comes in. We’re here to answer the big questions on road conditions in Harrisburg, including the factors that cause gridlock, how COVID-19 has impacted traffic, and what you can do to navigate the city like a pro.

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How bad is Harrisburg traffic?

Harrisburg is the fourth worst city for traffic in the state of Pennsylvania after

Philadelphia

Pittsburgh

, and

Allentown

. The 23 hours that the average driver in Harrisburg spends twiddling their thumbs at the wheel adds about $562 in annual fuel costs—enough to make anyone’s skin crawl!

In recent years, the COVID pandemic has reduced the amount of congestion on the streets, as people spend more time at home and working remotely. Even with the reduced traffic, though, folks in Harrisburg can still get stuck in some pretty bad cases of gridlock.

Let’s take a look at the reasons why.

MORE:

The ultimate haunted Pennsylvania road trip

Why is Harrisburg traffic so bad?

Bad traffic, no matter where you are, comes down to a combination of population size, road infrastructure, and the habits of local drivers. Here’s how those factors come into play in Harrisburg.

Population size

Harrisburg isn’t large—with a population of just 50,000, it’s the 15th most populous city in Pennsylvania. However, all of those people are jam-packed into a small area, resulting in a population density of 4,200 people per square mile. That’s higher than urban hotspots like

Dallas

and

Houston

Major chokepoints

Of course, traffic isn’t just about the number of people on the roads; it’s also about the distribution of drivers on the streets. In Harrisburg, there are a few bottlenecks where lanes become narrow and cars can pile up. Try to avoid these chokepoints for a smooth and stress-free daily commute:

Market Street

Pennsylvania 581

Carlisle Pike

Orrs Bridge Road

2nd Street

Driving habits

The average daily commute in Harrisburg is 20 minutes, which is much better than the national average of 26 minutes. A shorter commute means less time on the road, which helps keep traffic in Harrisburg from getting out of hand.

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

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How to navigate Harrisburg traffic like a pro

Even in a town where traffic isn’t terrible, there are some easy ways to avoid gridlock. We’ve put together our top tips to help you avoid traffic-induced

road rage

(and the

increased insurance payments

that come with it!) as you tackle the Harrisburg roads.

Keep these in mind the next time you roll down I-83:

Try to miss rush hour. The streets get congested between 6:30 and 9 aM and 3 and 6 PM. If possible, aim to start your first commute at 6 AM or earlier and head home either before or after the afternoon rush.

Get to know the backroads. Backroads can be a life-saver if you need to get around traffic, roadwork, or an accident. If you familiarize yourself with the area, you might be able to find a shortcut through the city that will save you a few minutes each day.

Stay up-to-date with traffic conditions. Tune into 910 AM or WHP 580 to get a traffic report or download

Google Maps

Waze

for live road conditions.

Stay focused on the road. Sometimes, traffic jams are unavoidable. If you get stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic, do your best to

avoid distractions

and

practice safe driving

to stay out of accidents and keep your insurance payment low.

MORE:

The 3 best apps for avoiding traffic jams

Prepare for Harrisburg traffic by updating your car insurance

Remember that number we mentioned earlier, about the average Harrisburg driver losing $562 to fuel costs each year? Well, we’ve got a way for you to make back those losses and then some—and it’s quick, easy, and convenient.

All you need to do is download

car insurance

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and complete the 45-second sign-up. Jerry will find you the lowest quotes from over 50 top national insurers. After that, it’s up to you to pick your favorite policy and our team of experienced insurance agents will finalize your switch for you.

Here’s the icing on the cake, though: the average Jerry user saves $887 a year on car insurance—more than enough to make up for that time sitting in traffic!

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FAQs

Is Harrisburg hard to drive in?

All in all, driving in Harrisburg isn’t too bad, but it can get a bit busy on the streets during rush hour. Plan ahead and take it slow to make sure that you get where you’re going safely.

What is the best time to drive through Harrisburg?

You can try to miss rush hour on the weekdays by leaving before 6:30 AM or after 6 PM. The roads tend to stay clear on the weekends, so aim to drive through Harrisburg on a Saturday or Sunday if you’re planning a road trip!

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