Anyone from Northern Va? Traffic comparison (Phoenix, Tempe: wedding, construction, pros and cons) - Arizona (AZ) - City-Data Forum

msjack · 03-11-2015, 09:21 AM

I'm hoping someone is from nova or has been to nova. I'm wondering about traffic comparison. I've heard traffic is bad in Phoenix, but wanting to know how it compares to metro DC traffic. Traffic here is horrible. Not just during rush hour, but weekends are bad too. We are looking to relocate to AZ, but I am trying to get away from horrible traffic and hour + commutes. I've been looking at traffic cams, but it's hard to tell, since I can't see if it's steady moving or stopped. We are coming out in april to visit, so I hope to see it for ourselves. Thanks for any help!

exit2lef · 03-11-2015, 10:09 AM

There is no comparison. Yes, Phoenix has some congestion during the morning and evening rush hours, but it's a nothing compared to the DC area. I think most Phoenicians who complain about traffic are nostalgic for the smaller city they remember years ago and are not comparing the region to other major metropolitan areas.

pbenjamin · 03-11-2015, 10:19 AM

The traffic that I experienced in Northern Virginia in the 70's was worse that what we have in Phoenix today, and traffic in the DC area is much worse now than it was then.

msjack · 03-11-2015, 02:36 PM

Thanks so much for your replies, I'm so glad to hear that. That was one of my biggest concerns, but I can check that one off the list!

Scorpion3510 · 03-16-2015, 10:02 AM

Those who live in Phoenix may complain about traffic there, but I think this is a common complaint anywhere in the country. I lived in Northern Virginia for 21 years and 2 in Arizona. Traffic in Phoenix may backup for events, accidents, or a wild fire on the interstate. Otherwise, it's extremely efficient and laid out on a grid system. You will not encounter the endless traffic (day or night) that plagues the DC region.

I live in Cleveland now and they complain about "traffic" as well. Traffic here is when the interstate speeds drop from 60 to 40 for a couple of miles. It's almost comical.

As with anywhere, there are pros and cons. Traffic in Phoenix is not a con.

Hope that was helpful!

go09 · 03-16-2015, 10:22 AM

Northern Virginia is pretty bad... causing me to be late for a wedding I was in last summer. Who would expect on a Saturday that traffic would just come to a complete halt?! and stay that way.

Certainly there are many areas here that get congested during rush hour but only a few come to a complete halt... most just slowing down as lanes end or major merges have to be made. My 3 month drive to Phoenix was usually 25 min at 6:30 in the morning and afternoon. But if I didn't head back to the East Valley by 3pm, then my driving time would be doubled. (Afternoon rush hours starts about 2:30 for the most part.)

43north87west · 03-16-2015, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msjack

I'm hoping someone is from nova or has been to nova. I'm wondering about traffic comparison. I've heard traffic is bad in Phoenix, but wanting to know how it compares to metro DC traffic. Traffic here is horrible. Not just during rush hour, but weekends are bad too. We are looking to relocate to AZ, but I am trying to get away from horrible traffic and hour + commutes. I've been looking at traffic cams, but it's hard to tell, since I can't see if it's steady moving or stopped. We are coming out in april to visit, so I hope to see it for ourselves. Thanks for any help!

I moved from DC (lived in DC and Northern VA so I have a good cross section of DC traffic).

Traffic around Phoenix usually moves, just not fast during the rush periods. There are a few hot spots that are problematic. It is not comparable to Northern VA or the DC metro area. Traffic here shuts off like a light switch after rush is done, but the afternoon rush starts early. The best suggestion I have is to figure out where you might like to live, and where you will be working, and plot a route on Google Maps during the peak periods to see what the current drive will be like.

Even during traffic, commute times here aren't too bad unless there is a big crash or something. Otherwise things keep moving along.

We do not get the type of congestion that the I-95 corridor gets, such as holidays that are jammed from Richmond to DC. It is very difficult to match Phoenix up to any of the Acela Corridor cities or surrounding areas in terms of traffic.

Also, while we do have mountains that divert traffic around them, we don't have as many geographic barriers around the valley. In DC you have problems with congested bridges and streets that curve all over the place, with no real alternatives. Out here we have a lot of alternatives. That's not to say that every commute in Phoenix is an easy one, but again, it's not comparable to what you have back east.

CodyW · 03-17-2015, 01:33 PM

No. Traffic here is not nearly as bad as the near-constant traffic that DC experiences. Not by a long shot.

That said, there is traffic here. And rush hour can be pretty painful depending on where exactly your commute lands. I-10 inbound in the mornings is bad from both the east and west sides. Outbound in the afternoons is worse going west, it seems. I used to live in Avondale on the west side and commute to midtown Phoenix - about 18 miles. My rush hour commute could range from 30 minutes to more than an hour depending on the day. Most days fell somewhere in between.

My current commute is from downtown to ASU in Tempe - about 12 miles. Getting there in the mornings there is very little traffic and it takes about 15 minutes. Coming back on the 202 the other way in the afternoons though can double that time very easily.

The good thing about traffic here is that getting off the freeway to take surface streets is very easy, and a lot of times ends up being quicker than staying on the freeway. All of the roads are a grid and almost all of them run the entire length of the city, so just pick one and you're on your way. There are exceptions, though - McDowell road can leave you waiting through multiple-lights just to cross a single intersection.. So choose carefully.

Even if the traffic isn't nearly as bad as DC - Live as close to work as possible. You won't regret it.

A1Precious4 · 04-02-2015, 07:17 PM

I agree with what everyone is saying. I just moved to PHX from Oakton in NOVA and the traffic here is not as horrible as NOVA. Traffic in NOVA is from 7-11 am with a slight reprieve and then starts again from 3-7. That's been my experience. NOVA traffic makes me frustrated just thinking about it. Arghhhhh! SO glad to have moved from that. PHX traffic is a bit backed up at certain times, but if you live closer to your work or in the opposite direction of traffic it's a breeze. If you can't manage that even then it still at least moves! I've only seen it at a complete standstill when there is construction or an accident.