How Bad Is Virginia Beach Traffic?

Virginia Beach has the 75th worst traffic of 101 urban areas in the US, with an average of 22 hours lost to congestion in 2021.
Written by Tiffany Leung
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Virginia Beach drivers lose an average of 22 hours in traffic each year according to a recent study. It ranks 75th out of 101 urban areas in the US with the worst traffic. 
Virginia Beach, Virginia
is a bustling city located on the southeastern coast. It holds the Guinness world record for the longest pleasure beach and is a popular destination for visitors of all ages. With over 10 million tourists a year, it’s no wonder that traffic in Virginia Beach can get pretty bad.
Jerry
, the top-rated car insurance broker app, is here to break down the details of Virginia’s gridlock city. We’ll take a look at Virginia Beach traffic statistics, how the driving trends have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and give you some tips on steering through the congestion in this sunshine city. 

How bad is Virginia Beach traffic?

According to the
2021 Urban Mobility Report
, Virginia Beach traffic is ranked 75th out of 101 urban areas in the United States. The report also indicates that Virginia Beach drivers spend an average of 22 hours in traffic each year, with a cost of $399 per auto commuter
These numbers are significantly lower compared to previous years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, it is currently at an all-time low as people continue to work from home.
Year
Hours lost to congestion
2019
44 hours
2020
43 hours
2021
22 hours
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Why is Virginia Beach traffic so bad?

Traffic can easily build up thanks to multiple factors. This includes a city’s total population, road infrastructure, and resident driving habits. Below are a few reasons that contribute to Virginia Beach’s traffic conditions. 

Population size 

Virginia Beach is the most populated city in Virginia and the 43rd most populated in the country. Over 90% of the 459,000 residents drive to and from work alone or carpool with someone. With so many drivers on Virginia Beach’s freeway system each day, it’s no wonder the city is so frequently gridlocked.

Major chokepoints

Most of the traffic choke points in Virginia Beach are the surface roads. Four main roads are notable traffic hotspots: Pacific Avenue, 30th Street, Pinewood Road, and Norfolk Avenue. This may be due to the limited lanes that do not support the amount of traffic traveling on them. 
Other choke points include areas surrounding the bridge tunnels. On particularly bad days, the traffic can stretch from eight to ten miles! 

Driving habits

Although Virginia Beach’s population isn’t as high as other metro centers in the United States, it’s notorious for having some of the worst drivers—it was ranked third on a top 10 list of worst driving cities based on the number of speeding tickets, DUIs, and citations. Reckless drivers combined with high traffic increase the chance of accidents, congestion, and serious delays. 
MORE: The best type of car insurance to get if you commute long distances
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How to navigate Virginia Beach traffic like a pro

Severe traffic congestion can fuel
road rage
and greatly increases the risk of traffic accidents. According to data from the
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
, in 2020 there were 5,300 crashes—26 of them were fatal and 2,629 caused injuries. If you’re involved in an accident, it can affect you physically and financially—in particular, it can
cause your car insurance premiums to skyrocket
Although the collision statistics in Virginia Beach are amongst the highest in the state, you can still avoid the city’s worst traffic congestion. Here are a few tips for you to navigate the roads safely to protect yourself and your wallet: 
  • Steer clear of rush hour where possible. Virginia Beach’s rush hours are 6:00 am to 9:00 am and 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. If you can’t avoid those times, at least try to avoid driving between 6:00 and 7:00 am and 4:00 pm and 5:00 pm, which are the peak times of rush hour. 
  • Take back roads when you can. Getting around Virginia Beach through the bridge tunnels and highways may be the most direct, but the heavy traffic can add a lot of minutes to your commute. Check for less congested, smaller roads that can get to your destination instead. 
  • Use an app to stay ahead of the unexpected. While there is no dedicated app for Virginia Beach traffic, using apps like Google Maps can still give you a reliable report on real-time traffic.
  • Stay focused. Sometimes getting stuck in traffic is inevitable no matter what you do. As you wait,
    avoid distractions
    such as food and loud music, podcasts, or using your cell phone. You should also leave enough distance between you and other cars to avoid collisions! 
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FAQs

Driving in Virginia Beach can be nerve-racking if you’re not used to heavy congestion. Setting up your GPS navigation system and avoiding any distractions will make the Virginia Beach roads less daunting.
It’s best to drive through the city before 6:00 am, after 6:00 pm, or between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm to avoid rush hour.
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