How Bad Is Milwaukee Traffic?
Milwaukee is an easy city to get around. The typical commute lasts only 22 minutes.
Written by Nathan Porceng
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Milwaukee drivers lose only 22 hours to congestion each year, according to a recent study—ranking Brew City #28 among U.S. cities with the worst traffic.
Nestled on the western shore of Lake Michigan,
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
is a global city in the heart of the American Midwest. Known for its rich brewing history, superb classical music scene, and tremendous diversity, Milwaukee is home to several Fortune 500 companies and the 2021 NBA champions, the Milwaukee Bucks. One thing Milwaukee is not known for is its traffic.
So just how bad is Milwaukee traffic? We’ll examine traffic statistics in Milwaukee, discuss driving trends in the city, and give you some tips for driving through Wisconsin’s booming city on the lake.
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversHow bad is Milwaukee traffic?
Per the
2021 Global Traffic Scorecard
, a gargantuan international study of traffic trends, Milwaukee traffic is just the 28th worst in the United States. The study’s analysts estimated that the typical Milwaukee driver loses 22 hours to congestion each year, with a loss per driver of $346. The COVID-19 pandemic eased traffic even more in the Milwaukee area, and with public health restrictions loosening, you can expect an uptick in commute times. However, Milwaukee will likely remain a generally commuter-friendly city for the foreseeable future.
Year | Time lost to rush hour |
|---|---|
2019 | 60 hours |
2020 | 32 hours |
2021 | 42 hours |
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What causes traffic congestion in Milwaukee?
Traffic congestion has many causes including population, infrastructure, and driving habits. Here’s the lowdown on what causes traffic congestion in Milwaukee.
Population size
The city of Milwaukee has a population of over 500,000 people, ranking 31st in the United States and 5th in the Midwest. The city’s population has actually declined by over 30,000 residents since 1990, and its infrastructure adequately supports the thousands of drivers that traverse its roads each day.
Major chokepoints
I-94 runs straight through Milwaukee, and if you are unfortunate enough to encounter heavy traffic in Brew City, it’s likely at one of the highway’s junctions. The worst downtown traffic tends to occur at the Marquette Interchange, at the intersection of I-94 and I-43.
Other traffic hotspots in Milwaukee include the Stadium Interchange, five miles west of downtown at the intersection of I-94 and US 41, and the Zoo Interchange, eight miles west of downtown at the intersection of I-94 and I-894.
Driving habits
Milwaukee is not a city known for long commutes, with the typical Milwaukeean driving a mere 22 minutes to and from work. The city also boasts many walkable neighborhoods and a fantastic electric streetcar system, known locally as The Hop, lessening congestion.
Less time driving means more time for Milwaukeeans to enjoy Brewers games and all the other attractions this city has to offer.
MORE: The best type of car insurance to get if you commute long distances
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Reviewed on 5/28/2023
How to navigate Milwaukee traffic like a pro
Traffic jams don't just make for
bad vibes
and inconvenience, they can be a major cause of car accidents.According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, fatal car crashes are on the rise in Milwaukee, with 101 fatalities in 2020, up from 74 the year prior. Even when, thankfully, a car crash isn’t fatal, you may still pay a
hefty price
, physically, emotionally, and financially.However, following a few simple tips while driving in Milwaukee will go a long way towards keeping yourself safe and your bank account full. Here’s how:
- Avoid rush hour. Milwaukee’s peak rush hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Per 30 minute trip, congestion in the city costs commuters 4 minutes in the morning and 7 minutes in the evening on average.
- Check ahead.WISN 1130 AMoffers an online live tracker that lets you check traffic hotspots before you leave, saving you frustration and valuable time.
- Stay focused. Sometimes traffic jams are unavoidable, no matter how well you plan your journey. Keep your music low, your cellphone stowed, and above all remain calm and focused on your driving. Distractions can becostly.
Prepare for Milwaukee traffic by updating your car insurance
While Milwaukee is a relatively kind city for drivers, it’s always a good idea to
update your car insurance policy
to ensure you have the coverage you need for driving in Brew City.With Jerry, shopping for car insurance has never been easier. Download the #1 rated insurance app, and in just 45 seconds, Jerry will find you customized quotes from 50+ top insurance providers. Backed by a world-class team of insurance experts, Jerry works for you to get the best coverage at the best price—without phone calls, unnecessary forms, or long wait times!
Jerry saves its users an average of $887 a year. That’s over twice the average annual cost of sitting in Milwaukee traffic!
“Jerryhandles everything from finding quotes to signing on new policies right in the app. No more filling out hundreds of forms! Thank you, Jerry, for helping my move to a new state feel hassle-free.” —Dolores T.
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FAQs
Is Milwaukee hard to drive in?
Milwaukee is generally a driver-friendly city with little congestion. Still, use GPS navigation and avoid distractions while driving through the city.
What is the best time to drive through Milwaukee?
To avoid rush hour traffic, it’s best to drive through the city before 7:00 a.m., after 5:30 p.m., or between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
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