Traffic in Columbia

In Columbia, SC, cars dominate the transportation landscape, with 100% of commuters relying on them.

The city's traffic inefficiency index is relatively high, indicating potential areas for improvement in public transportation and traffic management.

Average Commute Times

The average commute time for all categories is 25.17 minutes, with a distance of approximately 25.65 miles.

  • Car - Car commuters experience an average driving time of 25.17 minutes over a distance of 25.65 miles.
Traffic Breakdown
Car
100%

Traffic Data

The following traffic data has been gathered from 18 user contributions.
Overall average travel
Distance
15.9 miles
Driving Car
25.2 mins
Total:
25.2 mins
Average when primarily using Car
Distance
15.9 miles
Driving Car
25.2 mins
Total:
25.2 mins

More Information

Seasonal Trends

Traffic tends to increase during the summer months as tourism peaks.

Winter holidays also see a rise in traffic, particularly around shopping areas.

Commuter Pain Points

Limited public transportation options lead to heavy car dependency.

Traffic congestion during peak hours results in longer commute times.

Best Travel Times

Early mornings before 7 AM are ideal for avoiding traffic congestion.

Late evenings after 7 PM also offer smoother travel conditions.

Event Impacts

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

Festivals and parades in downtown Columbia often lead to road closures and detours.

Sustainability Efforts

Columbia is exploring bike-sharing programs to encourage eco-friendly commuting.

The city is investing in electric vehicle charging stations to support sustainable transportation.

Ride-Sharing Impact

Ride-sharing services have helped reduce the number of cars on the road during peak hours.

These services offer a flexible alternative to car ownership, particularly for short trips.

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