How Bad Is Richmond Traffic?
Richmond’s traffic can be a problem during peak hours at certain choke points, but overall the city’s average drive time isn’t bad.
Written by Mary Alice Morris
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Being a mid-sized city with a fairly dense population, Richmond can see some congested traffic at times. But overall, the city’s highway infrastructure is well-built to handle commuters, even during peak travel times.
Commuters from other parts of
Virginia
travel to Richmond daily from the outskirts, and the heaviest congestion happens when it’s time for workers to go home in the afternoon. On average, the city’s commuters each experience about 24 hours of delay time per year. If you’re looking for the best way to get around in Richmond, licensed
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is here with a guide to show you which chokepoints and times you can avoid driving through for a stress-free trip. We'll also show you how to save on your Richmond insurance costs
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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 Richmond traffic?
Although traffic congestion has dropped off significantly in Richmond since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, it still represents about $353 million in losses when you combine lost time and wasted fuel. According to a recent study, the congestion level has started to creep up again, too, rising by 1% from 2020 to 2021.
Still, if you’re used to the type of traffic you see in large cities like Washington, D.C. or
Atlanta
, you’ll be pleased with the conditions in Richmond. Compared to major hubs with heavy congestion, Richmond’s traffic flow is fairly moderate.MORE: Learn about the Virginia driver improvement program
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Why does Richmond’s traffic get congested?
A lot of things can cause traffic congestion, including a city’s population, density, driving culture, and road infrastructure. Each of these factors plays into just how severely, and how frequently, traffic congestion occurs. Here’s some information on Richmond’s characteristics when it comes to crowded commutes.
Population size
It’s no small town, but it’s not a big city either. Richmond has a population of 226,000 people, although that figure does not include everyone who commutes into the city from outside for work, school, or leisure. With a population density of about 3,900 people per square mile, the roads can get a little clogged up during rush hour.
Traffic hotspots
There are a few particular areas that see heightened traffic congestion during Richmond’s rush hour. The worst is probably I-95, which is known to get congested at interchanges heading into and out of the city. Traffic can get really jammed up on I-95 at the exits for I-195, I-64, and I-295.
I-64 also sees a little congestion, with more traffic headed east into the city than west during morning commuters’ hours. The highway also has a cluster of interchanges that are close enough to cause a ripple effect that may slow down your drive.
Other areas with occasional dense traffic are Broad Street, 10th Street, 1st Street, Grace Street, and Laurel Street.
Driving habits
Rush hour traffic is typical from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. However, Richmond’s traffic congestion routinely peaks at 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Often, the traffic closer to 5 p.m. is worse than the morning commute.
If you’re concerned about getting stuck in traffic, it’s best to avoid these peak hours whenever possible.
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How to navigate Richmond traffic like a pro
Traffic hangups can happen anywhere, and if you’re planning to drive in Richmond, you need to know how to get around without the headache and hassle of heavy traffic. These points can help you travel more efficiently around Richmond.
- Skip the rush hour, if you can. Sometimes it’s impossible to avoid, but if you have a flexible timeframe to arrive at your destination, then you can plan your drive through Richmond to be during the city’s least congested hours: early morning before 6 a.m., or late evening after 8 p.m.
- Look at alternate routes. Even if your current route is tried and true, there’s always the possibility of road work, a wreck, or a traffic jam that can bring your plans to a grinding halt. Looking for backroad routes can save you time in the long run.
- Listen to local traffic experts. You can listen to traffic updates while you drive by tuning in to 1620 AM or 1680 AM.
- Always keep your eyes on the road. No matter what the traffic conditions are when you’re driving in Richmond, you always need to stay focused on the road ahead of you.Distracted drivingcan cause injury, loss of life, damage to your vehicle, and rising car insurance premiums—as well as a mess of legal problems. Don’t use your phone, eat, or apply makeup while you’re driving.
Prepare for Richmond traffic by updating your car insurance
If you’re worried about heavy traffic in Richmond, updating your car insurance can put your mind at ease. You can protect yourself and your vehicle and find the coverage you need at a lower price with the car insurance app
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Is there a lot of traffic congestion in Richmond?
It depends on your relative experience. If you’re mostly used to small cities and rural areas, the traffic in Richmond could seem intimidating. However, if you’re comparing Richmond to a city like Atlanta, then the traffic congestion is minimal.
What are the most congested traffic areas in Richmond?
Any road or highway can see traffic congestion due to always-changing conditions, but I-95 in Richmond sees routine delays and heavy traffic as the main corridor into and out of the city.
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