How's the traffic like in Austin, TX?

Is it good or bad? Please explain...

I've lived and driven in a lot of U.S. cities, and Austin is really not that bad. Yes, there is rush hour traffic, but it just isn't as horrible as it is in other major cities. There are a couple of really sticky spots which you'll get to know, and obviously if there is an accident it is going to be really heavy.

Still, Austin has a whole slew of new toll roads. I am able to get from Downtown Austin to Round Rock during non-rush hour times in less than 15 minutes.

Tonight, I drove from Wells Branch to Westlake (approx. 20 miles) at 5:30 pm -- and I got there in a half hour. Not bad.

Another thing to consider is that Capitol Metro is putting in a light rail system that will be finished in the next few years.

There's some links below on the toll roads, the light rail and about visiting Austin.

I hope that helps!

Traffic in Austin is no different than any other big city. Sure, it is not as bad as Houston or Dallas, but morning and afternoon rush hours will be frustrating on the main highways, I-35 and Mopac. Specifically, the morning rush is heaviest from 6:30 - 9:00am, and the afternoon rush is heaviest from 3:00 - 6:30pm. By the way, traffic heading in and out of North Austin is always problematic, so I would recommend checking out South Austin.

I personally think it's worse than Houston, which I lived in for a while before getting here. While there's alot of cars on the road in both cities, in Houston they actually move in rush hour and if there is a stop its for a reason, unlike Austin where stopping completly on the freeway seems to be a past time for most residents. I think Austin just has the WORST drivers overall of any city I have lived in. Still its not a huge city so if your traveling at times, when its not rush hour your ok.