’s population is less than half that of Seattle's, the majority of its residents find themselves commuting to the bigger city every day. This means that as part of Seattle’s metro area, Tacoma’s traffic is just as bad as Seattle’s, which is among the 10 worst cities in the nation.

When most of us think of the Seattle/Tacoma area, we think of green initiatives, coffee, and fresh fish. What we don’t tend to consider is traffic. But if the Seattle metro, which includes Tacoma, is known for anything other than coffee and cod, it’s cars—lots and lots of cars.

But if you’re planning a visit or a move to the Pacific Northwest,

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has compiled everything you need to know about Tacoma traffic—with its hundreds of signalized intersections and the dreaded I-5.

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How bad is Tacoma traffic?

We won’t sugarcoat things—it’s bad. The Seattle/Tacoma area ranks eighth in the nation for worst traffic, with drivers in the greater metro area losing an average of 52 hours per year stuck in congested roadways and behind stoplights.

Like most metro areas, Seattle/Tacoma saw a drop in road congestion in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions, which brought the metro’s normal 31% average traffic congestion down to a manageable 19%. As things return to normal, and folks return to the office, traffic congestion rates are already increasing exponentially, with 2021’s average rate at 23%.

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Car Loan in Washington 2022

Why is Tacoma traffic so bad?

There are a lot of factors contributing to a given city’s traffic, from infrastructure to the population to residents’ driving habits. Here’s a breakdown of some of the things that most negatively affect Tacoma’s traffic.

Traffic signals

The Tacoma area has seen exponential growth over the last several years, and its infrastructure has not been able to keep up. Specifically, traffic signals at over 335 signalized intersections cause massive delays and well over 4,000 vehicles travel through them every day, causing delays at a single red light to reach nearly three minutes. Hit just a couple of these on your way to work, and your ten-minute commute can double in no time.

Major chokepoints

Not only do Tacoma residents have to deal with red light delays at notoriously bad intersections like 19th and Sprague, 6th and Sprague, Marin View/SR 509 and Taylor Way, 19th and Pearl, and St. Helens/Tacoma Ave and Division, but those heading to downtown Seattle also have to worry about delays all along the I-5 corridor as commuters merge onto one of the Pacific Northwest's busiest sections of highway.

Driving habits

Over 75% of Tacoma’s nearly 250,000 residents commute to work alone every day. That’s over 100,000 drivers hitting the road around the same time each morning and evening. And, this doesn’t take into account residents in surrounding cities within the Seattle metro commuting into and out of Tacoma and Seattle at the same time.

In fact, rush hours in the Seattle metro area get so bad that drivers waste an average of 82 hours—that’s three days and 10 hours—sitting in rush hour traffic each year!

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

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How to navigate Tacoma traffic like a pro

Tacoma traffic can be the stuff of nightmares, but knowing how to avoid the worst of it is the key to surviving the rest of it. Here are a few tips to handle it like a pro:

Steer clear of rush hour if possible. In 2021, metro areas watched in horror as rush hours returned with a vengeance. Seattle metro rush-hour traffic isn’t yet as bad as it was pre-COVID, but the numbers are still staggering. To avoid the worst of it, stay off the roads from 6:30 am to 9:00 am and 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

Take side roads when you can. In a city like Tacoma, everything can seem like a side road. Avoiding I-5 is a top goal, but avoiding 19th, Sprague, and Tacoma Ave as you navigate side roads can help you get where you’re going more quickly too.

Use a traffic app.

Tom-Tom

Google maps

, and

Waze

all offer apps that allow you to see real-time traffic information with suggestions to help you avoid traffic snarls. Local news stations in the Seattle metro also offer individual apps that support traffic updates.

Stay calm, stay focused, and stay back. You won’t get anywhere if you wind up in an accident, so when you do find yourself stuck in traffic, try looking at it as an opportunity for relaxation. There’s nothing you can do once you’re stuck, so take a breath and relax. It may be tempting to distract yourself with your phone or some music, but remaining in the moment is not only safer but could also potentially lead you to seeing an opportunity for escape from the gridlock. Finally, be sure to leave space between you and the car in front of you—that way if the guy behind you loses patience and runs into you, you won’t create a chain reaction.

MORE:

The 3 best apps for avoiding traffic jams

Prepare for Tacoma traffic by updating your car insurance

The last thing you need to do to be ready to drive in Tacoma traffic is

update your car insurance policy

. You’ve got everything you need to navigate Tacoma’s mean streets, so now let

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FAQs

Is Tacoma hard to drive in?

Tacoma can seem like a maze of side streets and stop lights if you’re unfamiliar with it, but when you take a step back, you realize it’s just a giant grid. For most drivers, the help of a simple navigation system is all you need.

What is the best time to drive through Tacoma?

Weekends, afternoons, mornings, and evenings are the best times to drive in Tacoma, as they are in many big cities. If you can, limit your driving during the week to the hours before 6 am and after 7 pm.

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