How Bad Is Puyallup Traffic?
Puyallup traffic is relatively mild, but it does have some congestion courtesy of the nearby highways.
Written by Rob Shapiro
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Drivers in Puyallup, Washington must contend with daily traffic jams affecting their commute. The gridlock Puyallup drivers endure is caused by commuters heading to Seattle for work via highways 512 and 167. To boot, road expansions have not met the demand of Puyallup’s growing population.
Puyallup is in scenic the scenic state of Washington and is a popular place to live because of its proximity to Seattle and Tacoma. Its population of roughly 42,973 enjoys the Washington State Fair, rodeos, concerts, and a myriad of other fun activities every year.
One of its drawbacks is that despite its small population, there is pretty significant traffic. It might be surprising at a glance that Puyallup is prone to traffic congestion, but it makes sense when you consider its location and commuter population.
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. Why is Puyallup traffic so bad?
There are a few culprits that contribute to Puyallup’s traffic problems including infrastructure inefficiencies and weekday jams. Let’s break them down.
Location
Most days, the traffic is less than ideal in Puyallup. It’s considered a traffic dead zone, which is the result of the buildup on nearby highways that create congestion on local roads.
Those who don’t commute to or visit Seattle or Tacoma can avoid the worst of the traffic. That said, road expansion projects have also contributed to traffic throughout the area.
Workforce
Puyallup is home to a Boeing plant that employs tens of thousands of people. Shift changes at this plant keep traffic from moving at certain times of the day since many workers are on the same schedule.
Major chokepoints
Beware of bottlenecks in Puyallup. These are some roads that consistently attract a lot of traffic:
- 7th Avenue
- WA-512
- S. Meridian Avenue
Try to avoid these streets, if possible, or give yourself some extra time to traverse them.
Driving habits
On weekdays, traffic seems to peak between 7 am and 7:30 am and then again at 8:30 am. For some, the average commute can be between 30 and 34 minutes.
MORE: The best type of car insurance to get if you commute long distances
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Start earning nowHow to navigate Puyallup traffic like a pro
Puyallup drivers have to contend with a lot of hurdles while driving, which can lead to the unfortunate problem of road rage. Not only is road rage stress-inducing, but it can also impair your ability to drive safely.
To avoid this and minimize any potential frustrations you might experience while behind the wheel, try these tips:
- Avoid driving during peak rush hour or leave early to give yourself extra time.
- Check traffic updates on local radio stations like 97.3 FM, 97.7 FM, 850 AM, 1000 AM, and 1030 AM.
- Avoid heavy construction zones—especially those that remove a lane or make a street only one way.
- Avoid distracted drivingso that your attention is not divided and you’re keeping up with traffic.
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Prepare for Puyallup traffic by updating your car insurance
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FAQs
Is Puyallup hard to drive in?
Yes, by most accounts, Puyallup is a tough place to drive. There is a lot of congestion, construction zones, and the population has its fair share of commuters which clog up the roads during rush hour.
What is the best time to drive through Puyallup?
Try to avoid driving during shift changes at the Boeing Plant in addition to the hours of 7 am to 8 am, and 4 pm to 7 pm.
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