How Bad is Baton Rouge Traffic?

Baton Rouge ranks 27th in the nation for traffic congestion, with rush hour falling between 7:30-9:30 a.m. and 2:30-4 p.m.
Written by Holden Easterbrook
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Baton Rouge,
Louisiana
is the 27th worst city in the US when it comes to traffic problems. This is especially evident during the morning and evening rush hour around 7:30–9:30 a.m. and 2:30–4 p.m.
As the Lousiana state capitol and home of the LSU Fighting Tigers—not to mention its vibrant food and music scene—Baton Rouge sees thousands of visitors and commuters every day. Unfortunately, as a result, that means the city has more than its fair share of traffic jams as well.
If you want to avoid the worst of the traffic problems in Baton Rouge, you’ve come to the right place. The
car insurance
super app
Jerry
has all you need to know about what causes the city’s traffic woes and how to keep from getting caught up in them. Plus, we've got some tips to help lower your
Baton Rouge car insurance costs
.

How bad is Baton Rouge traffic?

Though Baton Rouge does not have the same level of traffic problems as places like
Portland
or
San Diego
, anyone driving through the city can expect to spend a fair amount of time navigating traffic jams.
On average, a Baton Rouge driver will spend around an extra 23 hours every year in their vehicle due to traffic, which totals up to an estimated $360 of wasted fuel and extra wear on their car. Again, this is half of what some larger cities will see, but it’s still nothing to sneeze at.
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Why is Baton Rouge traffic so bad?

Traffic is caused by more than just a large number of cars on the road. Both the infrastructure and local driving habits will factor heavily into roadway congestion.

Driving population 

An estimated 756,000 people are living in the Baton Rouge metropolitan area. With more than half of the area’s population commuting to and from their jobs every day, that makes for hundreds of thousands of cars jockeying for space on the highways and interstates. In conditions like that, it only takes a single mistake to bring traffic to a stand-still.

Major bottlenecks

Every city has places where traffic seems to always be backed up, and Baton Rouge is no exception. Some of the most problematic roadways include:
  • Horace Wilkinson Bridge
  • Perkins Road
  • E Parker Blvd.
  • Airline Highway

Driving habits

Baton Rouge is considered one of the more dangerous cities for drivers, with an estimated 16.6 accidents for every 100,000 residents. These collisions are caused by several things—driving under the influence, cellphone usage, speeding, etc.
If you’re a Baton Rouge local, or just plan on visiting the city, be sure to drive carefully and keep an eye out. Driving defensively may just keep you from becoming the cause of yet another traffic jam.
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How to navigate Baton Rouge traffic

Don’t let yourself get caught up in traffic jams—make a plan before you get behind the wheel. Whenever possible, you ought to:
  • Avoid rush hour. Staying off the road between 7:30–9:30 a.m. and 2:30–4 p.m. will allow you to dodge the worst of the city’s traffic problems.
  • Take an alternative route. If your route will take you through some of the roads listed above, check to see if there are any back ways you can utilize. While it may add more miles to your trip, it can save you valuable minutes.
  • Use apps or the radio. Local radio stations such as 98.7 FM or 1150 AM can provide you with the most up-to-date traffic conditions. Alternatively,
    apps for avoiding traffic jams
    can provide the same service.
  • Be vigilant. If you see traffic slowing down or the signs of an accident up ahead, getting onto a different road can keep you from getting stuck in stand-still traffic.
MORE: The top 5 causes of car accidents

Prepare for Baton Rouge traffic by updating your car insurance

With the number of car accidents in Baton Rouge, you’ll want to do everything in your power to keep both you and your vehicle safe. While driving defensively and avoiding rush hour traffic will help immensely, there’s no better protection than the right car insurance policy. If you need help finding the perfect coverage for you or just want to save money on your
car insurance
, then you’ll want to download the
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With access to the best quotes on offer from a selection of some of the top insurance companies nationwide, the Jerry super app will find you the right car insurance policy for the right price. There are no salespeople to deal with or reams of legal paperwork to sign, just get the
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On average, drivers that make use of everything that Jerry can do see as much as $887 in annual savings. With money like that on the line, why stay with your current overpriced policy? Get Jerry today for the coverage you need and the savings you deserve!
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FAQs

Driving in Baton Rouge can be a stressful experience. Between the high number of accidents and the poor condition of most of the roads, you’ll need to be on your guard if you want to get to your destination safely.
The peak traffic times in Baton Rouge are between 7:30–9:30 a.m. and 2:30–4 p.m. If you can avoid driving through the city during those periods, you’ll have a far safer and faster trip.
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