Introduction
With meetings, events, celebrations and excessive shopping, the holiday season might just be the busiest time of the year. Though your schedule may be packed, adjusting your driving plans ahead of time can make traveling to your destination significantly less stressful.
Step 1: Adjust Your Route
To avoid the most serious traffic jams, it makes sense to think ahead about which roads are going to have the most volume. During peak rush hour periods, it may be best to avoid 400 series highways and interstates all together. If your goal is to arrive in the least amount of time with the least amount of hassle taking a route that's a little longer, or one that has a few more traffic lights, could make all the difference. If you're not familiar with the area, consider listening to local traffic reports on local news andradio stations to find out which key areas to avoid.
Step 2: Adjust Your Timing
If you don't have to travel during peak rush hour periods, why not travel at a different time? While it may not always be convenient, many roadways become significantly more clear after 10pm. You can also beat the rush by leaving early in the morning, but this tends to be more effective on weekends than weekdays as many people are still traveling to the office at 8 am throughout the week.
Step 3: GPS
To make the best of your situation, it pays to have a GPS system that can suggest traffic routes. You can reprogram your route to avoid interstates or other types of roads that you don't think will be moving at a good pace. If you think taking a longer route will be faster, it's also nice to see exactly how much longer the route will be. Estimated travel times also help you to forecast when you'll arrive, which can be quite helpful even if you're running late.
