is walking you through what to expect with Lafayette traffic. We’re breaking down how bad it is, how to avoid it, and how to get the right car insurance coverage for driving in Lafayette.

How bad is Lafayette traffic?

Drivers in Lafayette saw an average of 13 hours lost to traffic in 2020. Not only is that a time-suck—but that equates to money spent on gas and lost while spending time on the road instead of at work.

While 13 hours may not seem substantial, it can add up through each calendar year.

MORE:

Louisiana car insurance laws—all you need to know

Why is Lafayette traffic so bad?

From major roadways to commuters to Lafayette drivers’ daily habits, several factors can congest the roads in the area. Let’s take a better look at what makes Lafayette traffic the way it is.

Population size

Lafayette is Louisiana’s third most populous city, with a population of 478,384. While it’s not a “big city” population, anything above 400,000 is enough to create periodic congestion on the roads.

Major chokepoints

With roadways heading north, south, east, and west that pave pathways for visitors and locals alike, chokepoints are bound to arise. Avoid these congested areas if you want to stay away from Lafayette traffic:

Jefferson St.

Evangeline Thruway

E Simcoe St.

Johnston St.

Pinhook Rd.

Driving habits

A bad local transit system means more people need to drive to get around. More drivers on the road create possibilities for recklessness, congestion, and accidents. Although Lafayette traffic isn’t as intense as the traffic you’d see in a busier American city, it’s not immune to these challenges.

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

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How to navigate Lafayette traffic like a pro

While traffic is annoying, it also has other effects, like wasted fuel and a higher likelihood of collisions.

Knowing how to navigate Lafayette when conditions are congested is essential to avoiding a crash—and

seeing your car insurance rates shoot up

Steer clear of rush hour. Avoiding morning rush hour (around 9 am) and evening rush hour (around 5 pm) can help you steer clear of more congested conditions.

Use a traffic app. Apps like Waze and Google Maps are crowdsourced and offer real-time updates about road conditions. While they aren’t always completely accurate, they tend to be close when it comes to traffic.

Stay calm. Avoid

distracted driving

to maximize your safety on the roads and avoid any unwanted collisions. Keep your music low, your eyes on the road ahead, and postpone any cell phone use—even when you’re stuck in bumper-to-bumper jams.

MORE:

The 3 best apps for avoiding traffic jams

Prepare for Lafayette traffic by updating your car insurance

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FAQs

Is Lafayette hard to drive in?

Not really. Don’t stress about driving in Lafayette. With a little preparation, general knowledge of the roads, and the use of a navigation app, driving in Lafayette can be fairly smooth.

What is the best time to drive through Lafayette?

It’s best to drive outside of rush hour times. Avoid the roads at around 9 am and 5 pm, and you’ll be good to go.

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