Quotes Needed For Article: Worst Cities For Traffic In 2017 And Tips For Getting Through It

Hey Folks - we're putting together an article we'll be releasing tomorrow on the topic of "Worst Cities For Traffic In 2017":

1. Los Angeles, CA
2. New York, NY
3. San Francisco, CA
4. Atlanta, GA
5. Miami, FL
6. Washington, D.C.
7. Dallas, TX
8. Boston, MA
9. Chicago, IL
10. Seattle, WA

We're looking for two things from you guys that we can quote in the article:

1) What is one of your worst experiences with traffic in one of those top 10 worst cities?

2) If you frequent one of those top 10 cities, what is your best tip for getting through there. Generally speaking we know that going through in the middle of the night is always best, but is there a specific route you take or some sort of secret you've figured out for getting through there?

We're definitely going to use some quotes from this thread in the article so let us know!

Thanks!!

I regularly only visit 2 of them. Atlanta, GA and Chicago, IL.

Atlanta is always a Cluster. The only time it is decent to go around Atlanta is the evening until early morning. I-285 between I-20 and I-75 is the worst section. Avoiding this area if you can will help tremendously. Sometimes it is truly faster to take the "long way around".

Chicago is far more predictable. 0630-0930, 1100-1330, 1600-1830 are the worst times. I avoid morning rush at all costs. Noon rush tends to be slow in both directions, I prefer to run thru towards the end of the evening rush. Of course with all of the construction downtown avoid using 80,90,94 thru town unless you are going thru in the middle of the night. I find those roads are less crowded in the middle of the night than 294. If I am coming south I aim to hit the O'hare exit on 294 around 1830. I usually get thru without catching up the to rush hour traffic ahead of me. If north bound I aim for the I-88/I-290 exit about that time.

Drive Safe and God Speed.

Awesome Patrick! That's exactly the kind of stuff we're looking for. Thanks for that. Excellent!

I know we have a number of drivers who have frequented these cities for quite some time and have some great tips and great stories. Bring em on!

Since Ive lived in the Seattle area virtually my entire life, here are a few pointers.

First, there really are no good alternate routes during rush hour. All of the major highways through the area have their choke points and get stupid. I-5 past the Tacoma Dome is a major headache thanks to the construction project they've had going on for what seems like a hundred years now, and is pretty much always ugly through downtown Seattle. There's also shift change traffic to watch out for at JBLM, usually right around 8 am and 4 pm. SR-512 can get pretty bad in the mornings going through Puyallup EB, and at the I-5 junction going WB. SR-167 has several choke points, especially at the junction with I-405. 405 NB is horrible between 167 and I-90 in the mornings, and SB from about SR-520 all the way back down to 167 in the afternoon/evening. I-90 has a few icky spots through Bellevue and Issaquah, and going across Snoqualmie Pass through all the construction there.

Just bring a lot of patience, and allow plenty of extra time to get to where you're heading. You'll definitely need both.

Philadelphia...? I can certainly help with that.

In Dallas, anytime between 0600 and 2200, avoid I30 and I35e and us75 and i 45 anywhere inside the i635 loop. If during these times take i635 to your desired highway. If outside of these times then those times are ok. I35e around Mockingbird lane exit is a royal pain during that time range i said. Between 2200 at night and 0600 the next morning, they all should be moving along ok.

Fatsquatch and millionmiler24 - awesome! Thanks!

Philadelphia...? I can certainly help with that.

Oh absolutely! We'd love to get some tips on Philly. I had only mentioned the top 10 cuz we really didn't want ideas for small places like Bald Knob, AR or Bump In The Hills, KY.

I concur with patrick about chicago i travel there once or twice a week from ny and i find while traffic can be heavy on 80 i still use that route to 294 to 88 to 355 right into northwest suburbs where i deliver its also a good route for any of my return loads going this way i have never had to come to a complete stop which i cant say for 90

Fatsquatch and millionmiler24 - awesome! Thanks!

Philadelphia...? I can certainly help with that.

Oh absolutely! We'd love to get some tips on Philly. I had only mentioned the top 10 cuz we really didn't want ideas for small places like Bald Knob, AR or Bump In The Hills, KY.

Okay...can do.

For NYC, go directly to the New York DOT website. On it you will find an interactive truck route map that shows all truck routes for the island and the boroughs. It also shows traffic flow and is a definite time saver.