[JayCT]

You have to look at what they are saying more closely. When they say Bridgeport, they mean the Bridgeport-Stamford statistical area. If you look at their list of worst highways, I-95 from Greenwich to Fairfield comes up at No. 42 in the country. The worst is the Cross Bronx Expressway in NY followed by I-405 in LA. A number of highways from major cities including Chicago, Miami, Dallas and Washington DC. You can check the list on the link below.

INRIX National Traffic Scorecard

Also the data is based on INRIX's comprehensive commuter traffic monitoring system which monitors traffic using the same methodology across the country. So this can be used for comparison purposes between major highways. I am not saying I-95 is bad but according to INRIX there are a lot of other highways that are worst. Jay

[Comp625]

Originally Posted by JayCT

You have to look at what they are saying more closely. When they say Bridgeport, they mean the Bridgeport-Stamford statistical area. If you look at their list of worst highways, I-95 from Greenwich to Fairfield comes up at No. 42 in the country. The worst is the Cross Bronx Expressway in NY followed by I-405 in LA. A number of highways from major cities including Chicago, Miami, Dallas and Washington DC. You can check the list on the link below.

INRIX National Traffic Scorecard

Also the data is based on INRIX's comprehensive commuter traffic monitoring system which monitors traffic using the same methodology across the country. So this can be used for comparison purposes between major highways. I am not saying I-95 is bad but according to INRIX there are a lot of other highways that are worst. Jay

I would agree. Cross Bronx Expressway and/or George Washington Bridge is to be avoided whenever I am in that area. In comparison, Fairfield County highways are smooth like butter.

If anything, I am surprised that the traffic metric only covers up to Mill Plain Road in Fairfield (Exit 21 off of I-95). IMO, the traffic goes all the way up to the Route 8/25 Connector (Exit 27A) because folks are merging into the long lane of cars waiting to hop onto the other highway.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by Comp625

If anything, I am surprised that the traffic metric only covers up to Mill Plain Road in Fairfield (Exit 21 off of I-95). IMO, the traffic goes all the way up to the Route 8/25 Connector (Exit 27A) because folks are merging into the long lane of cars waiting to hop onto the other highway.

Yeah - that's one of the worst parts of the stretch (going by Black Rock Tpk).

[Cambium]

Maybe nobody realized something... Ummm, take a look at the "length" of traffic in miles.

Thats a little more like it. Not 42nd place. I wonder what place Bridgeport area falls in regards to that. I think D.C and the I-5 in LA beats them only.

Also look at the travel time in minutes. Yup. Longer travel time than the #1 spot of this year or last year.

[JayCT]

I do not think the column for length necessarily means the length of traffic congestion. I think it just means the length of the section of highway. Besides the ranking seems to be a weighed average of travel time, speed and delay. Jay

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by JayCT

I do not think the column for length necessarily means the length of traffic congestion. I think it just means the length of the section of highway. Besides the ranking seems to be a weighed average of travel time, speed and delay. Jay

Jay, I think you're right by saying that's the length in miles of the stretch, but this graph points out how long the congested stretch lasts. In this case, they're saying the bad traffic in LA lasts 8 miles on the 405. They're also saying that the bad traffic in CT lasts 22 miles. They are not just picking random points on a highway here. This goes right along with what I've been saying (and what some people on this board refuse to believe) - the LA traffic is short in mileage but almost at a standstill, while the CT traffic is stop and inch forward for an entire 22 miles. There is almost no break in the traffic for that stretch during rush hour, especially on Fridays. Period.

Next time DW sees the sign "Delay, next 30 miles", I will be sure to post the photo so you can see it.

It amazes me, and frankly it's frustrating, that people will do everything in their power to discount the traffic on 95 when it's clear that it's among the worst in the nation. When they commute on it daily, I will take their opinion more seriously.

[Wilton2ParkAve]

I know many folks that drive it everyday. It's not a fun trip but most days it really is 40-45 minutes from greenwich to Fairfield. The Merritt is a bit quicker. But there are pain days. Heavy rain, snow or a tractor trailer accident and the trip blows out to 2 hrs. I find the comments from the daily commuters reflect personas. Habitual complainers will paint it as purgatory while more level headed folks underestimate. That said the cross Bronx, van wyck and belt parkway in NYC are much worse even if the span is shorter. These roads are often impaired at all hours and not just rush hour and Sunday afternoons a la CT

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by Wilton2ParkAve

I know many folks that drive it everyday. It's not a fun trip but most days it really is 40-45 minutes from greenwich to Fairfield. The Merritt is a bit quicker. But there are pain days. Heavy rain, snow or a tractor trailer accident and the trip blows out to 2 hrs. I find the comments from the daily commuters reflect personas. Habitual complainers will paint it as purgatory while more level headed folks underestimate. That said the cross Bronx, van wyck and belt parkway in NYC are much worse even if the span is shorter. These roads are often impaired at all hours and not just rush hour and Sunday afternoons a la CT

Then I guess you're "level-headed" because you're underestimating. On most days during rush hour, from Greenwich to Black Rock takes about an hour. On the occasional Tuesday during the winter months, you might be able to get by without any serious traffic. All it takes is a few raindrops or a snow flurry, and it can take up to 70-90 minutes.

Again, if you don't regularly drive the route from Greenwich to Bridgeport, which you don't, you can't accurately comment on it. I know this trip like the back of my hand.

[Wilton2ParkAve]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

Then I guess you're "level-headed" because you're underestimating. On most days during rush hour, from Greenwich to Black Rock takes about an hour. On the occasional Tuesday during the winter months, you might be able to get by without any serious traffic. All it takes is a few raindrops or a snow flurry, and it can take up to 70-90 minutes.

Again, if you don't regularly drive the route from Greenwich to Bridgeport, which you don't, you can't accurately comment on it. I know this trip like the back of my hand.

I did it for four years. Arch street to route 8. 45-50 is spot on. 4 commutes the entire duration exceeded 2 hours and less than 15 surpassed 90 minutes. Adding to support, this was pre financial crisis when more cars were on the road.

[Cambium]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

Jay, I think you're right by saying that's the length in miles of the stretch, but this graph points out how long the congested stretch lasts. In this case, they're saying the bad traffic in LA lasts 8 miles on the 405. They're also saying that the bad traffic in CT lasts 22 miles. They are not just picking random points on a highway here. This goes right along with what I've been saying (and what some people on this board refuse to believe) - the LA traffic is short in mileage but almost at a standstill, while the CT traffic is stop and inch forward for an entire 22 miles. There is almost no break in the traffic for that stretch during rush hour, especially on Fridays. Period.

Next time DW sees the sign "Delay, next 30 miles", I will be sure to post the photo so you can see it.

It amazes me, and frankly it's frustrating, that people will do everything in their power to discount the traffic on 95 when it's clear that it's among the worst in the nation. When they commute on it daily, I will take their opinion more seriously.

Great post all together. I'm baffled at some comments on here and its sad to see that some still dont know the traffic is actually more than a 20 mile stretch. Next time I dare venture on that road I'll take a picture of the sign as well. Those who dont travel on it constantly have a natural nieve opinion on the issue.