Least-Congested Traffic Times To Vote In Texas

DALLAS, TX -- Traffic avoidance is often high on the list of excuses to not vote but thanks to the safe-driving app Drivemode, this complaint has been neutralized. The app hinges on a study that predicts traffic congestion on Election Day, complete with lists of the best times to travel to polling sites.

The study pinpoints exactly when roadways will be the most hospitable on Election Day (hint: try 6 a.m., 9 a.m., 2 p.m. or 6 p.m.).

Drivemode predicts election-day traffic in by analyzing nearly one year's worth of Tuesday traffic patterns in each of those cities. Concern about traffic is heightened given this year's historic Beto O'Rourke-Ted Cruz Senate race that's sparking unprecedented midterm enthusiasm, with candidates battling for every vote.

Texas big-city gridlock may be a typically overlooked contributing factor to voter turnout, but it's a real factor among voters, as Drivemode researchers explain. To help motorists navigate to their polling sites with the quickest possible route, Drivemode breaks down the less-congested times at various Texas cities.

• Austin: According to Drivemode, 6 a.m. is the fastest drive time all day, 17.3 percent faster than the 7 a.m. drive period. The second-fastest drive time all day is 9 a.m., researchers found. Faster by 15 percent than afternoon rush time between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. is 2 p.m., according to the study. For its part, 6 p.m. is up to 15 percent faster than afternoon rush (3 p.m to 6 p.m.).
• Dallas: 9 a.m. is the fastest drive time all day; up to 19.9 percent faster than morning rush (7 a.m. to 9 a.m.) By comparison, 3 p.m. is the second-fastest time of the afternoon rush (3 p.m. to 6 p.m.). And 6 p.m is the fastest afternoon rush hour, 10.5 percent faster than the 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. rush hour period, according to analysts.
• Houston: In H-town, the fastest drive time of the day is at 6 a.m. Those venturing to the polls a littler later will find that 9 am is up to 8 percent in the morning rush between 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. In the afternoon, 6 p.m. is the fastest afternoon rush hour — up to 8.9 percent faster than afternoon rush between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.
• San Antonio: The Alamo City has its share of congestion, but 6 a.m. is the fastest drive time all day, 24 percent faster than 7 a.m. The fastest afternoon rush hour is 3 p.m., according to analysts, up to 9.7 percent faster than traffic during afternoon rush between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Those traveling to the polls at 6 p.m will be traveling 13 percent faster than the 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. rush period.

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Staff writer Tony Cantu contributed to this story

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