Charlotte, NC Driving Tips
I would give other drivers the advice to watch out for slow drivers in this city. Large cities like Atlanta move fast and people seem to go around 85 in the 55 MPH zones and anyone who does not keep up with the flow of traffic runs the risk of getting hit. Here there is a different feel. We have a l
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ot of extremely slow drivers that get in our lanes. Even if you are going the speed limit, you may still run the risk of hitting someone going significantly slower than you. It's a daily occurrence that I see people going 10 to even 20 miles per hour under the speed limit. It's actually kind of scary and it's probably really dangerous. There are also a lot of people who drive slowly in the passing lane. When I mean slowly, I do mean under the speed limit. On 485 there are sometimes people going 55 to 60 miles per hour in a 70 zone! Then there are the people who very dangerously whip around these slow drivers and sometimes don't even look when they are trying to get away from said slow driver. Those people are very scary and have nearly hit me on far too many occasions because they seem to think that their destination is more important than the safety of others on the road.
Charlotte, NC Buying Tips
Buying a car in this city is a very frustrating thing. The dealers around here aren't exactly trustworthy. Craigslist is even more questionable. I do have two friends in town that work on cars and they are at least willing to take a chance on Craigslist since they know how to fix a car and examine i
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f there is anything wrong with its mechanics. So, if you have any understanding of cars, car maintenance, and the way that a car works, it would be beneficial for you to consider chancing getting a used car from someone who is selling independently. I personally like CarMax myself since I am not a person who knows a lot about cars. CarMax has been very straightforward and honest about their used cars. Their prices are very reasonable and they are willing to negotiate with you to help you find a decent deal. I would avoid any other dealerships around here as I have not been satisfied with the way that they operate their businesses. CarMax has been reliable and normal and my family has bought several cars from them over the years. It also helps to check the internet and get reviews on local dealerships.
Favorite Driving Memory
I don't really have a lot of favorite memories of driving in Charlotte. It's really not a lot of fun to drive around here as there is too much traffic and not enough public transportation. However, I guess if I had to pick a time I would pick the time it was about 3 in the morning and it was the sum
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mer time. I was with my friend and we were cruising down the highway going about 70-75 MPH. We had the windows open and there was wind blowing our hair everywhere. The music was really loud and because it was so late, we weren't sharing the road with anyone. The highway was 485 and it has just been built to be a huge circle around Charlotte. As a result, we were able to drive around the entire circle and back home in one go. It took a long time, even with the roads empty but it was a lot of fun. This happened this summer, I would guess probably in July. It's really the only thing that I can think of, but I don't feel like it was fun just because of the driving experience. I think having good company is what makes the driving experience in town worthwhile for me.
Favorite Road
I-485
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As I stated above, this road has been built to be a circle now. It goes all the way around the entire city without stopping. Before it was kind of an awkward horseshoe in north Charlotte, but now it has been significantly improved after about a year's worth of construction. There's been a lot of con
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struction on this road within recent years. Even the road itself doesn't feel too old, as I remember when it was built. Now, there are enough lanes that traffic flows really well during rush hour. I usually have to ride this road to work and I don't have any problems getting to my destination. There are a lot of accidents on this road but they don't seem to cause any more congestion that normal driving. There are a lot of exits that are easy to get off of. The exit to I-77 is laid out really well and it is easy to merge and get on that interstate in seconds. The exits to I-85 are just as good. Overall this is a nice circle around the city and there are trees all along the drive so there's usually a nice view. I really like driving on this road.
Charlotte, NC Driving Tips
Know your directions before you have to take the turn. GPS does not always know which roads are under construction or re-pavement projects this week. It changes week to week and day to day. Stick to the lane you need to be in BEFORE you need to be in it, especially when on Brookshire Blvd., Where t
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he exits come hard and fast and with 4-5 lanes across. If you need to be in the right or left lanes, know this and be there at least a mile before you need to be.
Charlotte, NC Buying Tips
It is easier to find a car online than buying it by going around to the dealers. Car-Max in Charlotte is awesome about finding you the car you want wherever it may be. However my best advice would be to go to the surrounding counties. The cars are more moderately priced and the dealers are MORE eage
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r to make a sale, because "everybody" goes to Charlotte.
Favorite Driving Memory
Coming into the South, you expect polite gentile behavior from your neighbors. When driving through Charlotte, NC you still get that behavior even on a busy freeway. I drive the 485 Loop on a regular basis and I love the way other drivers move over to let you on from the ramp. There is always someth
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ing going on to occupy the children while I am navigating traffic, if there is any. My favorite drive was one of the first time we took the 485 Outer from Mt. Holly to the Ballantyne area. As we got closer to the Charlotte-Douglas airport area the planes in the sky increased. Then as the sun was going down and the lights of the city started twinkling, we all noticed this one jumbo-jet that seemingly was headed straight for us. As my children began mimicking, Tattoo from "Fantasy Island" hollering "da plane, Boss, da Plane', I was busy determining if the plane REALLY was trying to land on the highway I was driving down or if it was just a trick of the light. As I steered through a curve, I noticed that it really was just the perspective and lighting that made it appear as if the airplane was attempting to land directly on top of us. My heart started beating again and my hands unclenched from the steering wheel and my children never knew the urge to freak out and swerve was running through their mother's mind.
Favorite Road
I-485
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Coming into the South, you expect polite gentile behavior from your neighbors. When driving through Charlotte, NC you still get that behavior even on a busy freeway. I drive the 485 Loop on a regular basis and I love the way other drivers move over to let you on from the ramp. There is always someth
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ing going on to occupy the children while I am navigating traffic, if there is any. It has become a family car game to count how many planes would squash us if they fell from the sky. The road makes navigating in and around a city of Charlotte's size with less drama and traffic than my country self expects.
Charlotte, NC Driving Tips
1. Use your signal when you are turning or changing lanes!!!!! It drives me crazy when I am waiting on a car, to pull out in traffic and they end up turning down the street I'm sitting on.
2. Don't just step out while cars are driving in a parking lot without looking to see if something is coming.
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We might not always see you in time. Stop and look first before you step out into oncoming cars.
3. When walking in the road and a car comes - get out of the road - stay on the side of the road in the grass - Don't walk in the road!!! It's dangerous!!
Charlotte, NC Buying Tips
I would suggest using all options available and do your homework. Craigslist offers lots of options without overhead fees and sales tax. Autotrader.com is another option. I would also suggest using Kelly Blue Book.com and NADA.com to find reviews for the car you are looking for and to find out what
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a reasonable price for the car is whether you are buying from a home owner or a dealer. While you are on these sites, they will also give you the option to find cars for sale in your area.
Favorite Driving Memory
My favorite memory of driving in Charlotte is: I was driving with all 3 of my kids in the car. We had Journey playing on the radio playing and it was a sunny day. We were heading down 77 south and exited onto 485 towards Ballantine. It is my favorite exit in the whole city. It takes you up to a high
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elevation and you can see Carowinds roller coasters from there. You almost feel you are about to lift off and take flight. I love taking that exit at the right time of day when the traffic isn't too heavy in that area.
Favorite Road
Marvin Rd turns into New Town to Marvin School Rd. To Rea or Providence Rd.
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I love taking this route (in reverse) to come home. It is a more rural area with lots of trees and generally once I reach this area there is not so much traffic and congestion. I love seeing land and trees and not being in the bumper to bumper traffic
