Current Denver Traffic Report: Post-Pandemic Levels Picking Up Everywhere

As the pandemic continues to recede in society's rearview mirror, early data suggests that vehicle miles traveled this year are more closely hewing to pre-pandemic numbers. According to Robert Spotts, mobility analytics program manager at the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG), 'It just really reflects how people's travel behavior has changed.' While some highways in the Denver area have already returned to pre-pandemic levels, others still show a significant impact from the work-from-home boom that took off during the pandemic.

The report reveals that traffic on some highways in the Denver area was back to pre-pandemic levels in 2022. However, drivers were still enjoying relatively smooth sailing in 2022 despite population growth over that time. On other routes, especially those that traditionally served commuters, congestion remained high. The analysis from DRCOG shows that Denver-area residents drove more in 2022 than they did the year before but were still driving about 2 percent fewer miles on an average day compared to 2019.

While some may view this data as 'ancient history' given the ongoing pandemic, it provides valuable insights into how people's travel behavior has changed. The work-from-home boom continues to have a significant impact on congestion in 2022, and it seems that traffic is picking up everywhere. With population growth and changing travel habits, Denver-area residents can expect traffic patterns to continue evolving in the coming years.

Overall, the current Denver traffic report suggests that while some highways have returned to pre-pandemic levels, others are still feeling the effects of the pandemic. As the region continues to adapt to new norms, it will be interesting to see how traffic patterns change and evolve over time.

Current denver traffic report