Traffic?

canadakid67

I've read a few posts on here with people talking about the traffic in Austin. I'm just not sure that it can really be that bad. We are living in the LA area of California right now, but would like to move to Austin by the end of the year. Compared to LA traffic is the Austin traffic as bad? (I hope not)

**ZippityDoDa**

I've never been to LA, but a few years ago my 10 mile commute was always over an hour each way. Would you consider that bad? I certainly do.

FireChiefsBride

*Hell* no.  It's just bad for the ratio of people we have here.  It can take an hour+ to get to north or south Austin from the opposite end during rush hour.  However rush hour is only 7-9am and 4-6pm M-F, plus a little extra here and there for wrecks and special events.  To go from the edge of town to central, it takes about 45 min in traffic.

gofurr25

Honestly other big cities I have been to, LA included, are far worse. A lot of people have a problem with traffic here because of the relation of their home to work. If you are able to make it so that you live a direction from your work that isn't as bad of a commute then you should. Or adjusting your commute to less congested times if your work is flexible on arrival/departure.

GuavaGal

I think it depends on where you're trying to go and when.  Also, it helps to know back-street (non-major road) shortcuts.

For example, I live about 15 miles north of my office, which is between downtown and the UT campus area.  This morning, leaving my house close to 9, it took me about 30 minutes.  Last night, I left the office at 6:30, and it took me 20 minutes to get home.  Not bad traffic, in my opinion.

However, if it's raining, or there's a wreck, it can take 45 minutes to an hour for my commute.  I think that sucks, but I'm sure it's worse other places.

A friend of mine from high school lived in LA for several years, and moved back to Austin a couple of years ago.  He and his wife decided to live closer to downtown to avoid traffic, and he reports that getting around is a breeze.

Good luck with your move!

angelaggie

Compared to big cities I don't think Austin traffic is bad.  It's just certain areas.  I've sat in the exact same spot in Dallas for over an hour in traffic.

mcurban

It is nothing compared to the traffic in the DC metro area. Nothing. Ditto the pp (FCB?)- it definitely makes a difference to be on the same side of town (live N if you work N, live S if you work S).

AustinMimi

It's definitely not as bad as L.A. traffic. We live central and work central and very rarely have to deal with traffic.  

ssinca

sorry, but I kind of have to laugh when people complain about traffic in austin!  I'm from OC and my 20 mile one-way commute to irvine would easily take me an hour in the morning, much longer in the evening.  my austin commute to one of my offices was 37 miles each way and it would take me an hour in the morning and usually an hour back.  like with any city, weather/accidents will obviously add to the time.  it's also really sad when the fwy in s. cal is 10 lanes on each side and it's bumper-to-bumper - austin freeways are typically only 3 lanes each side, which definitely doesn't help, but it's more understandable.  austin also doesn't get the random middle-of-the-day-stuck-in-traffic-for-no-reason like what usually happens in CA.

it's all relative though!