Boston vs St-Petersburg traffic (Palm Harbor, Belleair: 2013, buy, construction)

[NHMom68]

Has anyone living in the St-Petersburg area experienced the Boston Ma traffic jams on rush hours? Wondering which is worst?? I know that commuting into Boston everyday is bad!!! but is commuting from Palm Harbor to St-Petersburg as bad????

[algia]

We answered this question on your other thread.

I am sure that Florida's traffic in general is definitely not as bad as anywhere up north, BUT it is something to consider. We can tell you that THAT commute will annoy the crap out of you or your husband, but until you do it, you won't know if it will annoy you per what we tell you. For example, I did not believe that 1 mile can take 30 minutes....yet in a Pittsburgh suburb it does/did. It proved to be Insanely annoying.

The best thing you can do is come and visit the areas you are mapping out now. Even if it is a stretch financially, BELIEVE ME, it will save you a ton of aggravation when you actually move down here. Come down during the week, not the weekend, that's a trap, come during Tuesday through Friday, and do all the commutes on all these roads at rush hour, and then you will have your most educated answer. For the most part I commute at odd hours, BUT even at that, 19 is AWFUL. There is no direct highway to St Pete. You have Belcher Rd, US-19, Keene rd, and Mc Mullen Booth, all filled with stop lights, and stop and go, and don't forget red light runners, and all sorts of octogenarians that should not be driving, and pick up trucks, and box trucks, and vans, and God knows, everything you can imagine, and NOT ONE of them respecting the traffic rules such as speed limits, or not cutting off at the bumper. Check traffic statistics for US-19...it is one of the most dangerous roads out there. But again, I drove on it a million times over, but until YOU will, you won't be able to understand how that road works, and how annoying it is.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by algia

We answered this question on your other thread.

I am sure that Florida's traffic in general is definitely not as bad as anywhere up north, BUT it is something to consider. We can tell you that THAT commute will annoy the crap out of you or your husband, but until you do it, you won't know if it will annoy you per what we tell you. For example, I did not believe that 1 mile can take 30 minutes....yet in a Pittsburgh suburb it does/did. It proved to be Insanely annoying.

The best thing you can do is come and visit the areas you are mapping out now. Even if it is a stretch financially, BELIEVE ME, it will save you a ton of aggravation when you actually move down here. Come down during the week, not the weekend, that's a trap, come during Tuesday through Friday, and do all the commutes on all these roads at rush hour, and then you will have your most educated answer. For the most part I commute at odd hours, BUT even at that, 19 is AWFUL. There is no direct highway to St Pete. You have Belcher Rd, US-19, Keene rd, and Mc Mullen Booth, all filled with stop lights, and stop and go, and don't forget red light runners, and all sorts of octogenarians that should not be driving, and pick up trucks, and box trucks, and vans, and God knows, everything you can imagine, and NOT ONE of them respecting the traffic rules such as speed limits, or not cutting off at the bumper. Check traffic statistics for US-19...it is one of the most dangerous roads out there. But again, I drove on it a million times over, but until YOU will, you won't be able to understand how that road works, and how annoying it is.

All true! ^^^ And of course, there is also the NEVER-ENDING road construction on 19.

[hokiepoke]

I've lived in Northern VA/DC and now just moved here from north Dallas and those places are where the traffic jams are just epic and rude drivers abound. I've also traveled to Boston and unfortunately have also had the "joy" of being in rush hour there and it's probably just as terrible. My impression of US19 being a newcomer is that the major bottleneck currently around Gulf to Bay to Belleair is primarily due to construction but south of that stretch is pretty open even during rush. The big overpass over Gulf to Bay there supposedly will be done in late 2013 (who knows) and with those lanes opened up then, it may ease up but for now it is a bad stretch to drive thru. The alternate routes are dotted with traffic lights so isn't much better. However, I don't know if it's just more laid back here or it's just the sun and seeing the swaying the palm trees that takes the edge off. Some days I detour and get stuck over Bayside Bridge instead to enjoy being stuck over the water. When I'm here long enough to get my resident fishing license, I plan to spend rush hour going fishing instead of sitting in traffic. That's why I moved here after all, to get away from the hustle and bustle of the rat race in the big cities.

[FloridaKash]

I'll tell you what you want to hear. I guess you didn't like our answer on the other thread.

Boston traffic is worse. Eventually US-19 will be finished and you'll no longer have traffic problems. The commute won't be that bad. How can it be bad? Buy yourself a convertible and then you can multi-task in the traffic by getting a tan in the "its always sunny and warm in Florida" weather.

[NHMom68]

Originally Posted by FloridaKash

I'll tell you what you want to hear. I guess you didn't like our answer on the other thread.

Boston traffic is worse. Eventually US-19 will be finished and you'll no longer have traffic problems. The commute won't be that bad. How can it be bad? Buy yourself a convertible and then you can multi-task in the traffic by getting a tan in the "its always sunny and warm in Florida" weather.

You don't have to be rude!!! I was just trying to understand the traffic in the area and compare it with what I know here!!

You don't have to respond if you think you answered before!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[algia]

I don't think anyone is "rude" here...but this is like comparing apples & oranges!

[FloridaKash]

Originally Posted by NHMom68

You don't have to be rude!!! I was just trying to understand the traffic in the area and compare it with what I know here!!

You don't have to respond if you think you answered before!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Actually, I wasn't being a rude. In all seriousness, if I was going to sit in traffic I would rather be in a convertible in a nice warm and sunny climate than sitting in traffic on icy roads on a cloudy snow falling day.

Simmer down.

[the awesomee]

Originally Posted by algia

I am sure that Florida's traffic in general is definitely not as bad as anywhere up north,

this is a bold assumption and misnomer Northerners usually make.

[BBI]

Originally Posted by NHMom68

Has anyone living in the St-Petersburg area experienced the Boston Ma traffic jams on rush hours? Wondering which is worst?? I know that commuting into Boston everyday is bad!!! but is commuting from Palm Harbor to St-Petersburg as bad????

I've never lived in Boston. But I work in the north end of St. Pete (near the Roosevelt exit off 275), and have some co-workers who live in Palm Harbor. They say it takes a solid hour at rush hour. Hope that helps.