Unfortunatly its all about timing and making a point of working in the right place near your home. I live in LA and enjoy a 30 min drive up the PCH to work. By the time I get home, freeways are empty. In that condition, you can get anywhere in the city in 15 min.
But I digress...I to find myself cursing the city when I am forced to travel in rush hour traffic. So here's to nice leather sport seats, a great stereo and the convenience of iPod control through iDrive.