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Old 03-10-2010, 01:56 PM
 
Location: just moved to Smyrna, TN
21 posts, read 49,516 times
Reputation: 18

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Ok, I am a small backwoods girl trying to figure out how to drive in these busy 5 lane highways here in Nashville. Seriously...I grew up surrounded by dirtroads, cows and cornfields. I just moved here to Smyrna, TN (which everyone says is kinda small, but compared to where I come from...it's really not!)...and this Nashville traffic has me in a total panic! I'd be really grateful to anyone who can give me some advice...When are the rushhours in Nashville? When are the roads less busy that I could get some practice driving on these highways? Thanks!
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Old 03-10-2010, 03:09 PM
 
Location: Nashville, TN
2,031 posts, read 3,226,165 times
Reputation: 537
I don't live in Nashville (yet), but I just thought you are too cute. I live in LA so I'm obviously used to traffic and driving on highways, but I love your innocence. It makes me smile! My husband's family is in PA and they freak out when they visit us. I think it's so funny and cute.

Drive the speed limit and you'll be fine. Good luck!!!
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Old 03-10-2010, 04:58 PM
 
Location: Bellingham, WA
9,726 posts, read 16,748,189 times
Reputation: 14888
It's been a while since I commuted to Nashville, but I recall traffic being fairly tame when it wasn't rush hour. Rush hour(s) seemed to be from around 6am-9am (roughly) and maybe 3pm to 6pm or so. Of course it can vary, but that's about how I remember it. One thing I always liked was that Nashville traffic was a breeze most of the rest of the day, unlike Murfreesboro which always seems to be rush hour. I swear most of the people in this town either don't work, or have jobs that require them to drive constantly.
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Old 03-10-2010, 05:30 PM
 
Location: just moved to Smyrna, TN
21 posts, read 49,516 times
Reputation: 18
Thanks for the advice, Lamplight, and CantWaittoLeave...I'm glad someone gets a kick out of me, at least! This is nothing like home, thats for sure! I guess you can get used to anything with time. My roommate just started his new job in Murfreesboro, so he gets to make that commute, but I haven't been out that way yet. Another question about city living...I guess I can say goodbye to free parking? I at least haven't found many opportunities around Lower Broadway to park for less than $10 or $15...!
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Old 03-10-2010, 05:59 PM
 
Location: Murfreesboro, TN
3,528 posts, read 8,630,981 times
Reputation: 1130
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lamplight View Post
It's been a while since I commuted to Nashville, but I recall traffic being fairly tame when it wasn't rush hour. Rush hour(s) seemed to be from around 6am-9am (roughly) and maybe 3pm to 6pm or so. Of course it can vary, but that's about how I remember it. One thing I always liked was that Nashville traffic was a breeze most of the rest of the day, unlike Murfreesboro which always seems to be rush hour. I swear most of the people in this town either don't work, or have jobs that require them to drive constantly.
I live in the Cason Lane area and I disagree about the Murfreesboro comment. We have peak hours in the AM and PM when people are commuting to and from work. Other times, it isn't bad at all.
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Old 03-10-2010, 06:08 PM
 
Location: Nashville, TN
957 posts, read 3,700,775 times
Reputation: 436
Get yourself a GPS and use it until you know your way around. What gets you in trouble is cruising down the interstate and having a off ramp sneak up you. Trying to make emergency lane changes in heavy, fast moving traffic can cause problems. Once you know your way around, you'll always be in the right lane to go where you want to go and you'll cruise right along with the flow of traffic.

I don't think free parking downtown, other than Sunday, is going to happen. If you rent downtown, your unit should come with at least one parking spot.
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Old 03-10-2010, 06:41 PM
 
Location: Franklin, TN
627 posts, read 1,847,219 times
Reputation: 482
Tips:

1. When getting on, the lane you are in is called the acceleration lane. It is meant for you to get up to speed. Do not slow down and look in your rear view mirror and try to slow down to figure out when you can get in behind somebody. Hit the gas and merge on in there.

2. If you are always petrified, stay in the right lane. You have no business being in any other lane. As you find you are stuck behind slow pokes, pass them and get back over. You probably won't get people flying up on your bumper if you are in the far right lane. You will for sure if you are in the second lane. This is because certain idiots think they need to be in the third lane and must be passed on the right since they don't know how to get over.

3. If you are not in the far right lane, ask yourself, "Self, am I passing or will be passing somebody in the next 15 seconds?" If the answer is yes, you are okay. If the answer is no move over a lane.

4. Learn the art of coasting. If you can't pass somebody due to traffic, don't drive up on their bumper and hit your brakes hard. Just let your foot off the gas and let the engine slow you down. Braking causes traffic jams : What Causes Traffic Jams? You. - Freakonomics Blog - NYTimes.com
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Old 03-10-2010, 06:48 PM
 
Location: Bellingham, WA
9,726 posts, read 16,748,189 times
Reputation: 14888
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve_TN View Post
I live in the Cason Lane area and I disagree about the Murfreesboro comment. We have peak hours in the AM and PM when people are commuting to and from work. Other times, it isn't bad at all.
Really? I don't get to that part of town often, but it seems like any time I'm on the road at random times during a weekday, it's almost as bad as rush hour. I've driven from the doctor's office to work around 10am, and it took me nearly as long as when I've done the same trip by bicycle. 20-30 minutes or so to go maybe 5 or 6 miles, and on the bicycle I would actually take a longer route to avoid main roads! Monday I left work early around 3pm, and it took me about 20 minutes to get home, which was only about 2-3 miles away. But I guess that could be considered the beginning of rush hour.
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Old 03-10-2010, 06:51 PM
 
Location: Bellingham, WA
9,726 posts, read 16,748,189 times
Reputation: 14888
Quote:
Originally Posted by Big TR View Post
4. Learn the art of coasting. If you can't pass somebody due to traffic, don't drive up on their bumper and hit your brakes hard. Just let your foot off the gas and let the engine slow you down. Braking causes traffic jams : What Causes Traffic Jams? You. - Freakonomics Blog - NYTimes.com
+1! When I used to commute to and from Nashville daily, it amazed me how many people would floor it, then lay on the brakes, then floor it, then lay on the brakes, etc. Meanwhile I'd just be calmly cruising in one of the two right lanes, hardly ever having to apply my brakes. Calm down, people!
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Old 03-10-2010, 06:53 PM
 
Location: Murfreesboro, TN
3,528 posts, read 8,630,981 times
Reputation: 1130
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lamplight View Post
+1! When I used to commute to and from Nashville daily, it amazed me how many people would floor it, then lay on the brakes, then floor it, then lay on the brakes, etc. Meanwhile I'd just be calmly cruising in one of the two right lanes, hardly ever having to apply my brakes. Calm down, people!
I was in that today on 24. It got so annoying. Seemes like every lane was doing it except the HOV lane, which of course I couldn't drive in because I was alone.
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