Traffic Summary for Bellingham
In 2024, Bellingham, WA, sees a significant reliance on cars, with 75% of commuters choosing this mode of transportation. Walking is the second most popular mode, accounting for 25% of the commute, reflecting the city's compact and pedestrian-friendly layout.
Average Commute Times
- Car - Car commuters spend about 17.42 minutes driving, covering an average distance of 17.10 km.
- Walking - Those who walk spend around 13.75 minutes on foot, with a total commute time of 23.75 minutes, including waiting and other activities.
Traffic Breakdown
Seasonal Trends
Traffic tends to increase during the summer months as tourists visit Bellingham, leading to longer commute times. Winter months see a slight decrease in traffic, but adverse weather conditions can still cause delays.
Commuter Pain Points
Limited public transportation options make it challenging for non-drivers to commute efficiently. Traffic congestion during peak hours leads to increased travel times for car commuters.
Best Travel Times
Commuters can avoid the heaviest traffic by traveling before 7 AM or after 7 PM. Midday travel between 10 AM and 2 PM typically experiences less congestion.
Event Impacts
Public events, such as festivals and university activities, can significantly impact traffic patterns, causing temporary congestion. Planning routes around event schedules can help mitigate delays.
Sustainability Efforts
Bellingham is exploring initiatives to expand bike lanes and pedestrian paths to encourage eco-friendly commuting. The city is also considering incentives for electric vehicle use to reduce carbon emissions.
Ride-Sharing Impact
Ride-sharing services have helped reduce the number of cars on the road, offering a convenient alternative to personal vehicle use. These services are particularly popular among younger demographics and those without access to a car.
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.
Traffic Data
Overall average travel
Average when primarily using Car
Average when primarily using Walking
"Key Takeaways"
Promoting walking and cycling could significantly reduce CO2 emissions and improve traffic flow.
Investing in public transportation infrastructure may help decrease the city's reliance on cars.
Key Indexes
EmissionsBellingham's CO2 emissions index is 3860.88, indicating a high level of emissions primarily due to car usage.
Efforts to reduce emissions could focus on promoting alternative transportation methods.
TimeThe time index of 20.44 suggests moderate commute times, with potential for improvement through traffic management.
Reducing car dependency could help decrease average commute times.
InefficiencyAn inefficiency index of 77.38 highlights areas for improvement in traffic flow and public transport options.
Enhancing public transport infrastructure could alleviate inefficiencies.