Seattle Traffic vs the Mass Pike (Bellevue: transplants, house, construction)

[Shadeauxe]

Any MA transplants able to compare the traffic in Seattle vs Mass Pike (I-90) in MA?

My current commute is 26 miles and takes 30 minutes because I leave super early (5:30). At peak traffic (6:45-9:00), that drive would take me 90 minutes.

How does this compare with going into and out of Seattle?

Thanks!

[MmeZeeZee]

I have never been on the Mass Pike. This website will tell you your predicted travel times for most major commutes at any time:

95% Reliable Travel Times

My partner and I use it to commute from Bellevue. It's pretty reliable, but you need to look ahead to see if there is a Mariner's game or whatnot that might give you different results for specific commutes. It does however take into account ongoing construction. For the games, go to the WSDOT main website and they will give you alerts by text or e-mail if you sign up.

[Shadeauxe]

Originally Posted by MmeZeeZee

I have never been on the Mass Pike. This website will tell you your predicted travel times for most major commutes at any time:

95% Reliable Travel Times

My partner and I use it to commute from Bellevue. It's pretty reliable, but you need to look ahead to see if there is a Mariner's game or whatnot that might give you different results for specific commutes. It does however take into account ongoing construction. For the games, go to the WSDOT main website and they will give you alerts by text or e-mail if you sign up.

Cool, thanks!

[jm31828]

At 5:30 AM going into Seattle you'd be cruising down the freeway with no issues at the full speed limit (60MPH), so that would be similar to your experience in Mass.

[Shadeauxe]

Originally Posted by jm31828

At 5:30 AM going into Seattle you'd be cruising down the freeway with no issues at the full speed limit (60MPH), so that would be similar to your experience in Mass.

Awesome! That's what I figured, but I saw another post that said rush hour started at 6:00, so I wanted to make sure.

[jm31828]

Originally Posted by Shadeauxe

Awesome! That's what I figured, but I saw another post that said rush hour started at 6:00, so I wanted to make sure.

I drive in to work at that time (leaving the house at 5:20 or 5:30 going down I-5 into Seattle) and yeah at 6:00 traffic gets a bit thick on the freeway, but at that time of day it's still not heavy enough to slow you down- moving at full freeway speeds (barring any construction or accidents, of course). It doesn't begin to actually slow down until some time in the 7:00 hour.

[PrincessoftheCape]

As a lifelong New Englander up until about 7 years ago, I think there's no comparison. Boston not only handles its traffic better than Seattle does, it also possesses the means to do so (a complete light rail network; heavy rail; multiple highway corridors).

Darn, now you've made me all nostalgic.

[thatguy950]

Get your Xanax ready, that's my advice to a New Englader who is going to have to deal with the drivers around here... Problem here is it can be bad ALL day EVERY day, with no real break between 6am and 8pm. I was in Boston for a short time years ago, and I find it far more frustrating to drive here, perhaps mostly due to the egregious lack of skill of the majority of the drivers.