We thought that with significant population growth, and a new one-way flyover, it would be worth revisiting our traffic situation to see how it compares today - better, worse, or more of the same?

We sent each of our reporters in to work from a different direction at peak-hour, and timed how long it took to reach High Street.

Related: Maitland traffic at a standstill

Distance: 4.7km

Best trip: 6 minutes

Worst trip: 32 minutes

Weekday: Friday, Monday, Tuesday

This is the story of three trips because, to be frank, the first was too good to be true. Six minutes from the top of the hill at Gillieston Heights to High Street. And only four cars back at the Maitland Station roundabout.

Huh? Unheard of.

The aim was to experience peak hour traffic, which meant getting to Gillieston Heights at about 8.30am.

So, next trip was a Monday and this was more like it. The traffic moved steadily all the way but by the time I was approaching Maitland Station roundabout, I was probably 50 cars back. Total time, 12 minutes double the previous trip.

Not bad, but not exactly speedy either.

So, to be sure I did it again the next day and hit the top of the hill at 8.45am. The traffic was noticeably slower and by the time we reached Darcy's Peak it was bumper to bumper, stop and start all the way. Strangely it picked up a bit as we neared the Railway Station roundabout, but it was still slow. Traffic was banked across the roundabout and it took a while to cross.

No better in Church Street either. Stop, start. I eventually hit High Street at 9.17am. That's right, 32 minutes from Gillieston Heights - as bad a trip as I can remember.

Six minutes one day, 32 minutes the next? Welcome to peak-hour.

Distance: 7.6km

Estimated time: 15 minutes

Actual time: 24 minutes

Weekday: Tuesday

This was close to the worst congestion I've seen from East Maitland into Maitland, and there wasn't roadworks or accidents to blame. The lights on the New England Highway at Melbourne Street, East Maitland had me banked back to the pedestrian traffic lights at East Maitland school and it took three light changes to get through the intersection.

But the problem continued up to the dreaded Maitland Train Station roundabout (westbound flyover anyone?). It took more than eight minutes to go three kilometres between Melbourne Street and the roundabout, with traffic banked back to the United Service Station.

Once I got to the roundabout the congestion continued - cars blocked the inside lane of the roundabout. When I got onto Church Street I was stopped right next to the Caledonian Hotel and crawled to Pender Place and finally through the Ken Tubman Drive lights.

This was by far the slowest part of the trip - nine and a half minutes to travel 600 metres into the centre of town.

Talk about a bottleneck.

Distance: 4.9km

Estimated time: 8 minutes

Actual time: 7 minutes

Weekday: Tuesday

After leaving the Bradford Hotel at 8.30am there was some congestion at key spots - mostly traffic lights.

On previous trips, I found myself tapping the steering wheel impatiently at the various lights along the New England Highway.

However, Tuesday's traffic at that particular moment was pretty smooth and one of the best runs I've had in a while. I'll take it as a good day - I know they won't all be like this.

I'm at work early. Who'd have thought?

Distance: 10.3km

Estimated time: 14 minutes

Actual time: 22 minutes

Weekday: Tuesday

It's 8.40am and turning off from Government Road onto the Raymond Terrace Road is a breeze despite a small amount of roadworks.

Vehicles are flowing through the traffic lights and merging lanes, with dozens of motorists passing Waterford Living Estate with ease. However, less than five minutes into the journey and the traffic hits a bump at the roundabout just past East Maitland Cemetery.

A three or four minutes worth of waiting for a break, and then cars are back to cruising along Raymond Terrace Road all the way to East Maitland. This is where the congestion begins. The roundabout at the bottom of the hill on Morpeth Road is essentially gridlocked - a common occurrence these days - with every intersection bustling with school buses, commuters, drop-offs and even students.

The heavy congestion continues under the raliway line and onto Melbourne Street, with dozens of motorists crawling forward until the turn-off to the New England Highway.

Finally, the traffic is cruising up the highway with vehicles splitting off towards High Street. The street's 40km limit ensures a slow ride but relatively easy compared to the mess of the Morpeth Road roundabout.

Distance: 6.6km

Estimated time: 11 minutes

Actual time: 16 minutes

Weekday: Friday

It's 8.49am and traffic on Pitnacree Road is banked up almost one kilometre from the Melbourne Street intersection. In the distance traffic around the roundabout connecting Morpeth Road and Cumberland Street with Melbourne Street is quite congested.

It takes 4 minutes from the bend before the overpass to the Melbourne Street intersection - and from experience, that's considered a good run. The addition of the Harry Boyle Bridge in 2010 has provided a direct connection with East Maitland and added extra congestion to Melbourne and Lawes Streets.

Most motorists are going straight ahead onto Lawes Street so the turning lane onto Melbourne Street is relatively clear. Traffic on the New England Highway is flowing well on the approach to High Street near Maitland Visitors Centre.

It's a clear run down the city's main street, but that's not always the case. Just the day before it was heavily congested, especially around St Peter's Campus. Today I'll county myself lucky.

Distance: 3.2km

Estimated time: 5 minutes

Actual time: 7 minutes

Weekday: Tuesday

It's 8.47am and Belmore Road at Lorn is unbelievably quite empty, where is everybody?

Cars are usually crawling from a few hundred metres north of Glenarvon Road during most daily commutes and the trip into The Levee from the intersection of Flat Road and Paterson Road takes anywhere from 17 to 25 minutes. Some motorists take a detour through the back streets on the worst days and come out on The Esplanade.

The lights at the Belmore Bridge doesn't help the situation.

Have your say: Send us an email at maitland@fairfaxmedia.com.au