According to Inrix, Detroit ranks No. 74 among the United States’ most congested cities, with drivers losing an average of 13 hours per year to traffic congestion. But compared to 2020, Detroit driving conditions have improved.

If you’re never visited Detroit, Michigan, chances are you’ve been told you haven't missed much. But the Motor City has grown to be a major industrial, economic, social, and artistic hub and also one of the country’s most diverse cities. But with a burgeoning population, there’s one thing you’re guaranteed to run into—traffic.

While Detroit traffic may have improved in the last couple of years, as a major city, there’s always going to be some.

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Jerry

is here to break down everything you need to know about traffic in Detroit. We’ll cover how bad driving in Detroit is, what affects Detroit traffic, and how you can navigate Motor City like a pro. We'll even throw in tips on how to keep your

Detroit insurance costs

low!

How bad is Detroit traffic?

According to the

Urban Mobility Report 2021

, the average commuter in Detroit spent more than 35 hours in traffic in 2020—almost a day and a half sitting idle. That is an improvement over 2019, however, when the average was 60 hours.

But more recent

statistics

show that Detroit traffic has further dropped, with just 13 hours a year being spent in traffic congestion—an amount that costs drivers $200.05 a year. As such, Detroit ranks 74th among the most congested cities in the U.S.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, traffic in Detroit has slowed down. With regulations loosening now, drivers could start to see daily commute times increase, though.

Year	Hours lost to congestion
2019	60 hours
2020	35 hours
2021	13 hours

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Why is Detroit traffic so bad?

An excessive number of cars on the road is a major cause of Detroit traffic, but it’s overly simplistic to say that it’s the only reason there’s congestion. Traffic is the result of several factors, including the city’s population, transportation system infrastructure, and driving habits.

Here are some of the top reasons why Detroit’s traffic is something to talk about.

City population

The city of Detroit is the 27th most populated city in the United States with more than 639,000 people in 2020. It’s also the 14th-largest metropolitan area in the U.S. and home to 4.3 million people, making it the second-largest city in the Midwest after Chicago.

Of the residents, a whopping 84.3% commute alone to work daily, while another 8.3% carpool. When there are millions of people commuting to and from the city daily, you’re bound to run into frequent traffic delays.

Traffic hotspots

While

driving through Detroit

during peak rush hour is a surefire way to get stuck in congestion, Detroit is also home to some other major traffic hotspots that can add a chunk of time to your commute.

You’ll find some of the heaviest traffic in Detroit on the North Interstate 75, East Interstate 94, and East Interstate 696, which are the main routes out of the city. The age and condition of the interchange between I-94 and the Lodge Freeway is also a major reason why traffic congestion happens.

On top of that, there are a few other routes that you may want to avoid during peak traffic times:

Ambassador Bridge

Mack Avenue

M-10

Jot Road

Greenfield Road

Major transportation routes

Because Detroit is near Canada, it serves as a major transportation hub connecting the two countries. There are three international boring crossings in Detroit—the Ambassador Bridge, Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, and Michigan Central Railway Tunnel.

Of the crossings, the Ambassador Bridge is classified as the busiest international border crossing in North America, carrying approximately 27% of the total trade between the United States and Canada and over $300 million worth of goods—not to mention, over 40,000 commuters, tourists, and truckers daily.

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How to navigate Detroit traffic like a pro

Hitting the highway after a long day at work only to be stuck in hours of traffic is not anyone’s ideal situation. But if you know how to navigate Detroit traffic like a pro, you can sidestep the headache.

If you’re not keen on stop-and-go traffic or a complete stalemate, the best advice is to avoid using major highways in Detroit, especially during rush hour. Michigan’s Department of Transportation offers a

live traffic map

that includes accidents and road closures, too.

While it may be impossible to avoid traffic at all costs, here are some tips for a safe and smooth ride through Detroit:

Start your commute early. If you’re heading into or through the city for work, see if you can adjust your work times to beat the rush. Not only is it less than enjoyable spending two hours commuting, but the risk of accidents skyrockets, which can also increase your car insurance premium.

Avoid rush hour if possible. Detroit's rush hour happens between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. If you’re able to get out of work early, you can bypass the congestion. If you can’t avoid it completely, avoid the highways at least.

Map out your routes. Accidents are frequent on busy roads and nothing is worse than being stuck behind one. Always have alternate routes planned out in case something happens and you’re dealing with a road closure or major slowdown.

Don’t slow the flow of traffic. Although it can be tempting to be a rubbernecker when you see an accident, don’t. It’s classified as distracted driving and taking your eyes off the road to check out another person’s accident could land you in one, too.

Tune in to your local news. Stay up to date on all-things Detroit traffic by putting on your local traffic station

WWJ Newsradio 950

—it’s live and local covering the latest Metro Detroit news, plus traffic and weather every 10 minutes on the 8s.

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The 3 best apps for avoiding traffic jams

Prepare for Detroit traffic by updating your car insurance

Whether you’re checking out the most haunted places in Michigan or heading downtown on your daily commute, having a good insurance policy is key to staying safe in traffic.

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Whether you’re looking for basic liability, or collision and comprehensive, Jerry makes sure you’re not overpaying for insurance. Getting started is easy. Just download Jerry's

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And if that isn’t enough, Jerry can even help you save an average of $800+ a year on car insurance. That’s more than four times as much as it costs Detroit drivers to sit in traffic!

“I was struggling to find an affordable deal in Detroit, MI, because insurance here is so expensive. Working with
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Is Detroit hard to drive in?

If you’re hitting the roads during non-rush-hour times, driving in Detroit isn’t bad. Most commuters say that local traffic flows well, but the freeways are a different story during rush hour. Regardless, using a hands-free GPS can help you navigate the city and avoid potential slowdowns.

What is the best time to drive through Detroit?

Like most cities, rush hour in Detroit can be a pain to drive in. If you don’t want to be inching along the highways, it’s best to drive through the city before 6 a.m., between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and after 7 p.m.

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