Though traffic in Harrisburg is light, the average driver still spends about 23 hours sitting in rush hour year.
It might not be as bad as the City of Brotherly Love, but traffic in the capital of Pennsylvania
is enough to drive some folks crazy. If you travel through Harrisburg
during your daily commute or cross the Susquehanna River on your way to work each day, you need the inside scoop on the city’s traffic. That’s where the revolutionary car insurance
super app Jerry
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. Get rewarded for safe driving. Earn points and unlock benefits. Totally free.
Start earning nowHow 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.
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:
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
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
or 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.
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
shopping super app Jerry
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!
“Jerry
had a super simple app that was easy to navigate. And their terrific customer service made everything even easier. Plus I saved $700 in a single year.” —Lucia M.
RECOMMENDEDThis app is great, but the customer service is even better! Not to mention convenient! My husband and I got the lowest rate (much lower than the rates I was finding online through my own searches), quickly, and pretty much all through text message! Thank you so much for a hassle free experience👍
FAQs