Need insider traffic info for Dallas. (Denton, Lewisville: construction, deal, firms)

[PilgrimforHim]

Hello,

Last year I drove through Dallas for the first time. From the 35 states I've driven in and in all those major cities, Dallas traffic has been the most stressful. I started in Denver and when I came to Decatur I drove to Denton, then 35 south to 635 east/south, then 635 to 20 east. It was Friday around 6:30pm. On the return trip to Denver I came into Dallas around 9pm on a Tue.

Just like last year, I'll be driving eastbound starting in Denver and headed towards Louisiana. It will be on a Friday. Then I'll return to Denver the same way in the middle of the week.

1) What are the hours of rush hour on Fridays AND when does it decrease enough where there are no slow downs?

2) Are rush hours on Tue-Wed different than Fridays?

3) Potential Routes:

* Option A: from Decatur drive on 287 to 35w, to Ft. Worth, then 20 east.
* Option B: like last time, from Decatur go to Denton, 35 south to 635 east/south, then 635 to 20 east.
* Option C: from Decatur drive on 380 east, to 69 south, to Lindale, then 20 east. Avoids DFW altogether but is it worth the add'l 30 min?

I do have the TxTag sticker so I can take a toll road if needed.

[WorldKlas]

I’d go Option A. But traffic should be somewhat lighter this year due to so many remote workers during the pandemic and less people doing social things on Friday night. Traffic thru DFW, especially on a Friday evening can be tough.

[PilgrimforHim]

Thank you. Yeah, this confirms my suspicion last time many were working from home. I don't want to be anywhere near Dallas traffic when everyone resumes to work outside the home.

If I take Option A from Decatur to Ft. Worth, should I stay on 35w to where it meets 20? Or near downtown Ft. Worth should I take 280/287 southeast to 820 then 20?

[WorldKlas]

You are going to run into FTW traffic (but not nearly as difficult as Dallas). I would take 287 to 20. But with the growing burbs of Mansfield, Midlothian and Waxahachie probably about the same traffic so don’t get bent out of shape if you miss the turnoff (sometimes a little confusing) and stay on 35 to 20.

[PilgrimforHim]

I looked today at the detailed map and indeed I can see how confusing it is. I bet Dallas holds the record for the most ramps, parallel highways, and exits than anywhere else.

Thank you again.

[callmebutter]

380 from 377 (Cross roads) to US75 is a terrible drive at rush hour and too many traffic lights even in remote working world. I would not recommend that stretch of road. It'ss the same or worse as sitting in highway traffic.

option A would probably be the least stressful in my opinion.

[turf3]

Go round on 190 (George Bush) rather than 635.

[dallasboi]

Well 635 East from I-75 to I-30 is currently under construction.It will be like that for the next 4 years. They are extending the Tex express all the way to I 30.

So If I were you I would drive to Denton. take 35E south to Loop 12-Walton Walker to Spur 408
to I-20east.

[PilgrimforHim]

Thank you everyone for your input. It's helped me make a decision now before I go instead of trying to figure it out on the fly at night when I'll probably be tired.

dallasboi, I didn't know that. Huge help. After a long day of travel from Denver, I don't want to deal with traffic and detours in a big city. I've taken your advice and planned to go as you stated. I'll be stopping at Costco in Lewisville, next to I35, on the way into Dallas. So your route makes the most sense and will help me avoid the insanity on I635. Thank you.