Hi Barb,
Everyone's got great advice. I don't have any bike lanes or paths on my commute (17 miles each way), but I do take the side streets. It makes extra miles and time longer, but I feel so much safer. I also have to navigate a highway on ramp and exit, I've learned to just take my time and stop and walk through that section if it is truly crazy. I usually drive to work at the beginning of the week and leave extra clothes at work for the days I commute (so I don't have to carry too much stuff). Good luck on the commute, it gets easier with practice.