According to data collected by Texas A&M University, drivers in Huntsville, Alabama spent an average of 14 extra hours in rush hour traffic in pandemic-era 2020, down 50% from 2019’s 28 hours.

Huntsville, Alabama is a rapidly growing area on the state’s northern border. It boasted a population of nearly 500,000 residents in 2021, making it the second-largest metropolitan area in

Alabama

after Birmingham. In addition to being the home of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Monte Sano State Park, and the Huntsville Botanical Gardens, this bustling southern city is also known for, unfortunately, its bad traffic.

Just how bad is traffic in Huntsville? We're here with answers to everything Huntsville traffic. We’ve created this comprehensive guide to the trouble spots, ongoing issues, and potential risks of Huntsville traffic to help you navigate these Alabama streets like a pro in no time.

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How to reduce Huntsville car insurance costs

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How bad is Huntsville traffic?

Data collected by

Texas A&M Transportation Institute’s Mobility Division

shows that prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, drivers in Huntsville, Alabama, were spending upwards of 28 hours in rush hour traffic. Public health restrictions imposed throughout 2020 brought this statistic down by 50% to only 14 hours. Texas A&M has yet to release additional data on Huntsville for 2021 and early 2022, but more than likely, the city will follow the trend of other metropolitan areas nationwide with increased traffic congestion and delays.

With these delays, the average Huntsville driver would have spent an additional $216 on fuel in 2020 to compensate for traffic and an additional $433 in 2019.

Year	Hours lost to congestion
2014	23 hours
2015	23 hours
2016	23 hours
2017	24 hours
2018	26 hours
2019	28 hours
2020	14 hours

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How to save money on gas

Why is Huntsville traffic so bad?

If you live anywhere in the general vicinity of a metropolitan area, chances are you’ve experienced bad traffic. Traffic congestion can result from a number of factors, including, but not limited to, high population, insufficient or out-of-date infrastructure, and geography. Let’s take a look at the factors that contribute to Huntsville’s traffic woes.

Population size

Huntsville is one of the American south’s fastest-growing metropolitan areas, increasing from 215,000 in 2019 to more than 491,000 in 2022. The major spike in Huntsville’s population over the last few years has led to major traffic issues as the city’s infrastructure has not been able to grow quickly enough to accommodate a nearly doubled population.

In addition to local traffic, Huntsville is also central to four major cities:

Chattanooga, Tennessee

;

Birmingham, Alabama

;

Atlanta, Georgia

; and

Nashville, Tennessee

. Because of this, Huntsville is subject to additional commercial traffic and commuters.

Major chokepoints

One of the major reasons traffic in Huntsville is notoriously poor is a lack of major freeways. There is no Beltway in Huntsville, leaving drivers with only two real options for rush hour traffic: the 565 Spur or the Parkway. Other notable hotspots for traffic in Huntsville include Clinton Avenue, Holmes Avenue, the intersection of Jefferson Street and West Side Square, Route 431, and Eustis Avenue.

Geography

In addition to outgrowing its infrastructure, Huntsville also suffers from being, at times, geographically difficult to traverse. Notably, the Redstone Arsenal Military Base in Huntsville cuts out a major portion of driveable terrain in the heart of the city, covering more than 60 square miles of Huntsville’s available 220 square miles of land.

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

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How to navigate Huntsville traffic like a pro

Even a run-of-the-mill

fender-bender

can be a headache, but vehicle collisions can frequently turn dangerous, destructive, and even fatal.

The

Huntsville Police Department

reported more than 1,200 wrecks in 2021 alone. Even if these accidents don’t prove fatal, they can still put you at risk of major bodily harm and cost you thousands of dollars in medical bills,

car repair

costs, and increased insurance premiums.

The best way to avoid accidents wherever you drive is to engage in safe and defensive driving practices whenever you're on the road. Let’s break down some other ways you can help keep yourself safe and your insurance rates low while driving in Huntsville.

Avoid rush hour traffic. Steering clear of rush hour traffic jams can also help you avoid collisions. In Huntsville, traffic is particularly bad for commuters from 6 am to 9 am and from 3 pm to 7 pm. We’d advise staying off major roadways entirely from 4 pm–6 pm whenever possible, as this is when Huntsville traffic is at its worst.

Take the scenic route. While Huntsville doesn’t have a freeway, there are a number of back roads you can use to avoid traffic congestion. If you’re stumped on how to avoid major highways, any decent GPS navigation system should be able to help you find an alternative route.

Use a traffic radio station. For Huntsville locals, news radio 1230 AM is a great resource for providing real-time traffic updates that might disrupt your daily commute.

Stay focused. According to the Huntsville Police Department, the majority of accidents in the city are caused by drivers following too close and misjudging stopping distance. Staying focused while behind the wheel by avoiding distractions like phones, food, and loud music, even in stand-still traffic, can help you avoid accidents.

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Prepare for Huntsville traffic by updating your car insurance

If you’re gearing up to drive in a busy city like Huntsville for the first time, it might be a good idea to update your car insurance policy to protect your vehicle against potential accidents and other increased risks.

It’s easier than ever to switch your car insurance policy when you sign up with the #1 rated car insurance comparison app, Jerry. As a licensed insurance broker, Jerry can match you with multiple competitive quotes from some of the top insurance providers nationwide. Signing up takes less than 45 seconds, and we can even help you cancel your old policy when you switch.

Jerry users save an average of $887 a year on their car insurance policy—more than twice the amount Huntsville drivers lose each year to rush hour traffic fuel costs!

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FAQs

Is Huntsville hard to drive in?

Huntsville has gotten more difficult to traverse as its population has boomed over the last few years. If you’re nervous, investing in a reliable GPS navigation system can help you get around without too many problems.

What is the best time to drive through Huntsville?

If you want to avoid rush hour, it’s best to drive through the city before 6am, after 7pm, or between 10am and 3pm.

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