The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) announced it will suspend lane closures on interstates, major state routes, and roads near shopping areas during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. The suspension is scheduled from Tuesday, December 23 at 6:00 a.m. to Sunday, December 28 at 10:00 p.m., and again from Wednesday, December 31 at 5:00 a.m. to Friday, January 2, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.
While lane closures are suspended, the agency cautions that construction crews may still be present in some areas and long-term lane closures could remain for safety reasons. Emergency or incident-related closures may also occur if necessary.
Georgia DOT advises travelers to stay alert and exercise caution near work zones. “Georgia DOT wishes all travelers a safe and enjoyable Christmas and New Year holiday!”
Traffic forecasts for Christmas Week indicate moderate traffic on Metro Atlanta interstates on December 22-23 between 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., with lighter conditions expected through December 28. On surface streets, heavy traffic is expected midday on December 23 due to last-minute shoppers.
Major interstates outside metro Atlanta such as I-75 near Stockbridge and Macon are expected to see heavy congestion in both directions. Moderate to light congestion is predicted on other routes including I-85, I-185, I-20, I-24, I-16, I-475, and I-95 depending on the region.
For New Year’s Week (December 29-January 4), similar patterns are anticipated with moderate traffic on interstates during the early part of the week and lighter conditions after December 31.
Travelers using the Northwest Corridor or South Metro Express Lanes should check updated schedules as changes may occur based on current traffic needs.
Peach Pass users can use their transponders in several other states including Florida and North Carolina due to interoperability agreements with SunPass and QuickPass systems.
Motorists are encouraged to prepare their vehicles for winter by checking batteries, tires, gas levels, and assembling emergency kits with essentials like blankets and food.
To reduce holiday congestion caused by last-minute shopping trips, Georgia DOT recommends buying gifts ahead of time or shopping online when possible.
Drivers are reminded of Georgia’s Move Over Law requiring motorists to change lanes when approaching stopped emergency or Georgia DOT vehicles with flashing lights.
Free roadside assistance is available via HERO units in metro Atlanta and CHAMP operators elsewhere in Georgia. These services help stranded motorists with minor repairs or emergencies around the clock during increased holiday travel periods.
Real-time travel information is available through the 511GA website or app. The service offers navigation tools, travel times, live camera feeds along highways, alerts about incidents or closures, as well as access to live operators any time of day.
“Your safety and convenience are our top priorities,” according to Georgia DOT. The department maintains state highways while also supporting local road projects across various modes of transportation with nearly 4,000 employees focused on safety and mobility.
