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My wife and I are relocating to the Raleigh area in the fall. She will be working in downtown Durham and I will be working near the North Hills section of Raleigh. We are pretty unfamiliar with the area, outside of what we've read on here (thanks to everyone) and seen during a couple brief trips there. Our #1 priority is to live in a safe place. Our #2 priority is that we don't have hellacious commutes, especially for her driving to Durham. I am curious what the commute to downtown Durham is like at rush hour from the Brier Creek area, Morrisville, and Apex. Those are the three areas we're looking to live. I know Apex would probably be a little far (and expensive given the 540 toll), but we've heard great things about the town. Thanks for the help!
Brier Creek to Durham should be not be too bad - even in rush hour, you are likely looking at less than 25 minutes each way. There are also plenty of locations in North to Northwest Raleigh that would also provide a 20-30 minute commute to Durham, some of which may provide a slightly shorter commute to North Hills.
Driving up 147 (Durham Freeway) is not bad at all... and do not be scared of Durham, it is a wonderful place to work and live. If you need information on living in the Southpoint area of Durham, shoot me a DM.
Thanks everyone for the feedback! Is the rush hour traffic on 70 (Glenwood Ave) similar to the traffic on the Durham Freeway? It looks like that would be the road taken if we end up in Brier Creek.
70 is worse IMO due to all the traffic lights and the heavy traffic that turns onto the road at Alexander. It really depends on where in Brier Creek you are as to whether it makes more sense to take 147 or 70.
Live in Durham. Much cooler place with better restaurants and less traffic.
The commute to North Hills would be quite long from Durham. It is a better choice to find a place between Durham and North Hills, as the OP seems to be doing.
I used to work at American Tobacco and lived in Morrisville. Commute was fine. 20-25 minutes, maybe a bit more if something unusual happens. The only backup was getting from 147 to 40 but with the new toll extension if you are willing to pay 30 cens a day it should be clear sailing.
I drive thru Brier Creek to work in downtown Durham. I average 20 minutes on Alexander to the Durham Freeway (147) during am rush from 7am to 8:30am. Coming home can take 10 mins. longer if you leave between 5-5:30pm ish. From North Hills to Durham is 30/35 minutes most days.
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Durham Freeway - 147
