In 2024, Sault Ste. Marie sees a predominant use of cars for commuting, with 75% of the population relying on this mode of transport. Walking is the second most popular mode of transportation, accounting for 25% of commutes, reflecting the city's compact and pedestrian-friendly nature.

Average Commute Times

The average commute time in Sault Ste. Marie is approximately 9 minutes, covering a distance of 7.95 km.
  • Car - Car commuters spend about 10 minutes driving over a distance of 10.27 km.
  • Walking - Walking commuters take around 4 minutes to cover a distance of 1 km.
Traffic Breakdown
Car
75%
Walking
25%
Seasonal Trends

Winter months can lead to increased car usage due to harsh weather conditions, impacting commute times. Summer sees a rise in walking and outdoor activities, slightly reducing car traffic.

Commuter Pain Points

Limited public transportation options may inconvenience those without access to a car. Weather conditions can significantly affect commute times, especially during winter.

Best Travel Times

Early mornings and late evenings are ideal for avoiding peak traffic congestion. Midday travel is generally smooth due to lower traffic volumes.

Event Impacts

Public events and festivals can lead to temporary road closures and increased traffic congestion. Planning ahead for such events can help mitigate travel delays.

Sustainability Efforts

The city is exploring initiatives to expand cycling lanes and pedestrian pathways. Efforts are underway to promote carpooling and reduce single-occupancy vehicle trips.

Ride-Sharing Impact

Ride-sharing services are gaining popularity, offering a flexible alternative to car ownership. These services help reduce the number of cars on the road, contributing to lower emissions.

Worldwide
Canada

Traffic Rankings

The Traffic Index for Canada combines user-contributed data on commute times, traffic dissatisfaction, CO2 emissions, and traffic system inefficiencies in Canada, to provide insights into overall traffic conditions.

Worst to BestUpdated: Dec, 2024
Full Traffic Rankings

Traffic Data

The following traffic data has been gathered from 4 user contributions.
Overall average travel
Distance
4.9 miles
Walking
1.5 mins
Driving Car
7.5 mins
Total:
9.0 mins
Average when primarily using Car
Distance
6.4 miles
Walking
0.7 mins
Driving Car
10.0 mins
Total:
10.7 mins
Average when primarily using Walking
Distance
0.6 miles
Walking
4.0 mins
Total:
4.0 mins
Sault Ste. Marie Traffic

"Key Takeaways"

Encouraging the use of bicycles or public transport could help reduce CO2 emissions and traffic inefficiency.

Investing in pedestrian infrastructure could further support the 25% of commuters who walk.

Key Indexes

Emissions

The CO2 emissions index is at 1995, indicating a moderate level of emissions primarily due to car usage.

Efforts to reduce emissions could focus on promoting alternative transportation methods.

Time

The time index is 9, suggesting relatively short commute times across the city.

This reflects the efficiency of the city's road network and traffic management.

Inefficiency

The inefficiency index stands at 28.99, highlighting areas for potential improvement in traffic flow.

Reducing car dependency could help lower this inefficiency.