Sports fans are devoted, dedicated and willing to go to great lengths to follow their favorite teams. This type of commitment has its benefits, but also its drawbacks, especially when it comes to traffic in cities hosting important games involving popular teams.

About 70,000 people are expected to attend the Pac-12 showdown between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Oregon Ducks at Sun Devil Stadium on Thursday and state officials are warning drivers to leave early and plan for delays. In fact, they are advising drivers to use alternate routes when possible and allow plenty of time to get where they are going.

They are so concerned about the traffic situation that the Arizona Department of Transportation is going as far as advising some visitors to the area to consider using light rail instead of trying to drive into the city of Tempe. If fans do decide to drive, however, the ADOT is suggesting they leave early–plenty early enough to get to the city in time for the game. They are also saying that even if drivers leave early they are still likely to encounter delays.

the ADOT is also suggesting changes for regular commuters who usually travel eastbound on Loop 202 in the afternoon and evening. According to the ADOT these local drivers should consider an alternate route to the east Valley, such as eastbound I-10 to US 60, or northbound State Route 51 to the eastbound Loop 101. If local drivers can avoid staying off the roads altogether, they said, that is even better.

For many drivers, especially those heading to our from work, they might not have a choice about which roads they take or what time of day they drive. If that’s the case then these drivers too should think seriously about leaving early and being certain they have a full tank of gas so they can handle a little bit (maybe a lot) longer commute.