In 2024, San Salvador's transportation landscape is dominated by car usage, accounting for nearly 74% of all commutes. Despite the heavy reliance on cars, the city is seeing a modest uptake in walking and cycling as alternative modes of transport.

Average Commute Times

The average commute involves approximately 31.78 minutes of driving and 4.07 minutes of walking, covering a distance of 13.99 km.
  • Bus - Bus commuters spend around 35 minutes on the bus, with an additional 7.5 minutes waiting and 5 minutes walking, covering 9.25 km.
  • Car - Car users experience a driving time of about 42.65 minutes, with minimal walking, covering a distance of 17.27 km.
  • Walking - Those who walk as their primary mode of transport spend about 22.5 minutes walking, covering a distance of 2.9 km.
Traffic Breakdown
Car
74%
Walking
13%
Bus
9%
Bicycle
4%
Seasonal Trends

Traffic congestion tends to increase during the rainy season due to slower driving conditions. Holiday seasons see a spike in traffic as residents travel for festivities.

Commuter Pain Points

Long wait times for buses and traffic jams during peak hours are common complaints. Limited cycling infrastructure discourages more widespread use of bicycles.

Best Travel Times

Traveling outside of peak hours, such as early morning or late evening, can significantly reduce commute times. Weekends generally offer less congested roads compared to weekdays.

Event Impacts

Public events and demonstrations often lead to road closures and increased traffic in central areas. Concerts and sports events at major venues can cause localized congestion.

Sustainability Efforts

San Salvador is exploring initiatives to expand its public transport network and improve cycling infrastructure. Programs to encourage carpooling and the use of electric vehicles are being considered.

Ride-Sharing Impact

Ride-sharing services are gaining popularity, offering flexible commuting options and reducing the need for personal car ownership. These services help alleviate parking issues in densely populated areas.

Traffic Data

The following traffic data has been gathered from 23 user contributions.
Overall average travel
Distance
8.7 miles
Walking
4.1 mins
Waiting
0.7 mins
Driving Car
31.8 mins
Bus / Trolley
3.0 mins
Bicycle
0.1 mins
Motorcycle
0.0 mins
Total:
39.7 mins
Average when primarily using Bus
Distance
5.7 miles
Walking
5.0 mins
Waiting
7.5 mins
Bus / Trolley
35.0 mins
Total:
47.5 mins
Average when primarily using Car
Distance
10.7 miles
Walking
0.9 mins
Driving Car
42.6 mins
Total:
43.6 mins
Average when primarily using Walking
Distance
1.8 miles
Walking
22.5 mins
Driving Car
2.0 mins
Total:
24.5 mins
San Salvador Traffic

"Key Takeaways"

Encouraging the use of public transport and non-motorized modes can help reduce CO2 emissions.

Improving traffic flow through better infrastructure and traffic management systems is crucial.

Key Indexes

Emissions

San Salvador has a high CO2 emission index of 8575.91, reflecting the city's heavy reliance on cars.

Efforts to reduce emissions could focus on promoting public transport and cycling.

Time

The average time index is 39.67, indicating moderate traffic delays.

Peak hours significantly increase commute times, especially for car users.

Inefficiency

The inefficiency index stands at 217.59, suggesting room for improvement in traffic management.

Optimizing traffic signals and promoting alternative routes could alleviate congestion.

San Salvador

Nearby Cities

We don't have any relevant "Quality of life" data on cities with a 200 mile radius of San Salvador
All cities in El Salvador