Mobile
Atlanta is only four hours away from Charlotte, and there are plenty of beautiful landscapes in and around Atlanta that make for a perfect scenic drive.
Here are some of the best routes that you might like to explore.
Northside Drive
If you’re looking to explore lush green landscapes, twisting roads, and beautiful mansions, including celebrity homes – such as the spaceship-like home that belongs to the producer Dallas Austin – head to Northside Drive and the surrounding roads, such as Jett Road, East Conway, and Garmon road.
Mount Paran Road, which intersects with Northside Drive, is also worth driving along. In addition to pretty trees and churches, Mount Paran Road is home to an original full-service gas station and convenience store, Mount Paran Country Store, which has been in operation since 1906!
Just make sure you take extra caution when driving at intersections, as they are notorious for road accidents. You should be particularly careful on routes that large trucks frequent, as trucks can cause more serious accidents compared to other vehicles.
If you are injured in a truck accident that isn’t your fault, you could pursue compensation with the help of a truck accident attorney.
But if you maintain caution and aren’t distracted while driving, you can avoid being involved in a truck accident in the first place.
And, of course, it should go without saying that you should never drink and drive. If you do, you’re jeopardizing your life and the lives of others.
Lullwater Road
Another urban drive in Atlanta that isn’t far from downtown runs along Lullwater Road and through Clifton, Fernbank, and Inman Park.
The neighborhoods in this area are home to some of the oldest houses in Atlanta, many of which date back to the 1870s.
There are also several old churches along the route, which have that old-America feel.
On the way, you can stop off at Grant Park, the Michael C. Carlos Museum, and the Fernbank Museum.
Piedmont Scenic Byway
For the most truly scenic drives, you should head out of central Atlanta.
One of the best routes is the twenty-one-mile Piedmont Scenic Byway, which starts east of Atlanta and stretches along GA11.
You’ll travel through the beautiful Ocmulgee forest and pass historic sites, including Civil War battlefields. You’ll also drive through the Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge’s pine forests, the gorgeous Ocmulgee River, and the old mill by the Juliette River.
The Russell Scenic Loop
Along this fifty-mile drive, you’ll come across rolling hills, meandering rivers, majestic mountains, and alpine villages. The drive also includes the Brasstown Bald.
You’ll enjoy this scenic drive any time of the year, but it’s perhaps prettiest during the spring when the flowers are in bloom, or in the fall when the trees are full of colorful foliage.
The Russell Scenic Loop begins and ends in Helen.
The Appalachian Foothills Parkway
Another scenic route a little outside of Atlanta that you’re sure to enjoy driving along is the Appalachian Foothills Parkway route, which starts at Interstate 575 and finishes in Canton.
You’ll wind through the breathtaking North Georgia mountains and come across sights like vineyards, rolling farmland, the Amicalola Falls, the Chattahoochee National Forest, and the famous Blue Ridge Mountains.
Also, there are plenty of cabins and lodges along the sixty-mile route, so if you want to drive over the course of a weekend, there are plenty of lovely places for an overnight stay.
Cohutta Chattahoochee Scenic Byway
Traveling along State Route 52, you will come across many gorgeous sights, including Prater’s Mill Site, Fort Mountain State Park, and the Chattahoochee National Forest, as well as the stunning Cohutta Mountains.
It’s also worth stopping at the Scenic Overlook at the end of the route to get an unparalleled view of the beautiful Georgia Mountains.
The fifty-four-mile route along the Cohutta Chattahoochee Scenic Byway is ideal for a leisurely weekend drive.
