Advice for a new Seattlite: better to commute before or after 5?

[upsciLLion]

When's the best time to start the commute home (which uses I-5 then Lake City Way)? I could start home as early as 4 (working five 8s) or last as 6:30 (working four 10s). Thanks in advance!

 

[deftron]

What are the hours of the HOV lanes?


That's probably when you're most screwed...
unless you have a car pool

 

[upsciLLion]

Good question. I'm not sure.

 

[buck]

So you live near the UDistrict? Where do you work?

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: deftron
What are the hours of the HOV lanes?


That's probably when you're most screwed...
unless you have a car pool

Do you (OP) drive alone?

 

[upsciLLion]

Originally posted by: buck
So you live near the UDistrict? Where do you work?

I live in Lake Forest Park. Most of the buses go up Lake City Way and continue onto Bothell Way. I work at Pemco.

Originally posted by: buck

Originally posted by: deftron
What are the hours of the HOV lanes?


That's probably when you're most screwed...
unless you have a car pool

Do you (OP) drive alone?

I ride the bus. My work gives me a free Flex Pass.

 

[ITJunkie]

If you don't have to transfer busses and can catch an express, than I would say the choice is yours as to which shifts to work. Oh...wait, do the express busses run at 6:30?

BTW, welcome to Seattle!

 

[deftron]

Why are you asking if you ride the bus?



Most routes have the same schedule all day....
so getting from work to home will take the same amount of time,
regardless of when you start

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: upsciLLion

Originally posted by: buck
So you live near the UDistrict? Where do you work?

I live in Lake Forest Park. Most of the buses go up Lake City Way and continue onto Bothell Way. I work at Pemco.

Originally posted by: buck

Originally posted by: deftron
What are the hours of the HOV lanes?


That's probably when you're most screwed...
unless you have a car pool

Do you (OP) drive alone?

I ride the bus. My work gives me a free Flex Pass.

Check the express times (seattle metro keyword for google) and see if thats applicable. If that isnt an option, i would say 6:30.
Going that direction at that time is better at that time from my experience. Also check this site for traffic.

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: deftron
Why are you asking if you ride the bus?



Most routes have the same schedule all day....
so getting from work to home will take the same amount of time,
regardless of when you start

Actually there is a big difference when you work downtown around rush hour.

 

[upsciLLion]

Originally posted by: deftron
Why are you asking if you ride the bus?



Most routes have the same schedule all day....
so getting from work to home will take the same amount of time,
regardless of when you start

Some rides are longer than others since the busses I take sometimes have to use backed up arterials with no bus lane. Also, it's not uncommon for me to have to stand rather than sit for 30 minutes on a packed bus ride, so avoiding as much of the zerg rush would be an additional benefit.

 

[upsciLLion]

Originally posted by: buckCheck the express times (seattle metro keyword for google) and see if thats applicable. If that isnt an option, i would say 6:30.
Going that direction at that time is better at that time from my experience. Also check this site for traffic.

Awesome, thanks. I'll probably keep checking the traffic cams and coordinate it with the trip planner to see when the optimal time is.

 

[Eeezee]

Theoretically, your best bet would be to work four 10s. You're going to be screwed by rush hour at all of those times. You may as well cut an entire day, thereby saving 2 trips and all of the gas money associated with that.

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: Eeezee
Theoretically, your best bet would be to work four 10s. You're going to be screwed by rush hour at all of those times. You may as well cut an entire day, thereby saving 2 trips and all of the gas money associated with that.

Who wouldnt prefer that schedule?

 

[Eos]

Three 12's ftw!