Look 25 miles due south of Hartsfield. 78-83. That was some time ago. I don't think you would recognize the place now. Although Marietta & Roswell still have kept their old charm. Otherwise downtown Atlanta is a nightmare. I have been coming here since 2002 and living here since 07 and its changed a lot even in that short (ish) time. Traffic hasn't improved!
Flew into Hartsfield a couple of times in the past few years. Overnighted at an airport hotel both times before picking up a rental car. First time drove by the old homestead in East Cobb (hardly recognised the area; two lane roads were now six lanes!) before heading over to Charleston and Savannah. Second time drove down to New Orleans for a few days and then Pensacola Beach. You're right about the traffic. Awful. I had forgotten how boring a lot of the interstate driving is in Georgia. Mile upon mile with trees on both sides of the highway and no views.