Unlike most of America's golf courses, The Augusta National Golf Club is located in the heart of the city, which means it is a traffic nightmare. Be prepared to stare at someone's bumper for at least 30 minutes as you near the course. There are some side routes if you want to get to the green even faster. Agencies prep roads for heavy traffic Traffic picks up in Augusta

When it comes to driving around Augusta during Masters Week, heavy traffic is to be expected.

But a little smart driving will help you avoid the heaviest traffic.

The busiest time on Washington Road, the main road leading to the front gate of the Augusta National, is in the mornings between 7 and 11 when people are heading to the Masters.

Another peak in traffic occurs in the afternoon between 3 and 7 p.m. each day, as play ends and people return home or back to their hotels.

Roads that are popular parking spots near the Augusta National - Eisenhower and Heath drives and Berckmans Road - will be heavily congested during the mornings and evenings of play.

Masters attendees coming from Interstate 20 are advised to take Riverwatch Parkway to 15th Street and use John C. Calhoun Expressway to get to the Augusta National.

For those wanting to avoid the whole Masters scene, they can use Wrightsboro, Gordon Highway, Deans Bridge, Walton Way, River Watch and Bobby Jones Highway to skirt the congestion on Washington Rd.

Finally, pay attention to local road rules:

Anyone who drives a car must have a valid driver's license issued by the state in which they live; it is good in Georgia for one year.

Speed limits vary and are posted in "miles per hour" (mph), not "kilometers per hour" (kph), on signs along the road.

The maximum speed is 65 mph (106 kph) on highways and interstates in or near urban areas.

On residential or urban streets, the speed limit is 30 mph (50 kph) unless posted otherwise.

Parking

Parking is available at Lot 1 off Washington Road and Lot 2 off Berckmans Road. No permit is necessary during practice rounds, but is needed for the tournament.

Overflow parking is available for a charge at area businesses and homes. Spectators parked at Gates 4 and 5 on Washington Road will be directed downtown on Washington Road to connect with River Watch Parkway going back to Interstate 20.

Those at Gate 6 on Berckmans Road will be steered to Washington Road, then left directly toward I-20. Drivers leaving Gate 10 will go left on Berckmans Road then right onto Wheeler Road to eventually get to I-20.

Need to get downtown during the week? Try River Watch Parkway, Walton Way or Gordon Highway. Try leaving downtown in the afternoon on Walton Way or Gordon Highway. But avoid River Watch Parkway in afternoon as some traffic leaving the golf course will be steered from Washington Road to 15th Street and onto River Watch Parkway.