How Bad Is Charleston Traffic?

Despite its relatively small urban population, Charleston traffic can be frustrating, especially on bridges and during rush hour.
Written by Jacqulyn Graber
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Charleston drivers cite a lack of adequate infrastructure and public transportation options as primary reasons for frustrating traffic jams on both freeways and secondary roads, especially during rush hour.
Known for its cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages, and pastel antebellum houses, you may assume that Charleston,
South Carolina
is a quaint and quiet city on the Atlantic coast. Unfortunately, residents suffer from pretty difficult commutes, only exacerbated by tourists from the north who flock to South Carolina’s shoreline during the winter months.
Of course, you’ll have an easier drive if you avoid rush hour—the small city is much more manageable in the early morning and late evening. Car insurance super app
Jerry
has compiled this handy guide which breaks down Charleston traffic stats, discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected traffic trends, and offers tips for avoiding jams. 
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How bad is Charleston traffic?

According to TomTom’s traffic index, Charleston
ranks number 17
on a list of cities with congested roadways. The traffic situation in Charleston is especially shocking when you consider that similarly-ranked cities are much more populous—think Houston, Texas, and Washington, D.C. 
In 2021, Charleston drivers spent an estimated 80 hours of extra time behind the wheel because of dense traffic. That’s equivalent to 3 days and 8 hours! Shockingly, this was a whopping 23 hours less than 2019’s average, as many drivers stayed off due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 
Here’s a breakdown of how pandemic-era driving has altered traffic trends in Charleston:
Year
Total hours spent driving in rush hour traffic
2019
100 hours
2020
67 hours
2021
80 hours
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Why is Charleston traffic so bad?

The traffic climate of a city depends on several factors, including population, density, the quality of highways and other relevant infrastructure, the availability of public transportation, and general commuter habits
Here’s what makes Charleston a difficult driving city:

Population size 

Charleston has a relatively small population of just over 135,000 residents, so it’s hard to imagine that its rush hours rival much bigger metropolises. However, Charleston is quite dense because of its small geographic size, with nearly 1,300 people per square mile.
Also keep in mind that the city welcomes an estimated 7.3 million visitors per year, who flock to its beaches and French quarter (and clog up the streets on their way).

Major chokepoints

Since it’s right on the water, Charleston is filled with bridges, which tend to fill up with cars faster than traditional streets. Roadways that lead to popular surrounding suburbs, like James Island, John’s Island, and Mount Pleasant, can be killer in terms of commutes. 
Other streets that are frequently congested include Cannon St, I-26, Columbus St, Coming St, and Broad St. To be safe, avoid anywhere near a typical tourist destination—especially on a sunny day.

Driving habits

The average one-way commute in Charleston is 22.1 minutes. Although this is less than the national average, it’s still quite high when considering the small size of the city.
What’s more, Charleston doesn’t have robust public transportation systems. There is a free
Downtown Area Shuttle (DASH)
, but it primarily serves visitors and isn’t really a utilitarian option for residents on the go. While the
Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA)
offers bus service, most residents prefer to drive their own vehicles. 

How to navigate Charleston traffic like a pro

Even though traffic can get to frustrating levels on a regular basis, you can avoid the headaches by following a few simple tips:
  • Don’t drive during rush hour. Driving during rush hour in Charleston adds up to 16 minutes per one-way trip. Morning rush hour times are generally between the hours of 7 am and 9 am; evening rush hour times occur between 5 pm and 6 pm. 
  • Use side roads if possible. Highways are built with efficiency in mind, but they become significantly less convenient when everyone’s using them. Avoiding popular roadways (and especially popular bridges) by taking back roads could actually be the smarter option. 
  • Stay connected using apps and media. Even if you know where you’re going, plugging your destination into your favorite maps app can be a great way to avoid construction, accidents, and traffic jams. You can also tune into 1110 KFAB on your car’s radio for Charleston traffic updates. 
  • Never lose focus. If you do end up stuck in traffic, it can be easy to get distracted. This is how accidents happen!
    Avoid common distractions
    like texting, eating, and loud music, and always resist tailgating the car in front of you. 

Prepare for Charleston traffic by updating your car insurance

If you’re driving around in heavy traffic, you’ll definitely want to make sure your vehicle is protected with quality
car insurance
. Unfortunately, car insurance policies can get expensive and fast.
That’s where
Jerry
comes in! As a
licensed broker
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“I simply went into
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FAQs

Thanks in part to frequent visitors and lots of bridges, traffic in Charleston can get pretty intense! Avoid high traffic days like holidays, rush hour, and popular roadways around tourist attractions. Also be sure to use a navigation app so you don’t get lost.
The best time to drive in Charleston is the early morning or late evening—although the middle of the day isn’t too bad. Weekends are a hit or miss depending on the weather and if it happens to be a holiday.
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