How Bad Is Omaha Traffic?
Compared to other cities, Omaha drivers consider their traffic a piece of cake, with just mild congestion during rush hours.
Written by Jacqulyn Graber
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Table of Contents
- How bad is Omaha traffic?
- Why is Omaha traffic so reasonable?
- How to navigate Omaha traffic like a pro
- Prepare for Omaha traffic by updating your car insurance
- FAQs
Load full table of contents
Omaha drivers experience occasional frustrating traffic from semi-packed freeways between 7 am to 9 am and 4 pm to 6 pm, but otherwise, getting around town is a relative breeze!
Omaha, or the Gateway to the West, is the largest city in
Nebraska
, famous for being the home of business magnate Warren Buffet. Baseball fans flock to the city for the annual College World Series Baseball
tournament, but—for the most part—Omaha traffic is pretty mild. Of course, drivers experience some rush-hour congestion now and again, but TomTom’s traffic index estimates that Omaha drivers experience just ten days per year of high traffic.
Jerry
, the number one car insurance comparison app, is here to break down the stats, discuss how COVID-19 has impacted traffic trends, and offer tips for avoiding any traffic jams. Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds
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 Omaha traffic?
According to TomTom’s traffic index, Ohama
ranks at number 61
on a list of cities with congested highways. Far less populous cities (like Buffalo, New York, and Pittsburgh) actually beat out the Gateway to the West when it comes to traffic jams.Omaha drivers spend an estimated 29 hours per year sitting in traffic, which may sound like a shocking number—but consider that drivers in New York City lose up to 80 hours a year stuck in traffic jams.
Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic gave rise to stay-at-home orders and a general increase in remote work options, and that’s had a significant effect on mobility patterns worldwide. Rush hour traffic became significantly less congested in 2020 compared to 2019, but increased significantly in 2021 (though it has not yet returned to pre-pandemic rates).
Here’s a simple breakdown:
Year | Total hours spent driving in rush hour traffic |
|---|---|
2019 | 69 hours |
2020 | 39 hours |
2021 | 49 hours |
Are you overpaying for your car insurance?
Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.
4.717k Ratings5M+Drivers Joined
7M+Cars Garaged
Why is Omaha traffic so reasonable?
Mobility patterns are a result of several factors, such as a city’s overall population, the quality of highways and other relevant infrastructure, and the general commuter habits of residents. Here’s why Omaha is so driveable:
Population size
Omaha may be the largest city in Nebraska, but with a population of less than 500,000 residents, it’s certainly not an overwhelming metropolis.
One Omaha driver describes her experience driving in the city: “Before I started traveling, I thought Omaha traffic was bad, but now with more experience driving in real traffic, I realize that Omaha's traffic is some of the lightest in the country."
Major chokepoints
Although Omaha isn’t incredibly congested, a few intersections and interstates do tend to jam up, especially during rush hour.
The busiest intersection is at 90th and Dodge Street, with over 100,000 vehicles passing through per weekday. As for the interstate, the interchange between 480/80 and the Kennedy Freeway sees nearly 300,000 cars per day.
Driving habits
Omaha spans over 145 miles, with an average of 3,411 residents per square mile. This lower-than-average density means fewer cars on the road in any given area. Plus, the average commute time of 18.7 minutes (which is 7.7 minutes lower than the national average) implies that Omaha drivers aren’t traveling very far to school or work.
MORE: The best type of car insurance to get if you commute long distances
How to navigate Omaha traffic like a pro
If you do find yourself constantly encountering frustrating traffic jams in Omaha, never fear! There are steps you can take to reduce your risk of late arrivals, road rage, and traffic accidents:
- Avoid rush hour when possible. Omaha’s worst rush hour times generally occur on weekdays between 4 pm and 6 pm, with the hours of 5 pm to 6 pm on Wednesday ranking as the most congested. If you typically have a 30-minute commute, you could save yourself up to 3 hours per year by waiting until after 6 pm to drive home.
- Take back roads when you can. High-speed highways may seem like the most efficient way to get around, but they can be some of the most congested areas during rush hour. Try using side streets and small roads to avoid more popular roadways.
- Use a traffic app to stay ahead of the unexpected.KETV Omahahas an interactive traffic map that provides users with the latest information about construction and congestion on the roadways. Use it to plan your route and avoid headaches.
- Stay focused. If you do end up in a jam, driving safely and smartly is top priority.Avoid common distractionslike loud music, texting, and phone calls, and eating behind the wheel. Also—remember not to tailgate other cars! Leave plenty of distance and prepare to make frequent or sudden stops.
Prepare for Omaha traffic by updating your car insurance
Regardless of traffic patterns, reliable car insurance is always a necessity, as traffic accidents are always a risk. Save money on the perfect policy by comparing quotes from multiple
car insurance
providers.But don’t try to do it alone—download
Jerry
, the #1 rated insurance app, and find customized quotes from some of the country’s top insurance providers in less than a minute. You can shop for, select, and sign up for a brand new policy in no time—all without talking to anyone on the phone!And the best part? You’ll save an average of $887 a year on your car insurance premium after switching with Jerry.
“Jerrywas so easy to use. A representative texted me my lowest quote, and when I responded yes, Progressive emailed me 2 minutes later with next steps. Highly recommend if you don’t want to look for quotes alone!” —Sayad A.
RECOMMENDED
Thousands of customers saved on average $887/year on their car insurance with Jerry
This app is great, but the customer service is even better! Not to mention convenient! My husband and I got the lowest rate (much lower than the rates I was finding online through my own searches), quickly, and pretty much all through text message! Thank you so much for a hassle free experience👍
Gabriella R.
Find insurance savings
4.7/5 Rating on App Store
FAQs
Is Omaha hard to drive in?
Even if you’re unfamiliar with Omaha’s roadways, you shouldn’t have too much trouble getting around—especially if you have experience driving in bigger cities. Just use a navigation app so you don’t get lost!
What is the best time to drive through Omaha?
The best time to drive in Omaha is after 6 pm, when rush hour is over. However, the mornings aren’t typically too congested, either! Just avoid the hours of 4 pm to 6 pm if you hate heavy traffic.
Are you overpaying for car insurance?
Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.
4.7You might also be interested
