Best times to drive to Tacoma

Submitted by AnAllegedAllegory t3_zrzs8u in Washington

Hi all!

I moved to Washington from Oregon a year ago and bought a house in Chehalis. My dads in Tumwater and he’s getting older so I wanted to be closer to him. I’ve been working remotely, but my work is officially moving onto a hybrid schedule. Unfortunately, the closest office to me is in Tacoma. I don’t have any experience with Tacoma, but my boss is super flexible about my hours, so I’d like to plan my commute for when traffic isn’t totally garbage. When are the best times to commute into and out of Tacoma? I know already the tempting sassy pants answer is going to be “Never” and I feel you, but unfortunately I have to. Thanks so much!

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pala4833 t1_j15jhzs wrote

You can go on Google Maps and route Tacoma to Tumwater. Then you can click the Depart At... clock and scroll along in 15 minute intervals. You'll see when the slowdowns start to develop.

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pala4833 t1_j15kecd wrote

Replying to AnAllegedAllegory (#999,391)

The google data is from years of empirical data collection, from thousands and thousands of individuals, compared to what 5 or 6 people here with more limited sample sizes will tell you.

But yeah, your's is the typical response when anyone points out that you can answer the question, faster, and more better using Google. I don't think we're ever coming back from that.

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AnAllegedAllegory OP t1_j15ltfb wrote

Replying to pala4833 (#999,443)

It’s a typical response to tell you that I already did the research but am just being thorough? Sometimes feedback from actual people provides different perspectives than just plugging info into a GPS or search engine. There’s a reason that if you Google a question that “Question + Reddit” usually pops up as a most searched option. Plenty of people want to see personal viewpoints. If you don’t agree that’s okay, but you’re being a bit rude for no reason.

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Rocketgirl8097 t1_j15qk96 wrote

Not alot of experience over there but 9-10 am seemed like a good break. Are you restricted on which days? I'd be tempted to work weekends and make my weekend Monday-Tuesday or something like that.

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tdogg241 t1_j15ypac wrote

Lol, I clicked hoping this was about the best times to avoid (or perhaps enjoy) The Aroma™. Very disappointing!

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savvy-librarian t1_j16vuhv wrote

Coming in anything at 10am or later should be ok. About an hour for you if there aren't accidents or construction.

But also..... is there a good reason to be living in Chehalis in the first place? The distance between Chehalis and Tumwater and Tacoma and Tumwater is almost equal. Why stay all the way down there so far away from work if you don't have to?

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MaddMardigan74 t1_j16y79y wrote

Between 3-4 in the morning between 10-12 after that it's rough going till after 7 pm. And that's assuming there are no big accidents between Nisqually basin to Lakewood.

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Unique_Register1619 t1_j178b7b wrote

It CAN be fine before 7am, but not a given. If you can do 4/10s, you might have an easier time finding non-objectionable commute windows.

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nickcwrites t1_j197644 wrote

I honestly don’t think there is a good time to drive there. The traffic always seems to be horrible and I swear that road construction will never end.

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Spiritual-Act-8797 t1_j19dsqq wrote

Hi there ! I used to commute from Bucda to downtown Tacoma everyday M-F for work . To get there before 8 AM id have to leave around 6-6:30 and pray for no traffic . Getting off at 4:30 P.M. I’d get home around 5:30 .. 7 maybe even 7:45 on fridays . Only brutal areas are around the base/DuPont where it’s unavailable and a hit or miss with traffic for miles . Early mornings soldiers trying to get on base as well. It’s more traffic coming back to Olympia that’s a gamble .

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