How Bad Is El Paso Traffic?
El Paso has six major freeways and a mid-sized population that limit major traffic congestion throughout the week.
Written by Joshua Levy
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
The average traffic congestion level in El Paso is only 16%, making it a relatively low-traffic area. Even traffic during rush hour only reaches 34%, which is just one percent above an average day in Los Angeles.
El Paso is a great Texas town with open spaces and a whole lot of sunshine. It’s known for having an average of 302 days of sunshine each year! Before you visit, it’s important to read up on the traffic and transportation conditions you should expect.
Traffic can be frustrating to deal with and hard to navigate, but try not to worry. The
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How bad is El Paso traffic?
Out of the 404 cities currently covered by
TomTom’s traffic report
, El Paso ranks 324th for worst traffic situations. That said, the traffic in El Paso isn’t all that bad. Like most cities, El Paso’s traffic situation changes throughout the day and gets far worse at rush hour. While the average congestion level is only 16%, drivers can expect congestion levels to double between 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. You shouldn’t face any major traffic jams so long as you drive before, after, or in between rush hours.
Why is El Paso so bad?
While you won’t typically face extreme traffic conditions in El Paso, you’ll likely notice that traffic gets worse at different times of the day. It may seem somewhat unusual, but traffic flow always has a cause. Here are some of the biggest factors impacting El Paso’s traffic.
Population size
Commuters
As the biggest city in its county, El Paso is a central location for workers from all over the area. As a result, people tend to flood into the city between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. in droves on the way to work. Those same workers all tend to leave the city between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., causing some significant congestion on the freeways.
Infrastructure
Considering the number of residents and El Paso’s central location, traffic could be a lot worse. But the sheer number of freeway options limits the amount of traffic to a large extent. While traffic is often bad on I-10, you can typically circumvent major jams using US-54, US-62, US-85, or US-180.
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Reviewed on 5/28/2023
How to navigate El Paso traffic like a pro
El Paso traffic may not be the worst out there, but that doesn’t make it any less frustrating to get caught in a traffic jam. While sitting behind the wheel without anywhere to go can be extremely stressful, there are plenty of steps you can take to avoid traffic or even make your time on the road worthwhile.
Here are some of the best ways to deal with traffic in El Paso:
- Wait out rush hour. Traffic in El Paso is typically at its worst between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., and 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. If you can hit the road before, after, or between rush hours, you can typically avoid any major congestion.
- Stay off I-10. As the central freeway in El Paso, you may be tempted to take I-10 on the way home, but there are plenty of less frequently used freeways that can get you home without the traffic.
- Traffic apps. Most drivers use apps like Google Maps or Apple Maps to navigate home. When everyone uses these same apps, they’re all directed to the same route. If you want to avoid the traffic, try using less common apps like Waze or INRIX to find alternative paths.
- Prepare for the road. It’s a frustrating truth, but sometimes traffic is unavoidable. In those situations, you can still make your time worthwhile by stocking up on activities and entertainment. Downloading podcasts or audiobooks ahead of time can be a great way to make your time in traffic entertaining—or even productive!
Prepare for El Paso traffic by updating your car insurance
Any time you find yourself stuck in traffic, you’re at a higher risk of collisions. The mix of stop-and-go movement and high tempers makes the situation more dangerous than many people realize. Luckily, you can keep yourself financially protected on the road by saving on car insurance with
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Is El Paso hard to drive in?
While every city has rush hours that make driving difficult, El Paso is a relatively easy city to navigate on the road. Between the open freeways, spacious city streets, and docile environment, El Paso is an easy place to drive.
What is the best time to drive through El Paso?
The best time to drive through El Paso is before, after, or between rush hours. You’ll typically be best hitting the road before 7:00 a.m., between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., or after 6:00 p.m.
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