  Rokk_krinn Member Username: Rokk_krinn Post Number: 57 Registered: 10-2003 |
I am considering taking a job in Ann Arbor, and am wondering if there are any forumers that currently make the trek from metro-Detroit to Ann Arbor? I currently live in Ferndale, and am not excited about the thought of such a long commute. But, it is a good opportunity, and may be worth the commuting time spent until possibly relocating in a couple of years. I am looking for tips, mass transit ideas, stories, or other suggestions/recommendations for those that have made the commute regularly. Thanks. | ||
Jiscodazz Member Username: Jiscodazz Post Number: 60 Registered: 02-2007 |
Rokk_krinn, It's the best long commute in the area(at least from Detroit). I live in Woodbridge and it only takes my around 40 minutes each way. Sometime less if I'm really flying. I almost never hit traffic, although if you're coming from Ferndale, 696, 75 and 275 can really suck as you may already know. | ||
Livernoisyard Member Username: Livernoisyard Post Number: 4022 Registered: 10-2004 |
From Ferndale, get onto I-96 westbound the easiest way and follow that until M-14 starts and then take that into Ann Arbor. It's a clear shot... The traffic is fairly light until around 6:15 to 6:30 AM. The afternoon drive-time congestion varies. If there is no construction/accidents, it's OK. | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 10290 Registered: 12-2003 |
The snow is pretty. Some slow down to see it fall. Many see TOO slow. (workin' on my haiku on a Sunday moanin'...) | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 1726 Registered: 10-2006 |
"mass transit ideas" LOL Best bet might be I-75 south to Davison west to I-96 west to M-14 west. This way (except for I-75 south) you would almost be reverse commuting and you would avoid the hotspots of M-10/696 and I-275/I-96. | ||
Luckycar Member Username: Luckycar Post Number: 43 Registered: 02-2007 |
Went this way for 27 years.Take 7mile from west from I-275/Haggarty to Pontiac Trail to downtown A2.6Mile is more horse country,still very nice.5 Mile is still dirt going west most of the way,as is Warren Rd.Plymouth/Ann Arbor Trail is nice west of town and moves fast and is somewhat parallel to M-14.M-14 should be okay now that the Wayne County part is done.West of Gotfredson Rd. the road sucks and will be fixed one day. Coming out of A2 in the 4/5 pm time to the M-14/I-275 interchange can be awful.If it it rains or worse yet snows,your commute can be extended by a half hour.Do a Google earth practice run and see what roads look best for you.Remember that some are still dirt and they can be rough 30mph runs in the best of weather. | ||
Mbr Member Username: Mbr Post Number: 233 Registered: 03-2005 |
A good friend of mine made the commute from Midtown to Ann Arbor for several months without complaint. From Ferndale might be a different story if it involves 696. | ||
Citylover Member Username: Citylover Post Number: 2641 Registered: 07-2004 |
Where in A2? If on the south side i.e south of main/huron or state/huron 94 is best; anything north of those locales and m14 works_ of course there are any number of ways to go. Why not just move and rent in the area? | ||
Lowell Board Administrator Username: Lowell Post Number: 4168 Registered: 10-2003 |
Audio Books. Learn while you drive. So good that sometimes you can't get out of the car when you get there. | ||
Detroitrise Member Username: Detroitrise Post Number: 31 Registered: 09-2007 |
You can also take I-75 to I-94, which I personally think is faster saving you all the freeway exchanges. | ||
Rbdetsport Member Username: Rbdetsport Post Number: 384 Registered: 11-2005 |
There soon might be a commuter rail from Pontiac through Detroit too Ann Arbor. So in a few years you probably wont have to worry about relocation. | ||
Digitalvision Member Username: Digitalvision Post Number: 393 Registered: 11-2003 |
I second audiobooks - am loving my monthly audible membership, you get a book every month and also a discount on other audiobooks you buy on Audible. I also suggest getting into podcasts - they are on pretty much any topic you want and are free. Have a client who commutes from Harrison Twp. to Ann Arbor - Now THAT is a haul... but the money's good (way more than worth the drive cost) and his wife doesn't want to move. I can think of four people I know, Rokk, who are in your situation as Ann Arbor seems to be the place that's hiring but people don't want to leave their homes or realistically can't or shouldn't sell right now. | ||
Hybridy Member Username: Hybridy Post Number: 154 Registered: 08-2006 |
take livernois down to the davison u can jump on 96 right where the express lanes start-then 14 i can make it from udm to jackson in 1 hour-no traffic ann arbor not so bad at all | ||
Livernoisyard Member Username: Livernoisyard Post Number: 4027 Registered: 10-2004 |
quote:Soon? Or is that soon might?, meaning when Hell freezes over? | ||
Jiscodazz Member Username: Jiscodazz Post Number: 61 Registered: 02-2007 |
Tons of people I work for in Ann Arbor do the opposite commute, which is much worse. I like Charlottepaul's idea about 75 to the Davidson to M14. Anything to avoid 696 or 275. | ||
Iheartthed Member Username: Iheartthed Post Number: 1685 Registered: 04-2006 |
The shortest route is I-96 to M-14. Going I-94 will add about 10 miles onto your commute... | ||
Dialh4hipster Member Username: Dialh4hipster Post Number: 2191 Registered: 11-2004 |
I commuted to A2 from Ferndale for a while about eleven years ago. Honestly, it wasn't really that horrible. 45 minutes most days, going 696 - 275 - 14, final destination off Main Street. There are always slowdowns at the Lodge and Orchard Lake Road heading out, it seems, and 275 and the Lodge heading home. If you want to cut over to 96 West before 275 - which may not be a bad idea - don't do it on 75 to Davison. That takes you too far east on 96 and you'll just be doubling back, plus traveling on Davison from the Lodge to 96 is surface streets with lots of lights. I always prefer the M-14 route because there are fewer trucks than I-94, generally fewer cops, especially once you are out of Wayne County (watch it around Beck Road), and the drive on 14 is really quite beautiful, in contrast with the badlands heading west on 94. | ||
Oakmangirl Member Username: Oakmangirl Post Number: 418 Registered: 08-2007 |
I made a similar commute in the recent past. Some tips: Every year there is construction on M-14. Right now it narrows down to one lane around Ford Rd. Buy a good atlas to learn a back road route. Mass transit?•• Create your own. AA provides several commuter lots with bus service or you might carpool; I did that for two years. | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 1732 Registered: 10-2006 |
"Buy a good atlas to learn a back road route." Generally once you get out m-14 way, Plymouth-Ann Arbor Road is a good alternate. The road is called Ann Arbor Road in Plymouth and Plymouth Road in Ann Arbor and Plymouth-Ann Arbor Road in between. | ||
Downtown_remix Member Username: Downtown_remix Post Number: 497 Registered: 03-2007 |
Havent heard much lately about the proposed ann arbor-detroit (new center) Amtrack commuter line, but i believe they were originally hoping for operation to begin by years end, but later sayed more like early next year. | ||
Oakmangirl Member Username: Oakmangirl Post Number: 419 Registered: 08-2007 |
Plymouth-Ann Arbor Road can be a decent alternative; however, it's one lane for a long stretch and traffic is bumper to bumper Westbound during the AM rush. I'd consider I-96 to US-23 South or learning other back routes like N. Territorial or Pontiac Trail. | ||
Zephyrprocess Member Username: Zephyrprocess Post Number: 469 Registered: 08-2006 |
Best routes may also depend on where in Ann Arbor your destination lies. Getting to the industrial park on the south end near the Ann Arbor airport is a different game than Dominos Farms, or Stadium & Liberty. | ||
Mikem Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 3474 Registered: 10-2003 |
The worst part will be the traffic in Ann Arbor. You'll spend half the commute getting to US-23, and the other half driving through Ann Arbor. | ||
Oakmangirl Member Username: Oakmangirl Post Number: 421 Registered: 08-2007 |
Uh, something tells me that at this point, he might just not take the job %-) | ||
Yeti Member Username: Yeti Post Number: 1 Registered: 09-2007 |
I always take 23N to 14E/96E to M39/Southfield North when I have to Work in Southfield. Which is about twice a week. I live on the South Side of Ann Arbor. I can make it to the the Lodge and Lasher in 30 min going that way, 14-275-696 always takes 45+ | ||
Trainman Member Username: Trainman Post Number: 528 Registered: 04-2006 |
You could take the SMART bus to Wayne and use the bike rack. Then bike to Ypsi and take the bike racked AATA bus to AA. | ||
Professorscott Member Username: Professorscott Post Number: 781 Registered: 12-2006 |
It's a shame that AATA doesn't meet up with SMART. Not unheard of as a concept, even around here: SMART meets up with Flint MTA at that big shopping center in Auburn Hills. (What the hell is it called?) It seems it would make even more sense in this situation. You can get from Flint to metro Detroit by bus, but not Ann Arbor to metro Detroit. Train's right, if you're willing to make that bike ride you're OK, but there are weather conditions under which that would be moderately unpleasant. The biggest concern I would have is the bike racks are frequently all full up, unless you get on near the beginning of a route. As far as that commuter rail thing goes, maybe, but think: is somebody going to take a job based on how they might be able to commute a year or two, or six, from now? Doubtful. | ||
Lefty2 Member Username: Lefty2 Post Number: 192 Registered: 07-2007 |
i guess the solution is move closer to work. | ||
Professorscott Member Username: Professorscott Post Number: 782 Registered: 12-2006 |
Lefty, I know that sounds reasonable but moving is an enormous pain in the ass, and just try selling a house around here nowadays. As it is, Rokk said he might relocate eventually. The problem is, what does he do for the time being? In a volatile job market such as we have around here, it's frequently necessary to consider changing jobs, but you can't expect everyone to move every time that happens. I'd like to work closer to home myself, but there aren't any opportunities near where I live. Times are tough, in case you haven't been reading the papers. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 5393 Registered: 08-2004 |
It used to take me 1 hour to drive I-94 from SCS to Ann Arbor (Hoover Rd. near State Street & Washtenaw). Ann Arbor has great services, except for 1 thing... they don't like to salt their roads (or if they do, they really scrimp on it). I remember one time after a winter snow storm where it took me 1 hour just to get to State Street on a Monday morning (I-94 was salted). And then it took me another 45 minutes just to make the 2 1/2 miles up State St. to Hoover. The snow turned to slush the previous day (Sunday), and Ann Arbor roads froze overnight to a Monday morning sheet of ice. Even by Monday afternoon it was still a sheet of ice. Someone was really asleep on the job that day, because State Street and Eisenhower Street were like parking lots the entire day. You also might notice that once you leave Wayne County, the freeways are often more ice and snow covered in Washtenaw County. P.S. They really need to add a 3rd lane to I-94 between US-23 and State Street. | ||
Hpgrmln Member Username: Hpgrmln Post Number: 186 Registered: 06-2007 |
Not to be discouraging but I left a job after getting tired of the commute every day for over a year. Hazel Park to Belleville. 696 to 275, keep going south. 75 miles round trip every day. Got a job in Downtown Detroit. 20 minutes. Im spoiled. just my 2 cents worth. | ||
Citylover Member Username: Citylover Post Number: 2643 Registered: 07-2004 |
Good points gistock | ||
Gnome Member Username: Gnome Post Number: 92 Registered: 08-2007 |
Dear Rokk- You have received a lot of great advice about the best route to travel, personally Livernois to the Davison/ 96 to 14 sound interesting, but below are a couple of links to find a rideshare partner. good luck http://mdotwas1.mdot.state.mi. us/public/rideshare/map.cfm?id = http://www.semcog.org/Services /CommuterPrograms/RideShare/ http://www.erideshare.com/carp ool.php?dstate=MI | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 1734 Registered: 10-2006 |
"I-96 to US-23 South" Yikes! That is way out the way! | ||
Bobj Member Username: Bobj Post Number: 2412 Registered: 11-2003 |
I drove from Huntington Woods (near Ferndale) through Ann Arbor and on to Jackson a couple days a week for 8 years or so, through all kinds of weather, construction projects, etc. I have tried lots of routes and schemes. Generally the best bet is to leave by 7:00am or so, maybe 7:15 and take 696, to 275, M-14 to where ever in AA. Once you get past the Telegraph/NW Hwy mess it was pretty much clear sailing. The problem with the Southfield Fwy is if anyone had a flat, got pulled over or there was an accident - it turned into a parking lot. Not enough lanes to absorb any obstruction. That is in the AM In the PM, I would take m-14 to 96 to either the Southfield or I would take Schafer (Coolidge Hwy) from i 96 to Huntington Woods | ||
Applesauce Member Username: Applesauce Post Number: 86 Registered: 06-2007 |
I've been making the trek to A2 from Harper Woods for about 14 years. Like most people say, it's not that bad. I've had an iPod for the last 5-6 years which definately helps! I drive 94-96-14 most days, & some days 94 depending on which has more construction/delays. Most trips take 45-50 minutes. | ||
Darwinism Member Username: Darwinism Post Number: 668 Registered: 06-2005 |
If you've got to make a living, then you've got to get yourself there. Of course it would be nice to be able to hop on a rapid transit mode of transportation, like it is in NYC, Boston, SF, and other cities, but that is not an option here in our neck of the woods. I believe most of us would rather leave the driving to someone else, but we can't. There is no doubt you will run into traffic congestion during rush hour, it is a sure bet in the 'Mixing Bowl' area of I-696 at Telegraph. There are often other points of traffic jam as well. Obviously, the more you can keep yourself occupied such as audiobooks, music, etc. - the less you will be tempted to succumb to 'road rage'. Start listening to AM950 for a few days now during the times that you expect to be on the roads - it should help you visualize the problem routes. | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 2714 Registered: 10-2003 |
Stay out of the mixing bowl, especially for afternoon rush hour. Try this out, 8 Mile West to M-5. 8 Mile always moves along well, and the lights are timed. You can maintain a consistent 45mph all the way to M-5. You will not get a consistent 45mph on 696 during rush hour. Once you're there you can hop onto 96 or 275. This may shave a little bit off your commute time. | ||
Rokk_krinn Member Username: Rokk_krinn Post Number: 58 Registered: 10-2003 |
Thanks everyone for the stories & tips. I am going to do a trial run on Thursday, see for myself. | ||
Goblue Member Username: Goblue Post Number: 407 Registered: 03-2007 |
Rokk: If you're thinking about relocating to AA this is the time to do it...housing there is in a serious depression...a friend of mine just bought a house on the eastside of the city for $365K that had sold for $540K less than two years ago...I'm assuming that kind of price drop applies to all levels of housing and extends through the entire area. | ||
Perfectgentleman Member Username: Perfectgentleman Post Number: 3079 Registered: 03-2006 |
What happened to the light rail system that was being studied to the tune of 100 million dollars? What a joke. | ||
Danindc Member Username: Danindc Post Number: 3364 Registered: 10-2003 |
quote: They're still studying the commuter rail line, with the intent of implementing a demonstration project (you know, to show that absolutely no one will ride it): www.annarbordetroitrapidtransi tstudy.com | ||
Detroitrise Member Username: Detroitrise Post Number: 86 Registered: 09-2007 |
I mean what will be the purpose of a Ann Arbor line. Just like you deemed the Lansing line pointless, I will deem this one pointless. | ||
Jimaz Member Username: Jimaz Post Number: 3371 Registered: 12-2005 |
Sprout wings. Flap vigorously.  No, seriously, would an ultralight be a viable commute option to A2? It sure would be fun! | ||
Margaret Member Username: Margaret Post Number: 187 Registered: 06-2007 |
LMAO! I am having visions of this poor commuter trying to fly an ultralight in a Michigan blizzard or thunderstorm. omg...just move!•• or perhaps rent a bedroom in one of those collegiate houses so you can stay a few nights each week...then only commute on weekends, something like that. holy #$%$# LOL | ||
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1 Post Number: 10286 Registered: 10-2003 |
Rokk - Have you checked into carpools? The distance and time (depending upon exactly where in AA and Detroit) aren't that bad. To put it in perspective the distance from downtime to AA is about 25 miles on the freeway, the bulk of which is 70MPH. The 30 miles on the freeway is an easy drive but it is the time to get to the freeway and your office from the freeway that will really make or break your commute. How did the trial run go? | ||
Viziondetroit Member Username: Viziondetroit Post Number: 1122 Registered: 11-2003 |
I commuted from Detroit to EMU daily and it wasn't that bad. On the bad days it took 1.5 hours, but if you know this going into it... it's not that big of a deal. | ||
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1 Post Number: 10287 Registered: 10-2003 |
How did it take 1.5 hours. Was traffic that bad during rush hour, construction, etc? I can usually get there is about 35 minutes but it is never during rush hour times. | ||
Viziondetroit Member Username: Viziondetroit Post Number: 1123 Registered: 11-2003 |
It took that long @ @ 430-500 on my way to evening class. I live @75 and 7 mile, so 45 minutes is normal for me. |
