For a metropolitan area of its size, Little Rock has an admirable network of roadways that allow for quick travel. And as the 78th largest metropolitan statistical area in the United States, central Arkansas' traffic at its worst can't compare with a steady drive in more populous areas.

Still, it's human nature to want to move from Point A to Point B in the least amount of time possible.

To shave minutes off your rush-hour commutes, we asked seasoned experts for their go-to routes.

From: Midtown-downtown Little Rock
Toward: Saline County
Expert Advice: Avoid I-630 West at all costs. In no uncertain terms, traffic will bottle up when the freeway ends, in a stoplight. Instead, take the swift-moving I-30 West from downtown, even if this means you've got to travel east for a few miles to access it. (See Map)

From: Little Rock
Toward: North Little Rock
Expert Advice: The main link between the cities, the I-30 river bridge's traffic can stack up, especially if there's an accident. Instead, try a smaller bridge and then travel on major streets like Main St., JFK Blvd., or Pike Ave. (See Map)

From: Little Rock
Toward: Jacksonville and Cabot
Expert Advice: The long way is often the fast way. To avoid traffic-heavy I-30 and Hwy. 67/167, consider taking I-440 from downtown and looping out around toward the airport. If you start out on I-30 but need to bail out, Broadway Ave. links up with Hwy. 161, which can take you all the way to Jacksonville. (See Map)

From: West Little Rock
Toward: Saline County
Expert Advice: Approaching I-30, I-430 South will narrow into two lanes, one for each direction onto I-30. Instead doing stop-and-go in the right lane, stay in the left lane before cutting in front of a slow-moving vehicle as it transitions from stop to go. Alternatively, you can take the Stagecoach exit. It might save you time. It'll definitely save your sanity. (See Map)

From: Downtown Little Rock
Toward: West Little Rock
Expert Advice: While driving, repeat "I love living in west Little Rock." Traffic clogs most routes, and extreme west I-630 becomes a virtual parking lot. Before the worst, jump onto Rodney Parham or take Mississippi south to Kanis and head west (See Map). Cantrell Road also links the two areas, but your best bet is often Markham St., even with the traffic lights (See Map). If possible, wait until 5:30 p.m. to leave work.