Commute times, rush hour and the roads to know
By J&H Digital Services LLCChecked Oct 22, 20266 sources
Most Treasure Valley commutes are shorter than the U.S. average of 27.2 minutes: about 20 minutes in Boise and 24 in Meridian, but 25 to 29 minutes from Nampa, Caldwell, Star and Kuna. Almost everyone drives. Rush hour runs roughly 6 to 9 a.m. and 3 to 7 p.m., worst inbound to Boise in the morning and outbound in the evening.
| Place | Minutes | Compared with U.S. (27.2) |
|---|---|---|
| Boise | 20.0 | 7.2 min shorter |
| Ada County | 22.1 | 5.1 min shorter |
| Meridian | 23.6 | 3.6 min shorter |
| Eagle * | 23.7 | 3.5 min shorter |
| Caldwell | 25.4 | 1.8 min shorter |
| Nampa | 25.6 | 1.6 min shorter |
| Canyon County | 25.8 | 1.4 min shorter |
| Star * | 27.5 | 0.3 min longer |
| Kuna * | 28.9 | 1.7 min longer |
Mean travel time to work, 2024 single-year Census estimates. * Eagle, Star and Kuna are too small for single-year data, so they show the 2020 to 2024 average. New 2025 figures are due Oct 29, 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year, table S0801
| Place | Drive alone | Transit | Work from home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise | 71.5% | 0.2% | 14.6% |
| Meridian | 70.4% | 0.0% | 20.3% |
| Nampa | 76.2% | 0.1% | 11.3% |
| Ada County | 70.7% | 0.2% | 17.3% |
| Canyon County | 75.0% | 0.0% | 12.0% |
| Boise metro | 72.1% | 0.1% | 15.3% |
| United States | 69.2% | 3.7% | 13.3% |
2024 single-year Census estimates (ACS tables S0801 and B08301). Carpooling, biking and walking make up most of the rest. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year, table S0801
COMPASS measures peaks from 6 to 9 a.m. and 3 to 7 p.m. Traffic heads east toward Boise in the morning and west in the evening. In 2024, I-84 between Caldwell and Boise had 37 days when commutes ran at least 30% slower than normal, up from 32 in 2023.
In COMPASS's 2024 report, the two most congested segments in the valley were on Chinden Boulevard (US 20/26): westbound from Cloverdale Road to Eagle Road, averaging 18 mph at the evening peak, and eastbound from SH 16 to Star Road in the morning. Eagle Road (SH 55), I-84 near the Wye interchange, and Nampa-Caldwell Boulevard also made the top ten.
In 2026, the SH 16 extension from I-84 north to State Street is under construction and expected to open in 2027. Ustick Road widening continues in Meridian and Nampa, and a new Linder Road overpass over I-84 runs into 2027. Eagle Road between Franklin and Chinden has a pilot of variable speed limits that drop to 45 mph in heavy traffic.
ITD runs interstates and state highways: I-84, I-184, Eagle Road, Chinden, State Street and SH 16. In Ada County, the Ada County Highway District (ACHD) runs all other public roads, not the cities. Canyon County roads are run by cities and several local highway districts.
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