Traffic from SW to North Mopac (Austin, Lakeway: home, neighborhoods, schools)

[Jennibc]

Does anyone know how long on average it takes to drive from the Southwest area of Austin to North Mopac during rush hour. Say one took a job up in the 78759 zip area but lived down in Circle C or Villiage of Western Oaks.

We are moving back to Austin and I understand the traffic is much worse than when we left but we really liked the proximity of the Southwest and like the look and feel of the neighborhoods down there.

[Raskolnikov]

It takes about 12 minutes to get to the 5th street exit.

Traffic slows down near 360.
Traffic slows down around Enfield and Windsor again, then at 35th.

Then it opens up a bit.

I'd say about 20 minutes.

[Jennibc]

Originally Posted by Raskolnikov

It takes about 12 minutes to get to the 5th street exit.

Traffic slows down near 360.
Traffic slows down around Enfield and Windsor again, then at 35th.

Then it opens up a bit.

I'd say about 20 minutes.

Twenty minutes during RUSH HOUR? I remember it taking about that long in off peak, but my understanding is that it had gotten worse. If that's true, that's good to know. Thanks!

[Raskolnikov]

Oh, sorry. I didn't notice you said rush hour. Well, it varies. If you leave early enough, it'll be 20 minutes. If you leave during peak, like 7:45-8:30, it could take up to 40 minutes. It seems that every day is different for me. BTW I get on Mopac at William Cannon near VOWO.

[MJinAustin]

I'd say 45 to 50 minutes in the heat of rush hour - if there are no accidents, no rain, etc.

[billaustin]

Definately agree with MJinAustin. 50 minutes for sure, and there usually are accidents. If you can avoid the 4:30 to 6:30 time frame driving home you could knock that down a lot. But again, one accident could mess it up for an extra hour.

[texastrigirl]

We lived in Circle C until last summer and my husband worked many places during the years we lived there. From Circle C to downtown during rush hour 30-35 minutes (lots of alternative routes to DT from CC because of 290, Lamar, S. 1st in addition to Mopac). From Circle C to 360 and Mopac 25 minutes and from Circle C to Arboretum, 45-55 minutes, and you can also use back roads through Barton Creek that may no longer work due to congestion. He always tried to leave on the earlier side - by 7 to 7:15am or so. A friend of ours worked at Samsung and it took him almost an hour from CC. We just moved last summer so these times are likely still somewhat valid. CC is a good location if you work downtown or south of there and is a terrific neighborhood to raise a family in. Great schools, amenities and super if you like to cycle, run or swim laps. We loved it there and it's also a 25 minute drive to Lakeway Marina in no traffic (just in case you have a boat!).