Top 10 Cities with the Worst Traffic

Most people hate sitting in bad traffic as it wastes time and money. If there was no traffic, you’d have more time to spend with family and you’d spend less money on gas. Bad traffic, however, is often a fact of life if you live in a large city and choose to commute to work (and you’ll pay more in auto insurance too). Here is a list of the top 10 cities with the worst traffic in the United States.

1. Los Angeles, California
There are actually a few cities in California that have really bad traffic, but Los Angeles tops the list. This is because it is near many popular tourist attractions like Hollywood, Disneyland and the Pacific Ocean – plus it has a very high population. San Diego, San Francisco and San Jose are also notorious for bad traffic.

2. Washington D.C.
There are a lot of jobs located in Washington D.C. but not very much housing, meaning most people have to commute. The Metro system helps, but you’ll still spend plenty of time in bad traffic, even if you are just driving to a train station.

3. Atlanta, Georgia
There are many different interstates located in Atlanta, but that doesn’t help the traffic congestion much. It doesn’t matter whether you are on the I-75, I-85, I-285 or I-20, they are all bad.

4. Houston, Texas
Houston is a great place to work and is home to more Fortune 500 companies than most other places. This means there’s no way to avoid a bad commute. The Dallas – Fort Worth – Arlington metropolitan area is also very bad.

5. Chicago, Illinois
Lots of jobs and little affordable housing means everyone has to commute.

6. Orlando, Florida
This tourist haven is a nightmare for traffic. You’ll also experience problems in Tampa, Lakeland and Daytona Beach.

7. Detroit, Michigan
Nicknamed “The Motor City” for good reason.

8. New York, New York
Most people use mass transit and the traffic is still bad.

9. Boston, Massachusetts
It’s easy to get lost in Boston if you don’t know where you are going, but the vast population is probably the reason for the bad traffic.

10. Seattle, Washington
The natural water barriers complicate traffic.

The price of auto insurance is higher for people who have long commutes or live in places that are highly populated. This means you should really shop around for the best deals if you live in one of these cities with bad traffic. It is the law to have car insurance and you can find a huge difference in the price from one company to another.

Whether bad traffic is a result of bad city planning, overpopulation or some other factor, it exists in many places today. We’ve mentioned 10 of the worst cities for traffic in the United States, but there are plenty of other locations that are a traffic nightmare. What other cities do you think should be included in this list?

Filed Under: Transport

Keep Your Kids Busy During The Vacation To Enjoy Some Quality Time With Your Spouse

Vector image of two human figures with hands i...

Image via Wikipedia

How can including the amusement park in your travel itinerary help you enhance communication with your spouse? Well, life may settle down into a routine when you have a family. You may find it difficult to retain the older romance in your marriage. A date may be spoiled by a sudden tantrum by your child or a sudden illness. In such a scenario, finding something that will keep the kids occupied will help you bring the spark back into your marriage.

This is why you should plan a trip to the amusement park. Of course, this does not mean you can simply dump your child at the park and go wherever you want to. However, your kids are going to be perfectly happy enjoying the rides and would leave you to enjoy some solitude despite being present in a heavily crowded amusement park.

If you go on a trip with your family members, you can have your relatives take care of your child during the trip and can go out on a romantic lunch or dinner date yourself. Try doing this without planning anything for your child and you may end up being called back to the hotel because of your child’s tantrum.

You should try this even if you feel there is nothing wrong with your marriage. Trying to spend some time with the person you fell in love with and got married to is always a good thing for your mental peace. A few hours together may be all you need to get rid of all the pent up stress and frustration in your life.

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Tourist Attractions, Travel Safety, Vacation Hot Spots & Destinations Tagged With: , ,

Traveling Overseas by Car.

Seal of the United States Department of State. 

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Traveling through a foreign country by automobile is a great way to get an up close feel for a country and its people without being on a tightly fixed schedule. Driving in most countries requires some preparation.

The U.S. Department of State notes that Americans are killed every year in automobile accidents because they didn’t know the country’s driving rules and laws. The State Department offers severl suggestions. First and foremost, understand the driving rules and laws of the country. Because many countries do not automatically accept an American state driver’s license, it is best to get an International Driving Permit (IDP). An IDP is the international translation for a drivers license written in 10 different laguages. Other documents that should always be carried include auto registration documents, insurance certificates, passports and visas.

Automobile insurance requirement differ from country to country, so it is advisable to purhase additional coverage that is equivalent to the coverage carried at home. Remember that U.S. coverage does not always cover travel abroad. It is also important to carry a copy of the country’s driving laws, special road permits, Always buckle seat belts – failure will result in an automatic ticket. Another international rule is to honk the car’s horn when going around curves and blink headlights when passing another car.

Many countries require cars to carry reflective jackets and warning triagles in case of an accident. Finally, where the question of drinking while driving is concerned – this simple answer is don’t drink, period. Almost every foreign country has  severe penalties for driving under the influence, up to and including imprisonment for the first offense.

 

Filed Under: Transport Tagged With: , ,

Train Travel in the United States

Train travel 

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Trains are possibly the most under utilized mode of transportation in the United States and yet, traveling by train is more efficient and enjoyable than traveling by air or automobile. Riding the rails is a relaxing and less stressful way to travel and at the same time, escape the fast pace of daily life.

Amtrak is the quasi-independent trail service funded by the U.S. government specifically for passenger service.  Amtrak operates several long distance cross country routes between major cities on the east and west coasts, as well as routes from Chicago to the west coast. While Amtrak’s long distance service has been criticized as slow and inefficient by European standards, the longer cross country trains have been hailed by some travel writers as a “great way to see America.” Travelers are particularly impressed by the full service dining cars, the upper level viewing cars and the camaraderie shared by fellow travelers. Amtrak also has the added advantage of connecting with local train service in most major cities.

Cost is one of the most attractive parts of traveling by train. Train fares are generally comparable to bus fares. On the other hand, the addition of a sleeping compartment to the fare makes train travel cost about the same as flying. While there are currently very few high speed Amtrak rail lines in service, the experience of slowing down and enjoying the trip more than makes up for the lack of speed. In fact, the joy of slowing down is one of the best parts of a train trip.

Trains remain a “civilised” and nostalgic way to enjoy the ride.

 

Filed Under: Transport Tagged With: , ,

About Australia – Urban to Outback

Australia's Flag - One Mile Jetty 

Image by Rob Inh00d via Flickr

One of the phrases used to describe Australia is “laid back.” However, Australia is much more. It is a unique country, as rich in history, people and growth as it is in geography diversity.

The continent that is now Australia was discovered by the Dutch in 1606.  British explorer James Cook claimed the Australian continent in 1829 and it was first settled as a penal colony. Australia became independent in 1901 and has the distinction of being the only government in the world to govern the smallest (and flatest) continent in the world, and the outlying islands, the sixth largest country in the world – rougly the size of the continental United States.

Australia is made up of six states and two territories. Three-fourths of the Australian continent is semi-arid, making it difficult to grow crops. The country has the lowest precipitation rate of any inhabited continent and one third of the country is composed of ten deserts. As a result, 70 percent of Australia’s 20 million population lives along the eastern seaboard and in the southeast corner. Along the country’s coastline there are 10,000 beaches.  In 2010 Australia was 89 percent urbanized and yet has the lowest population density in the world – six people per square mile.

Australia is also a magnet for immigrants as well as tourists. Since 1945, six million people have come to Australia to live; today, 20 percent of the population is foreign born and represents over 200 different countries. The people have a positive, rugged individualism and sense of adventure that says anything is possible – this is Australia.

Filed Under: Tourist Attractions Tagged With: , ,
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