Richardson to Las Colinas? (Canyon, Valley View: home, neighborhood, construction)

[BigDGeek]

I think I already know the answer to this question, but...should I just not bother? Location is on 114 about halfway between 183 and 635. Google maps is scary. It says 25-30 minutes, but...we all know better, don't we?

[ChristieP]

Google maps times their drives on Sunday at 1 AM. There's no realistic way that drive is only 30 minutes in traffic!! Plus, the entire commute will be on toll roads.

[Aceraceae]

Google maps uses data from cell phones to determine how fast traffic is moving. It's not an arbitrary figure, and tolls wouldn't be required.

[move4ward]

It takes me 25 minutes just to go from Beltline to DNT, when I make the drive at 4:30 PM. 635 goes from 4 lanes to 2 lanes just past PGBT. Then, there are 2 merge lanes on both the left and right lane. They are the exit ramps from north and south 35.

I don't see how you can make it in 5 minutes from DNT to Richardson. This is on a sunny day with no rain. If you get half an inch of rain, you can add another 5-10 minutes.

I have given up on 635 and take Valley View.

[BigDGeek]

That's sounding like no, then. I'm guessing even if I left home early and left work early, it would suck. I've done a similar commute before but that was a few years ago and 635 is a whole different animal now.

Thanks for the feedback. Reps given where I could.

[move4ward]

If I leave by 7 AM from DNT, it takes me 18-20 minutes to hit Beltline. You might be able to do 28-30 minutes from Richardson, but you would have to leave by 6:50 AM. If you miss your window by 10-15 minutes, you can forget it. The 4-lane road narrows to 3 lanes, going towards Las Colinas. It's much easier than going east and morning traffic is a bit lighter also.

When I leave early at 4, it's still difficult going east. When it narrows from 4 lanes to 2 lanes past PGBT, it's still a bottleneck. The 2nd bottleneck for the 35 ramps to 635 merger is unavoidable also.

You can't take the 635 service road to avoid the mergers, because the service road ends at Emerald rd. You are forced to drive south.

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by move4ward

If I leave by 7 AM from DNT, it takes me 18-20 minutes to hit Beltline. You might be able to do 28-30 minutes from Richardson, but you would have to leave by 6:50 AM. If you miss your window by 10-15 minutes, you can forget it. The 4-lane road narrows to 3 lanes, going towards Las Colinas. It's much easier than going east and morning traffic is a bit lighter also.

When I leave early at 4, it's still difficult going east. When it narrows from 4 lanes to 2 lanes past PGBT, it's still a bottleneck. The 2nd bottleneck for the 35 ramps to 635 merger is unavoidable also.

You can't take the 635 service road to avoid the mergers, because the service road ends at Emerald rd. You are forced to drive south.

That sounds awful.

[stargirl007]

I used to work in the Las Colinas area and I live in Canyon Creek.

It regularly took 45-50 minutes one way. Sometimes more if traffic was bad. I was leaving around 7:30-7:40.

[BeanyMalone]

Based on OP's previous posts, I'm pretty sure I live one neighborhood west in Richardson. I work from home now, but sometimes do the trip from home to 114/MacArthur. I always plan on at least 40 minutes using GBT. With any kind of weather or traffic incident, it will be more. Not sure what the impact of the new 635 will be, but my inclination will be to use that instead when the construction is done.

[BigDGeek]

Thanks for the feedback y'all; based on what I've heard, it's a pretty bad idea. I hate commuting for long periods of time in rush hour traffic. Some people can handle it, but it drives me nuts. That job's pretty much a non-starter unless telecommuting is an option.