So I have two ways to get from my workplace to a certain intersection. One has larger rolling hills and less traffic, while the other route has a bit more traffic, but has been levelled out for development. It seems to me that it is easier to go up and down and up and down over the mile or so of frontage road than it is to go more or less level with slighter uphills and downhills. I'm on a fixed gear, so its not a matter of coasting down hills, but the hilly route seems easier or maybe more fun than the flat route.

Anyone else have a similar connundrum?

There is also a better shoulder on the less travelled-more hilly route. And by hills I mean gradual 1/4 mile hills, maybe 2-300 feet of elevation change.

If anyone has been to the Kansas City Airport, I'm right by there...

I'd say go for the hilly route, get the extra exercise from it, and you seem to think its safer so thats a big plus.

Why not choose based on how you feel that day and how much "extra" time you have???

I have at least 4 routes I take. 99% of the time it's route #1 or route #2 which are 17 and 22 miles respectively. But I've got two others for those perfect days when you have the time to ride and they go up to 40 or so miles.

at first I read this and thought, "What's the guy in Kansas worried about hills for- what kinds of hills is he talking about?"

then I did the math:

1/4 mile = 1,320'

an elevation gain of 300' in 1/4 mile = 22.72% grade!

Do you mean an overall gain in altitude of 300' on your commute with gradual hills (5% or less- meaning in a 1/4 mile you might gain 60' in alt.)? So in about 10 miles you might have 5 long hills or so but not too steep?

Some of us take our hill climbing very seriously

I have a feeling your hilly route is the best route and it sounds like more fun- and isn't that what it's all about- and doing those 22% hill climbs will prep you nicely for the annual Mt. Washington Hill Climb or to be King of the Mountains in the Tour de France.

Alternate. I have a flatter high traffic route and a more hilly less traffic route. I generally stick to the hilly version. However, from time to time I like to practice riding in higher traffic to keep my skills honed. It seems so odd to me that I enjoy riding in heavy traffic from time to time.

stick to the hills!

i suppose it all depends what your gear size is... i'm riding 14x44 in seattle, which is too large for some of the steeper hills around here, at least for my legs. so i find myself avoiding certain seattle streets (queene anne ave for one) and using other routes instead.

the terrain you're talkin about sounds similar to seattle; i always figure the extra hills can only help the 'engine' run better next year.

Kansas has hills? I thought those were canyons lol

We're closer to western Missouri, which definitely has some hills, and if anyone has been to the flint hills in central Kansas, they know that Kansas is not flatter than a pancake...
I'm not sure about the grade of the hills, but they're definitely not 22 percent.

I usually take the hilly route, but somehow I think the flat route is a bit quicker, just not as fun.

I think it was Chris L who first said, "Hills are your friends".
My sentiments too.