[penguicon-general] Traffic

[john guest]

Bo,

Yes, it's that easy.  And assuming your flight is on time (arrivals
aren't as bad as departures from DTW), getting through customs, and
getting a car rental, it's probably going to be close to 7pm.  At this
point traffic is pretty light.

My recommendation is to take I-94 east to I-75 north.  Watch the signs
downtown as there are a couple zigs and zags.   Just keep following
I-75 north.  You will want exit 71 and at that hour it should take
around an hour to drive it.

That being said, I-94 west to I-275 north to I-696 east to I-75 will
work just fine, too.  And if you keep up with traffic, will take about
the same time.

If you haven't driven in the states before, drivers are very sloppy
about that whole slower traffic keep right thing, rarely signal lane
changes and generally drive like idiots.  If you want some real
amusement, we'll point you towards a couple places where they've
actually built traffic circles.

And no, Detroit isn't that unsafe of a city to drive around.  No, you
don't want to drive around the neighborhoods in the city itself, but
in comparison to Miami or LA or Houston or D.C. it's a paragon of
tranquility.

And oh yes, don't forget to think on the right!  :-)

Have a safe trip, and we look forward to your visit!

Best Regards,

John Guest
Conchair

Notes on traffic speeds:  Michigan is in the process of increasing
traffic speeds on local highways.  All highways previously marked as
65 MPH are now 70 MPH, but they haven't changed all the signs yet.
Roads posted 55 MPH (like the Southfield FWY) are still 55.  The
safest thing to do is drive the same speed as surround traffic, and
you're typically OK at 5 MPH over the limit.  Just an FYI, as I'm not
actually recommending that you speed.

On 4/15/07, Lissa Potter <potter.lissa at gmail.com> wrote:
> Clay,
>
> > The suggestions of catching a meal are excellent.  Lady Sarah's
> > suggestion of avoiding 275 is excellent if you're a Detroit native.  If
> > you're not a Detroit native, you'll quickly come to understand why
> > people in Detroit shoot each other, and you'll be amazed that it doesn't
> > happen more often on the highways.
>
> What on earth does this mean? I grew up near 275, now live near 75 (in
> Detroit), and I'd rather drive 75 any day.  Traffic is much heavier
> and much more prone to not signaling out on 275. Cops give out a lot
> more tickets, too.
>
> The murder rate is higher in Denver than in Detroit. Most murders are
> drug or family related, and don't generally happen on 94 or 75. at 10
> pm on a Thursday evening.
>
> > Speaking as a non-native who
> > frequently wants to bite after driving into Detroit suburbs, I wouldn't
> > wish it on anybody.
>
> Detroit is a difficult city to get to know. It is block by block, not
> neighbourhoody, like easier cities. But, warning someone that they
> might get shot if they cross into the city limit when they asked about
> traffic on the expressways is beyond ignorant. Not to mention that all
> of 275 is in the suburbs, and you say the suburbs are bad to drive in.
>
> 275 is out of the way. The Lodge is under construction, so that is
> out. 94 east to 75 north is direct, uncomplicated and avoids detours
> and most of the construction. To take 275, he'd have to go 94 west to
> 275 north to 696 east (that isn't a fun intersection, either), then
> catch 75 north.
>
> 94 east to Southfield north to 696 east to 75 north wouldn't be quite
> as far out of the way as the 275 route, but as someone who used to
> commute on the Southfield every day, I don't recommend it. When there
> is an accident there, it stops. Even at 4 am.
>
> Be well,
> Lissa
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