25 Miles in 30 Minutes on the 101

Okay, first let me start by saying the goal of driving to work in 30 minutes is not as attainable as it was prior to school going back into session. Between those "damn kids and their rap music" (am I already to the age when I start using that phrase?) and varying amounts of frontage road construction, 25 miles in 30 minutes is no longer an everyday occurrence. That being said, here's how I attempt to avoid the 101 traffic while still driving on the 101 (sort of).

Ray Rd – This is where our journey begins. At this point you analyze what you can see of the 101 traffic and the frontage road ahead of you and choose one of three options:

1. Enter the freeway.
2. Stay on the frontage road (Price Rd.).
3. Turn around, call in sick and go back to bed.

Most days I choose option 2. It's a bit tricky but what you want to do is approach the intersection at Ray/101 in the right hand lane (AKA the granny lane). This lane usually has fewer cars in it. Immediately after crossing the intersection though you want to get over into the left lane (AKA the hammer lane). The hammer lane "should" run much smoother than the granny lane; unless of course some moron forgets what lane they belong in. When this occurs you've either got to stick with it or do some swerving through both lanes to get around. This process will be repeated for the next few miles.

Guadalupe Rd – As you approach the Guadalupe/101 intersection Price road merges down to one lane before opening back up to two again prior to the light. Immediately get into the left lane to prepare for a possible merger onto the 101. At this point you're probably going to get on the freeway. If you don't you'll be riding the frontage road until it dumps you onto the 101 just under the 202 overpass. The best reason to get on at this point is because you avoid the metered entrance ramps that follow at the proceeding streets.

Once on the freeway make your way over to the hammer lane but prepare yourself to get back over near the granny lane shortly. Just as traffic begins to exit onto the 60 you want to get into that granny lane. Next an entrance lane appears for those getting on the 101 from the 60. If traffic is bad make your way into this lane, which gets you pretty far before merging to the left. Quickly make your way into the middle lane, which seems to have the least resistance. This is probably the slowest point of the drive. For the next 2 miles or so until you get under the 202 overpass you either deal with this slower traffic or attempt to exit immediately and take Price road until it dumps you back onto the 101.

After going under the 202 immediately get into the new granny lane that has appeared. You can usually speed down this lane a ways before it slows due to merging traffic from the 202. As suckers from the 202 are trying to merge onto the 101, you're trying to merge OFF the 101. Get into the exit lane, speed down to the light and if you get lucky it'll be green. Now is where the fun begins. I like to call this next time saver of mine "Ramp Runnin'". Others enjoy this shortcut as well, and it's quite simple to do. When the light turns green, instead of turning onto whatever road the 101 has intersected with, just go straight. Now for a quick warning: Although most of these intersections have a sign showing a double arrow (one to the left and one to the right) it does not say "ONLY" below the sign, so I assume it is okay to go straight. If you plan to call me out on this method please be sure to cite a specific Arizona traffic law so that I can believe you. When I was in my defensive driving class a few months back (curse those speed camera vans!) I asked the instructor about this method of ramp running and he seemed to hint that it was legal in most cases, but who knows. So head on up the entrance ramp and if you time it just right you can blow through the light meter right as it turns green. If there are other cars waiting at the traffic meters you will almost always want to pick the right lane. For some reason I always see 5 or 6 cars backed up on the left side and only 1 or 2 on the right. You should try to count ahead so you don't end up wasting time while other (probably slower) people pass you up. Now, instead of merging into the slow, slow, SLOW traffic on the 101 just stay in the entrance/exit lane. This can be a little dangerous and you do have to keep a watchful eye for anyone trying to merge into the lane. Repeat this process until Thomas Road.

Thomas Rd – At Thomas road there is a slight curve in the freeway, which causes a major slow down (chain reaction breaking) and instead of the 101 running above Thomas road, it runs under. The problem with exiting here is that the middle exit lane does not have the same double arrow that the other exits have but instead shows a right turn ONLY sign. The solution however is brilliant and even more legally sound than just ignoring the sign. Simply make a right turn (even on red, it's legal), followed by a U-turn (also legal) and then get onto the entrance ramp and go about your merry way. Sometimes you can do that entire sequence well before the light turns green for everyone else. The next exit is like the others but can also be performed similar to the Thomas road exit if the light is red.

From this point there are only two more exits where you can continue going straight and depending on the flow of traffic I sometimes just merge in with the masses and take my chances. After you round the curve near Pima road the traffic starts flowing at a normal speed. At this point the only thing you need to be aware of are the speed cameras placed near Shea Blvd., Raintree and just after Hayden. And please, please for the love of things on wheels, don't slam on your brakes when you get near those cameras. Contrary to popular belief those cameras are not going to catch you speeding 500 yards before you get to them. Understanding how these cameras work can greatly increase your awareness of them, and help you avoid being on Scottsdale's Most Wanted.

The Speed Cameras - Each area where these cameras are set up have one camera that takes a photo of the front of your vehicle, and a second that photographs the back of your vehicle. It is ONLY when you are between these two cameras that you can be caught speeding [by the cameras]. Actually it's even a smaller window than that. Between these two cameras, sensors have been placed in the road. Each lane has its own separate sensors (so nobody else is going to cause you to get a ticket). There are two sensors in each lane spaced only a few feet apart. When your front tires hit the first sensor a timer begins and that timer ends when your front tires hit the second sensor. The time that is generated is then converted into miles per hour and then if you are over the limit (75mph I believe), you're going to be on candid camera. As long as you're watching your speed during those few precious feet where those sensors are, you'll be safe. I should say you will be safe from the photo radar, not necessarily from the motorcycle cop hiding on the other side of the overpass clocking you as you speed back up to the 101 standard of 85mph (above 85 is criminal and gets you put in handcuffs).

There you go. That's how I go 25 miles in 30 minutes on the 101. You may be wondering why I've told you my secrets. Well, for one, it's not really that big of a secret. Half the time I find myself in a caravan of other ramp runners who have discovered the same time-saving techniques I have. Secondly, I'm guessing the chance of someone reading this that also drives up the 101 is pretty slim.

Either way, those are my results. Your mileage (and time) may vary.