[RCIS719]

So what's the traffic really like in Vegas, and is it in one particular area, or all over? Are we taking DC or Austin type traffic, all day every day? Or just regular rush hour traffic? Any areas to avoid whenever possible?

This will help us decide where to live as well, depending on which hospital I end up working in.

[oeccscclhjhn]

If you live in the north, northwest, generally speaking, and your commute is south, you're screwed..., i.e. parking lot in the morning, parking lot that afternoon. Plus you get the sun in your eyes, both ways.

You can search and view the problem areas yourself, real time. Do check out the Dynamic Message Signs site. Makes for a great road map when you zoom in too. You can navigate to a specific location (on or off ramp, intersection, freeway section) and get video and snapshots (ITS Device menu) on how things look.

[RCIS719]

Good to know. I expect mornings wont be too much of an issue, as I will have to be to work likely around 0630, although I could be wrong. What about other times of day, or on weekends? Is the traffic pretty consistent? I've bookmarked the link you gave me, thank you.

[unf0rgiven6262]

Originally Posted by RCIS719

Good to know. I expect mornings wont be too much of an issue, as I will have to be to work likely around 0630, although I could be wrong. What about other times of day, or on weekends? Is the traffic pretty consistent? I've bookmarked the link you gave me, thank you.

Commuting around at 6-6:30 will likely help a lot.

[ddrhazy]

It's getting worse as our population grows by ~40k/year.

[RCIS719]

What about traveling from the South? Is traffic bad in that direction as well?

[oeccscclhjhn]

Originally Posted by RCIS719

What about traveling from the South? Is traffic bad in that direction as well?

Yes, better than going north.

[swagger]

Major rush-hour trouble spots I've noticed:

Spaghetti bowl (I-15 & US-95 interchange)
Charleston Bl between Main & MLK
Anywhere on or within a block of the strip
I-215/CR-215 anywhere near I-15

Tip: When approaching Sahara heading northbound on I-15, move over to the left as much as you can, slow down and increase your following distance. The stretch between Sahara and Charleston is an accident magnet. You have people entering relatively slowly from Sahara, and people racing at 70mph in the slow lane that have to crest a hill before they see that traffic ahead of them is stopped. My office is very close to that area, and I hear accidents happen there all the time. I hear probably 10 times as many cases of screeching tires but no contact. When I do hear one, I'll call it in if it sounds like a serious crash.

[RCIS719]

Thanks Swagger, that kind of info helps tremendously, and it will help even more, Im sure once I know my way around. Im going to check out those spots on a map for now.

[yellowsnow]

Locals always avoid the Strip. Always! Try to stay off 15 south for most of the day on Sundays or holidays. It can be a traffic nightmare if everyone who came to Vegas for the weekend leaves at the same time to head back to California. Try to be aware of what's going on in town. It will clue you in to areas likely to jam up. If all you want to do is go from point A to point B you have to avoid Fremont St/downtown on Helldorado weekend. Or New Year's Eve. Over time you will learn when it's smart to avoid the touristy areas. And I don't ever go out to dinner on Mother's Day either!

Daily normal traffic in Vegas is really not that bad. It's not much compared to other places I have lived. You do have to drive very defensively. I always assume people are drunk or hopped up on something. You will see a lot of impaired driving. Or people who are just lost. And we have tons of pedestrians. And they WILL just step out into the street in front of you. I always assume the pedestrians are drunk too. So far this tactic has kept me and my car safe!

We do have rush hours the same as everywhere else. But remember we are a service town and lots of places are open all the time. Probably most workers here do not work the traditional 9 to 5, Monday through Friday.