Traffic in Charlotte

Charlotte, NC, predominantly relies on cars for commuting, with 89.7% of residents using this mode of transport.Despite the heavy reliance on cars, the city is exploring ways to improve traffic efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions.

Average Commute Times

The average commute involves 31.58 minutes of driving and a total travel time of 35.85 minutes.

  • Car - Car commuters spend approximately 33.57 minutes driving, covering a distance of 28.25 km.
  • Walking - Walking commuters spend about 25 minutes on foot, with a total travel distance of 2.82 km.
Traffic Breakdown
Car
90%
Home
4%
Walking
3%
Motorcycle
3%

Traffic Data

The following traffic data has been gathered from 68 user contributions.
Overall average travel
Distance
17.6 miles
Walking
2.1 mins
Driving Car
31.6 mins
Bicycle
0.1 mins
Motorcycle
2.0 mins
Total:
35.8 mins
Average when primarily using Car
Distance
17.6 miles
Walking
1.3 mins
Driving Car
33.6 mins
Total:
34.9 mins
Average when primarily using Walking
Distance
1.7 miles
Walking
25.0 mins
Driving Car
2.5 mins
Bicycle
4.5 mins
Motorcycle
0.0 mins
Total:
32.0 mins

More Information

Seasonal Trends

Traffic congestion tends to increase during the summer months due to tourism and local events.

Winter months see a slight decrease in traffic as residents prefer staying indoors.

Commuter Pain Points

Heavy reliance on cars leads to frequent traffic jams, especially during rush hours.

Limited public transportation options make it challenging for non-car owners to commute efficiently.

Best Travel Times

Commuters are advised to travel before 7 AM or after 7 PM to avoid peak traffic hours.

Midday travel between 11 AM and 2 PM is generally smoother with less congestion.

Event Impacts

Major events at the Spectrum Center and Bank of America Stadium significantly impact traffic flow.

Planning alternative routes during events can help mitigate delays.

Sustainability Efforts

Charlotte is investing in expanding its light rail system to provide more sustainable commuting options.

The city is also promoting carpooling and electric vehicle use to reduce emissions.

Ride-Sharing Impact

Ride-sharing services have helped reduce the number of cars on the road, easing congestion slightly.

However, increased ride-sharing can lead to more short trips, potentially increasing traffic in certain areas.

Worldwide
United States

Traffic Rankings

Charlotte ranks 22nd 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: Oct, 2025
Full Traffic Rankings