Traffic Summary for Spokane
In 2024, Spokane's transportation landscape is dominated by car usage, with a significant majority of residents opting for this mode of travel. Despite the heavy reliance on cars, there are opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce emissions in Spokane's traffic system.
Average Commute Times
- Bus - Bus commuters spend around 20 minutes on the bus, with an additional 15 minutes waiting and 5 minutes walking.
- Car - Car users have a driving time of about 22.42 minutes, with minimal time spent walking.
- Walking - Those who walk as their primary mode of transport spend about 11.5 minutes walking, with a total commute time of 21.5 minutes.
Traffic Breakdown
Seasonal Trends
Traffic tends to increase during the winter months due to adverse weather conditions affecting road safety. Summer sees a slight decrease in traffic as residents take vacations and engage in outdoor activities.
Commuter Pain Points
Heavy reliance on cars leads to frequent traffic jams, especially during peak hours. Limited public transportation options make it challenging for non-drivers to commute efficiently.
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 with less traffic.
Event Impacts
Large public events, such as sports games and festivals, can significantly increase traffic congestion in downtown Spokane. Planning alternative routes during these events can help mitigate delays.
Sustainability Efforts
Spokane is exploring initiatives to expand its public transportation network to reduce car usage. The city is also promoting carpooling and the use of electric vehicles to lower emissions.
Ride-Sharing Impact
Ride-sharing services have helped reduce the number of cars on the road, particularly during peak hours. These services offer a flexible alternative to traditional public transportation, aiding in traffic decongestion.
Traffic Rankings
Spokane ranks 62nd 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.
Traffic Data
Overall average travel
Average when primarily using Bus
Average when primarily using Car
Average when primarily using Walking
"Key Takeaways"
Increasing public transportation options and encouraging their use could reduce car dependency and emissions.
Investing in infrastructure for alternative transportation methods, such as cycling, could improve overall traffic efficiency.
Key Indexes
EmissionsSpokane has a high CO2 emissions index of 5637.78, indicating significant environmental impact from transportation.
Efforts to reduce car dependency could help lower emissions.
TimeThe time index of 23.49 suggests moderate commute times, but there is room for improvement.
Reducing traffic congestion could further decrease commute times.
InefficiencyThe inefficiency index of 104.11 highlights areas where traffic flow could be optimized.
Implementing smarter traffic management systems could address inefficiencies.