There are two ways to get to our favorite Target store. Dh and I disagree on the route to take—it’s probably a Venus/Mars thing. I, of course, think I’m right. He, of course, thinks he’s right. Who do you think is right?
Since I like to be fair to the underdog, let’s start with his route. Matt likes to take surface streets all the way there. This involves driving down a side street to get to the main street which will take us most of the way to Target. There are many intersections along the way, which is my main concern. The more intersections there are, the more likely it is that we’ll be involved in some sort of crash, whether it’s being rear-ended or side-impacted. More precisely, there are 8 stoplights using Matt’s route; 8 major intersections where drivers can mash metal together. There are other minor intersections along the way too, including one that’s had a fatality from a driver running a stop sign. Even though these lights aren’t timed and we get caught at a red at 2-3 of them, dh thinks his route is faster.
My route involves taking the freeway. Initially, there’s some fancy jiggering to get to the freeway that involves going through a shopping center—all on public streets though—but we still get to the freeway faster than going the long way around the center. I like taking the freeway because the likelihood of us getting t-boned on the freeway is nil, we get better gas mileage on the freeway since there’s constant stopping and starting from intersections, and we get to drive fast—zoom! Besides, my way has only 6 stoplights with 4 of them being at the freeway entrances ;). Still, I have to admit that it takes about as long as dh’s route time-wise.
So, which way would you prefer to drive? Street or freeway? Why?
I’m with your husband. But then again, I try to avoid the interstate (in town) at all costs b/c here they are almost always backed up b/c of a wreck (most recent killing 2 adults and 3 kids ). We have one section of interstate that has had a wreck about every 3rd day since the beginning of the year (many involving 18-wheelers) so for me, the risk on the interstate just isn’t worth it. Plus my target is only 7 miles away and google maps say the route i take and the interstate are exactly the same time
As a former pizza driver (which means arguing about routes is basically a daily job requirement) I’d say your dh’s route is probably faster. The amount of time saved on the highway is rarely enough to make up for the amount of time people spend going out of their way to GET to the highway.
As for safer, though, I’d have to vote that the risks even each other out. With his route, you’re more likely to get in a crash, but it’s more likely to be survivable. With your route, you’re less likely to crash, but if you, it’s less likely to be survivable.
So, you take your way when you drive, and he takes his way when he drives. 😀
The freeway is your typical Western freeway: divided by a concrete barrier and 3 lanes each way with little traffic when we go (even during rush hour it’s not terribly crowded since it’s a beltway around the city and not a direct route into town). Darren, I wish I could remember what Matt’s friends call his navigation skills when they’re out riding, lol. He’s the only one who has any sense of direction when they go on their 100 mile rides–I think he might be the “Mattigator”.
I have this EXACT issue. Well, not exact, because it doesn’t involve Target, and it’s more of an internal debate with myself than with DH. But there’s an area we go to quite often. Our options are: 1) a major surface street with top speed limits of 55 mph, and LOTS of intersections with other streets with high speed limits, or 2) a sparsely traveled toll road with actual speeds (forget the speed limit–it’s a free-for-all) of 70-80 mph. Because it’s lightly traveled, and because of generous entry and exit lanes, merging isn’t much of a concern.
Usually I make my decision based on how quickly I want to get there and whether or not I feel like paying the toll. More often than not, we go the toll road. Even though speeds are higher, it seems pretty darn safe. And faster.
Freeway, all the way!
I’m with you… I prefer the freeway… unless it’s backed up from a crash… you just don’t see the SEVERE accidents you see on the regular roads.
Depends. Is it a divided freeway with a barrier in the middle? Because if not, definitely surface streets. If so, then I think it’s a toss up!
I would probably take the non-highway route, as I really hate merging in on the highway when there is a lot of traffic on it. My husband would probably chose the highway route though. I think the route should be whatever the driver is most comfortable with.
I’m voting with Matt, just to support the superiority of manavigation. Perhaps a more apporpriate question. Thirty years from now, how many of us safety nuts will be planning trips so that we only have to make right hand turns?
You have to love men’s short cuts! My DH has his own short cuts for some things that take longer.
Depends on how hard it is to get ON the freeway… I really hate a tight merge into high speeds and would avoid doing that. If it’s easy, then I say freeway, yup.
But is this some universal thing? My DH and I have the same arguments about how to get to our favorite Target, his involves hilly country roads that make the kids feel sick (which may or may not be due to his driving :p), mine is possibly longer, but the kids are happier on the straight country roads (or possibly in my heavier minivan with my lazy-grandma-style driving…)
🙂