Anyone use Redbud Trail to get from 360 to downtown? (Austin: camp, live in)

[romesq]

During our wanderings this past week, we looked at a route on the map that appeared to be a shortcut from the 360/2244 area to Lake Austin Blvd in the downtown area. Route obviously went thru residential area but we resolved to try it. Ran out of time before we had to return to NOLA but put it on the list for our next trip over.

Anybody use this route?

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by romesq

During our wanderings this past week, we looked at a route on the map that appeared to be a shortcut from the 360/2244 area to Lake Austin Blvd in the downtown area. Route obviously went thru residential area but we resolved to try it. Ran out of time before we had to return to NOLA but put it on the list for our next trip over.

Anybody use this route?

If you live in westlake it is doable. I dont use it regularly, but I would suspect during rush hour the stop sign before the dam is probably pretty backed up.

Where are you starting from?

[austin-steve]

Originally Posted by romesq

During our wanderings this past week, we looked at a route on the map that appeared to be a shortcut from the 360/2244 area to Lake Austin Blvd in the downtown area. Route obviously went thru residential area but we resolved to try it. Ran out of time before we had to return to NOLA but put it on the list for our next trip over.

Anybody use this route?

I drove this all the time when my office was at Bee Caves/Redbud. It's a meandering, hilly roundabout route of two lane rd.

I'm not sure it saves time, but it doesn't take a whole lot longer than driving Bee Caves to Mopac. I use to drive it just to stay out of traffic on Bee Caves Rd. and because it's rather scenic and relaxing.

Steve

[atxcio]

I use that route (sort of) during rush hour sometimes. It's not really that much faster, but at least you keep moving! It's especially helpful if your destination is north of the river, or if you tend to lose your sanity in dead-stop traffic on Mopac or 360..

I've learned what I think is the "official shortcut": If you are already on 2244 heading east past 360, don't take Redbud trail. Proceed to Westlake Drive, and take a left (there is a light there, before the Wells Fargo). Westlake Dr will with intersect Redbud at a stop sign, skipping some of the more twisty sections of Redbud. Take a right on Redbud (great view of downtown), and you'll cross over town lake on a little bridge, and end up at Lake Austin Blvd. Take a right, drive to Mopac, it will turn into either 1st or 5th (your choice) after you cross under the highway. Presto, downtown with via back roads. Word of caution, though: watch out at night! There aren't many streetlights, and lots of deer around.

An extension to the shortcut...

* If you are going to destinations north of downtown, but want to avoid Mopac, take Exposition left (only way you can go) from Lake Austin Blvd BEFORE you get to Mopac. You can go all the way to 35th street that way, parallel with Mopac. You could go even farther north if you took Balcones after Exposition ends.. although that would stop being a shortcut, I think. Too slow and twisty.

A pre-extension to the shortcut...

* If you are coming from 360, you can bypass 2244 by taking Westbank Drive from 360 (3 lights south of 2244, right where Westlake HS is), then taking a left on Camp Craft Rd, then a right on 2244 for only 100 feet or so, then a left at the light at Westlake Dr and proceed with the shortcut mentioned above.

Try it out sometime, and it will seem much simpler. You can judge whether it will save you any time... but I think you'll like the drive.

[romesq]

Thanks to all for these suggestions! Will be coming from Barton Creek area. Going to try when we get back to Austin later this month.