Atlanta: By Car

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By Car

Some refer to Atlanta as the "Los Angeles of the South" because driving is virtually the only way to get around. Atlantans have grown accustomed to frequent delays at rush hour -- the morning and late-afternoon commuting periods seem to get longer every year. Beware: the South as a whole may be laid-back, but Atlanta drivers are not; they tend to drive faster than drivers in other Southern cities.

If you plan to venture beyond the neighborhoods served by MARTA, you will want to rent a car. Many national agencies have branch offices all over the city, as well as at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Contacts

Alamo (404/530-2800. www.alamo.com). Avis (404/530-2725. www.avis.com). Budget (404/530-3000. www.budget.com). Hertz (404/530-2925. www.hertz.com). National (404/530-2800. www.nationalcar.com).