NFT: WAZE question

only problem is you can't see traffic 4-5 hours in the future

But the answer is take 81

is like 3-5 hours away. What's to say traffic conditions be accurate that far out?

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when you do that it will tell you current traffic along your route with an ETA.

and you can browse the whole route I believe and see all the traffic areas.

there is a route icon you can press and see alternate routes that could bypass the traffic or at least see the ETA should you take one of the alternate routes

so if there is congestion, it reroutes itself

you need to decide, and let it show you what the traffic conditions are at that point in time. Then you can adjust accordingly.

Sure traffic eases and gets congested within a couple of hours but, I've found that if it is bad around Washington in early to mid afternoon it stays bad for a long time.

But, as a new user, the question was more based upon seeing conditions further than a couple of miles away. There are many times when I can make a routing decision - such as GW Bridge vs. Lincoln vs. Holland - before I get to a decision point. I just want to expand the view to further away.

I must not be using that. All I get now is accident and police notifications along the way when I put in my destination.

A route icon. Thanks, I'll check that out.

traffic conditions on your screen. I'm not sure how effective that is for several hundred miles, but I know here in NYC when I travel from one end of LI to the city (about 100 miles) I'll check in about halfway to see where traffic is brewing. Takes a few minutes to swipe all the way across though.

I drive from DC to NY and back 2-4 times per month. Traffic is always worse on 95, but the trip is always longer through Harrisburg. IMO, unless you are coming from or going someplace much further west you are much better off just trying to time your departure.

We're going all the way down from Jersey to Florida. I-95 still has some closures from Matthew around Fayetteville so I-81 will probably be the choice. But knowing how to use the APP better was the real question.

it doesn't "predict the future" or use past patterns.

I usually check a day or so before at the time of day I'm planning to leave to get an idea of the traffic.

If you type in your destination on google maps, it will tell you the time for each of the routes. I've recently done it both ways (FL to Maine and back). If you plan to hit Washington early in the am, between 1:00 and 5:00 am that is, you will zip through. Otherwise, 81 is easier. Pay attention to the weather, though. 81 is trouble if there are storms.

In comment 13178858 Nomad Crow on the Madison said:

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If you type in your destination on google maps, it will tell you the time for each of the routes. I've recently done it both ways (FL to Maine and back). If you plan to hit Washington early in the am, between 1:00 and 5:00 am that is, you will zip through. Otherwise, 81 is easier. Pay attention to the weather, though. 81 is trouble if there are storms.

Google Maps is what you want to use for planning. Use Waze for your actual trip while you are driving as it points out the Police locations.

I-81 adds quite a bit of distance...Your not losing as much time as you think you will by going thru Balt/DC during rush hour.

I95 is open both ways in NC per NC DOT.

It has gotten me out of some bad situations. I don't take a long trip without it. I especially love the ETA feature, which is accurate to the minute.

In my experience, taking the B-W Parkway has saved me time in the past. But again, just go with Waze.

The algorithm uses a straight line and so often tries putting you on a side road with no clue the main road gets you to the destination quicker.

first and seeing if there is any construction or delays, etc.

We drive from Georgia to NY at times and 81 is always a better bet. Last time we left NY very early and made the trip in 12 hours. One time my husband insisted on taking 95 and it took 22 hours.

and where did you start. I once took 81 from N.Y. to Florida at night and it was slow traffic due to construction.

Are they using same directions?

You have HOV eligibility? That's THE only problem.

It's not perfect, sometimes I feel like Waze sends me on a route that's only marginally faster but maybe takes a lot of turns or uses a left hand turn across a four lane highway when there's a light just a few hundred yards away which would be safer if not two or three minutes slower. But for a long trip like what you describe I'd plug in my destination and just let Waze guide me.

As others have mentioned, the program updates and course corrects automatically and always. Sometimes I ignore the route it recomends but keep it running in case I have to avoid traffic or trouble or whatever.

Drive safe!

Elmont, at my parent's house. It was Sunday and we left at 4:30 am and whizzed through the city into NJ and then onto Pennsylvania. We take 85 to Wyethville, VA and then get on 77 which intersects with 85 in Charlotte. You could stay on 77 to Columbia, SC and then get on 26 which eventually links up with 95 to Florida.

by an accident which delayed us and sometimes there is traffic in Pennsylvania, but nothing like 95.

When I said look at Google Maps, I meant to plot out the trip and then see if there are any construction areas. Google will also give you times for alternate routes.

And if another option comes along the way it notifies you and readjusts.

In comment 13179325 GF1080 said:

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Are they using same directions?

Yup. And I read an analysis that indicated hat Google maps is better in the city and WAZE Interurban. But I'm thinking that the suggestions to plan on Google is before you leave on a computer.

I drive from CT to FL and return 4 or 5 times a year. I always use I-81, it just takes one accident or construction incident on I-95 to eliminate any advantage you may get from the shorter I -95 route. Just avoid being in the Charlotte area from 3 to 7 PM. I do 81 to I-77 to I-26 to I-95 outside of Charleston, SC.

roundtrip Richmond to Metlife. Waze was spot on.

To the OP, when you get to DC take the new express lanes. Took them yesterday and not only did we breeze past slow moving traffic on the regular lanes, the merge when they ended was a non-issue. first time we didn't deal with a back up all the way to Fredricksburg.

Take into consideration past history and time of day your traveling in planning a route????

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If you plot a route to your home 4 times one right after another, you get four different routes usually using slow side streets. The traffic alerts don't seem anymore accurate than Google Maps. That is, almost worthless for predicting traffic 5 minites into the future.

it was a movie promo, so it's not on anymore.

Today my Waze told me there was a hazard of a dancing elephant up ahead. I didn't see it.

Depending on your settings, you will get the shortest or fastest route. Sometimes it will take you all over the place.

... say for a four hour trip? Is it a data and battery hog?

In comment 13181573 tony stg said:

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... say for a four hour trip? Is it a data and battery hog?

Yes it is. I leave my phone plugged in while using it, since I'm almost always in my car when I use it.

not sure about data. I also keep it plugged in when I'm in the car.