Thunder Bay's transportation landscape in 2024 is dominated by car usage, with 60% of commuters choosing this mode. Walking is the second most popular method, accounting for 20% of the commuting population, reflecting a pedestrian-friendly environment.

Average Commute Times

The average commute time across all modes is approximately 16.5 minutes, with a typical distance of 7.2 km.
  • Bus - Bus commuters spend about 30 minutes on their journey, covering a distance of 5.7 km.
  • Car - Car users experience an average driving time of 12.83 minutes over a distance of 9.33 km.
  • Walking - Pedestrians typically walk for 17.5 minutes, traveling around 3 km.
Traffic Breakdown
Car
60%
Walking
20%
Bus
10%
Motorcycle
10%
Seasonal Trends

Winter months typically see increased car usage due to harsh weather conditions, impacting pedestrian and cycling rates. Summer brings a rise in walking and outdoor activities, slightly reducing car dependency.

Commuter Pain Points

Limited public transport options can lead to longer commute times for bus users. Traffic congestion during peak hours affects car commuters, leading to increased travel times.

Best Travel Times

Early mornings and late evenings are the best times to travel to avoid peak hour congestion. Midday travel is generally smoother for those using public transport.

Event Impacts

Public events and festivals in Thunder Bay can lead to temporary road closures and increased traffic congestion. Commuters are advised to plan ahead during major events to avoid delays.

Sustainability Efforts

Thunder Bay is investing in expanding its public transport network to reduce car dependency. The city is promoting cycling and walking through improved infrastructure and community programs.

Ride-Sharing Impact

Ride-sharing services are gaining popularity, offering flexible commuting options and reducing the need for personal vehicles. These services help alleviate parking issues and contribute to a decrease in overall traffic congestion.

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 10 user contributions.
Overall average travel
Distance
4.5 miles
Walking
4.3 mins
Driving Car
8.2 mins
Bus / Trolley
3.0 mins
Total:
16.5 mins
Average when primarily using Bus
Distance
3.5 miles
Bus / Trolley
30.0 mins
Total:
30.0 mins
Average when primarily using Car
Distance
5.8 miles
Walking
1.3 mins
Driving Car
12.8 mins
Total:
14.2 mins
Average when primarily using Walking
Distance
1.9 miles
Walking
17.5 mins
Driving Car
2.5 mins
Total:
20.0 mins
Thunder Bay Traffic

"Key Takeaways"

Car travel is the predominant mode of transportation, but there's room to promote more sustainable options.

Improving public transport infrastructure could help reduce CO2 emissions and traffic inefficiencies.

Key Indexes

Emissions

Thunder Bay's CO2 emissions index is 2461.2, indicating a significant environmental impact from transportation.

Efforts to reduce emissions could focus on increasing public transport and non-motorized travel options.

Time

The average commute time index is 16.5, suggesting relatively efficient travel times across the city.

Car travel remains the quickest option, but walking and bus services provide viable alternatives.

Inefficiency

The traffic inefficiency index stands at 36.96, highlighting potential areas for improvement in traffic flow.

Reducing car dependency and enhancing public transport could alleviate inefficiencies.