# Where can I go to ask traffic questions?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-go-to-ask-traffic-questions/816535>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 21, 2018, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-go-to-ask-traffic-questions/816535 "2018-06-21T20:30:21Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\
**Post date:** [June 22, 2018, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-go-to-ask-traffic-questions/816535/21 "2018-06-22T14:53:48Z")

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I have an app on my phone from the Washington State Department of Transportation. Open the app and it will tell me where all the traffic backups are, tap a link and I have a map that shows the traffic for the metropolitan Seattle area. The maps shows the traffic with colors so one know where traffic is wide open or stop and go. It also gives me access to traffic on all the interstates and other major highways throughout the state.

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**Author:** ![Bayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bayaker/32/3454_2.png) [@Bayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bayaker)\
**Post date:** [June 22, 2018, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-go-to-ask-traffic-questions/816535/22 "2018-06-22T15:08:53Z")

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> [@racer72](#):
>
> I have an app on my phone from the Washington State Department of Transportation. Open the app and it will tell me where all the traffic backups are, tap a link and I have a map that shows the traffic for the metropolitan Seattle area. The maps shows the traffic with colors so one know where traffic is wide open or stop and go. It also gives me access to traffic on all the interstates and other major highways throughout the state.

That sounds a lot like what I use when driving into Houston: [[Houston TranStar - Traffic Map](http://traffic.houstontranstar.org/layers/)](e Houston Transtar Traffic Map) You can even look at pictures from the traffic cameras. It also has a link to Drive Texas for a statewide map and info on congestion.

I’m surprised that the DC area doesn’t have something like it.

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**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\
**Post date:** [June 22, 2018, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-go-to-ask-traffic-questions/816535/23 "2018-06-22T15:46:15Z")

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Another vote for WTOP.

Google maps will show where incidents are but will not give you any analysis of the impact or severity of that incident, just a little “accident” icon. There is no “all lanes are closed and smoke is visible for miles and if you are in Virginia you’re fucked” icon. It won’t give you a clue that an accident that closes the WWB will also freeze traffic on I-66.

P.S. I have a friend in Falls Church who had tickets to that game and never made it.

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**Author:** ![Falchion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a88e57/32.png) [@Falchion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Falchion)\
**Post date:** [June 22, 2018, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-go-to-ask-traffic-questions/816535/24 "2018-06-22T15:50:01Z")

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> [@Acsenray](#):
>
> Okay. I’ll have to remember can mmercial radio. I haven’t listened to a commercial station in about 30 years

You can get the WTOP traffic report on their website too.

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