best way to get from 280/bird Ave to Great america

[kurth83]

edit: title should say 280, not 208.

Considering a new job, it's on Bowers by Great America, and I live where Bird Ave enters 280, but access to the Alma entrance to 87 N is also convenient.

I can go up 87, then 101, but I hear 101 is the most motorcycle-hostile road in the world (or close), even though it's a pretty short stint on 101, most of it would be on 87.

So how is 87 N for a commute in the morning, and southbound in the afternoons?

Or how does it compare to 280, which is my current commute, 280 from Bird to Magdalena is a fantastic commute, carpool lane most of the way, and no nasty interchanges to worry about.

Alternate routes would include taking 280N, and going up San Thomas or even Bowers.

Anybody have any advice there for a normal-hour commute there?

 

[Tom G]

87 sucks big time. I live on Santa Theresa and work off N. First. I usually work 11-8 just to avoid traffic. Getting from 87 onto 101 is also a nightmare. Check out Google maps.

 

[auntiebling]

What's normal?

I'll assume techbro hours, so no matter what your path that will be solid traffic in all directions no matter which path you take.

I have to cross over delacruz overpass on 101 as the commute is really getting going, usually 745 or so. 87N>101 is already jammed and prone to staying that way till late morning.

If you leave the house by 730-8 it wont be too bad. 87>101

After that, um. I'd try 280>lawrence>tasman. Obviously way out of the way

 

[Gary856]

That's my commute - 87 (from Almaden Expwy) -> 101 -> Great America Parkway.

Getting on 87 is bad in the morning due to metering lights, but not a problem on a bike which can split all the way to the front of the light. It slow down before 280, then often loosens up after until the 87-101 interchange which is almost stop and go. Again, not a problem on a bike. 101 from there is always very congested both in the morning and in the evening.

On a bike from Bird, I think it should only take about 15-20 minutes to reach Great America.

 

[Caddywumpus]

Traffic is not that bad on a bike

 

[weasel]

I took back streets from 280 near Bird to GAPKWY & or Light-rail.

 

[serper3]

I recently found out you can get motorcycle nav on Waze. Go to settings, then car details, vehicle type. It will tell you the fastest route, and is pretty accurate from what I have seen. You can look at alternate routes as well to see what options you have and what the total tile would be. You can also look at traffic at a later time by navigating "later". It will tell you when you need to leave to get to where you are going. It's been helpful for me. I think google maps had motorcycle functionality in the past but I do not think they do currently.

 

[Entoptic]

I commute in from Campbell to Great America/101 area. San Thomas is an amazing commute. If you can get to San Thomas ride it to Great America and profit. Anyone that commutes San Thomas can tell you how amazing that road is. Stop lights to let the motos up front and then four clear lanes of riders leading the pack to the next light. If you time it right, which you will cause you're on a bike, you can get almost every green from Campbell to Great America. Plus you get to see me and my bike lol.

Bird to San Carlos/Steven Creek
Steven Creek to San Thomas