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  • Drive Smarter Now
  • Tools and Learning
    • Traffic Jargon
    • Traffic References
    • DriveSmartQuiz.com
    • Blog/Quiz Archive
    • About Me
  • Podcast Episodes
    • Episode 17
    • Episode 16
    • Episode 15
    • Episode 14
    • Episode 13
    • Ep 12 - Cruise Control
    • Ep 11 - Pedestrians
    • Ep 10 - Weather
    • Ep. 9 - Merging
    • Ep. 8 - Driving School
    • Ep. 7 - "DOTE" not DOGE
    • Ep. 6 - Lane Discipline
    • Ep. 5 - Brake Lights/Use
    • Ep. 4 - Speeding
    • Ep. 3 - Fwy Personalities
    • Ep. 2 - Phantom Jams
    • Ep. 1 - Smart Driving
  • More
    • Drive Smarter Now
    • Tools and Learning
      • Traffic Jargon
      • Traffic References
      • DriveSmartQuiz.com
      • Blog/Quiz Archive
      • About Me
    • Podcast Episodes
      • Episode 17
      • Episode 16
      • Episode 15
      • Episode 14
      • Episode 13
      • Ep 12 - Cruise Control
      • Ep 11 - Pedestrians
      • Ep 10 - Weather
      • Ep. 9 - Merging
      • Ep. 8 - Driving School
      • Ep. 7 - "DOTE" not DOGE
      • Ep. 6 - Lane Discipline
      • Ep. 5 - Brake Lights/Use
      • Ep. 4 - Speeding
      • Ep. 3 - Fwy Personalities
      • Ep. 2 - Phantom Jams
      • Ep. 1 - Smart Driving
  • Drive Smarter Now
  • Tools and Learning
    • Traffic Jargon
    • Traffic References
    • DriveSmartQuiz.com
    • Blog/Quiz Archive
    • About Me
  • Podcast Episodes
    • Episode 17
    • Episode 16
    • Episode 15
    • Episode 14
    • Episode 13
    • Ep 12 - Cruise Control
    • Ep 11 - Pedestrians
    • Ep 10 - Weather
    • Ep. 9 - Merging
    • Ep. 8 - Driving School
    • Ep. 7 - "DOTE" not DOGE
    • Ep. 6 - Lane Discipline
    • Ep. 5 - Brake Lights/Use
    • Ep. 4 - Speeding
    • Ep. 3 - Fwy Personalities
    • Ep. 2 - Phantom Jams
    • Ep. 1 - Smart Driving

Episode 3

Freeway Personalities


We get our first bits of feedback to "Mastering the Commute" and start introducing topics YOU want to hear about. Join Randy Keith as he lays out his foundation for  Smart Driving and all the nitty-gritty nerdy details about traffic! 

Listen to Episode 3 on Spotify

Episode 3 Summary

Episode 3 - Freeway Personalities - Why Some Freeways Jam Up

🚗 Think traffic is unpredictable? Think again. Every freeway has a personality—a pattern of congestion, peak-hour slowdowns, and bottlenecks that seem to happen like clockwork. If you’ve ever wondered why the same stretch of road always slows down at the same time every day, this episode is for you.


I’m Randy Keith, former LA traffic reporter and smart driving advocate, and in today’s episode of Mastering the Commute, we’re diving deep into freeway personalities—the predictable patterns that shape your daily drive.


In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

✅ Why certain freeways back up at the same spots every day.

✅ The science behind “bottleneck locations” and what causes phantom jams.

✅ How driver behavior contributes to the stop-and-go effect (and what you can do to reduce it).

✅ The best strategies for navigating freeways smarter—whether you’re dealing with an unavoidable choke point or figuring out the fastest route.


🎧 LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE: Drivesmarternow.com

🚦 Helpful Navigation Tools:


Stay ahead of the traffic by using these real-time mapping tools:

📍 Google Maps Traffic Updates – Click Here
**Here's a sample route. calculated using the "Arrive by" option - Click HERE

📍 Apple Maps Live Traffic – Click Here

📍 Waze Community Reports – Click Here


🔗 Want to know how your driving habits compare to the average commuter? 

Take my free Smart Driving Quiz at DriveSmartQuiz.com.


Why This Matters

Traffic congestion isn’t just about volume—it’s about patterns. By understanding freeway personalities, you can predict slowdowns before they happen, plan alternate routes, and drive smarter. This episode will help you take control of your commute, minimize stress, and even contribute to better traffic flow.


💬 Have a freeway that always seems to jam at the same spot? Tell me about it! Drop a comment below or tag me on social media.


🚘 Mastering the Commute is here to make every drive smarter, safer, and smoother. Join the movement today!


Send us a text

Support the show


🚦 New Episodes Every Wednesday at 8 AM ET!

Thanks for tuning in to Mastering the Commute!


Ready to take your driving to the next level? Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode, dropping every Wednesday morning at 8 AM ET.


🎧 Join me each week as we tackle topics like merging mastery, the truth about phantom jams, and real-world strategies for safer, stress-free driving.


🔗 Don’t forget to test your driving skills with the free Drive Smart Quiz and see how you stack up against the average commuter!


🚗 Let’s rethink the way we drive—together.

Listen Here:

Copyright © 2025 The Freeway Traffic Expert - All Rights Reserved.

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  • Traffic References
  • About Me
  • Ep. 9 - Merging
  • Ep. 8 - Driving School
  • Ep. 7 - "DOTE" not DOGE
  • Ep. 6 - Lane Discipline
  • Ep. 5 - Brake Lights/Use
  • Ep. 4 - Speeding
  • Ep. 3 - Fwy Personalities
  • Ep. 2 - Phantom Jams
  • Ep. 1 - Smart Driving