In Southern California I have noticed a worsening trend in traffic. On the interstates (freeways) if there is a series of hills and curves, not the kind with reduced speed but gentle curves and hills that are perfectly safe at 70 MPH, the traffic will slow for miles. Once out of the hills the speeds pick back up.
Last night at 8:30 PM the traffic was backed up for over 40 miles due to this hills and curves condition. The speeds were below 20 and stop and go. Once past the hills and curves traffic was back up to 70. I listened to the traffic reports and there was no indication of accidents or other reason for delay. My normal 2 hour trip home took 3 hours. For those familiar with the area this was I-5 north from Carlsbad through San Clemente. This type of slowdown happens often in this section of I-5 but it's usually during commute times, Friday evening and earlier on Sunday night when folks are leaving San Diego
I specifically left San Diego after 7PM so I wouldn't hit traffic...no luck.
I was wondering if this same type of trend is happening in other parts of the country.
BiggarView said
10:27 AM Jul 21, 2014
The Bear II wrote:
I was wondering if this same type of trend is happening in other parts of the country.
I can attest to it happening in Chicago, The drop off in traffic during the recession bottom 2009-2011 has reversed course and has been now getting worse with each passing month as people start going back to work.
Brian
bjoyce said
10:40 AM Jul 21, 2014
Seattle area is getting worse every year we come back to visit. Houston and Miami can also be really bad.
njb1957 said
11:43 AM Jul 21, 2014
I leave my house in Wisconsin before 5 so I can get to work by 6:30 way on the south side of Chicago. So then I leave at 2:30 to get home by 4:15. Too much construction and too many drivers use their cars like they are in a video game so then too many accidents. But that's ok - I only have 6 weeks to go then I get to experience St Louis traffic for 2 years and then it will be fulltime RVing.
Terry and Jo said
11:48 AM Jul 21, 2014
Just as a thought, since those events occurred in the evening, there is a short section (maybe 3/4-mile in length) on I-44 in Oklahoma City that curves to the southwest and then back south. In the late-afternoon/early-evening, traffic slows down there as well. However, the reason is that for that short distance, the drivers are facing a lowering sun and have difficulty seeing, so they just naturally slow down. On the same interstate, but further north in Oklahoma City, there is another, similar short distance where that happens.
However, for the length of time you referred to, I can't see the sun taking that long to set.
Remind me to FOREVER avoid southern California.
Terry
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Monday 21st of July 2014 11:49:13 AM
southernvagabond said
01:51 PM Jul 21, 2014
Just one more reason to retire & go full time. We will only be on the roads when we want to be on the roads. So if traffic is bad we can stay where we are until it has time to thin out or go in a different direction. Like someone on here says we can make our plans in Jello.
WestWardHo said
06:43 PM Jul 21, 2014
Whaddaya mean you haven't seen that in Boston or NYC Junkman?? Boston area was the WORST. Even after the completion of the Big Dig. Agree that traffic in SoCal, Chicago and Seattle is getting worse. Terry, you see that driving into the sun East & West in Phoenix. Accidents every day. We try to travel between 10 & 2 and take truck routes or outer belts around major cities if available even if it add time and/or miles.
I think we notice traffic more since we've been in small towns and slow paces. Catches us every time we get near a city and we like them less and less.
For those of you still doing those long commutes my heart is with you!
Sherry
Alie and Jims Carrilite said
06:56 PM Jul 22, 2014
The traffic back up is the "Butterfly Effect" All it takes is 1 person to tap or ride the brakes for a second and the next person behind actual applies their brakes, the 3 person back slows down even more, then 20 miles back its stop and creep for no apparent reason.
In Southern California I have noticed a worsening trend in traffic. On the interstates (freeways) if there is a series of hills and curves, not the kind with reduced speed but gentle curves and hills that are perfectly safe at 70 MPH, the traffic will slow for miles. Once out of the hills the speeds pick back up.
Last night at 8:30 PM the traffic was backed up for over 40 miles due to this hills and curves condition. The speeds were below 20 and stop and go. Once past the hills and curves traffic was back up to 70. I listened to the traffic reports and there was no indication of accidents or other reason for delay. My normal 2 hour trip home took 3 hours. For those familiar with the area this was I-5 north from Carlsbad through San Clemente. This type of slowdown happens often in this section of I-5 but it's usually during commute times, Friday evening and earlier on Sunday night when folks are leaving San Diego
I specifically left San Diego after 7PM so I wouldn't hit traffic...no luck.
I was wondering if this same type of trend is happening in other parts of the country.
I can attest to it happening in Chicago, The drop off in traffic during the recession bottom 2009-2011 has reversed course and has been now getting worse with each passing month as people start going back to work.
Brian
I leave my house in Wisconsin before 5 so I can get to work by 6:30 way on the south side of Chicago. So then I leave at 2:30 to get home by 4:15. Too much construction and too many drivers use their cars like they are in a video game so then too many accidents. But that's ok - I only have 6 weeks to go then I get to experience St Louis traffic for 2 years and then it will be fulltime RVing.
Just as a thought, since those events occurred in the evening, there is a short section (maybe 3/4-mile in length) on I-44 in Oklahoma City that curves to the southwest and then back south. In the late-afternoon/early-evening, traffic slows down there as well. However, the reason is that for that short distance, the drivers are facing a lowering sun and have difficulty seeing, so they just naturally slow down. On the same interstate, but further north in Oklahoma City, there is another, similar short distance where that happens.
However, for the length of time you referred to, I can't see the sun taking that long to set.
Remind me to FOREVER avoid southern California.
Terry
-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Monday 21st of July 2014 11:49:13 AM
Just one more reason to retire & go full time. We will only be on the roads when we want to be on the roads. So if traffic is bad we can stay where we are until it has time to thin out or go in a different direction. Like someone on here says we can make our plans in Jello.
I think we notice traffic more since we've been in small towns and slow paces. Catches us every time we get near a city and we like them less and less.
For those of you still doing those long commutes my heart is with you!
Sherry