The Braves are back and so is bad traffic getting to Turner Field. We saw it Friday evening for the Braves home opener. Braves traffic, combined with afternoon rush hour can cause quite a jam getting to the ballpark. I'm here to help.
The easiest way to get to a game this year is probably on MARTA. The MARTA shuttle is back this season, if you prefer to not deal with driving to the ball yard.
Braves shuttles depart from Steve Polk Plaza on the east side of Underground Atlanta until the 7th Inning or 9 p.m., whichever comes first. After the 7th Inning, or 9 p.m., shuttles will return to the Forsyth Street entrance of the Five Points MARTA Station.
You can ride free on the shuttle if you transfer from MARTA or you can buy a round trip Breeze ticket for $5.50 at Underground Atlanta.
If you'd rather drive to the game, I can offer these suggestions.
The biggest backups getting to Turner Field are usually found on I-75/85 southbound heading between Brookwood and the Turner Field exits. If you can take a different route to the park, you'll experience fewer delays.
I recommend heading north on I-75/85 if at all possible. The northbound delays on the Downtown Connector are usually minimal compared to the southbound traffic.
You can also get to Turner Field from I-20. From the east side of the park exit I-20 at either Hill Street or Capitol Ave. Both roads provide easy access to Turner Field parking lots.
Coming from west of the ballpark, you can exit off of I-20 at McDaniel St. or Windsor/Spring Street. Head south to Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard. Take a left and you're there.
Then of course is my formerly super-secret, backdoor, shortcut to Turner Field. In case you missed it last season, here it is again:
- Take Northside Drive south past the Georgia Dome.
- Take a left onto McDaniel Street.
- Take McDaniel Street south to Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard.
- Take a left onto Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard.
- Go east on Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard.
- Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard will take right to the west side of Turner Field
There are plenty of parking lots along Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard. From there it's a quick walk underneath I-75/85 and boom you are at Turner Field.
I have taken this route ever since Turner Field opened and after going to hundreds of games, I've never missed a first pitch. Even better, getting home is a lot easier from this side of Turner Field. You can expect brief delays leaving the parking lot but once you are back on Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard it's a quick shot back home with minimal delays.
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