Report: Nashville Traffic is Among Worst in the Country
February 20, 2025
Nashville Ranked Number 11 for Worst Traffic in the US
You’ve probably noticed that your Nashville commute seems longer than it did just a couple years ago. Maybe you’re even seeing more and more congestion on your way to and from work each day. While many cities in the country are experiencing denser traffic conditions, Nashville drivers spend about 63 hours in congestion each year, and Nashville’s traffic was ranked the 11th worst in the United States.
In The Article
Why is there so much traffic in Nashville?
As Nashville grows, so does its population of licensed drivers. Since 2022, the population in Nashville’s metro area has grown at a rate of over 1.25% each year, bringing in nearly 60,000 new residents. However, Nashville isn’t the most populated city in the country. As a matter of fact, it’s not even in the top ten. As of 2024, Nashville is the ranked 21st in population when compared to other US cities. So, how is the traffic ranked the 11th worst in the country?
There are a lot of factors that lead to Nashville’s traffic problem. In addition to the influx of population, Mark Burfeind of Inrix says that Nashville has a unique traffic pattern because the congestion is spread throughout the day. It’s not just rush hour affecting traffic. Nashville’s downtown entertainment and commerce attract people throughout the day and into the evening, leading to more cars on the road consistently. This consistency of traffic leads to fewer “peak traffic” periods, and more congestion, leading to slower driving speeds and longer commutes.
Moreover, Nashville doesn’t have a public transportation system that is as readily accessible as other cities in the US. This puts even more drivers on the roads. If Nashville doesn’t put more effective traffic provisions and public transportation into place, traffic in Nashville could get much worse. While MacroTrends projects that the population increase will pan out a little bit, the number of new residents in Nashville is set to continually go up for the next 10 years.
You’re not helpless in Nashville traffic, however. One of the best ways you can save time and stress in high-traffic situations is to plan your route accordingly.
How to Avoid Traffic in Nashville, TN?
While you may never be able to avoid all Nashville traffic, there are things you can do to ease the stress of high-traffic situations on your way to work. Because Nashville has consistent congestion, having multiple routes and knowledge of your commute area can help you avoid long periods of traffic and high-congestion roads. One of the best things you can do is have resources at the ready to monitor traffic in your area and be flexible on your commute route to ensure you get to your destination in a timely manner and (more importantly) safely.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has created Tennessee 511, a dial-in service that gives you up-to-date traffic reports along with road and travel conditions. All you have to do is dial 511 to get information you need. You can do this hands-free and reduce distracted driving by avoiding browsing on your cell phone.
Another great tool to check every morning before you begin your commute is TDOT’s SmartWay website to plan your route more efficiently. From this page, you can access an interactive map that shows construction areas, congested roads, and traffic cam views.
You can also find helpful traffic apps for iOS and Android phones that can give you traffic alerts and road conditions based on your needs.
What Can I Do to Avoid an Accident in Nashville?
With the influx of congestion and poor traffic conditions, Nashville drivers may have to be more vigil on the roads. More cars on the road means more chances for accidents, but there are ways you can protect yourself.
One of the best ways to avoid accidents is to reduce the risk of distracted driving. Make sure you have your cell phone connected to your car’s Bluetooth, if available. Before you hit the road, be sure to have your drink in place and your radio tuned to reduce the amount of fidgeting. Avoid any additional tasks during your drive, including eating, applying makeup, social media, and texting.
If you’ve been in a car accident in Nashville that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to compensation. At Hughes & Coleman, we fight for injury victims across Tennessee, and we always offer free case evaluations. When you call us, we’ll give it to you straight. We won’t waste your time and we’ll fight to get you the recovery you deserve.
