How Bad Is Providence Traffic?
Providence has some traffic congestion, but if you can avoid the highways and the rush hour, you’ll have minimal delays.
Written by Mary Alice Morris
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Like a lot of other cities, Providence saw a sharp decline in traffic congestion after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019. Traffic is steadily increasing again but according to recent traffic data, the congestion level in Providence is still just 70% of what it was in 2019.
Providence, the capital of
Rhode Island
, is known for being home to Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design. It’s a small, dense city with a sprawling and populous metroplex. Driving in Providence can present some challenges. That’s why we compiled a guide to help newcomers and locals alike navigate the traffic.
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How bad is Providence traffic?
Its traffic may not be as notorious as
New York City
or Boston
, but Providence sees more than its share of congestion. It ranks 32nd in the nation for the amount of time the average commuter spends per year in traffic delays. According to the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, the average Providence commuter loses 33 hours each year stuck in traffic.
What causes Providence’s heavy traffic?
No matter where you go, you’ll run into some of the same root causes of traffic congestion: car collisions, stalled vehicles, roadwork, and overcrowded onramps and exits. But Providence also has a few characteristics that make its roadways particularly dense.
Population size
The city’s small population can be misleading. Providence’s population is only about 180,000 people, but its surrounding metropolitan area is home to 1.6 million people. With so many people coming in and out of the city—and so many connected cities hosting similar populations—it’s natural for Providence to see heavy traffic at times.
Providence is also an incredibly dense city, with 9,800 people per square mile. Excluding the out-of-town traffic, the density alone means that highways are bound to be congested.
Major chokepoints
According to locals, the grid-system layout makes driving in downtown Providence pretty easy. Even so, rush hour can be extremely congested and complicated by road work on I-95 and other highways. As the main north-south corridor on the east coast, I-95 is almost always busy, no matter the city.
Another major traffic chokepoint is the 6/10 connector. The 6/10 is partway through a major overhaul that includes the construction of a new flyover, a new on-ramp for Tobey Street, and the removal or replacement of seven bridges. The project is slated to be done in 2023, but in the meantime, detours are highly recommended.
Other traffic hotspots in the city include Memorial Boulevard, College Street, and Atwells Avenue.
Driving habits
Providence is home to several colleges and universities, meaning a large population of younger, less experienced drivers on the road. The city is also popular among commuters who make the 52-mile trip between Providence and Boston regularly to get to work.
Like other large cities, Providence sees a marked uptick in traffic in the afternoons, starting at about 2 pm and lasting through 8 pm.
MORE: The best car insurance for long-distance commuters
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How to navigate Providence traffic like a pro
Whether it’s your home, part of your regular commute, or a destination on an upcoming trip, you need to know the ins and outs of getting through traffic in Providence. To make the most of your drive, follow these tips:
- Watch for road work.As the busiest highway in the country, I-95 is under constant maintenance and improvement projects—including the current northbound Providence viaduct improvement project, set to finish in 2025. Check outRhode Island’s Department of Transportationfor updates on road work and delays in and around Providence.
- Travel outside of rush hour whenever possible. Avoiding the busiest (and most stressful) period of travel is the best way to steer clear of traffic mishaps in Providence. If at all possible, plan your drive to be outside of the most congested rush hour block, which is from 2 pm to 8 pm on weekdays.
- Look for an alternate route. You never know when a backup plan will be necessary. If you run into an unexpected delay on the road,it’s good to have an alternate route to your destination. While mapping out the new route, you might even discover a faster trek without all the traffic!
- Listen to local traffic reports. News radio WHJJ at 920 AM and 104.7 FM in Providence has regular traffic updates to keep you in the know on current conditions. You also can download atraffic appto find the best way around town.
- Stay focused on your driving. No matter what the traffic conditions are, you should always stay focused on the road and avoid driving distractions. Common driving distractions like using your phone, eating, or applying makeup while driving put you, your car, and everyone on the road around you at risk—even more so when there’s heavy traffic.
Prepare for Providence traffic by updating your car insurance
If you’re concerned about driving in heavy traffic, you can help to put your mind at ease by evaluating your car insurance. You may be surprised to find the coverage you need could be available for a much lower price.
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FAQs
Is Providence hard to drive in?
It’s a dense city in a sprawling metroplex—so if you’re not used to city driving, it can feel intimidating. However, if you plan out your route ahead of time and try to avoid the worst of the rush hour, you can get around Providence pretty easily.
Where is the worst traffic congestion in Providence?
In and around Providence, I-95—especially southbound—can prove to be very congested. If the frequent congestion on the interstate is a concern for you, plan out an alternate route on a less-traveled road.
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