Worst Traffic Times in Jacksonville
Jacksonville is one of the largest and busiest cities in the Sunshine State. As such, if you’re new to the area, whether as someone moving in or just visiting, getting to know its worst traffic times may help you avoid spending hours stuck in congestion.
Not only that, but avoiding these periods of peak congestion can also reduce your risk of being involved in a car accident. With that in mind, the busiest times to be on the road in Jacksonville are as follows:
Morning Rush Hour: 7 to 9 a.m.
Jacksonville’s morning rush hour typically starts around 7 a.m. and lasts for about two hours. With people heading to work and school, the city’s highways and interstates are virtually always going to be packed during these hours. I-95 and I-295, in particular, see tens of thousands of vehicles every day.
Also of note is the Buckman Bridge, which is notorious for its bottlenecks. As such, if your trek to work or your travels through Jacksonville involve going over the bridge, consider leaving early so you have extra time to deal with any delays.
Evening Rush Hour: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
The city’s evening rush hour can be just as bad, if not worse, than the morning commute, with office workers clogging I-95, I-295, and other major roads. Jacksonville is known for having some of the worst traffic in the U.S., and the evening weekday rush will show you why.
If you have the flexibility, planning your travel outside of these hours can help you avoid major delays. Unfortunately, though, there aren’t many practical alternative roads to use if you have to travel during these hours.
School Dismissal: 2 to 4 p.m.
With over 200 public schools in Duval County, of which dozens are located in Jacksonville, the streets in the immediate area surrounding these buildings tend to face some of the worst congestion.
The morning school rush tends to line up with the city’s general morning rush hour, but the afternoon dismissal window takes place just a bit earlier than the traditional evening traffic rush. That extra traffic increases the risk of both car and bus accidents.
With that in mind, leave early and give yourself plenty of time to arrive and pick up your child safely.
Weekend Traffic Hotspots
Weekends bring different traffic patterns, with congestion peaking on Saturdays. Major shopping districts and roads, like Southside Boulevard, see heavy traffic most of the afternoon. Traffic can pick back up in the mid-to-late evening hours, especially around popular sporting areas and entertainment venues.
Traveling around TIAA Bank Field can be particularly slow when the Jaguars are playing, so you’ll want to avoid the area during event times unless you have no other choice.
Factors That Make Traffic Worse
Like other major cities, Jacksonville’s traffic can be influenced by a wide range of external factors, such as:
- Construction projects (along I-95 and other major roads)
- Crashes
- Heavy rain, which is common in Florida
- Tourist traffic
These factors can lead to common injuries and serious property damage. Some changes, such as the influx of traffic during Jaguars’ home games, are predictable, while others, such as inclement weather, can catch you by surprise.
Contact the Jacksonville Car Accident Law Firm of Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers Today For Help
For more information, please contact the Jacksonville and Ponte Vedra car accident law firm of Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We serve Duval County, St. Johns County, and its surrounding areas:
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Jacksonville
9471 Baymeadows Rd #105,
Jacksonville, FL 32256
(904) 396-1100
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Downtown Jacksonville
121 W Forsyth St Suite 1000,
Jacksonville, FL 32202
(904) 822-4225
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Ponte Vedra
480 Town Plaza Ave #130,
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32081
(904) 675-1167
