Drivers in Joliet
, Illinois
shouldn’t worry too much about traffic. Traffic can shift from non-existent to heavy congestion rather quickly—so be prepared for that. Otherwise, you should be able to get from point A to point B with little trouble. Joliet is a suburb of Chicago
and an important shipping and transportation center that is home to the Jacob Henry Mansion and the Rialto Square Theatre. It also features some impressive historical areas and buildings. A city’s livability has to take its traffic into account. No one wants to spend an extra hour or two in bumper-to-bumper traffic or miss their kid’s soccer game because of a construction zone.
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, a licensed insurance
broker app, has created this guide to help you better understand traffic in Joliet. We’ll review its traffic patterns, how the pandemic has changed driving trends, and provide some tips on how to get around Joliet with the least amount of frustration. How bad is Joliet traffic?
Despite having a sizable population of over 100,000 residents, Joliet seems to fare well in terms of traffic. There are times of the day and days of the week where volume and congestion spike, but even construction zones don’t consistently create devastating traffic jams.
Like most parts of the US, traffic congestion in Joliet was reduced in 2020 due to COVID-19 forcing many people to work from home or to be out of work. Something of a “return to normal” came to be in 2021 for Joliet’s traffic flow and volume.
In 2021, Illinois officials announced plans to begin the Houboult Road Extension project. This construction project aims to improve traffic flow and freight movement in areas surrounding Joliet.
Why is Joliet traffic so good?
There isn’t one reason why Joliet traffic is good. It’s not a small town, and being a hub for shipping and freight movement should make it a destination for a lot of commuters. Let’s review a few potential factors that contribute to Joliet’s traffic patterns.
Urban Planning
Urban planning is often credited with good traffic flow. This can include public transportation, routes that connect urban and suburban areas, and how traffic lights are programmed.
Population size
Joliet has a moderate population size compared to the rest of the state. This can help prevent congestion and result in fewer bottlenecks during peak traffic hours.
Major chokepoints
Joliet’s traffic isn’t perfect, though. If you often take the following roads and streets, you should factor in extra commuting time:
W. Jefferson St./Lincoln Hwy
W. Jackson St./Bridge St.
Driving habits
Joliet drivers don’t exhibit any extreme driving habits, which is one reason why traffic never gets too bad. That said, rush hour is between 7 and 9 am and 3 and 7 pm. Knowing the most congested times, although milder than other cities, can help you plan your daily routes.
MORE:The best type of car insurance to get if you commute long distances
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Start earning nowHow to navigate Joliet traffic like a pro
Just because Joilet traffic isn’t bad enough to give most drivers road rage
doesn’t mean there aren’t smart ways to efficiently navigate the area. Approximately six million people die
in car accidents every year in the United States, so it’s always good to understand the best and safest way to drive in a city. This can minimize surprises, delays, and incidences. Here are a few tips to drive around Joliet:
As mentioned above, rush hour in Joliet is between 7 and 9 am and 3 and 7 pm. Give yourself some extra time if you tend to drive during these hours.
Find a radio station that gives regular and reliable traffic updates. Some options include: 92.7 FM, 105.9 FM, 560 AM, 720 AM, 780 AM, 890 AM, 1060 AM, 1401 AM, and 1420 AM.
Prepare for Joliet traffic by updating your car insurance
Joliet drivers should take some time every six months to review their car insurance
. The goal is to make sure you’re not paying even a dollar too much for the coverage you need. Use Jerry
to find a policy that fits your budget and won’t leave you paying out of pocket if anything happens. Jerry pulls from its network of more than 50 top insurance providers to generate quotes that reflect your driving needs, history, and where you live. In no time, you can be like other Jerry users and save an average of $887 annually. You also get access to industry expertise and excellent support.
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