Anyone commute to Ann Arbor from Royal Oak/Ferndale area? (Detroit: live in, suburbs)

[baddubbin]

I recently got a job offer to work for a company in Ann Arbor. I am trying to get an idea what the commute would be like. I would need to be in Ann Arbor around 7:30-8 and leave between 4:30-5.

If anyone in the area can give me a heads up on what kind of commute I would have I would appreciate it. I would be going to the US23 and Geddes Rd area if that helps.

Also if you have commuted this in the winter I would like to hear how the winter commute is as well.

Thanks,

Tim

[us66]

It can be done but you'd rather not do it. Wintertime will be even worse.

[RingWalk]

I used to go the other way, from the far west suburbs of Detroit to Royal Oak, down 696. That took about half an hour without traffic, probably more like 40 minutes door to door. In traffic, hour, hour twenty. I imagine with traffic you're looking at hour twenty minimum. Fastest conceivable time still over an hour. Unless 696 is a lot faster than it used to be, you could count on a lot longer than that pretty frequently. In winter...I don't even want to think about it.

But people did do it at my old office.

[baddubbin]

Originally Posted by RingWalk

I used to go the other way, from the far west suburbs of Detroit to Royal Oak, down 696. That took about half an hour without traffic, probably more like 40 minutes door to door. In traffic, hour, hour twenty. I imagine with traffic you're looking at hour twenty minimum. Fastest conceivable time still over an hour. Unless 696 is a lot faster than it used to be, you could count on a lot longer than that pretty frequently. In winter...I don't even want to think about it.

But people did do it at my old office.

Wouldn't be taking 696 most likely. 696/275 interchange is awful. Would likely be taking woodward to 96 or southfield freeway to 96 when it opens. Then 96 to 14 to 23

[RingWalk]

Yeah 96 was definitely a lot better than 696. 14 can be hit or miss in rush hour but still nothing like 696.

[Coldjensens]

Any particular reason that you will live in Ferndale instead of Ann Arbor?

That will be an unpleasant commute. Some days it will be horrid. It is doable, you will not die from the commute (unless you are in a wreck), but you will not be happy.

[Mattchewie]

EGADS!!! I drive 52 miles each way to work (from Flat Rock to Auburn Hills) and I have done so for over a year and I can tell you it gets old quick. Also, I agree with the others, winter can be unforgiving if your job doesn't let you telecommute.