I need to get all the way across town for an appointment, but I’d like to know before I head out what route will be the fastest based on up-to-the-minute traffic. My local radio stations are useless, and I don’t have a smartphone. Help!
Answer
251
7-6-11
Mr FF says:
< What the finders found >
Crosstown traffic
Let’s face it, we all (usually) try to leave extra time when we head out the door for that appointment/little league game/dinner reservation/probation hearing but sometimes it just doesn’t matter when you get caught in the aftermath of a four car pileup on the freeway.
For the most part, local radio traffic reports are useless as they either don’t catch what’s holding you up, are reporting on everyday volume slow downs, or report something long after it’s happened and backed up traffic. So what can you do?
Here are three very useful sites to help you out.
Drive smart
SigAlert: Offering up to the minute detail on the flow of traffic, almost instant accident reporting, construction alerts, and traffic cameras in over 90 cities in 37 states, SigAlert is the number one traffic report site. Additionally, for $19.95/year, you can save common routes to quickly see traffic on them, have alerts sent to you via text (perfect for when you’ve already left the house), and an ad-free experience. Live in a densely populated city and commute often? Spend the $20.
Google Maps: Google, of course, has an answer for everything. If you don’t see your city listed at SigAlert, try clicking the Traffic tab in the upper right hand corner of the map. Google Maps’ traffic shows coverage in moderate to small cities as well as huge metropolitan areas. The level of detail varies depending on the location.
Traffic.com: Load up Traffic.com and you’ll find it looks an awful lot like SigAlert… but with a really nifty little interface to the left giving you a nice graphical snapshot of the freeways in your area. For another nice little touch they put the local weather in there too. City selection is the smallest of the lot, but if you live in one of the metro areas they cover, it’s hard to beat the information and presentation.
Or, of course, you could just invent a transporter, like in Star Trek. While you’re at it, I’d like a million dollars and a pony.
< What the finders found >
Crosstown traffic
Let’s face it, we all (usually) try to leave extra time when we head out the door for that appointment/little league game/dinner reservation/probation hearing but sometimes it just doesn’t matter when you get caught in the aftermath of a four car pileup on the freeway.
For the most part, local radio traffic reports are useless as they either don’t catch what’s holding you up, are reporting on everyday volume slow downs, or report something long after it’s happened and backed up traffic. So what can you do?
Here are three very useful sites to help you out.
Drive smart
Or, of course, you could just invent a transporter, like in Star Trek. While you’re at it, I’d like a million dollars and a pony.
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