If you going for a short trip, thanks to DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit which includes, trains, trolleys and buses) it is now possible to navigate Dallas’ downtown areas without a car.  However, to be able to truly take in the city a car is an absolute necessity. The road and freeway system is navigable ONLY if you are truly familiar with the city. Signage in the Dallas/Ft Worth area is limited and makes for difficult driving conditions going from one city to the other. Be sure to have specific directions or GPS if you are going from Dallas to Ft Worth for example. The downtown area is laid out on a grid.  There are several loops around the city in ever increasing perimeters including Northwest Highway, Beltline Road, LBJ Freeway and now the President George Bush Tollway at the outmost point.  Traffic jams are common especially during the commuter rush hours of 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM.  Generally speaking the toll roads, Dallas North Tollway and the President George Bush Tollway are less backed up during these times; however, traffic accidents can still cause long waits.