Windsor-Ann Arbor commute (Detroit, Southfield: quality of life, live, moving)

[ajl22586]

Hi everyone,

I know the chances are slim that anyone actually does this commute, but does anyone have any information as to whether this is even feasible? I have a potential job offer from a company there and have made it clear that I would be commuting for the time being, and they said they would allow flexible scheduling to make it easier to avoid traffic, etc. I'm also thinking of getting a Nexus card.

So, given these circumstances, is it doable or nuts?

Thanks.

[zthatzmanz28]

If you like driving it is doable. The only difference between that and a Detroit commute is the 40+ miles difference to Ann Arbor. You are looking at a 100 miles a day commute. Probably close to 3 hours on the road?

[ajl22586]

Thanks. How bad is the traffic on the I-94 going west to Ann Arbor on a typical day, if I make sure to leave well before rush hour (6:30 maybe)? I figure I'm going against traffic so it can't be that terrible, right? Also, Is the Ambassador Bridge basically always jammed up?

Thanks again.

[zthatzmanz28]

To and from Ann Arbor is easy. It is between the Lodge and Southfield Freeway that you will have back ups on I-94. The alternate is I-96 to M-14, but it gets heavy between Telegraph and I-275.

The Bridge can be a mess most of the time. However I hear it is moving better since the remodeling and additional booths.

Like I said, if you like driving and a commute of 2 or 3 hours a day it could be done. Traveling before 7:30 A.M. and after 5:00 P.M. will help.

[Coldjensens]

A co-worker commutes from Ann Arbor to Detroit using 14/96. He travels off hours (and he is going the oppiste way that you will be going, so your traffic will be lighter). He says traffic is pretty light and he can usually drive 90-100 mph (note this is an illegal speed and can result in hefty fines, but he claims the 96-14 is not patrolled). He makes it in 45 minutes or less most days. I do not know what they do if they pick up a Canadian speeding. I expect they make you pay the fine right there or go to jail. You may want to drive slower in which case it will take about an hour to an hour and fiv e minutes most days.

Weather will slow you down. Snow can add an hour or more. Construciton will slow you down also. U-M event traffic will slow you down.

Having lived wiht both long and short commutes. I can tell you your overall quality of life is massively improved with a short or no commute. Long commutes leave you no time for family, fun, chores or sleep.

You will have to cross the border every day. Some days that takes 15 minutes, other days it may take a couple of hours. On Fridays preceding holiday weekends, you should either leave early (i.e. 3. p.m.), or just stay the night in Ann Arbor.

[JoulesMSU]

Just the border crossing alone would make me say this is not feasible. Getting into the United States is such an unnecessary pain in the ass these days... and that's just for American citizens. I'm assuming you are a Canadian citizen, so I imagine it'd be even worse for you. You'd have to do that every day? I'd say "no thanks!"