What would you do with 50 hours? Sit in traffic, apparently. That’s the average time Indy commuters lost to traffic congestion in 2024, which is 7% worse than 2023.
By the numbers
According to a recent report from Texas A&M Transportation Institute, a trip that would take 20 minutes without traffic takes...
- 23 minutes with traffic
- 24 minutes in the peak direction
- 30 minutes to plan for a punctual arrival
When is the worst time to drive in Indy?
Traffic is at its worst between 3 and 5 p.m. on weekdays. In the morning, 7-8 a.m. can also be dicey.
But the hands-down worst time to commute? 4 p.m. on a Thursday. 3.1% of Indy’s weekly delay happens around then.
When is the best time to drive in Indy?
Technically, that would be around 3 a.m. But if you work a nine-to-five, here’s our advice:
- Head to work by 6 a.m. or wait until 9 a.m.
- If you can leave work early, head out by 2 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 1 p.m. on Fridays.
- If your boss is watching, you’ll need to stay at your desk until at least 6 p.m. Or grab a bite from a nearby happy hour spot, and wait out the traffic until 7 p.m.
What about public transit?
Bus transit through IndyGo is a cheaper long-term option than owning and driving a vehicle daily — and it’s a lot easier to weather the woes of traffic when you can scroll on your phone or read a book.
Bicycling is also a great option. Good for traffic congestion... and your calves.
Sharing a ride can also help to reduce cars on the road, as well as give you a conversation partner or two. Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority (CIRTA) has a free service that helps people find carpool matches and, when appropriate, pulls together vanpools. Get connected.
