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I live one town over. Traffic in Peterborough? We think so when there's a car in front of us at a stop sign. There's only one light in town, and it's not downtown. 101 does a short bypass. Traffic is on 101 and 202, since they're both one lane each way, but it's a matter of a line behind someone that thinks it's safest to be 10 MPH or so below the speed limit.
Those that think there's less to do in P-boro probably don't like outdoor sports other than powerboating.
The many times that I've been in "downtown" Peterborough, traffic has been light. The one traffic light is at the intersection of NH 101 and US 202 south, an intersection that can be busy at times. But it's a distance from the "downtown."
I know the OP's question has been answered, but living here, I thought I'd weigh in. Jammed-up traffic is almost non-existent, but volume of cars passing through is relatively high.
I also disagree that there is "much less" to do in Peterborough, and also don't think that's the reason for perceived lighter traffic. Less boating, that's for sure. But otherwise, particularly compared to Wolfeboro (which I know a lot better than Meredith) there is not less to do. My experience in Meredith is more limited (and mostly off-season), but I would say aside from lake activities, and the presence of more lodging, there isn't more to do there, either. There is a ton to do here, inside and outside, especially in summer. Nevertheless I agree that the lake is a bigger draw for most people.
It's interesting - based on DOT traffic volume studies, Peterborough has significantly more daily traffic than does Wolfeboro. (I had already seen numbers for Peterborough, looked up the other towns.) Some of the major routes in Meredith (3 especially) have more than Peterborough. Being at the crossroads of 101 and 202, there is a large amount of daily traffic passing through Peterborough.
I'm sure there is more seasonal variation by the lake, but thinking about my summer experience being backed up on 28 entering the Wolfeboro town center, compared to daily traffic here year-round, I think the big difference is that the major routes bypass downtown. 202 takes a jog around it, and 101 skirts it. There are enough opportunities for delays in Pboro that if the major route went down Main Street and Grove Street, instead of outside that area, it would be easier to see the volume of traffic and we would have backed-up traffic on a daily basis year-round.
Oh yeah, and there is a second traffic light on 202 by the high school. It mostly, but not exclusively, activates when school is in session.
^ forgot about that second light. P-boro does have a rotary and a few left turn lanes, too, as well as a few stop signs scattered about. More seriously, even with events (of which the town has quite a few) parking is not a problem if you're willing to walk a block or so.
I'm so glad we're not over-run with tourists around here, even with fall color season, because it means we locals can take advantage of our own environment without a lot of hassle like lack of parking. Some of the surrounding towns are beautiful in a classic NH way, but don't have much parking (and no public transit, of course) so we don't talk about them much, lest we spoil things.
^ Agreed. And the town is planning to build a new 60-space parking lot connected by a footbridge to Depot Square, but has apparently hit a little snag. (I'm not so sure it's needed - while parking gets tight on Grove Street, outside of event days, there are usually empty spots on Main Street.)
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P-boro does have a rotary and a few left turn lanes, too, as well as a few stop signs scattered about. More seriously, even with events (of which the town has quite a few) parking is not a problem if you're willing to walk a block or so.
