In 2024, Modesto, CA, sees a dominant reliance on cars for commuting, with 87.5% of residents using this mode of transportation. Despite the high car usage, the average commute time remains relatively low at just over 23 minutes, indicating efficient traffic flow within the city.

Average Commute Times

The average commute time for all methods is 23.14 minutes, with a distance of approximately 25.52 km.
  • Car - Car commuters experience an average driving time of 23.14 minutes over a distance of 25.52 km.
Traffic Breakdown
Car
88%
Home
13%
Seasonal Trends

Traffic tends to increase during the summer months as tourism peaks, leading to longer commute times. Winter months see a slight decrease in traffic volume, potentially due to less favorable weather conditions.

Commuter Pain Points

High dependency on cars leads to congestion during peak hours, particularly on major highways. Limited public transportation options restrict flexibility for non-car owners.

Best Travel Times

Early mornings before 7 AM and late evenings after 7 PM are the best times to avoid traffic congestion. Midday travel between 10 AM and 2 PM also offers smoother commutes.

Event Impacts

Public events, such as the annual Modesto Graffiti Summer, significantly impact traffic, requiring road closures and detours. Sporting events and concerts at local venues can lead to temporary spikes in traffic congestion.

Sustainability Efforts

Modesto is exploring the expansion of its public transit system to reduce reliance on cars. Initiatives to increase electric vehicle charging stations are underway to support sustainable transportation.

Ride-Sharing Impact

Ride-sharing services have helped alleviate some traffic congestion by reducing the number of cars on the road. These services provide a flexible alternative for residents without access to personal vehicles.

Worldwide
United States

Traffic Rankings

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 8 user contributions.
Overall average travel
Distance
15.9 miles
Driving Car
23.1 mins
Total:
23.1 mins
Average when primarily using Car
Distance
15.9 miles
Driving Car
23.1 mins
Total:
23.1 mins
Modesto Traffic

"Key Takeaways"

Encouraging the use of public transportation or carpooling could significantly reduce CO2 emissions.

Investing in alternative transportation infrastructure, such as bike lanes, may diversify commuting options.

Key Indexes

Emissions

Modesto's CO2 emission index is notably high at 6156, reflecting the city's heavy reliance on car travel.

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

Time

The time index of 23.14 suggests relatively smooth traffic conditions with minimal delays.

Commuters benefit from a well-maintained road infrastructure that supports efficient travel.

Inefficiency

The inefficiency index stands at 112.96, indicating room for improvement in traffic management.

Strategies to enhance traffic flow could further reduce commute times and inefficiencies.