In 2020, the average driver in Fresno spent 65 hours sitting in traffic. And while numbers are down from pre-pandemic levels, commute times can still be frustrating when traffic hits.

Though traffic in Fresno isn’t as nightmarish as rush hour in

Los Angeles

, the roads can still get pretty congested in certain areas of town. If it’s Friday afternoon and you’re itching to head to one of

California’s

glorious national parks, you’ll want to know the inside scoop on traffic in the city.

Jerry

, the

car insurance

shopping super app, is here to break it down for you. We’ll take a look at the traffic trends in Fresno, how they’ve been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and what you can do to navigate traffic like a champ. Plus, we've got some tips to help you save money on

car insurance in Fresno

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How bad is Fresno traffic?

As the fifth-largest city in California, Fresno’s traffic isn’t as bad as you might expect—but it still has a 21% congestion rate during morning rush hour and a 33% congestion rate during the late afternoon.

What does that mean? Put simply, if your morning commute would take 30 minutes with no traffic, it’ll take 36 minutes during rush hour. The evening drive is even worse. A 30-minute trip with open roads takes an average of 40 minutes during the busy time.

Those numbers might not seem like much, but they sure add up over the year! If you drove during Fresno’s rush hour for all 260 workdays last year, you lost roughly 70 hours to congested roads. Oof!

Believe it or not, those numbers are actually down from the previous year. During the COVID pandemic, traffic eased and Fresno drivers gained back 14 hours of lost time in 2020. Still, there’s nothing more frustrating than twiddling your thumbs behind the wheel when you’re late for a meeting, movie, or dinner date.

MORE:

The 7 best California road trips

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Why is Fresno traffic so bad?

There’s no magic formula that dictates how bad traffic will be, but there are a few factors that usually play a big role: population size, road infrastructure,and driving habits.

Population size

Almost 550,000 people call Fresno home, which is plenty to fill the streets during the workweek. What’s more, the population density of Fresno is almost 5,000 per square mile—higher than major urban areas like

Dallas

and

Houston

Unfortunately, when you and your fellow Fresnans pour onto Highway 41 each afternoon, there's bound to be a buildup of cars.

Major chokepoints

Highway 41 isn’t the only problem spot in Fresno. There are several chokepoints and bottlenecks where the infrastructure isn’t quite up to snuff. You can

find a Fresnan’s perspective here

or take our word for it—avoid these gridlock hotspots at all costs:

Ramp from CA-99 South

Thompson Ave

Tuolumne St

M St

N Blackstone Ave

Driving habits

To finish off the holy trinity (or unholy trinity?) of traffic factors in Fresno, let’s check out the driving habits in the city. The average Fresnan commutes 45 minutes each day. Even if you’re only joining Highway 41 for a few minutes each afternoon, it’ll be tough to avoid a little congestion.

MORE: The best type of car insurance to get if you commute long distances

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How to navigate Fresno traffic like a pro

That’s enough doom and gloom for one article! If you want to avoid the agonizing frustration of traffic in Fresno—and the car accidents, traffic tickets, and increased insurance rates that come with it—we’ve got some great tips for you.

Aim to miss rush hour. We know it’s not always possible, but avoiding peak rush hour times of 7-9am and 3-6pm can save you some serious driving time.

Buddy up with backroads. If traffic has piled up in an unusual spot (maybe because of an accident or roadwork), being familiar with Fresno’s backroads can help you find a shortcut that few others know about.

Download a navigation app or check traffic reports. Our favorite apps are

Google Maps

Waze

—but if you love another one, go for it! If apps aren’t your thing, tune into 1340 AM to catch up on local traffic conditions.

Focus on the road. Despite your best efforts, you might still end up in a logjam. Instead of letting road rage get the better of you, try to take it slow, avoid distractions, and practice safe driving. It’ll be worth it in the long run—we promise!

MORE:

The 3 best apps for avoiding traffic jams

Prepare for Fresno traffic by updating your car insurance

Sitting in traffic isn’t just unpleasant—it also takes a bite out of your bank account. In 2019, Americans

lost an average of $1,400

to road congestion, and Fresno drivers were no exception. Want a quick and easy way to get some of that money back?

Jerry

has it for you.

It’s this simple: download Jerry’s

trustworthy insurance comparison app

, sign up (it only takes 45 seconds!), and let Jerry find you the lowest prices on the market. Once you tap your favorite quote, Jerry will handle the rest so that you don’t have to deal with any boring meetings or complex paperwork.

Don’t just take our word for it! The average Jerry driver saves $887 on

car insurance

“
Jerry
quoted me a price that saved me almost $4,000 a year in California! I definitely recommend Jerry.” —Patricia B.

FAQs

Is Fresno hard to drive in?

It’s no LA or San Fran, but driving in Fresno can still get pretty tricky—especially on northbound 41. Plan your route ahead of time and try to miss rush hour for the best driving experience.

What is the best time to drive through Fresno?

Fresno driving is easiest if you can avoid rush hour— before 7am or after 6pm. If Fresno is one of your pit stops on a road trip, try to drive through on a Saturday or Sunday when traffic is lighter.

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