Commuting: Chandler to Scottsdale (near Gainey Ranch). Is 101 worth taking during rush hour?

[smoochaz]

the 101 is the best route - however, Scottsdale Road is a nice alternate - very local road but tolerable! Welcome to AZ - I did mass transit 12 years in NJ/NY before I said ENOUGH so driving to work is a privilege no matter the traffic!

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by NJR1

Hello everyone. I will be moving to Chandler in about a month and will be working in Scottsdale near the Gainey Ranch area.

I am trying to get a better idea of what my rush hour commutes will be like. I will be leaving home at around 7:30am and leaving the office at about 5:30pm.

Should I stick to 101, or look for an alternate route at those times? I hope someone can provide realistic commuting times/conditions.

Thanks in advance for your help!

The 101 during rush hour times can be congested both ways, especially around the 202 interchange. I understand the Scottsdale part of the 101 is under construction south of Shea Blvd., so that can tie things up even more. It still would be your best option of commuting from Chandler. Surface streets wouldn't be a good alternate route, especially Scottsdale Road where you'd have downtown Scottsdale to contend with, and the numerous traffic lights would be a stop & go nightmare.

[azriverfan.]

Originally Posted by NJR1

I will be in the Ocotillo area near the golf course

Wow, you are looking at realistically 75 minutes in rush hour. I live in north Chandler (much closer to Scottsdale than you). I drive to Shea and 101 weekly and it takes me 45 minutes in the HOV lane. If I had to sit in traffic, it would take me another 30 minutes. Where you live, it will take you 15-20 minutes just to get to the entrance of the 101 in morning rush hour at Frye and Price. It's going to take you an hour just to get to 101 and Indian Bend and then another 10-15 minutes to get to Gainey Village.

You don't have a choice. You only have the 101.

Better get a Tesla

[asufan]

Originally Posted by azriverfan.

Wow, you are looking at realistically 75 minutes in rush hour. I live in north Chandler (much closer to Scottsdale than you). I drive to Shea and 101 weekly and it takes me 45 minutes in the HOV lane. If I had to sit in traffic, it would take me another 30 minutes. Where you live, it will take you 15-20 minutes just to get to the entrance of the 101 in morning rush hour at Frye and Price. It's going to take you an hour just to get to 101 and Indian Bend and then another 10-15 minutes to get to Gainey Village.

You don't have a choice. You only have the 101.

Better get a Tesla

It takes me 5-8 minutes to get from my door to the "entrance" of the 101 from my home in the Ocotillo area. When I go, I typically meet someone for lunch and if we are meeting at 11:30, I leave at exactly 11 and have the car parked usually at 11:30. I think you're exaggerating a bit even in rush hour but that time could have been when the 101 was under construction. Don't believe me, do a Google check and adjust for more realistic speeds (ie traffic flows at 75+ on the 101 in Scottsdale, not the posted 55)