How Bad Is Riverside Traffic?
Riverside has the 9th worst traffic in the United States, with an average of 84 hours lost to congestion in 2021.
Written by Tiffany Leung
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Table of Contents
- How bad is Riverside traffic?
- Why is Riverside traffic so bad?
- How to navigate Riverside traffic like a pro
- Prepare for Riverside traffic by updating your car insurance
- FAQs
Load full table of contents
Riverside drivers lost an average of 84 hours in traffic in 2021, according to recent data collected by TomTom. Riverside traffic ranks 9th worst in the United States.
Riverside, California
is a city located in the Inland Empire metropolitan area beside the Santa Ana River. Riverside is the most populous city in the region at 314,998 residents—it also has the distinction of being where the California citrus industry started and is home to several festivals throughout the year. Unfortunately, being close to LA county also means an increase in traffic.Jerry
, the top-rated car insurance broker app, is here to report all the traffic details of California’s citrus empire. We’ll analyze Riverside traffic statistics, the change in driving trends due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and give you some tips for driving in and around Riverside congestion. How bad is Riverside traffic?
According to
TomTom's US Traffic Index
, Riverside traffic is ranked 9th worst for time lost in traffic. The report also indicates that Riverside drivers spent an average of 84 hours in traffic in 2021, which cost around $500 per commuter. These numbers are higher than the previous year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and people working from home. However, it’s still lower than the hours spent in traffic in 2019.
Year | Hours lost to congestion |
|---|---|
2019 | 110 hours |
2020 | 73 hours |
2021 | 84 hours |
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Why is Riverside traffic so bad?
Traffic can cause gridlock thanks to several factors: the population in a city, a city’s infrastructure, and the driving habits of the residents. Below, we’ll take a look at how these factors contribute to Riverside’s bad traffic.
Population size
Riverside is the most populated city located in the Inland Empire metropolitan area, with over 314,000 residents and over 85% of this population driving alone or carpooling to and from work. The number of drivers on Riverside’s freeways can overwhelm the system, leading to severe gridlock in the city.
Major chokepoints
The Escondido Freeway and Riverside Freeway are two of the most congested roads when getting around Riverside. Residents also reported that the 15 interchange with SR 91 causes severe backup as the north and south traffic enter from the same side. Adding to this issue, tractor-trailers traveling on SR 91 cause impatient drivers to pass them and further delay traffic.
Other roads within the city that are notable traffic hotspots include Magnolia Avenue, Alessandro Boulevard, and Mission Inn Avenue.
Driving habits
Although Riverside’s population density is only 3,877 people per square mile, being close to the nation’s busiest port equals a truck bottleneck that leads to serious traffic problems. On average, it can take Riverside commuters over 30 minutes to get to work each day. With increased time on the road, there are increased chances 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 Riverside traffic like a pro
Traffic congestion often leads to
road rage
, especially when surrounding drivers aren’t being the most courteous. This can greatly increase the risk of traffic accidents as angry drivers are more likely to make rash decisions.According to data from the
California Office of Traffic Safety
, 1,759 crashes were fatal or caused injuries in 2019. Regardless of if the collision was fatal or not, it can still have a physical and financial impact on the drivers involved. Financially, being in an accident can significantly raise insurance premiums
.While the collision statistics in Riverside aren't the highest in the state, you should still try to avoid the city’s worst congestion points. Navigate the roads safely to protect yourself and your wallet with these simple tips:
- Steer clear of rush hour. Riverside’s rush hours are 6:00 am to 9:00 am and 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm in the evening. If you must drive during rush hour, make an effort to avoid driving between 7:00 and 9:00 am and 3:00 and 5:00 pm, which are the peaks of rush hour.
- Take back roads when you can. Getting around Riverside through the highly congested I-10 and I-15 freeways can increase your commute time by 19%. Find less busy, smaller roads that can lead to your destination instead.
- Use a traffic app to stay ahead of the unexpected. Apps like Google Maps can give you a reliable report on real-time traffic. You can also tune into 640 AM or 1070 AM for the latest traffic news.
- Stay focused. Sometimes getting stuck in traffic is inevitable no matter what you do. As you wait,avoid distractionssuch as food, loud music, podcasts, or using your cell phone. You should also leave enough distance between you and other cars to avoid collisions!
Prepare for Riverside traffic by updating your car insurance
Commuting through traffic dense areas in Riverside can be stressful when you’re worried about getting into an accident. This is why you should
update your car insurance policy
to ensure you have the right coverage for peace of mind. With the Jerry
app, you may even find more coverage for a lower rate!Jerry, a licensed broker, does all the hard work of finding competitive quotes from more than 50 top name-brand insurance companies. Jerry will then help you secure the policy you want and even help you cancel your old policy.
To ensure that you’re always paying the lowest rate, Jerry will send you new quotes every time your policy comes up for renewal, so you’re always getting the coverage you want at the best price. This is how Jerry users can save an average of $887 a year on car insurance.
“Jerrysaved me so much time and money! I went from $230 to $150, still with full coverage! The whole process was amazingly simple!” —Ronda S.
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every week, just for driving safe!”
Patricia W.
Reviewed on 5/28/2023
FAQs
Is Riverside hard to drive in?
Riverside driving can be anxiety-inducing if you’re not used to severe traffic. Having your GPS navigation system ready and minimizing distractions will make the drive on Riverside roads less scary.
What is the best time to drive through Riverside?
It’s best to drive through the city before 6:00 am, after 6:00 pm, or between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm to avoid rush hour.
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