Starter studio with highway exterior noise, need help

Hi my name is Simone, and this is my first time posting. I'm gratful to John for this site being available. To anyone who is kind enough to answer to my inexperience...THANK YOU! My geographic region: Gainesville, Florida USA I live in a townhouse community, end unit with an attached neighbor on one side and an interstate highway on the other side. I own the unit. Studio/Room location: Upstairs/loft master bedroom with a small bonus room currently used for a bedroom, bathroom and closet space adjacent. Studio/Room purposes: Vocal rehearsal/ voice over work and recording Acoustic/ electric slide guitar & bass rehearsal & recording Drum Kit/ large amplifiers Concerns: I am competing with severe highway noise :( I wish to be respectful of my neighbor Mixing room/monitors/computer (unsure of proper location) Vocal booth (unsure of proper location) but I have found that the linen closet in my floor plan has the least amount of noise interference Goals: Minimize reflections? Pings? Achieve vocal isolation? I just want to get the best sound I can out of my vocal and music rooms by using proper sound proofing and gear layout. This is my first time setting up a studio. Budget for room changes: What can I do for $200 and if necessary what can I do for $500. I am saving for additional equipment. Should I invest the $300 budget discrepency in the room or equipment I need (playback monitors). I know this floor plan and the highway aren't the best combination but it's all I've got at the moment. I'm working my hands to the bone to bring in more cash flow to improve budget flexibility. I play and record vocals, bass, drums, & slide guitar on my digital 8-track with play back through my Peavey PA speakers. I have issues during playback with sound cutting in and out, bass frequency build up issues, and drum rattle. I don't want to have gear fear so I am reading everything I can and working on getting the best advice I can. Again, thank you to those who contribute to my posting. Ciao, Simone

Simone - it's natural that the linen closet is the quietest area because it's tucked away from the traffic noise. what I mean is : forget trying to soundproof the studio area as you don't have the money - even with $500. It doesn't matter so much if the work area has traffic noise, it's where you record that should take priority. What I'd suggest is you knock out the walls that make up the two closets - the two red lines in your drawing and seal that off as a soundproof booth like in the drawing. Then spend some $$$ on good insulation and plonk it on the wall as I've shown. cheers john