Traffic in Columbia

In Columbia, MO, the primary mode of transportation is overwhelmingly the car, with 100% of commuters relying on it.

This car dependency results in specific traffic patterns and environmental impacts, which are crucial for understanding the city's transportation dynamics.

Average Commute Times

The average commute time in Columbia is approximately 14.1 minutes, with most of this time spent driving.

  • Car - Car commuters in Columbia spend about 13.5 minutes driving, covering an average distance of 10.45 miles.
Traffic Breakdown
Car
100%

Traffic Data

The following traffic data has been gathered from 10 user contributions.
Overall average travel
Distance
6.5 miles
Walking
0.6 mins
Driving Car
13.5 mins
Total:
14.1 mins
Average when primarily using Car
Distance
6.5 miles
Walking
0.6 mins
Driving Car
13.5 mins
Total:
14.1 mins

More Information

Seasonal Trends

Traffic tends to increase during the university semester, as Columbia is home to the University of Missouri.

Winter weather can occasionally impact driving conditions, leading to longer commute times.

Commuter Pain Points

Limited public transportation options make car ownership almost a necessity.

Parking availability can be a challenge in downtown areas during peak hours.

Best Travel Times

Early mornings and late evenings are the best times to avoid traffic congestion.

Midday travel is generally smooth, except during lunch hours when local traffic increases.

Event Impacts

University events and sports games can significantly impact traffic, especially near campus.

Local festivals and parades also lead to temporary road closures and detours.

Sustainability Efforts

Columbia is exploring initiatives to expand bike lanes and improve pedestrian pathways.

Efforts are underway to increase the efficiency of the city's public transportation system.

Ride-Sharing Impact

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

These services help reduce the number of cars on the road, potentially lowering emissions.

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: Oct, 2025
Full Traffic Rankings