My Weekly Commute
Once a week I travel to my place of employment for our weekly staff meeting and lunch. I work in Orlando, Florida a little less than 30 miles from home (29.7 miles to be exact). Commuting is a hassle for me since I don’t enjoy driving. Therefore, I am always in search of alternate routes – even if I have to pay tolls – to make commuting more comfortable.
Things Don’t Always Go My Way
My feelings weren’t any different this week. I was feeling a bit under the weather so I left work before lunch at about 1:28 p.m. I figured I’d be home by 2:10 in the afternoon at the latest. Since there is construction on the Interstate 4 – also known as I4, (when is there never construction on I4), I had to take a detour to the interstate entrance. It was already congested so my first thought was to exit at the East-West Expressway (408) and take that route home. But I quickly realized that was not a good idea when I saw there was congestion on 408 as well. So, I decided to stay on I4. I figured that if I was going to be stuck in traffic then might as well stay on the route without tolls.
No Relief In Sight
The traffic congestion was so insane that my speedometer never went past 6 mph! According to construction signs, there were two closed lanes further ahead. “This is a nightmare,” I thought and once I saw the John Young Pkwy exit I felt a sense of relief! “I can take that route home too!” I thought. Once on John Young Pkwy, the first two to three miles flowed freely and then it happened. All of a sudden, we were no longer moving. And with the stop lights, it was worse than I4! My speedometer was between 3 and 4 mph. What now?
There’s Traffic Everywhere!
While speaking with my husband on the phone (hands-free of course), he suggested I take Central Florida Pkwy and cut through International Drive. So, as soon as I reached Central Florida Pkwy and saw that there was no congestion, I made a right and continued driving. Finally, I’ll make it home! I reached International Drive and made my turn. What a bummer. Traffic congestion again, what could it be?
A Lesson Learned
This time it was a dump truck and huge commercial landscape equipment blocking all three lanes. Luckily, that didn’t last long and in less than 10 minutes I was back on my merry way home. Once on the Osceola Pkwy and crossing the I4 overpass, I looked towards the I4 and realized there was no more traffic congestion. I laughed and thought, “Had I stayed on I4 I would’ve probably been home by now.” I finally made it safely home at 3:30 p.m. A ride that should’ve taken me no more than 40 minutes took me 2 hours – exactly why I don’t enjoy driving. Next time I’ll just “chill” in traffic.
Moral of this story: Taking short cuts will not always get you to your destination faster.
Safe driving everyone!