San Francisco, California – If you want to save time on your commute in San Francisco, consider leaving for work a little later. A new study analyzing data from the U.S. Census Bureau reveals that minor adjustments to your departure time can lead to significant time savings.
Skip the 8 a.m. Rush
The data shows that the morning rush hour—particularly between 8:00 and 8:29 a.m.—is the busiest and most time-consuming period for San Francisco commuters. Leaving just 30 minutes later than this peak window, or around 8:30-9am, could save commuters up to 18 hours per year in travel time.
That’s almost an entire day of your life that you’d get back, just by making a small tweak!
Trends in San Francisco’s Commute
San Francisco has experienced a steady rise in commute times over the past decade, driven by population growth and traffic congestion. In 2019, commute times peaked at an average of 27.6 minutes. The pandemic briefly interrupted this trend, as remote work brought the average down to 25.6 minutes in 2021. However, in 2022, commute times rose again, adding nearly a minute on average.
A Small Change, Big Savings
With commute times creeping back up, avoiding the peak rush hour could help make commuting less of a hassle. By adjusting their schedules, San Francisco commuters can not only save time but also reduce stress on the road or in transit.
For those with flexible work hours, a slight shift in departure time might make all the difference in navigating the city’s busy traffic patterns.
