Drive time, East Mesa to Downtown Phoenix- the 202 or the 60?

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by observer53

Sounds like a good plan! Whether bus or rail, I just love that you can sit and read or listen to an Ipod or whatever, and not worry about the driving. The drive to the parking lot is a small price to pay, to me.

I would have to agree. Just listening to the daily traffic reports, it seems like getting to downtown from anywhere in the east Valley during peak commute times is nothing but a headache. The 60 is always crowded ... and the 101 and 202 aren't much better, even though both are considered to be alternate routes. Besides, construction on the 202 through Tempe & east Phoenix is getting under way for a widening project ... so that will certainly cause some delays and possibly even some detours. The 202 widening is needed, though ... especially between the 51/10 interchange and Priest Drive.

If the light rail comes anywhere close to someone's residence or work, I am at the point where I highly recommend it as well. It's a good way to leave your vehicle home, save on gas, and reduce stress. Also beats having to try & dodge those ridiculous photo radar cameras. If light rail and increased transit will help get some cars off the streets & freeways, I'm for it!

[exit2lef]

Originally Posted by homlish560

Either way it's a rather lengthy commute, and you'll be constantly filling up your car and spending more time than you'd like just driving to and from work.

According to the map the light-rail begins in Mesa at Longmore and Main. Why don't you drive or catch a bus there and just take the rail into Phoenix? You wouldn't have to transfer anywhere because it goes right into Downtown Phx. and runs along Central ave.

Actually, Sycamore (not quite as far east as Longmore) & Main, but yes, light rail is the best way to handle this commute. There's abundant free parking at the Sycamore & Main station, and chances are good that the OP's employer may cover all or part of the cost of a monthly transit pass. Splitting the commute between driving and rail might take longer (or not depending on traffic congestion), but it will pay off in reduced stress, reduced expense, and reduced environmental impact.

There's also the LINK bus, with limited stops only every mile, as a possible way of getting from east Mesa to Sycamore & Main.

[homlish560]

Originally Posted by eastsideweezie

Here is what I did-
Last Friday I took Broadway to Price and got on the 101 northbound, exited at 202 and went westbound, merged onto the 10 westbound, north on 7th Street, west on Osborn. This traffic was a nightmare to put it as an understatement!
So today I took the advice of some and tried out the light rail train. Had to drive to Downtown Mesa and park which I wasn't crazy about but once I got on the train it was smooth sailing all the way into Downtown Phoenix where I got off at Osborn. I didn't really calculate how much time it took either way because I was so stressed out driving that I just wanted to get there and be done with it. From now on I will be using light rail!

Congratulations to you for using light-rail!!!!!!!!!

See, I told ya it was better than driving all that distance.