traffic on highway (75 & george bush toll road)

Posted by Prior-Protection9237@reddit | plano | View on Reddit | 21 comments

okay honestly this is a little embarrassing but i don’t really know where to ask

so i have my first internship in a corporate office in westlake

i live near oak point park in east plano

to get there i’d have to use 75 & George bush toll road (50mins - one hour. if i do the same route without the highway it would be 1 hour 20 mins (using frontage roads etc)

i’ve always been afraid of highways after an accident in the family and because i live in NY for college and only come back for summer and now for this internship i never really needed to worry about driving on the highway but now i do

the workday starts at 8:30am and ends at 5pm which i know are both rush hour. it’s a 10 week internship and it’s 5 weeks in person and 5 weeks remote so total of 25 days of doing this. part of me feels like the only way i’ll get myself out of my comfort zone is when im forced to do this anyways and this is my chance but im afraid of rash drivers especially because i will be driving during rush hour

people who drive this route / this highway during those times do you think it’s worth practicing this week (my brother has offered to help) & use the highway/tolls instead of the extra 20 minutes or does the traffic on the highway usually build up anyway.

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pi2z@reddit

The traffic on those parts gets pretty congested around that time of day so you probz won't be going over 70 much.

I was scared of getting on the highway too but one day i was driving and i accidentally turned towards a highway that didn't have a feeder road so I was forced to get on the highway and realized it wasnt that bad! You can do it i believe in you ^-^ Now I find highways more enjoyable to drive on than normal roads

Tricky_Daikon_6397@reddit

You’re technically less likely to get into accidents on highways than using side roads. I’d also just suggest getting to your internship early, leaving around 6:30am. To help with starting without traffic on the road.

kevin_r13@reddit

I would recommend , to start out and gain confidence, go earlier and come home later.

You can get to the office before 7 or 8, leave after 6 or 7. What you do while waiting for the office to open or start your day/end your day, is up to you.

I would recommend some window shopping nearby or just go sit at some cafe and browse your phone

And you won't really need to do this for the whole 25 days because at some point , you might get more comfortable with driving and adjust your driving schedule.

No-Celebration3097@reddit

Save yourself and don’t drive highways, alternate routes are way safer.

squeadunk@reddit

Practice now.

The good thing is that school just got out so traffic will be lighter than during the school year (please note lightER, not light).

imperialtofu@reddit

Good day to go try!

harmonic_pies@reddit

We all had to learn once upon a time, so I feel all the advice here about practicing during lighter traffic times, staying in the slower right lanes, and familiarizing yourself with the route is great. I would also add that you should think ahead about alternate routes (not the feeder roads!) for the frequent occasions when a wreck pretty much shuts down 75 during rush hour. Like, instead of taking 75 to GWB, consider taking Jupiter to GWB.

XperTeeZ@reddit

If they're traveling from east to West in the morning, then they will not have the sun in their eyes...

Geez, I need to finish my morning coffee before posting!

;)

Visual_Scientist_298@reddit

I loathe driving on highways. 75 is terrible. Look at the time it says if you were to take K Ave south to 190 and then to Westlake. I usually take a southbound city street myself to 190 instead of getting on 75 if possible.

FabulousBullfrog9610@reddit

I'm not going to help. I refuse to drive on these highways. I take the back roads.

Ravioverlord@reddit

It took my mom two years or so of living here before she was willing to attempt highways. We are from the PNW and even Seattle is nothing like the insane highways and overpasses, and especially not the drivers/number of huge trucks.

She still doesn't love it after 5 years, but will do it for specific things and is confident.

For those first two years we did just frontage roads and left early to add the time. We also still avoid the tollways when it will cost a ton and will only save a bit of time.

There is no shame in not going on the highway here if you have fear, and it wouldn't be safe if you aren't past that. Best would be to test it on a non work day and see how you feel, being confident makes you and other drivers safer. The speed limit is kind of wild and most don't follow it, I often get a little uncomfortable even as a passinger when we need to go 15+ over the limit to keep up with the flow. I'm just still not used to that when our high speed back home was more moderate.

schistaceous@reddit

I did a very similar commute for a few years nearly 20 years ago. Even then the GBT was typically stop-and-go much of the way during commute hours, requiring a lot of mental energy to stay alert and focused. I had schedule flexibility so I ended up shifting my commute, when I could, to leave home no later than 6 am and/or leave work no earlier than 6:30 pm. I definitely recommend the 6 am start deadline; it was usually a completely different drive than even 20 minutes later.

Don't plan on taking the access roads, the commute is already long enough and when traffic backs up on the freeway it spills over to the access roads making them much worse. There are also surprise turn-only and on-ramp lanes.

Get a Tolltag if you don't have one already. Make sure you have good sunglasses. If the parking lot lacks shade invest in a windshield shade or bring a towel or something to cover the steering wheel. Check your tire pressures and fluid levels. Find a gas station you can use near the office and midway through the route.

Practicing the route is a great idea.

Mynplus1throwaway@reddit

I will help/drive you to show you if you want.

Which entrance to Jorge Bush? What is your exit?

Jorge Bush is the easiest to use. If it scares you don't touch 635, 30, 20, 35E, loop 12, etc.

Depending on the entrance merge on at speed. The Jupiter entrance to Jorge Bush to 75 is a little sloppy. 50 mph. Depends on if you want to go north or south.

Anyway. Our highways can be a bit much. I'm happy to show you all of it. I'd say the most uncomfortable is getting on 635 and Hillcrest or whatever where everyone is avoiding a $7 toll

BefuddledParrot@reddit

Use your map GPS speaking the directions. It will help in getting into the correct lane(s). There are 3 or 4 highways coming together at the north end of the airport. They don’t follow expected regular lane changes.

Another tip: George bush will suggest you get off at Hwy 365. Staying on and exiting at Hwy 114 avoids most of the lane changes above.

Denny_Crane_5823@reddit

For the love of mankind, save us all and just stay off the road. If you lack the confidence to drive to work, take an Uber… please!

mxttylol@reddit

Don’t be embarrassed. Many people don’t like driving on highways (myself included!).

I don’t have experience with that trip to westlake, but you’re right in that just doing the thing will make you less scared of it (applies to everything in life).

All you can do is just drive responsibly. Even on familiar routes I like to have google directions accompany my trip. Drive slower if it makes you feel more comfortable.

I personally wouldnt take a job/internship where I had to drive an hour commute each way, but that’s me, and we have different circumstances.

karma_time_machine@reddit

I was once in the same place as you with driving. I took a job in DC when I grew up in the middle of nowhere and the daily commute terrified me. But if I did it, you can too, and practicing ahead of time is a great idea. The anxiety really quiets when you learn the route and can feel in more control.

That portion of 75 can be rough but the good thing is you're not on it very long. Texas highways are nice in that they have sideroads that make merging a little easier. You'll just need to merge onto 75 from the side road and depending on where your entrance is you might only need to get over one or two lanes, because the exit onto George Bush comes fast. The crazy drivers are going to be in the far left lanes so you'll be good. After practicing, you'll know exactly what lane to be in and get there fast. Then it's only a matter of staying in your lane and cruising. 😎

George Bush can be busy but nothing compared to 75. Just stay in the right lanes and you won't have problems. You've got this!

BigMrAC@reddit

Usual defensive driving practice: keep up with the speed of traffic, check your blind spots, use your signal, since you're a newer driver, stay in the right lane so you don't impede anyone as almost everyone will be going faster than you. If your internship doesn't start until June, use this week to practice on-ramp driving, it would be easier once rush hour is less hectic, maybe late AM; work on switching lanes and merging. I'd suggest drive down to 635, loop the ramps so you get to know the process of merging into the lanes. Also take one day to do the full drive out to your office and back to learn the route so you're not rushing or even more pressured once you get going.

shittyhawaiitips@reddit

you're just gonna have to suck it up and deal with it if you want to get paid.

the traffic is fucking awful so at least you will be going like 20mph or less.

also, if you are this worried about stuff you can at least just get up early before traffic gets bad.