Avoiding Denver Traffic

Getting stuck in traffic is never fun, especially near the Denver metro area. Interstate 25 (I-25) seems to always be busy, but there are ways to avoid these traffic jams and get to where you need to be. Alternative travel, alternative routes, and avoiding the busiest times of day are simple ways to beat the frustration and time spent sitting in traffic.

Alternative travel methods include walking or biking for shorter distances, taking the RTD or light rail options available, and even carpooling to use HOV lanes. Walking or biking may seem like it would take longer, but because you would be moving more constantly than stop-and-go traffic, you would be saving yourself time. There are several different paths north of I-70 that follow along I-25 that would allow you to bike or walk, and even include RTD bus lines. For example, there is a park-n-ride located at W 70^th Ave and Broadway (Regional Transportation District, 2010) that has many different routes and lines. Using carpool options as well allow the driver to use the HOV express lanes, which can help you avoid the biggest traffic jams on I-25.

There are several different major alternative routes that you can take instead of using I-25. The three biggest highways north of I-70 other than I-25 are I-76, I-270, and E470. E470 is a toll-road, but there is an option called EXpressToll which can be applied for online (expresstoll.com, 2010). The EXpressToll option allows you to receive a transponder which sits in your car and registers each time you pass under a toll, automatically deducting pay from your account. This allows you to drive straight through each toll without stopping, and there is much less traffic on E470 than there is on I-25. This option is also very convenient for trips to Denver International Airport (DIA) because E470 passes right next to the airport.

One of the simplest ones to avoid traffic jams on I-25 north of I-70 is to avoid the busiest times of day. Leaving 30 minutes earlier in the morning can make a big difference, especially when no one wants to start their day stuck in traffic. Using the alternative routes mentioned above during the evening rush hours can help eliminate sitting in traffic. Also, staying tuned to the local radio stations that give traffic reports can give you a heads-up to accidents or back-ups. Also, before leaving work or home, check the traffic reports online to check whether you should or shouldn't use certain routes. 9news.com is always an easy and fast way to check traffic online.

Sources:

http://www3.rtd-denver.com/elbert/SystemMap/

https://www.expresstoll.com/Default.aspx?pn=Home