The temp gauge is a auto meter which I bought last year.

My car runs 185-190 when I'm driving it but when I sit and let it idle it runs up to around 220-230.

I'm just concerned about it really overheating especially if I go to woodward this weekend where I know I'll be doing alot of sitting in traffic.
After you mentioned using a 160 t-stat I thought about it and it might be the right thing to do because it would take alot longer to reach 210-220 and so forth.