Traffic in Okinawa

In 2024, Okinawa's transportation landscape is dominated by car usage, with a significant portion of the population relying on personal vehicles for their daily commutes.

Walking and motorcycles also play a role in the city's transportation mix, reflecting a diverse range of commuting preferences.

Average Commute Times

The average commute time across all modes is approximately 22.14 minutes, with a typical distance of 6.37 km.

  • Car - Car commuters spend about 14.4 minutes driving over a distance of 5.32 km.
  • Walking - Those who walk have a commute time of 45 minutes, covering a distance of 5 km.
Traffic Breakdown
Car
71%
Walking
14%
Motorcycle
14%

Traffic Data

The following traffic data has been gathered from 7 user contributions.
Overall average travel
Distance
4.0 miles
Walking
6.4 mins
Driving Car
10.3 mins
Total:
22.1 mins
Average when primarily using Car
Distance
3.3 miles
Driving Car
14.4 mins
Total:
14.4 mins
Average when primarily using Walking
Distance
3.1 miles
Walking
45.0 mins
Total:
45.0 mins

More Information

Seasonal Trends

Traffic tends to increase during the summer months due to tourism, leading to longer commute times.

Winter months see a slight decrease in traffic as fewer tourists visit the island.

Commuter Pain Points

Heavy reliance on cars leads to congestion during peak hours.

Limited public transportation options make it challenging for non-drivers.

Best Travel Times

Traveling outside of peak hours, such as early morning or late evening, can help avoid congestion.

Weekends generally have lighter traffic, making them ideal for longer trips.

Event Impacts

Public events and festivals can cause significant traffic disruptions, particularly in central areas.

Planning travel around major events can help avoid delays.

Sustainability Efforts

Okinawa is exploring initiatives to promote electric vehicles and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

There is a growing emphasis on developing pedestrian-friendly zones to encourage walking.

Ride-Sharing Impact

Ride-sharing services are gradually gaining popularity, offering an alternative to car ownership.

These services help reduce the number of vehicles on the road, potentially easing congestion.

Traffic Rankings

The Traffic Index for Japan combines user-contributed data on commute times, traffic dissatisfaction, CO2 emissions, and traffic system inefficiencies in Japan, to provide insights into overall traffic conditions.
Worst to BestUpdated: Oct, 2025