Realistic Commute Time? (Denver, Arvada, Westminster: living in, vs., train)

[mskay77]

My husband and I are relocating to the Denver area. He will be working in Broomfield and I will be working in Littleton (C-470 and 25). We are looking to live in the Stapleton area. Realistically, how would the commute be to both Broomfield and Littleton from Stapleton? Is 225 typically backed up during rush hour? It's hard to tell from just looking at the maps. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Katiana]

Stapleton to Broomfield would be a nasty commute. Mapquest and google maps both give you drive times which are pretty accurate.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Don't forget that snow can triple your commute. Not that it'll happen every day, but you have to be prepared for it. In other words, live as close to work as possible. I don't see any reason to live in Broomfield if your job is in Littleton. They're both nice surburban areas and pretty much interchangeable so there's no reason to cross the metro to live in one vs. the other.

[LoveBoating]

Just a little FYI, Escape.......
mskay77 says that her husband will be working in Broomfield, she will be working in Littleton and they are looking at living in Stapleton.
That will be a heck of a drive from Stapleton to Broomfield, especially in the winter snows and depending on the time, the travel from Stapleton to Littleton could be hectic also!
mskay77, we lived in both Englewood and Parker for a total of 5 1/2 years. I drove from both to downtown Denver to work during the week, but had very little traffic having to be at work at 7AM.

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

Don't forget that snow can triple your commute. Not that it'll happen every day, but you have to be prepared for it. In other words, live as close to work as possible. I don't see any reason to live in Broomfield if your job is in Littleton. They're both nice surburban areas and pretty much interchangeable so there's no reason to cross the metro to live in one vs. the other.

[maximusmgm]

225 can be backed up pretty bad at rush hour. It earns my vote for most congested freeway in the metro area. Taking surface streets south to i25 will be a better idea. I think either Quebec or Monoco would be good roads (a coworker of mine takes on of those to get to work when he drives).

Edit: Snow can double your rush hour commute time if not triple it. If you leave an hour early/late it can help cut that time down.

[HighlandsGal]

I think it would make more sense to live somewhere west of I-25 if you are working in Littleton and he is in Broomfield. I'm thinking Arvada, Westminster, Northwest Denver, etc.

[maximusmgm]

I25 & C-470 is actually Lone Tree/Centennial. Living closer to i25 or any of the train lines would be ideal.

[Drew303]

Originally Posted by maximusmgm

I25 & C-470 is actually Lone Tree/Centennial..

I was just gonna say that

[steveindenver]

Stapleton to Broomfield would be a nasty commute. Mapquest and google maps both give you drive times which are pretty accurate.

No doubt -- but they have picked a central and equally ****ty commute for both. Fair is fair I suppose.

225 is clogged most mornings. 270 is also clogged most mornings .. or even at random.

If I had to pick somewhere to live that divided the agony I would be looking where they are.

As to the commute time question:

North (I don't know where in Broomfield) you are going against the traffic pattern. Let's say you watch the news and avoid 270 when it is clogged and do the I-70 to I-25 thing. 20-30 minutes.

South .. phew. 225 is the quickest route with no real alternatives. You might save time on bad days by heading down Monnaco/Syracuse for a while then getting on I-25. 27 minutes to maybe 40 with normal congestion. On the rare day you might beat that by 10 or even 15.

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by steveindenver

No doubt -- but they have picked a central and equally ****ty commute for both. Fair is fair I suppose.

225 is clogged most mornings. 270 is also clogged most mornings .. or even at random.

If I had to pick somewhere to live that divided the agony I would be looking where they are.

As to the commute time question:

North (I don't know where in Broomfield) you are going against the traffic pattern. Let's say you watch the news and avoid 270 when it is clogged and do the I-70 to I-25 thing. 20-30 minutes. az

South .. phew. 225 is the quickest route with no real alternatives. You might save time on bad days by heading down Quebec for a while then getting on I-25. 27 minutes to maybe 40 with normal congestion. On the rare day you might beat that by 10 or even 15.

You still have to get from I-25 to US 36, and then off somewhere in Broomfield, probably Interlocken. 36 gets very backed up in the morning/evening, as there is traffic all the way to Boulder.