California Highway Traffic Information
- Dial 511 to check traffic conditions.important call image by Ivanna Buldakova from Fotolia.com
Although frustrating at times, traversing the 46,500 miles of highway in California is getting easier thanks to the help of the California Department of Transportation's state-wide "Dial 511" program. With one call, drivers can make an informed decision as to which route to take.
You can get free California freeway traffic information by dialing 511. The services is voice-activated and is compatible with hands-free devices, making it easy to use while on the road. In addition to road conditions, 511 will estimate your travel time between two points along your route. - The Highway Patrol reports traffic tie-ups.highway image by Ekaterina Sidorenko from Fotolia.com
California is known for its sunshine, but the diverse geography of the state means that fog, snow or ice could cause traffic delays and hazards for drivers any time of year.
If you are unfamiliar with the weather patterns where you will be traveling, it pays to check conditions before heading out. The California Highway Patrol Website offers current traffic incidents, severe weather conditions and chain requirements for all highways in the state. - Avoid road closures along your route.construction image by Horticulture from Fotolia.com
At times California can seem like one big freeway, with most of it under construction. Construction-related delays on state highways can turn a pleasant drive into a frustrating experience. By knowing where construction projects are underway, you can avoid major traffic tie-ups. To minimize traffic congestion, California highway construction projects are posted well in advance, so drivers can arrange to take alternate routes during the construction period. - Use your PDA to get current road information.PDA image by Alexey Klementiev from Fotolia.com
No matter how much research and planning went into your trip, there is always the chance that traffic will come to a halt because of an accident ahead. This is when your on-board GPS comes in handy to guide you around traffic tie-ups.
Several cell phone providers offer applications for users of Smartphone technology to receive travel information for a specific route. For example, the University of California San Diego has developed a traffic alert application for the IPhone, which contacts users if incidents occur in their area, allowing drivers to circumvent the traffic blockage. - Some traffic situations can be anticipated; a bit of rescheduling can make all the difference. During summer or holiday weekends, Interstate 5 can be a parking lot filled with travelers using I-5 to connect between Southern and Northern California. As the usage increases, there are more traffic delays in the rural Central Valley.
Likewise, I-15 heading over the Cajon Pass and on to the Nevada border is especially crowded on summer or holiday weekends, since it is the only direct route between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. By traveling on off-peak hours or on weekdays, drivers can avoid much of the traffic in trouble spots.
