Post-game traffic
We aren't going to the game this weekend but have reservations at Metzger's for 4pm. It's at the Zeeb Rd exit off I-94.
I'm never on the west side of A2 for games and don't really know the traffic patterns. If we are coming down I-94W from Westland, are we going to run into backups? Do the left lanes stay moving pretty well?
Thanks and Go Blue!
September 22nd, 2023 at 6:23 PM ^
stay and have a drink
September 22nd, 2023 at 6:36 PM ^
I'll answer your question if you order extra Sauerbraten and Knackwurst and bring it to me. Oh, and cabbage rolls too. I'm in a German food desert down here.
September 22nd, 2023 at 6:45 PM ^
If u your res is at 4PM you should be OK. I drive 94 W after every game and it’s never been an issue. Most people will still be stuck in traffic leaving the stadium area.
September 22nd, 2023 at 6:50 PM ^
coming from Westland might be a problem, its not like his starting point is State Street. You're looking at two lanes pretty much from 23 to your exit and it will be backed up. I would head a little early and stay for a final final at the bar if able. also recommend coming over the north side via ford rd to 23 if there isn't construction up there
September 22nd, 2023 at 6:53 PM ^
What if she gets hungry for dinner at 8?
September 22nd, 2023 at 7:05 PM ^
September 22nd, 2023 at 7:33 PM ^
Come on. You know she doesn't bother with anyone she hates.
September 22nd, 2023 at 6:55 PM ^
I would do Ford to M14 to 94
September 22nd, 2023 at 6:55 PM ^
You will encounter some of the stadium traffic once you just pass the Ann Arbor-Saline entrance ramp to I-94W. The folks disperse in all directions right after the game on all of the freeways so I-94W won't be too bad. You'll probably notice the surge in traffic but you should not lose much time driving through. Getting off at Zeeb Rd should be a piece of cake.
September 22nd, 2023 at 6:55 PM ^
OP, what's your point of origin in Westland? Actually, I'm not sure that would even matter. I'd expect I-94 to be a little gummed up right after the game, which is probably about when you'd be driving through.
For a small expense of miles you could take Ford Road to 14 and greatly reduce your odds of hitting traffic.
September 22nd, 2023 at 7:25 PM ^
We are about a mile N of Michigan Ave. For games, we always take Michigan Ave, cut through Ypsi, and take Packard into Burns Park area to park. But, you're right, taking Ford probably would only be a couple extra miles.
We just changed our time to 6 but no reservations. Unless someone thinks 5:30 might still be bad traffic, we'll probably just take Mich Ave to 94. Probably end up waiting longer for a table than we would've in any traffic.
September 23rd, 2023 at 5:25 AM ^
I haven’t driven that area in that time frame recently, but I’d be concerned about traffic at that time. More so than 4.
Ford road to 14 really isn’t bad, especially since you’re going all the way to Zeeb. I’d just take that both ways if I were in your position; frankly I might even do that if I were living along 94 like my wife and I used to in Romulus.
September 23rd, 2023 at 7:03 AM ^
6:00 with no reservations may be more difficult than working through the traffic at 4:00.
September 22nd, 2023 at 6:59 PM ^
Best approach would be to take M-14 all the way past downtown A2 until it merges with I-94 just before the Zeeb Rd. Exit. Should have no traffic.
Avoid taking I-94 past the State St., Main St. and Jackson Rd. Exits.
September 22nd, 2023 at 6:59 PM ^
I go that way when leaving and I94 westbound isn't usually backed up and if it is has to do with an accident and not game-day traffic.
September 22nd, 2023 at 7:01 PM ^
I upvoted your post because of your username. That's gotta be up there with UM's greatest plays against OSU.
September 22nd, 2023 at 7:27 PM ^
I appreciate that. That play happened the year I started playing organized football. Had it on VCR and watched it a lot to get pumped up. Lol.
The only play that may have solidified my U-M fandom more was AC ending the game against Indiana.
September 22nd, 2023 at 7:06 PM ^
Left lanes from State to Jackson and should be okay at 3:15 on I- 94.
From Westland, couldn't you go on M-14 north of Ann Arbor? and it reconnects with I-94 just east of Zeeb.
Ironically I tried to have dinner tonight at Metzger's and it was way too busy. Went to the Session Room on Jackson Road and had a nice meal
If the first half is a M blowout, go earlier and stop by the Dexter Cider Mill / Huron River Drive. The fall scenery weather is fantastic these past few days.
September 22nd, 2023 at 7:10 PM ^
So, you're worried about Crosstown Traffic
I don't travel 94 so I can't help but I would assume that with the length of games, you should be OK-ish.
September 22nd, 2023 at 7:31 PM ^
September 22nd, 2023 at 9:51 PM ^
+1 for "Dear Mr. Fantasy." Great song.
September 22nd, 2023 at 7:10 PM ^
Get to Metzgers by 3:00. That should. avoid most of the traffic…
September 22nd, 2023 at 10:45 PM ^
If you had to leave at 3. Go M-14 to Ford Rd, take Dixboro to North Territorial, left on Webster Church, to joy to Zeeb and you’re there. The townie secret to game day traffic are roads north of 94. Miller, Plymouth and North Territorial can get you places.
i bet my neighbor evenyoubrutus can attest to North Territorial being clear while 23 and 94 are jacked.
September 22nd, 2023 at 7:20 PM ^
Well, it looks like one of our party couples can't make it at 4(I have a feeling they don't want to battle traffic), so we are going there at 6 with no reservations available.
I'm assuming traffic will be fine by 5:30, doesn't mean we won't be waiting for a table longer than we might've waited in traffic.
Thanks for all the input.
September 22nd, 2023 at 7:35 PM ^
There will be a decent wait without reservations....
September 22nd, 2023 at 8:29 PM ^
it’s been years since I have been in downtown AA on a Saturday for any other reason than a game.
my (now not applicable) advice would have been to “drink on the golf course until they kick you out, roads are pretty clear by then”
September 22nd, 2023 at 9:11 PM ^
If only Metzger's were still downtown. I still remember when the location on Washington closed in 1999 and everyone was convinced that we would never see it again. I never understood why they restarted it out on Zeeb Road in a strip mall near a McDonalds and the Washtenaw County Road Commission's main office, but they've been there 20 years now, so what do I know about real estate...
September 22nd, 2023 at 8:32 PM ^
I live 5 minutes from Metzger's. I recommend you cancel your reservations and eat at Carlyle Grill.
September 22nd, 2023 at 8:48 PM ^
I live 5 minutes from Carlyle Grill. I recommend he cancels his reservations and eats at Metzger's.
September 22nd, 2023 at 9:04 PM ^
I live 2.5 hours from Ann Arbor. I recommend he cancels his reservation to Metzger’s and Carlyle Grill and hits the closest Taco Bell
September 22nd, 2023 at 9:10 PM ^
This is good advice because the nearest Taco Bell is by Costco on State/Ellsworth and you'll need lots of toilet paper after
September 22nd, 2023 at 9:41 PM ^
And the drivers in that area act like roundabouts are the Corkscrew at Laguna Seca.
September 22nd, 2023 at 8:47 PM ^
I'd take the Weeb St. exit to Ralphie's off I-72. I'm always on the West side of A1. Eastland has some backups but the 4th lane from the left in the middle right usually stays clear. Go Blue!
September 22nd, 2023 at 9:01 PM ^
Coming down I-94, you might want to avoid the Ann Arbor-Saline exit, around that time just in case. If you must take I-94 for some reason, get off at State and head south to Ellsworth, then west on Ellsworth to Ann Arbor-Saline (now well west of the interchange), then north on Wagner. Pick up Jackson westbound at Wagner and then north on Zeeb to Metzgers.
If you don't have to take I-94 and you're coming from Westland, just take Ford to M-14 and pick up I-94 basically at the Zeeb Road exit (just past the merge).
September 22nd, 2023 at 9:06 PM ^
go where Waze tells you to and scream obscenities at your windshield while stuck in 2 hours of dick-to-butt (nttawwt) traffic like the rest of us
September 23rd, 2023 at 12:08 AM ^
It's 5.8 miles. Just walk.
September 23rd, 2023 at 10:46 AM ^
ride an e-bike, problem solved
September 23rd, 2023 at 6:56 PM ^
You should be fine, going into Ann Arbor after the game isn't an issue I think. It's before the game going in, and after the game going out.