TIP-OFF : Combatting the Roadway Blues

SOME OF US complain about commuting 25 minutes back and forth to work. Others, however, actually like to spend the entire day driving perhaps 200 miles in stop-and-go traffic. Robert Chamichian, a former Los Angeles Police Department officer, drives about 4,000 miles a month for Beverly Hills-based V.I.P. Limousine. Whether chauffeuring rock stars or corporate presidents, he takes a scientific, eye-on-the-clock approach to dodging gridlock. We asked him to share his time-tested tips:

“Avoid the freeway between 3:30 and 6 p.m.; any of the city’s wide surface streets are probably faster.”

“Beverly Boulevard is the quickest route west from downtown L.A.; Imperial Highway is a clear route to the beach.”

“To reach LAX at rush hour, get onto Sepulveda Boulevard if you can. From Sepulveda, it’s a straight shot into the airport, bypassing all freeways and Century Boulevard.”

“To San Diego, Interstate 5 is better than (Interstate) 405.”

“Plan your down time and average it in on the total trip time, especially on the surface streets. The average time spent at a red light in rush hour is about 1 minute and 20 seconds.”

“It’s fine to listen to the traffic reports on the radio, but remember that most of them are 20 minutes behind, and a lot of the accidents have already been cleared.”