If you’ve lived here for more than a week, you know the drill. You check your phone, see a sea of deep red on Google Maps, and realize that a ten-minute trip to Meijer is about to take forty-five minutes. Honestly, Ann Arbor traffic conditions are less about the number of cars and more about the city’s constant state of "becoming."
Between the micro-tunneling on First Street and the never-ending dance with University of Michigan game days, navigating this town is an art form. It’s a puzzle. Sometimes, it’s a nightmare.
The Current State of the Road
Right now, in January 2026, we are dealing with a very specific brand of winter congestion. It’s not just the snow. It's the infrastructure. For instance, the City of Ann Arbor and Ric-Man Construction are currently elbow-deep in a massive micro-tunneling project for a sanitary sewer along First and Washington Streets. This isn't a quick fix. We’re looking at detours that send northbound First Street traffic all the way over to Main and Huron until at least the fall.
If you usually cut through there to get to the YMCA or the shops downtown, you’ve likely noticed the bottleneck.
Then there’s the East Huron Street mess. Between Fifth Avenue and Division, we’re down to a single lane because of the AC Hotel development. That project has been squeezing the life out of Eastbound Huron since late 2025, and it’s slated to keep us cramped until the end of January. You’ve probably sat there, staring at the taillights, wondering if it’ll ever end. It will, but the "spring paving" season is right around the corner.
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Why the Roundabouts Aren’t Saving Us (Yet)
We love our roundabouts in Washtenaw County. Or at least, the engineers do. Brent Schlack, the Director of Engineering at the Washtenaw County Road Commission (WCRC), recently highlighted an $8.2 million roadwork plan for 2026. This includes about 30 miles of resurfacing and "enhancements."
What does that actually mean for you?
Well, look at the State Street and Ellsworth Road roundabout. It is consistently ranked as one of the most dangerous intersections in the county. According to recent data from Michigan Auto Law, it saw 85 crashes in 2024. Sure, that’s down from 126 the year before, but it still feels like a game of Frogger every time you enter it during rush hour.
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The "Nixon" Problem
If you live on the north side, you’re already bracing for Phase 3 of the Nixon Corridor Improvement Project.
Starting this spring, the northbound lanes of Nixon Road will be closed from Bluett Drive to Traver Blvd. Southbound traffic will be maintained, but if you’re trying to head toward M-14, you’re going to be sent on a scenic tour of Plymouth and Green Roads. This is part of a multi-year plan to add roundabouts at Sandalwood and Traver. Basically, the city is trying to fix the very congestion that the construction itself is currently creating. It's ironic, really.
The Michigan Stadium Factor
You cannot talk about Ann Arbor traffic conditions without mentioning the Big House. On game days, the city's population basically doubles. Roads like Main Street and Stadium Boulevard become literal parking lots.
TheRide (AAATA) tries to mitigate this with the "FootballRide" shuttle, which is honestly a lifesaver if you can snag a spot. They charge about $1.50 each way. But even with shuttles, routes like 6, 24, and 28 get detoured. If you aren't going to the game, stay west of Seventh Street or east of US-23. Just... trust me on that one.
Public Transit and the "FlexRide" Shift
TheRide has been making some moves lately to try and streamline things. Starting January 25, 2026, Route 62 is getting tweaked—it’s no longer pulling into the Wolverine Tower parking lots and will instead stick to State Street.
Also, if you’re in Pittsfield Township, things just changed. TheRide stopped operating FlexRide West there on January 1. Now, you have to call People’s Express for curb-to-curb service. It’s these little shifts that catch people off guard on Monday mornings.
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Hidden Hotspots to Avoid
Everyone knows about Washtenaw Avenue. It’s the perennial king of bad traffic. But keep an eye on these specific spots where the data shows things get hairy:
- Huron Parkway at Washtenaw: High injury rates here. The merging is aggressive.
- Packard Street at Platt Road: A classic bottleneck that gets worse when school is in session.
- Dixboro Road: Expect flagging and resurfacing delays between Huron River Drive and Geddes this season.
How to Actually Get Around
Don't rely on the "usual" way. The usual way is currently under three feet of dirt or blocked by an orange barrel.
- Check the WCRC Map: The Washtenaw County Road Commission maintains a live project map. It’s way more accurate for local closures than the big national apps.
- Use the "Back" Entrances: For downtown, avoid the Huron Street exit off I-94. Try coming in via Miller or Liberty if you can.
- The "Conquer the Cold" Strategy: The getDowntown program pushed their 2026 challenge recently. They found that over 600 people switched to sustainable trips last year, saving thousands of car miles. If you can bike or bus, even once a week, you’re not just avoiding traffic—you’re the one helping clear it.
The reality of Ann Arbor traffic conditions is that they are a byproduct of a town that is too popular for its own footprint. We have a fixed amount of road space and a growing number of people trying to use it. Until the 2026 resurfacing projects wrap up this fall, your best bet is patience and a very good playlist.
Actionable Next Steps for Commuters
- Download the FlexRide App: If you’re in the designated zones, this is often faster than waiting for a fixed-route bus during off-peak hours.
- Monitor the Nixon Project Phase 3: If your commute involves the north side, start practicing your Plymouth Road detour now before the spring rush.
- Update your Transit Apps: Since TheRide changed Route 62 and Pittsfield services this month, your saved "favorites" might be outdated.