super-app, has you covered when it comes to driving in Olympia. We’re covering how bad the traffic is, which areas and times to avoid, and how to find the best insurance for driving in Olympia.

How bad is Olympia traffic?

Drivers in Olympia lost a total of 2,304,000 hours to congestion in 2020—that’s 11 hours annually per person, on average.

Unlike many other cities, Olympia traffic happens sporadically throughout the day rather than predictably at rush hour. That said, you can avoid driving during rush hour (7 am to 9 am and 4 pm to 6 pm) if you want to steer clear of the commuters—but you still have a good chance of seeing random traffic at, say, 1:30 pm.

MORE:

Colorado to Washington road trip

Why is Olympia traffic so bad?

Olympia traffic isn’t as bad as some major cities in the US, but let’s take a look at some factors that add to congestion there.

Population size

While Olympia's population is on the smaller end—only around 50,000 residents—the compressed layout of the city makes it more crowded and susceptible to traffic.

Major chokepoints

Here are some of the chokepoints to avoid if you’re trying to steer clear of traffic in Olympia. Many of these are major intersections that see lots of drivers going in and out of Olympia to neighboring cities:

Plum St./Henderson Blvd.

5th Ave.

Union Ave.

Legion Way

I-5

Driving habits

While Olympia has light rush hour traffic, some of its traffic comes at more unpredictable times—such as Christmastime shopping in December and high schoolers headed out for summer break.

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

Make safe driving pay

Get rewarded for safe driving. Earn points and unlock benefits. Totally free.

Start earning now

How to navigate Olympia traffic like a pro

There’s nothing more stressful than a traffic-induced fender bender—and collisions of any sort can lead to an

increase in your car insurance rate

Here are some ways to maintain your composure by avoiding common obstacles in traffic:

Avoid rush hour. As a general rule of thumb, avoid driving around 9 am and 5 pm to avoid rush-hour congestion.

Use a traffic app for road updates. Apps like Google Maps and Waze offer real-time traffic updates to help you find the most efficient route whenever you’re on the road.

Stay calm. In any scenario, staying calm while behind the wheel is your best bet for avoiding unwanted collisions. Practice defensive driving habits like early braking and slow acceleration

MORE:

The 3 best apps for avoiding traffic jams

Prepare for Olympia traffic by updating your car insurance

If you’re planning to drive in Olympia traffic, take your planning to the next level by

updating your car insurance

Jerry

is a car insurance comparison and broker app that can help you every step of the way in the car insurance process. First, we’ll bring you personalized

quotes

from 50+ insurance providers in mere seconds. Then, you’ll get to shop away—with the constant help of Jerry’s expert agents to answer any questions you have.

We care about making your life easier—and cheaper. That’s why Jerry users see an average annual savings of $887 per year.

“
Jerry
’s quote process was quick and easy—with quotes that are very competitive and from companies other quote engines don’t have.” —Angela F.

"I’m earning

awesome rewards

every week, just for driving safe!”

FAQs

Is Olympia hard to drive in?

Nope! It’s not too bad—just don’t be surprised by some unexpected midday traffic. Practice safe driving habits and stay calm, and you’ll be good to go.

What is the best time to drive through Olympia?

Avoid rush hour—9 am and 5 pm—to be safe, but generally, any time of day is okay to drive in Olympia.

Are you overpaying for car insurance?

Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.

Try Jerry