the SSW (Mobile AL)

    • Mobile to Chattanooga: I-65 to Birmingham AL, I-459 around Birmingham, I-59 NE to TN border, I -24 into Chattanooga

    • Some significant construction on I-24 into Chattanooga. Allow additional 5-10 minutes. 

      From the West (Memphis TN)

    • Memphis to Chattanooga: I 40 east to Nashville, I-840 around Nashville, I-24 East to Chattanooga

    • Some construction along I-840 around Nashville. Allow additional 10 minutes.

    • Some significant construction on I-24 into Chattanooga. Allow additional 5-10 minutes. 


      From NE Nashville TN

    • Nashville to Chattanooga: I 24 all the way.

    • Some significant construction on I-24 into Chattanooga. Allow additional 5-10 minutes.

      From the North - Lexington KY

    • Lexington KY to Chattanooga: I-75 S to Knoxville TN, I-640 around Knoxville, I-40 west to I-75 near Farragut TN, I-75 south towards Chattanooga/Atlanta, I-24 into Chattanooga

    • Some significant construction on I-24 into Chattanooga. Allow additional 5-10 minutes

This note is coming to you from Bob Wikman and so,  if you have questions, please contact Bob at wikmanr@yahoo.com or by 

calling or texting 734-934-4470