Traffic in Raleigh

Raleigh, NC, predominantly relies on cars for commuting, with 84% of the population using this mode of transport.

Despite the heavy reliance on cars, Raleigh is making strides in promoting alternative transportation methods like walking and cycling.

Average Commute Times

The average commute time in Raleigh is approximately 34.94 minutes, with most of this time spent driving.

  • Bus - Bus commuters spend about 38.33 minutes on the bus, with additional time for walking and waiting.
  • Car - Car users experience an average driving time of 34.59 minutes, with minimal time spent walking.
  • Walking - Walking commutes average 24 minutes, covering a distance of approximately 2.74 km.
Traffic Breakdown
Car
84%
Walking
4%
Bus
4%
Bicycle
4%
Home
1%
Motorcycle
1%

Traffic Data

The following traffic data has been gathered from 69 user contributions.
Overall average travel
Distance
17.9 miles
Walking
1.9 mins
Waiting
0.3 mins
Driving Car
29.5 mins
Bus / Trolley
1.7 mins
Bicycle
0.8 mins
Motorcycle
0.4 mins
Train
0.3 mins
Other
0.0 mins
Total:
34.9 mins
Average when primarily using Bus
Distance
23.8 miles
Walking
7.3 mins
Waiting
5.7 mins
Bus / Trolley
38.3 mins
Train
6.7 mins
Other
1.0 mins
Total:
59.0 mins
Average when primarily using Car
Distance
19.0 miles
Walking
0.6 mins
Driving Car
34.6 mins
Total:
35.2 mins
Average when primarily using Walking
Distance
1.7 miles
Walking
24.0 mins
Bicycle
3.0 mins
Motorcycle
0.0 mins
Total:
27.0 mins

More Information

Seasonal Trends

Traffic tends to increase during the fall due to the influx of students and tourists.

Winter months see a slight decrease in traffic as residents travel less frequently.

Commuter Pain Points

Long commute times during peak hours are a major concern for Raleigh commuters.

Limited public transport options contribute to the city's traffic inefficiency.

Best Travel Times

Traveling before 7 AM or after 7 PM can help avoid peak traffic congestion.

Midday travel between 10 AM and 3 PM is generally smoother and less congested.

Event Impacts

Public events, such as sports games and festivals, significantly impact traffic, especially in downtown areas.

Residents are advised to use public transport during major events to avoid congestion.

Sustainability Efforts

Raleigh is investing in bike lanes and pedestrian pathways to encourage eco-friendly commuting.

The city is also exploring electric bus options to reduce its carbon footprint.

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 traffic in popular areas during peak times.

Worldwide
United States

Traffic Rankings

Raleigh ranks 12th 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