Tucson, Arizona, continues to rely heavily on cars as the primary mode of transportation, with over 80% of commuters choosing this option. Despite the dominance of car travel, there is a noticeable presence of walking and cycling, reflecting a growing interest in alternative transportation methods.

Average Commute Times

The average commute involves around 22.87 minutes of driving, with minimal waiting and walking times.
  • Car - Car commuters spend about 26.42 minutes driving, covering an average distance of 18.46 km.
  • Walking - Walking commuters spend approximately 16.67 minutes on foot, covering a distance of 1.14 km.
Traffic Breakdown
Car
80%
Home
7%
Walking
5%
Bicycle
4%
Tram
2%
Motorcycle
2%
Seasonal Trends

Traffic tends to increase during the winter months as snowbirds arrive, leading to longer commute times. Summer months see a slight decrease in traffic as temperatures rise and some residents leave for cooler climates.

Commuter Pain Points

High dependency on cars leads to congestion, especially during peak hours. Limited public transportation options make it challenging for non-drivers to commute efficiently.

Best Travel Times

Early mornings before 7 AM and late evenings after 7 PM are the best times to avoid heavy traffic. Midday travel between 10 AM and 3 PM can also offer smoother commutes.

Event Impacts

Large events at the University of Arizona can significantly impact traffic, especially on weekends. Annual festivals and parades often lead to road closures and detours, increasing travel times.

Sustainability Efforts

Tucson is investing in bike lanes and pedestrian pathways to encourage eco-friendly commuting. Initiatives to expand public transit options are underway to reduce car dependency.

Ride-Sharing Impact

Ride-sharing services have eased some congestion by reducing the number of cars on the road. These services offer flexible commuting options, particularly for those without access to a personal vehicle.

Worldwide
United States

Traffic Rankings

Tucson ranks 57th on the Traffic rankings in United States. The Traffic Index for the United States combines user-contributed data on commute times, traffic dissatisfaction, CO2 emissions, and traffic system inefficiencies in United States, 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 56 user contributions.
Overall average travel
Distance
10.5 miles
Walking
1.8 mins
Waiting
0.1 mins
Driving Car
22.9 mins
Bicycle
2.1 mins
Motorcycle
0.3 mins
Tram
0.2 mins
Total:
27.3 mins
Average when primarily using Car
Distance
11.5 miles
Walking
0.9 mins
Driving Car
26.4 mins
Total:
27.3 mins
Average when primarily using Walking
Distance
0.7 miles
Walking
16.7 mins
Total:
16.7 mins
Tucson Traffic

"Key Takeaways"

Promoting alternative transportation methods like cycling and public transit could help reduce CO2 emissions.

Improving traffic flow and reducing car dependency are crucial for enhancing overall transportation efficiency.

Key Indexes

Emissions

Tucson's CO2 emissions index is notably high at 6128.54, indicating significant environmental impact.

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

Time

The time index is 27.35, reflecting moderate traffic delays.

Commuters experience an average time expenditure index of 37.50, suggesting room for efficiency improvements.

Inefficiency

The inefficiency index stands at 127.40, highlighting potential areas for traffic flow improvements.

Reducing car dependency could alleviate some inefficiencies.