Have you recently moved and are considering buying a home in the picturesque, family-friendly suburb of Westlake, Texas? This city of nearly 2,000 people comprises some of the most beautiful master-planned neighborhoods, world-class attractions, and the top-rated Westlake Academy. However, the average commute time for many residents driving in and out of this picturesque town is 31 minutes. Driving day in and day out can take a toll on your physical and mental health. Read on to learn about the typical traffic patterns in Westlake, Texas – plus innovative tools, resources, and tips you can use to manage and reduce stress.

As a commuter traveling to Dallas from Westlake, you will likely experience many areas that can get extremely congested. Dallas is ranked as the 14th most congested city in the United States, alongside Atlanta, Georgia, and Houston, Texas. Traffic can get backed up usually during peak hours between 7:00 and 9:30 AM and between 3:00 and 6:30 PM.

Furthermore, many of the highways going through Westlake and the neighboring cities are some of the most congested in the state, causing significant hours of delays and millions of dollars lost due to traffic. You may want to avoid traveling during these peak hours when commuting to and from work.

In addition to peak hours, traffic in Westlake may be affected by holidays, local events, and other seasonal events. For example, during the winter holidays or community events, the streets may be busier than usual as more people travel to Westlake to enjoy the festivities, like the annual Westlake Tree Lighting event. To avoid the heavily congested times, consider commuting several hours before the event. If that is unavoidable, consider adopting other transportation options that are available in Westlake.

If you are considering taking public transit to avoid the congested traffic in Westlake, here are a few strategies:

 

Get a city map of Westlake, Texas, and map out the route that you would take to work, school, and other places of interest. When you map out your route, you can consider which transportation options are nearby. If the public transit doesn’t drop you off directly at your office, you must plan how you will get from the bus or train stop to the final destination. In addition, factor in how much time it would take to walk or bike. You will be better prepared and a more conscientious commuter by mapping out your route.

 

There might be a few transportation options if you live in a small suburban and residential city like Westlake, Texas. Ridesharing is a great option when considering your commute to work. Another option is to consider apps such as Uber or Lyft. These ridesharing drivers may even know shortcuts or navigation apps that can help them avoid highly congested highways. You will have a more enjoyable commute while reducing your carbon footprint. 

Whether traveling by car, using public transit, or utilizing a ridesharing service, it can help to use a navigation app. These traffic and navigation apps can provide a comprehensive map of the local city, which includes features such as voice-guided navigation, estimated arrival times, bicycle routes, and traffic updates. Some reputable traffic and navigation apps are Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Waze. You can integrate live traffic data into your route planningby downloading any of these navigation apps. Stay informed on the condition of the roads so that you can better prepare for your commute to work, school, or other destinations in and around Westlake.

Whether traveling to work, school, or other destinations, you can have a more efficient commute with adequate preparation. Carefully map out your route to the destination, taking note of heavily congested areas and times when they are most busy. Knowing the peak hours can help you avoid traveling when it is heavily congested to have a smoother commuting experience. In addition, you should take note of other possible alternative routes and other transportation methods as a precautionary measure.

 

Sometimes traffic congestion can be unavoidable whether you are driving your car, carpooling or ridesharing with others, or riding your bike. It can be easy to feel stressed and overwhelmed during these times as you sit in heavily dense traffic. During these times, you can manage and even reduce your stress levels by listening to a podcast, meditating, and doing simple stretches.

Commuting to and from Westlake, Texas, can be emotionally and physically draining. You can reduce and better manage your stress by avoiding peak traffic times in Westlake, exploring other transportation options, and using navigation apps to effectively plan your routes.

If you want more tips on commuting, schools, interior decorating, or real estate, schedule a consultation with the experts at The Wall Team Realty Associates. They can provide exemplary guidance on everything from the local real estate market to lifestyle tips. When the time is right, they can help you buy or sell a property.