An iPhone moment in traffic

 I unfortunately have a 40 minute commute, which sucks given my tree-hugger ways. I feel that at this point in my life it's not practical to move since I'm not "settled" in a relationship and could end up moving again anyway.

I have a ten mile stretch on I-271, a "bypass" that starts well south of Cleveland and goes northeast toward Erie. I use the word "bypass" in quotes because frankly it touches most of the east side. Anyway, there is only one exit in between my start and end, SR 8. That interchange is under construction with a massive interchange project. The bridges over the Cuyahoga Valley National Park are also being replaced. Basically, it's mostly construction. Then add to the fact that I-480 also merges with it, and you suddenly have the most ridiculous section of highway in Northeast Ohio, and it's mostly rural.

Traffic this morning was backed up to the valley. Not good. The construction at 8 puts it down to one lane, with the other lane forcing you to exit on 8. I actually got out of the house early, but clearly I was going to be late. It's always a gamble continuing on past 8 because you never know what the traffic will be like.

Then I realized that my iPhone does now. I pulled up the map, turned on the traffic overlay, and sure enough, a big red line on the remainder of that freeway. I got off at 8, and likely saved half an hour in the car. Given the value of my time, at least to me, I think I paid for a small percentage of the phone. :) Sweet.