Commuting central Austin to Kyle and back (Round Rock, Cedar Park: home, construction)

[zhugeliang1]

Living on 45th and Lamar now. Was wondering about commuting to and from Kyle. Planning to leave my central Austin home about 6:30am, should I take Mopac southbound or what do you suggest. Also plan to get off work in Kyle and drive north to Austin about 4pm and want to know what route I should take? I believe traffic is bad going into Austin on I-35. Thanks in advance.

[FalconheadWest]

That's a reverse commute so traffic isn't bad like if you were coming from Kyle into Austin in the mornings.

[austin-steve]

Originally Posted by zhugeliang1

Living on 45th and Lamar now. Was wondering about commuting to and from Kyle. Planning to leave my central Austin home about 6:30am, should I take Mopac southbound or what do you suggest. Also plan to get off work in Kyle and drive north to Austin about 4pm and want to know what route I should take? I believe traffic is bad going into Austin on I-35. Thanks in advance.

Which part of Kyle? The west part, near Plum Creek and Hays High?

If so, I would take Mopac south to Slaughter, over to Brodie and down to 1626 to Kyle. I've recently driven that route (albeit starting at Slaughter/Mopac) several times to Plum Creek lately and was surprised at how quick it goes compared to when I need to get up to Round Rock or Leander/Cedar Park. Your morning drive will be contra-flow and early, so easy drive.

Coming back might be a bit more traffic, but not until you get to 5th/Mopac heading north.

I'd try to avoid IH35 at all cost.

Others may have a better idea, depending on your end destination.

Steve

[zhugeliang1]

Probably central Kyle not west or east in particular.

Mopac going north at 4:30pm is kind of a worry to me, because I hit a lot of traffic near 35th street when I was "trying out" some routes today as a test drive. So was wondering if I should try I-35 going north from Kyle to Austin about 4:30pm even though it slows down at Slaughter?

[A-Tex]

Originally Posted by zhugeliang1

Probably central Kyle not west or east in particular.

Mopac going north at 4:30pm is kind of a worry to me, because I hit a lot of traffic near 35th street when I was "trying out" some routes today as a test drive. So was wondering if I should try I-35 going north from Kyle to Austin about 4:30pm even though it slows down at Slaughter?

There isn't going to be an easy commute northbound at that time of day once you hit Austin.

[zhugeliang1]

And I guess toll road 45 isn't going to be much help? Unless I get on 45 going north when leaving Kyle, and cut across town on 969 but that's taking me way out east before I get off to go west to central Austin. Also I was looking at North Lamar. If I get off I35 near Slaughter and go north on Lamar?

[palaverer]

Originally Posted by zhugeliang1

Also plan to get off work in Kyle and drive north to Austin about 4pm and want to know what route I should take?

You could try Kyle --> east on 1327 --> north on 1625 --> 183 --> Airport Boulevard

Edited to add:

upcoming construction on 183 may make this less pleasant

[centralaustinite]

Originally Posted by zhugeliang1

And I guess toll road 45 isn't going to be much help? Unless I get on 45 going north when leaving Kyle, and cut across town on 969 but that's taking me way out east before I get off to go west to central Austin. Also I was looking at North Lamar. If I get off I35 near Slaughter and go north on Lamar?

Northbound Lamar is a nightmare in the afternoon! N I G H T M A R E ! just took me almost 45 minutes yesterday to get from Congress and Riverside to St. Louis Catholic Church on Burnet at 5 pm.

Your morning commute will be so easy, but coming back in the afternoon, very painful.

[zhugeliang1]

Thank you palaver I will test drive that soon. Also I was taking another look at what austin-steve was proposing. Was wondering also about going 1626 to Brodie east on 71/290, then go north on Lamar? I don't know what Mopac is going to be like (any easier?) when the toll gets set up there next year.

[zhugeliang1]

Ah, so 183 is slated for construction, when, in 2016?