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Hi All,
It turns out I have some degree of flexibility with my office hours--plus or minus a half hour or so from "normal" hours--at my new job at 147 South/Rt 54 area in RTP. I'll be commuting to and from Cameron Village, i.e., down Wade Avenue out to I-40. So, what's the best time to leave work to avoid major traffic? Do most RTP employers "let out" at 5pm? 6pm? Judging by traffic cameras at 6pm tonight, things are really congested at Harrison Ave., but it looks like the more western exits are clearer... My guess is I'll want to leave as late as I can and still get home before 7pm--does anybody second that emotion?
Hi All,
It turns out I have some degree of flexibility with my office hours--plus or minus a half hour or so from "normal" hours--at my new job at 147 South/Rt 54 area in RTP. I'll be commuting to and from Cameron Village, i.e., down Wade Avenue out to I-40. So, what's the best time to leave work to avoid major traffic? Do most RTP employers "let out" at 5pm? 6pm? Judging by traffic cameras at 6pm tonight, things are really congested at Harrison Ave., but it looks like the more western exits are clearer... My guess is I'll want to leave as late as I can and still get home before 7pm--does anybody second that emotion?
That's pretty much it. In the evening, I try to get on I40 at the I540 interchange by 4:30pm. I head east and stay in the right-center lane. The 2 left lanes get backed up earlier and the far right hand lane has too many people entering the freeway at 45 mph On a good day I can get from my office in RTP to the Wade Ave split in 10 minutes. If schools are in session, it can be worse.
I can admit that I haven't been out there yet during the afternoon commute... but is it really that bad? I watch the traffic cameras and I consistently--with a few exceptions--see traffic moving, albeit not usually at the full 65 mph. Given that it rarely outright stops (right?), should I really sit around my office just so I can drive home at full speed an hour late? 4:30 or 7pm are not really options for a normal workday, but I think 6pm or 6:15 might help compared to, say, 5:30... Anyway, thanks for your advice!
That's pretty much it. In the evening, I try to get on I40 at the I540 interchange by 4:30pm. I head east and stay in the right-center lane. The 2 left lanes get backed up earlier and the far right hand lane has too many people entering the freeway at 45 mph On a good day I can get from my office in RTP to the Wade Ave split in 10 minutes. If schools are in session, it can be worse.
Getting home fast or early are not as important to me as avoiding accidents and outright, gas-wasting traffic jams. Is there a time/place when traffic consistently comes to a stand-still or travels less than, say, 30 mph? That's what I consider "traffic." Based on my limited experience, Triangle-area commuters have a different standard on what constitutes "traffic!"
Is there a time/place when traffic consistently comes to a stand-still or travels less than, say, 30 mph? That's what I consider "traffic." Based on my limited experience, Triangle-area commuters have a different standard on what constitutes "traffic!"
Traffic usually slows to below 30mph between the Harrison exit and the Wade Ave split by 4:45-5pm. Sometimes it's earlier. . . . sometimes later.
Traffic usually slows to below 30mph between the Harrison exit and the Wade Ave split by 4:45-5pm. Sometimes it's earlier. . . . sometimes later.
Thanks for that tip. I get the sense that RTP has an early rush "hour" and that I'll avoid the peak of it if I work until 6pm. I certainly will never be able to make it passed Wade Avenue by 4:45! Thanks!
Judging from my commute (not down I-40), there are a lot of folks leaving right around 6pm. If you can get out 10 minutes early, or 15 minutes later, you avoid the peak. After 6:30, things really start to lighten up around here.
But be aware that hockey, basketball, the State Fair, the every-once-in-awhile Thursday football games, concerts at the RBC, etc. can all play havok with commutes on I-40. On those days, you might be better off just leaving early and putting up with more normal traffic.
Leave by 4:15 - smooth sailing.
4:15-4:40 - not bad
4:40-5:20 - avoid it if possible
5:20-5:40 - window of opportunity, but worse than 4:15-4:40
5:40-6:15 - avoid if possible
6:15-6:30 - not bad
6:30 & later - smooth sailing unless there's been an accident/storm/etc...
Leave by 4:15 - smooth sailing.
4:15-4:40 - not bad
4:40-5:20 - avoid it if possible
5:20-5:40 - window of opportunity, but worse than 4:15-4:40
5:40-6:15 - avoid if possible
6:15-6:30 - not bad
6:30 & later - smooth sailing unless there's been an accident/storm/etc...
Perfect! Exactly what I needed. I think I can wait an additional 15 minutes to avoid crummy congestion. Now to find the RBC Center event schedule...
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On a good day I can get from my office in RTP to the Wade Ave split in 10 minutes. If schools are in session, it can be worse.
