Driving in Annapolis (work, rent, moving to)

[nolatx]

We're moving to the Annapolis area in June from Austin, Tx. I was wondering, is there any tricks to driving in Annapolis? Austin is very strange in that there are many roads that have 2 or 3 different names and can be very confusing in getting around for newbies. Is there anything like that in Annapolis that I should be aware of? Thank you!

[happjack]

well, annapolis is probably about 1/10 this size of austin, so even if you get "lost" you're not really too far from your intended path. most of the roads are pretty well marked and without the multiple name changes that are common in large cities.

there's a bit of a rush hour: forest drive, west street, rt. 50 and the severn river bridge will all get backed up. friday afternoons during the summer are particularly awful for rt. 50 and the severn river bridge because of all the traffic passing through annapolis to get to the beach. the historic district ("downtown") is also pretty bad during most of the summer, weekends especially, since it's a tourist area.

do you know where in annapolis you'll be living yet? will you be commuting to either d.c. or baltimore? might be able to provide some specifics to help you out.

[MikeinMD]

All you need to do is purchase the largest luxuary SUV you can find, grab your cell phone, start driving, dial, talk, and act as if you own the road - you will fit right in.

[nolatx]

Thanks for the info! Not sure where we'll be living yet. We're looking for a place to rent until we acclamate to the area and decide on where to buy. My husband will be working on West Street though. *Sigh* Traffic congestion is not a new thing to us.

LoL MikeinMD... that's not much different than Austin at all.

Either way, we're pretty excited!

[Marylandsailor]

When you drive over Spa creek in the summertime, try not to be there anytime on the hour or half hour or about 10 minutes after. The bridge opens for boats and causes traffic to back up.

[nolatx]

Excellent tip! Thank you Marylandsailor!