For Immediate Release:
Monday, October 26, 2026
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Stay Safe and Be Seen: Georgia DOT's Halloween Travel Forecast and Safety Tips
Safety is a shared responsibility for motorists and pedestrians
ATLANTA - Halloween is this weekend, bringing many pedestrians to local neighborhoods for trick or treating and other Halloween festivities on Saturday, October 31. The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) is sharing anticipated travel forecasts for interstates and surface streets from Wednesday, October 28 through Sunday, November 1, to help motorists plan their activities accordingly. The traffic volume data is based on evaluating historical Halloween traffic patterns.
This weekend is also when Georgia sets their clocks back one hour on Sunday, November 1, at 2 a.m. for the end of Daylight Saving Time. This means there will be less sunlight, reducing visibility, and causing changing light conditions during key driving periods. According to data from the Governor's Office of Highway Safety, more than 80% of pedestrian fatalities occur during low-light or overnight hours, and nearly 95% of pedestrian fatalities occur outside of a crosswalk. Georgia DOT reminds all motorists and pedestrians that safety is a shared responsibility.
An increase in traffic due to Halloween festivities in Metro Atlanta is expected at the following locations:
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Fright Fest - Six Flags Over Georgia
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Pumpkin Festival - Stone Mountain Park
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Haunted Seas - Georgia Aquarium
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Scarecrows in the Garden Exhibit - Atlanta Botanical Garden
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Netherworld - Stone Mountain
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Fear Fest - Underground Atlanta
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The Great Fall Festival - The Battery
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Trick or Treat - Children's Museum of Atlanta
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The Ghastly Dreadfuls - The Center for Puppetry Arts
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Little 5 Points Halloween Festival & Parade
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Spookwood Festival - Historic Fourth Ward Park
Motorists should expect increased traffic on the metro Atlanta interstates and surface streets during the weekend. Please note that construction activity will continue through the weekend at many locations throughout the state, which may involve temporary lane closures. Motorists should remain aware, drive alert, and follow posted signage in and near construction zones.
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Interstate Traffic Forecast for Halloween weekend:
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Wednesday, October 28 and Thursday, October 29: Afternoon congestion is expected between 3 - 7 p.m.
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Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31: Heavy traffic is expected from noon - 8 p.m. due to Halloween festivities. Drivers should plan for an additional 30 to 45 minutes of travel time.
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Sunday, November 1: Light traffic is expected throughout the day.
Metro Atlanta Surface Streets Halloween Day Traffic Forecast:
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Northside Drive / Cobb Parkway: Heavy traffic from 2 - 4 p.m., normal traffic from 4 - 5 p.m., improving traffic from 5 - 7 p.m.
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Peachtree Parkway: Heavy traffic from 2 - 5 p.m., improving from 5 - 8 p.m. and normal from 8 - 9 p.m.
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Roswell Road: Improving traffic from 2 - 3 p.m., heavy from 3 - 5 p.m., improving again from 5 - 9 p.m., and normal from 8 - 9 p.m.
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Jimmy Carter Boulevard / Holcomb Bridge Road: Heavy traffic from 2 - 3 p.m., improving from 3 - 8 p.m., and normal from 8 - 9 p.m.
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Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway / Veterans Memorial Highway: Heavy traffic from 2 - 6 p.m., improving from 6 - 8 p.m., and normal from 8 - 9 p.m.
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Northside Drive / Metropolitan Parkway: Improving traffic from 2 - 8 p.m., and normal from 8 - 9 p.m. Be mindful of Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena, where traffic may be heavier.
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Ponce de Leon Avenue: Improving traffic from 2 - 4 p.m., normal from 4 - 5 p.m., and improving again from 5 - 9 p.m.
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Moreland Avenue: Improving traffic from 2 - 9 p.m.
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Memorial Drive: Improving traffic from 2 - 3 p.m., normal from 3 - 4 p.m., and improving again from 4 - 9 p.m.
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Tara Boulevard: Normal from 2 - 6 p.m., and heavy traffic from 6 - 9 p.m
Safety Tips to Keep in Mind:
Best Practices for Drivers
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Maintain a safe speed - Reduce your speed as you enter residential areas and neighborhoods to ensure the safety of trick or treaters and other pedestrians.
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Avoid distractions - Distracted driving is dangerous anytime of the year, especially during Halloween.
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Refrain from impaired driving - Halloween night is a fun time for all. However, remember to enjoy yourself responsibly or designate a sober driver. Driving impaired endangers your life and others.
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Remain alert - Trick-or-treaters don't always use the crosswalk on Halloween night. Remain vigilant in areas with busy pedestrian traffic.
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Yield the right-of-way - Always yield to pedestrians, even if they are not at a designated crosswalk.
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Be patient - Foot traffic during Halloween can become frustrating. Remain patient and give yourself extra time if you encounter areas with vehicle/foot traffic that's heavier than usual.
Best Practices for Pedestrians
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Use a flashlight while walking at night.
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Always use a sidewalk if available.
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See and Be Seen. Make sure drivers see you and stop before walking in front of a vehicle.
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Children under the age of 13 should have adult supervision.
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Children should stick to familiar, well-lit areas and trick-or-treat in groups.
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Decorate costumes with reflective tape and have children carry glow sticks or flashlights.
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Always cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
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Walking impaired can be just as dangerous as driving impaired. Don't let friends or family walk alone after drinking.
Use 511GA as a resource:
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Plan Your Route - Traffic along your normal route may be a little heavier on Halloween night. Before you head out on your haunt and festivities, visit 511ga.org and download the free 511GA app to explore different route options.
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Check Traffic Incidents - On Halloween night, as with any night, you can experience various roadway incidents. Using 511GA can make you aware of any traffic incidents in your area.
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511GA's operators are available 24/7. Call 511 if you need roadside assistance or see someone who does.
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Drive Mode - 511GA's Drive Mode is an essential tool for driving at night when heavy pedestrian traffic is expected. Eliminate phone usage and distracted driving.
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My511 - Create and save routes and cameras.
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Save your Halloween destination route and use it in our step-by-step navigation tool.
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As you are traveling, be alerted to closures, construction, and incidents in real time by activating My511 alerts.
Georgia DOT's See and Be Seen campaign emphasizes the shared responsibility between motorists and pedestrians. Walkers and drivers are urged to pay attention, to ensure a safe Halloween for everyone. For further information, visit the Georgia DOT's official www.dot.ga.gov.
Georgia Department of Transportation plans, constructs and maintains Georgia's state and federal highways. We're involved in bridge, waterway, public transit, rail, general aviation, bike and pedestrian programs. And we help local governments maintain their roads. Georgia DOT and its nearly 4,000 employees are committed to delivering a transportation system focused on innovation, safety, sustainability and mobility. The Department's vision is to boost Georgia's competitiveness through leadership in transportation.
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