ranks 5th when it comes to the worst traffic in Texas. On average, its drivers lose 36 hours to congestion on the road. And it's predicted to get even worse.

Let’s be honest. San Antonio is nothing short of captivating—what with its rich history, teeming attractions, and verdant nature preserves. It’s no wonder that it’s become one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation.

Texas

in general is booming. According to the US Census, it draws in about 1,100 newcomers each day. But what’s great news for the economy isn’t such great news for the roads.

So, just how bad is the traffic in Alamo City? The #1 rated insurance app

Jerry

is breaking it down. Read on for a 101 on traffic statistics, explanations, and what San Antonio drivers can do to cut some of their losses on the road.

Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds

Find Savings!

4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars

4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers

How bad is San Antonio traffic?

San Antonio traffic may not stand up to New York’s, but that doesn’t mean it’s not bad. San Antonio traffic is the 5th worst in the state of Texas, ranking behind

, and

-Fort Worth.

According to

Global Traffic Scorecard

, San Antonio drivers lose an estimated 23 hours to traffic and up to 70 hours during rush hour each year. And this loss costs about $363 per driver annually.

Note: These numbers are down drastically (about 70%) from previous years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but they’re likely to jump back up as restrictions loosen and more commuters hit the road.

MORE:

Texas car insurance laws

Make safe driving pay

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

Start earning now

Why is San Antonio traffic so bad?

San Antonio’s congestion is likely due to a few interrelated factors, including its growing population, poor road conditions, and infrastructure.

Population size

Although growing in popularity before the pandemic, Texas quickly has now become the place to move. Over the past few decades, vehicle registration has risen by 172%. Meanwhile, highway capacity has only increased by 19%.

Where are all these new vehicles going? The answer is nowhere. They are stuck on the road, right alongside you.

Poor road conditions

Another contributor to San Antonio’s traffic is the condition of the city’s roads. Studies have ranked San Antonio in the top 25 American cities with the worst road conditions. In 2015, only 80% of the roads were determined to be in good condition—and they were predicted to degrade further in subsequent years.

Poor road quality can lead to extra wear and tear on your car, which can increase accidents—and therefore traffic—on the road. It’s even correlated with increased spending on your vehicle. On average, San Antonio drivers pay upwards of $800 annually for car maintenance.

Infrastructure

The Lone Star state is known for liking all things big, including its roads. To get from place to place, San Antonio drivers are much more reliant on the roads than their counterparts in other cities. And Interstate highways don’t just cater to cars—they’re also shared by a lot of trucks, which can lead to excessive congestion.

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

"I’m earning

awesome rewards

every week, just for driving safe!”

How to navigate San Antonio traffic like a pro

Sitting in traffic can be painful. But traffic can become even more painful (literally) if it leads to an accident. With more cars on the roads, the risk of a fender bender can increase. And when you increase your accident risk, you also

increase your risk of an insurance hike

San Antonio’s roads may sometimes feel like an inevitable game of Rush Hour. But hey, then that means there’s a way to win! If you hope to get through the US 281 in this lifetime—and not at the expense of your wallet—then here are a few suggestions you might follow:

Avoid rush hour if possible. On weekdays, rush hour in San Antonio usually falls between 7am to 9am and 3pm to 6pm. If you can, consider avoiding the roads during peak traffic hours of 7am to 8 am and 5pm to 6 pm.

Take the scenic route. Although bigger roads are often more direct, when traffic hits, they can end up taking longer than back roads. See if taking the scenic route can save you some time, or at least save you some stalling.

Compare apps for the best itinerary. Not all map apps offer the same journey. To find the best one, compare routes between popular apps like Waze, Google Maps, Maps, and any local resources.

Keep your eye on the road. Ultimately, hitting traffic once in a while is inevitable. The best way to keep safe when you to is to keep your eyes on the road. You never know what a driver will do when they’re inching up close. So

avoid the screens

, however tempting, and do your best to keep a good distance away from other vehicles!

MORE:

The 3 best apps for avoiding traffic jams

Prepare for San Antonio traffic by updating your car insurance

If you’re going to be driving through San Antonio traffic, the best way you can make sure you and your vehicle are taken care of is by

updating your car insurance policy

Jerry

knows how much time you lose to the road, so we know better than to waste any more of it when you switch with us. In just a matter of seconds, our #1 rated insurance app analyzes the market and generates customized quotes from top insurance providers just for you.

Once you pick your plan, Jerry handles everything so that it’s completely hassle-free.

Oh, and you know that $363 San Antonio drivers lose stalling on the roads? Jerry customers save an average of $887 per year. With Jerry, you can cover your losses, and then some!

“
Jerry
makes choosing new insurance as easy as grocery shopping. Even though I had a car accident within the past 2 years, Jerry found me a great deal with Nationwide–I went from paying $340 to $90 a month!”—Pan N.

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