Living in Phoenix and taking the Freeway 10, I find myself calculating what time I need to leave. When traveling with my child, if I misjudge the timing, my child gets cranky in the car, I sigh, and we arrive late, which ruins the day. So now I just know. "Ah, I shouldn't take the 10 at this time."

Having lived in Phoenix for a long time, I don't understand why the Freeway 10 is getting more congested. It used to be fine as long as I avoided rush hour, but that doesn't seem to work anymore. Whether it's morning or afternoon, even at odd hours, the traffic is heavy. The growth of Phoenix is not just something I hear on the news. Just looking around, new houses are constantly being built, and the population keeps increasing.

These days, there are many neighbors who have moved from California, and those who were renting are buying homes and spreading out to the suburbs. The problem is that everyone drives. Whether it's for school, after-school activities, doctor visits, or grocery shopping, nothing can be done without a car. The Freeway 10 is at the center of this daily life. It stretches long from east to west, so no matter where you go, you will encounter it at some point.

However, there are really a lot of trucks on it. It's no joke. Even when I'm in the back seat with my child having a snack, if I see a line of large trucks in the next lane, I feel uneasy. I've heard a lot about the increase in logistics trucks, but seeing it in person feels different. If one truck slows down just a bit, the whole back gets congested. When I'm traveling with my child, sudden stops make me even more anxious.

And when construction overlaps, it's a nightmare. Lanes get reduced, merges happen suddenly, and the signs are confusing. My child asks, "Mom, when will we arrive?" at least a hundred times. So now I always move with plenty of time to spare. If there's a school event or a doctor's appointment, I intentionally leave 30 minutes to an hour early. Waiting in the car after arriving is much better than being stuck on the freeway.

The time of day is also important. I simply avoid the hours from 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM. In the afternoon, 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM is a dangerous time. The problem is that these days, even the times in between are not safe. Maybe because of the increase in remote work, everyone's schedules are all over the place. So I think, "This time should be fine," and suddenly it gets congested. When I have my child with me, that uncertainty is the hardest part. I worry about whether they will need to go to the bathroom or if they will get hungry, and I find myself getting anxious.

Still, there are ways to manage it. I try to solve things within the neighborhood as much as possible and only use the freeway when absolutely necessary. When traveling with my child, water, snacks, and a tablet are essential. And above all, I make sure to calculate the time thoroughly.

Driving on the Freeway 10 while raising a child in Phoenix is not just simple driving; it's about planning the day's schedule.

This city is still a great place to live with plenty of sunshine, but that also means there are a lot of cars. So the question of "Should I take the 10 at this time?" continues to linger.