Traffic Predict

Christmas Traffic in Sacramento: Best and Worst Times to Drive (2026)

Based on 10 years of Christmas traffic (2016–2025), the worst time to drive in Sacramento is Tuesday (December 22 this year) around 5 pm, when freeways average 58 mph instead of the usual 56 mph.

Day by day

Hour by hour

Average freeway speed (mph) in Sacramento by day and hour, 2016–2025
Day5am6am7am8am9am10am11am12pm1pm2pm3pm4pm5pm6pm7pm8pm9pm
Tue Dec 226765636463626262616160595862656767
Wed Dec 236765646464636262616160605963666768
Thu Dec 246766666666666565656464646466686869
Fri Dec 256867666767666665646465646465666769
Sat Dec 266966666666656463636261616064666768
Sun Dec 276865646464636362626160595963666768

Averages of every hour of freeway data we have for these days in past years (hover a cell for a normal day). Dates are this year's; each past year is lined up on its own holiday.

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Sacramento traffic tomorrow · Sacramento traffic right now

Questions

When is the worst time to drive for Christmas in Sacramento?

Based on 10 years of Christmas traffic (2016–2025), the worst time to drive in Sacramento is Tuesday (December 22 this year) around 5 pm, when freeways average 58 mph instead of the usual 56 mph.

What is Christmas traffic like in Sacramento?

Tuesday, December 22: about like a normal Tuesday; slowest around 5 pm (58 mph, usually 56 mph). Wednesday, December 23: about like a normal Wednesday; slowest around 5 pm (59 mph, usually 56 mph). Thursday, December 24: lighter than a normal Thursday; slowest around 4 pm (64 mph, usually 58 mph). Friday, December 25: lighter than a normal Friday; slowest around 5 pm (64 mph, usually 55 mph). Saturday, December 26: lighter than a normal Saturday; slowest around 5 pm (60 mph, usually 55 mph). Sunday, December 27: about like a normal Sunday; slowest around 5 pm (59 mph, usually 56 mph).