According to a recent study, Bellevue drivers lose 30 hours a year sitting in traffic—putting the Seattle metropolitan area city among the US cities with the worst traffic.

Living in Bellevue, Washington has a lot of perks—it’s close to Seattle, has excellent schools, and there’s no income tax. One big downside? The traffic.

Ask any Bellevue resident how much time they spend sitting in their car, and their answer will most likely be “a lot.” Congestion in this city of almost 145,000 may not be as bad as in places like Los Angeles or New York, but traffic jams and slowdowns are a part of daily life in Bellevue.

So, just how bad is Bellevue’s traffic? Here to break it down—and offer some handy workarounds—is

Jerry

, expert

car insurance

shopper and the only super app for car owners. Plus, stick around for some tips on saving on your

Bellevue insurance costs

How bad is Bellevue traffic?

According to

this 2021 international study

, the Seattle metropolitan area—including Bellevue—is the

22nd

most congested area in the United States. Drivers in Bellevue waste about 30 hours per year sitting in traffic, with an average cost per driver of $469.51.

Seat belt laws in Washington

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Why is Bellevue traffic so bad?

Traffic congestion in Bellevue depends on a lot of factors, but the city’s population, its infrastructure, and the driving habits of its residents are among the most important. Here’s why:

Population

Bellevue has a population of almost 145,000 people, and approximately 75% of them commute to work by car—either alone or in a carpool. This means that there are a lot of drivers on the roads, leading to gridlock and traffic jams.

MORE:

How to check for Washington road closures

Major chokepoints

Some of the worst traffic in the area can be found downtown—especially near The Eastside, Bellevue’s commercial and cultural entertainment hub. Slow-moving traffic and accident delays are common on Bellevue Way Northeast, Northeast 8th Street, and Northeast 4th Street.

Additionally, there are only two ways for commuters to get across Lake Washington and into Seattle—Route 520 or I-90—both of which are almost always congested during rush hour. And the road that runs between them, I-405, is known for having some of the worst traffic in the state.

Driving habits

Most commuters in Bellevue drive an average of 23 minutes to work—when they don’t get stuck in a traffic jam, of course. This means that drivers spend a lot of time on local roads and the interstates that run between Bellevue and Seattle. With so many cars packed into a relatively small area, there’s a higher chance of congestion, traffic jams, and accidents.

MORE:

14 safe driving tips

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How to navigate Bellevue traffic like a pro

It’s easy to feel like congested roads will drive you mad

with road rage

. No matter how well you plan your time, traffic can make you late—and heavy traffic puts you at higher risk for a traffic accident. After Bellevue saw an increase in serious and fatal accidents in 2019, city officials developed a

strategic plan

to curb traffic deaths and severe injuries by 2030. In the meantime, however, it’s important to use caution while driving in the Bellevue area and remember that even minor accidents

can increase your insurance costs

The best way to stay safe and keep your insurance rate down is to avoid driving on congested streets. Here are a few tips to help you avoid traffic and navigate Bellevue roads like a pro:

Try to avoid driving during rush hour. The worst time to drive in Bellevue is during the afternoon rush, especially between the hours of 3 pm and 5 pm, when the city sees more than 40% of its total traffic volume. If you have the option to avoid rush hour completely, Bellevue’s peak traffic runs from 7 am to 10 am and 3 pm to 6 pm.

Use back roads and alternate routes. While it might seem like I-405 is the fastest way to get to I-90 or Route 520, that may not be the case if there’s heavy traffic. Check to see if you can use side roads to get to your destination.

Use traffic apps to avoid congestion. You can use your car’s navigation system or preferred traffic app to plan routes around accident delays or traffic jams. You can also look for traffic jams on Bellevue’s

government website

or check the city’s

live traffic cameras

Focus on driving safely. If you end up stuck in gridlock, try to remain focused on the road and

avoid distractions

like texting or talking on your cell phone, listening to loud music, or munching on a snack. Avoid the temptation to try and get ahead by weaving between lanes, and leave plenty of space between your car and the one in front of you.

MORE:

The 3 best apps for avoiding traffic jams

Prepare for Bellevue traffic by updating your car insurance

If you’re commuting between Bellevue and Seattle, it might be time update your car insurance policy. Whether you want to save money on your rate or need to add

collision insurance

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