Ok, how bad is I-4 really? (Tampa, Lakeland: construction, train, sinkhole)

[nucat78]

I've read a lot here about terrible traffic / commutes on I-4. Maybe I've lucked out, but I've never had a really bad experience on I-4, even when I had to detour eastbound around the sinkhole near Plant City last year.

Is the heavy traffic usually found in certain areas, certain times, certain directions? Is it random or constant? For background, I've been on the 5 in LA during rush hour and drive Chicago expressways often, although I much prefer the train for the daily commute into the city so I can read, etc.

Thanks!

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by nucat78

I've read a lot here about terrible traffic / commutes on I-4. Maybe I've lucked out, but I've never had a really bad experience on I-4, even when I had to detour eastbound around the sinkhole near Plant City last year.

Is the heavy traffic usually found in certain areas, certain times, certain directions? Is it random or constant? For background, I've been on the 5 in LA during rush hour and drive Chicago expressways often, although I much prefer the train for the daily commute into the city so I can read, etc.

Thanks!

I think it depends on where you are on I-4 and the time of day. Sometimes it's not too bad, others it's a total nightmare. It seems there is endless construction on it which adds to the headaches. My DH used to commute between Lakeland and downtown Tampa and didn't mind it too much and didn't have too many problems, but it's not as nice as the drive he has now on I-75 between downtown Tampa and Manatee County, even though it's longer.

Rush hour traffic on I-4 is bad in the mornings and evenings.

[nucat78]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

I think it depends on where you are on I-4 and the time of day. Sometimes it's not too bad, others it's a total nightmare. It seems there is endless construction on it which adds to the headaches. My DH used to commute between Lakeland and downtown Tampa and didn't mind it too much and didn't have too many problems, but it's not as nice as the drive he has now on I-75 between downtown Tampa and Manatee County, even though it's longer.

Rush hour traffic on I-4 is bad in the mornings and evenings.

Ummm, yeah, as I expected, I guess. Just trying to figure out a decent location relatively close to the Gulf that wouldn't be a horrific commute to Lakeland. Maybe that's just not in the cards...