When does the commute from Broomfield die down? (Denver, Lakewood: condos, hotels)

[Thinkerist]

I've been told commuting on the Denver Boulder Turnpike can be pretty awful.

However, we will be visiting Denver to look at properties for a few days sometime during the week of April 14th through the 19th and may need to stay in Broomfield if we go later in the week. That is because hotels in Denver are getting booked up due to tourists going there for the 4/20 "festival".

If we did choose to stay in Broomfield, how long should we expect to wait for traffic to die down before driving into Denver. Similarly, how long should we expect to wait before driving back up to Broomfield?

It doesn't have to be this way, though. We could go earlier in the week and stay in town. But going later in the week suits our schedule better. And, I must admit, I'm curious to see what these "festivities" are like. (They commence on 4/17.) Thanks.

[Snikt]

What is Bloomington?

[Thinkerist]

Sorry. I meant Broomfield.

[Katarina Witt]

As you may have picked up from reading this forum, the drive down US 36 right now is not a pretty pretty picture, most any time of day. Certainly, it's easier before/after rush hour. I think if you made an appointment to see a place in Denver at 9 AM or later, you'd be OK, as long as you left a lot of time for traffic foul ups. Better to get there early, and go find a coffee shop or something, than to be stuck on the highway. Coming home is more variable. I work near 36, within sight of it, and often traffic is still moving slowly at 6 PM.

[livecontent]

There is a 420 festival? I did not know that. A bunch of stoned drivers on the highways--sounds great!

Well, I will give you the answer--The traffic will never die down. It is obviously heavier during the rush but as I said this highway is well over its design capacity. Adding in the heavy construction of the BRT and the highway is continuous mess.

However, 36 goes into 25, which is also, problematic, and that will also be packed from this stoners event with the exits and entrances jammed with drivers not knowing where they are driving or even caring where they are driving and not knowing what they are driving going somewhere they do not know what they are going to drive to see something they do not know what they will want to see in someplace they know not where they are--and you want to drive to this festival? Be sure to use your seatbelt in this demolition derby!

Livecontent

[ALStafford]

Is there a particular reason for staying in Broomfield? I understand if the downtown hotels are booking up, but there are places to stay that would avoid having to use 36 unless there's a particular reason you need to be in that area. There are many hotels near the Denver Tech Center (DTC) as well as in Lakewood near the Federal Center and another cluster near the Denver West office park. DTC and the Federal Center have the added advantage of being near the light rail, so if you want to avoid driving into the Downtown area (with the 420 celebrations, parking may be challenging), you can use the light rail system. If you DO need to drive, from Lakewood, it's a straight shot down highway 6 (also called 6th Ave.) into the city. It does get a bit busy in the AM, but nothing near as bad as 36 into downtown.

[denverian]

The commute on the 36 will die down when one of two things happens: A: They add 2 more lanes in each direction, or B: the Yellowstone supervolcano blows and suffocates everyone in the metro area to death (more likely than option A lol!)

[ELCO5280]

Originally Posted by denverian

The commute on the 36 will die down when one of two things happens: A: They add 2 more lanes in each direction, or B: the Yellowstone supervolcano blows and suffocates everyone in the metro area to death (more likely than option A lol!)

Classic lol!

[ktqtp]

Originally Posted by ALStafford

Is there a particular reason for staying in Broomfield?

Was just wondering this too... why Broomfield?? If it were me I'd probably stay in Lakewood, if only because there are about 10 restaurants I've been wanting to try down there.

[Thinkerist]

Thanks for your input, everybody. I went ahead and booked a room at the Holiday Inn-Denver East--Stapleton on Quebec St. I bought the room blind through Hotwire--only $50/night. I love Hotwire. Like with Priceline, you're never sure what you're going to get, or where exactly it will be. But, sometimes, it's a good deal. Looks like I'll be taking I-70 W towards downtown for about nine miles and taking Sheridan Blvd the rest of the way. Or, I guess I could just look for the cloud of smoke. Or follow my nose. I just hope none of those stoners will be driving in front of me through the neighborhoods looking at condos/townhouses.