Michigan fans pack the gates as they enter Michigan Stadium, but several said the congestion on the roads was less than they expected coming into town.

Angela J.. Cesere | AnnArbor.com

As game time approached today, fans appeared to be having no more difficulty than usual in getting into Ann Arbor and to the game.

In the hours before the 3:30 p.m. kickoff, traffic seemed to be moving fairly smoothly in and around Ann Arbor.

Lynn Niniowsky approached Ann Arbor from the east on I-94.

"(I-94) was backing up but (US-23) north was fine," she said. "We took Washtenaw to Stadium and traffic was really moving. It was like a regular day. I was surprised that it wasn't bumper-to-bumper, especially on Stadium."

Matt Hubbard left Pleasant Ridge west of Detroit at 12:30 p.m. and was parking his car down the road from the BIg House right after 1:30 p.m.

"There was an accident at 275 and M-14 that held us up, but once we got on 14 we flew in," said Hubbard. "The traffic was flowing fine on Washtenaw and Stadium. It seemed lighter than usual. Maybe because it's a later game and people got in earlier."

Charlie Mahar, who came from the Grand Rapids area, made sure to arrived early.

"We took 94 from the west, which was fine early today," said Mahar. "Once you hit Main Street, it can be a nightmare if you come to close to game time. Next week's game against Notre Dame is going to have an even bigger crowd, including Notre Dame fans and people who come just to tail gate."

Jim Frega and Chris Smart drove in from Columbus, Ohio.

"It starts getting crazy right around the stadium at 1 p.m." said Smart.

They came prepared for the high temperatures. "We've got water and Gatorade, and a tent to give us shade up to game time," said Frega.

At game time, the temperature in Ann Arbor was 93 degrees, with a heat index of 98, according to Weather Underground. A heat advisory remains in effect until 8 o'clock tonight.

Sharon Kiesel, who drove in from Jackson without any difficulty, sacrificed her vanity in preparation for 90-plus temperatures.

"Even though I had my hair done yesterday, I decided it was worth it to wear a pony tail and a baseball cap to beat the heat," she said.

Emergency medical staffers are stationed at different points inside Michigan Stadium on the lookout for fans suffering from the heat. U-M officials said water stations were set up inside the stadium to offer free water to fans. Bottled water also was available for sale.

"It's not opening day unless it's 90 degrees," said Scott Stine who brought dozens of bottles of water and several coolers to stay fortified until he entered the stadium.

As far as beating the traffic goes, Stine has the perfect solution: "We got here at 8 a.m. and we're going to stay until everybody leaves."

For the most current weather information, visit the AnnArbor.com weather page.