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Statistics
Highway Statistics

Statistics IV: Oh, The Traffic!

This page looks at the traffic in California: busiest and quietest routes, and so forth. This page was originally constructed with traffic numbers from 1992-1993. Where possible, I have attempted to annotate and update the numbers with information from 25 years later, in 2018, drawn from the spreadsheets available from the Caltrans Traffic Census Program. If you want the latest traffic numbers, that's where you should go. There are some significant differences between the numbers available in 1992-1993 and the numbers available today:

Back in 1992-1993, numbers were reported for the highway as a whole: the lowest and highest average daily traffic. Today, the Traffic Census Program reports numbers differently. There are a large number of census locations on a highway. Each reports the peak average traffic by hour, day, and as an average over the year, both before and after the measuring point, as traffic is directional. This make it difficult to translate from one number to another. Where possible, I'll provide some rough equivalents. Where not possible, I'll give some separate charts by year.

The following statistics are on this page:

Busiest California Highways, based on Average Daily Traffic

The highways listed below have the highest high average daily traffic, as of 1993. For 2018, we'll use the back peak month ADT, which is the average daily traffic for the month of heaviest traffic flow.

1. [I] I-10: 363,000 (1993).

I-10 runs from Santa Monica to the Arizona Border, through Downtown Los Angeles.

[I] I-5: 410,000 (2018).

The peak is at the "Orange Crush", where I-5, Route 22, and Route 57 come together. Coming in 2nd is I-5 at Main Street, Santa Ana with 398,000.

 6. [I] / [CA] I-110/CA 110: 286,000 (1993)

I-110 runs from the Port of Los Angeles to downtown Los Angeles. Route 110 runs from downtown LA to Pasadena. The first freeway in California.

[I] I-210: 341,000 (2018).

The peak is in Pasadena, at Hill Ave. Second place for I-210 is Lake Avenue.
2. [I] I-405: 325,000 (1993).

I-405 runs from southern Orange County (near Irvine) to the northern San Fernando Valley, in Los Angeles.

[I] I-405: 396,000 (2018).

The peak is at the junction with I-605. Coming in 2nd for I-405 is Seal Beach Blvd, with 385,000.

 7. [CA] Route 91: 271,000 (1993).

Route 91 runs from the beach communities such as Redondo Beach through Orange County to Riverside.

[CA] Route 91: 339,000 (2018).

The peak is at Lakeview Avenue, in Orange County. Second place for Route 91 is at Peralta, the Jct. with Route 90 West. But that's down quite a bit at 319,000.
3. {US] US 101: 308,000 (1993).

US 101 runs from downtown Los Angeles, through Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Jose, San Francisco, Marin, and Redwood Country. It is freeway in Southern California, and the greater San Jose/San Francisco area.

[I] I-10: 375,000 (2018).

The peak is at the junction with Hoover Street, with the Vermont, Jct. Route 110, and Normandie right below.

 8. [I] I-8: 258,000 (1993).

I-8 runs from the Arizona border at the southern end of the state to San Diego.

[I] I-110: 328,000 (2018)

The peak is at Manchester Avenue. Second place for I-110 is Gage Avenue.
4. [I] I-5: 299,000 (1993).

I-5 is the backbone of California, running from Mexico to the Oregon border. Major urban areas traversed include San Diego, Los Angeles, and Sacramento.

[I] I-880: 365,000 (2018).

The peak is in Hayward, at A Street. The runner up for I-880 is Hesperian Blvd at 355,000.

 9. [I] I-210: 256,000 (1993).

I-210 runs along the northern foothills of Los Angeles, from near the I-5/I-405 junction, through Pasadena, on to Pomona. It will eventually run to San Bernadino when the Route 30 freeway is completed and renumbered as part of I-210.

{US] US 101: 320,000 (2018).

The peak is at Hayvenhurst Avenue in Encino. Second place for US 101 is Balboa Blvd at 309,000.
5. [I] I-580: 286,000 (1993).

I-580 runs from Vernalis to Oakland, through Livermore. It is a main connector between I-5 and the San Francisco area.

[CA] Route 60: 352,000 (2018).

The peak is in Diamond Bar, at the jct. with Route 57. Second place for Route 60 is Grand Avenue.

 10. [I] I-80: 250,000 (1993)

I-80 is the major northern E/W freeway, running from the Nevada border to San Francisco, through Sacramento.

[I] I-605: 317,000 (2018)

The peak is (unsurprisingly) in Santa Fe Springs, at the Jct. with I-5. Second place for I-605 was in Norwalk at the Jct. with I-105 at 309,000.

The runner-ups, in order, for 1993 were: I-605, Route 60, Route 57, Route 134, I-15, I-280, Route 55, I-710, Route 22, I-880.

In 2018, the runner-ups were (in order): I-15 (307,000 · Mirimar Way); I-680 (302,000 · Geary Road); Route 57 (298,000 · Orangethorpe Ave); Route 55 (295,000 · Jct I-5); US 50 (292,000 · Jct. Business Route 80/Route 99); I-80 (284,000 · Powell St); I-105 (280,000 · Vermont Ave); I-280 (276,000 · Jct. Rte 82); I-805 (272,000 · Jct Rte 54); Route 118 (258,000 · Woodley Ave).

Least Busy California Highways, based on Average Daily Traffic

The highways below have the the lowest high average daily traffic, as of 1993.  For 2018, we'll use the back peak average annual ADT, which is the average daily traffic annualized over the year. This should provide a better estimate of lack of traffic over the year. Unconstructed highways are excluded.

1. [CA] Route 266: 70-110 (1993).

Route 266 is a 12-mile route in eastern Mono county, providing a short loop near Oasis.

[CA] Route 299: 70 (2018).

Lowest traffic point is at the Nevada State Line. The Back Peak Hourly is 110.

 6. [CA] Route 136: 200-500 (1993).

Route 136 runs from US 395 near Lone Pine to Route 190 near Keeler in Inyo county.

[CA] Route 39: 110 (2018).

Lowest traffic point is at Islip Saddle, the Jct. with Route 2. The Back Peak Hourly is 140.
2. [CA] Route 172: 110-270 (1993).

Route 172 is a 9-mile loop route in Tehama county, running between Mineral and Morgan Summit.

[CA] Route 25: 85 (2018).

Lowest traffic point is at the Monterey / San Benito County Line. Back Peak Hourly at his point is 100.

7. [CA] Route 284: 510 (1993).

Route 284 runs from Route 70 near Chilcoot to the Frenchmans Reservoir in Plumas county.

[CA] Route 271: 110 (2018).

Lowest traffic point is at the Old Route 101 Bridge in Mendocino County. The Back Peak Hourly is 150.
3. [CA] Route 270: 350 (1993).

Route 270 is the way to Bodie State Historic Park from US 395 in Mono County.

[CA] Route 153: 90 (2018).

Lowest traffic point is at Marshall's Monument. Back Peak Hourly is 140.

 8. [CA] Route 207: 540 (1993).

Route 207 runs from Route 4 near Lake Alpine to the Mt. Reba Ski Area in Alpine county.

[CA] Route 3: 140 (2018).

Lowest traffic point is Gazelle Road. Back Peak Hourly is 190.
4. [CA] Route 167: 360-410 (1993).

Route 167 runs from Mono Lake to the Nevada state line in Mono County.

[CA] Route 96: 100 (2019).

Lowest traffic point is at Ishi Pishi Road. Back Peak Hourly is 140.

 9. [CA] Route 220: 300-830 (1993).

Route 220 runs from Route 84 on Ryer Island to Route 160 in Sacramento county.

[CA] Route 266: 140 (2018).

Lowest traffic point is the northern jct. with the Nevada State Line. Back Peak Hourly is 320.
5. [CA] Route 229: 100-500.

This routing has been deleted; in 1992, in ran from Route 58 near Santa Margarita to Route 41 near Creston.

[CA] Route 167: 100 (2018).

Lowest traffic point at the Nevada State Line. Back Peak Hourly is 170.

 10. [CA] Route 271: 90-980 (1993).

This is a former segment of US 101; it runs from Cummings to the Humboldt-Mendocino county line.

[CA] Route 172: 150 (2018).

Lowest traffic point is jct. Route 36 in Morgan Springs. Back Peak Hourly is 290.

Most Variable Traffic

The highways listed below have the greatest percentage variance in their ADT, as of 1993. Figuring out the rankings for 2018 takes a bit more Excel-foo than I possess, as there is no clear minimum and maximum number, and easily calculating those by route, and then ranking them, is hard. But I can give the information about the variability of the 1993 routes in 2018. For this, let's use the variation in the Back Peak Average Annual. Highways with no traffic are excluded, as are highways for which my source documented provided only a single number.

1. [CA] Route 2: 310 to 130,000 vehicles/day, for a growth of 41,935.5%

Route 2 runs from Santa Monica to Route 138. It includes major city streets (Santa Monica Blvd), freeways (Glendale Freeway), and a highway through the mountains (Angeles Crest Highway)

In 2018, Route 2 went from 220 (at Blue Ridge Road) to 161,000 (at San Fernando Road), for a growth of 73,081.8%.

 6. [CA] Route 299: 150 to 44,500 vehicles/day, for a growth of 29,666.7%

Route 299 (former US 299) runs in far northern California, from US 101 to the Nevada state line. I don't know where the low and high traffic points are.

In 2018, Route 299 went from a low of 70 (at the Nevada State Line) to 21,000 (at Hawley Road in Shasta County), for a growth of 30,142.9%
2. [CA] Route 39: 150 to 61,000 vehicles/day, for a growth of 40,666.7%

Route 39 runs from Huntington Beach through San Gabriel Canyon. It includes major city streets as well as a pass over the mountain.

In 2018, Route 39 went from 110 (at Jct. Route 2) to 83,600 (at Bolsa Ave), for a growth of 76,000%

 7. [CA] Route 41: 460 to 112,000 vehicles/day, for a growth of 24,347.8%

Route 41 runs from Route 1 to Yosemite National Park. It is a major freeway in Fresno; the low is probably is either in the section from Shandon to Atascadero or from Atascadero to Morro Bay. These sections are little-used, winding country roads.

In 2018, Route 41 went from a low of 1350 (at Jct. Route 46) to 152,000 (at McKinley Ave in Fresno), for a growth of 11.259.3%. This is a significant drop in variability, which I think reflects more on the growth of traffic using Route 41 out of SLO County.
3. [CA] Route 168: 200 to 79,000 vehicles/day, for a growth of 39,500.0%

Route 168 runs from Fresno to Route 266 near the Nevada border. The high traffic is in Fresno; the low across the Sierras.

In 2018, Route 168 went 170 (at the Inyo/Mono County line) to 107,000 (at Shields Ave), for a growth of 62,941.2%

 8. [CA] Route 84: 240 to 57,000 vehicles/day, for a growth of 23,750.0%%

Route 84 runs from Route 1 to I-80. Some portions are quite rural; others quite urban.

In 2018, Route 84 went from a low of 210 (at Jct. Route 220) to 81.600 (at the northern jct. with I-880), for a growth of 38,857.1%. The variability on this route has grown, likely due to growth in traffic in the Bay Area.
4. [CA] Route 4: 240 to 91,000 vehicles/day, for a growth of 37,916.7%

Route 4 runs from I-80 to Route 89 near Markleville. The high traffic is in the segment from I-80 to Stockton; the low in Gold Country.

In 2018, Route 4 went from a low of 490 (at Ebbets Pass Summit) to 160,000 (at G Street Antioch), for a growth of 32,653.1%

 9. [CA] Route 58: 290 to 63,000 vehicles/day, for a growth of 21,724.1%

Route 58 runs from US 101 to I-15/I-40. The segment between Barstow and Bakersfield is a major trucking route.

In 2018, Route 58 went from a low of 170 (at the SLO/Kern County Line) to 86,000 (at H Street, Bakersfield), for a growth of 50.588.2%. This likely reflects the growth of traffic using Route 58 as a bypass of Los Angeles, with the completion of all the new bypass segments of Route 58. This actually would move Route 58 to #4.
5. [CA] Route 178: 180 to 58,000 vehicles/day, for a growth of 32,222.2%

Route 178 runs from Bakersfield to Freeman via Walker Pass. The high traffic is in Bakersfield; the low is likely over the pass or in the high desert.

In 2018, Route 178 went from a low of 160 (at Jct. Route 127) to 69,000 (at Beale Ave, Bakersfield), for a growth of 43,125%. Thus, Route 178 would have moved up in the rankings.

 10. [CA] Route 94: 800 to 172,000 vehicles/day, for a growth of 21,500.0%

Route 94 runs between I-5 and I-8 in San Diego. This is the ML King and Campo Freeways. I have no explanation for the low number.

In 2018, Route 94 went from a low of 500 (at Live Oak Springs Road) to 213,000 (at 47th St, San Diego), for a growth of 42,600.0%. Almost double. There was significant growth in the San Diego end of the traffic.

Most Constant Traffic

The highways listed below have the least percentage variance in their ADT, as of 1993. Figuring out the rankings for 2018 takes a bit more Excel-foo than I possess, as there is no clear minimum and maximum number, and easily calculating those by route, and then ranking them, is hard. But I can give the information about the variability of the 1993 routes in 2018. For this, let's use the variation in the Back Peak Average Annual. Highways with no traffic are excluded, as are highways for which my source documented provided only a single number.

1. [CA] Route 330: 8,500 to 9,500 vehicles/day, for a growth of 11.2%

Route 330 runs from Route 30 (eventually I-210) near Highland northeasterly to Route 18.

In 2018, Route 330 went from a low of 11,000 (using the ahead average annual number, at Jct. Route 210) to a high of 12,000 (at Jct. Route 18), for a growth of 10.9%.

 5. [I] I-380: 113,000 to 131,000 vehicles/day, for a growth of 11.6%

I-380 runs from Route 1 near Pacifica to the San Francisco International Airport, but the segment from Route 1 to I-280 is unconstructed.

In 2018, I-380 went from a low of 23,700 (at South Airport Road) to 169,100 (at Jct US 101), for a growth of 71.35%. This became much more variable.
2. [CA] Route 77: 15,000 to 17,000 vehicles/day, for a growth of 11.3%

Route 77 runs from I-880 near 42nd Avenue to Route 24 near Lafayette.

In 2018, Route 77 went from a low of 12,200 (at E 14th St) to a high of 17,000 (at E 12th St), for a growth of 13.9%.

6. [CA] Route 219: 12,200 to 14,300 vehicles/day, for a growth of 11.7%

Route 219 runs from Route 99 at Salida easterly to Route 108.

In 2018, Route 29 went from a low of 14,200 (at Jct Route 108) to 27,500 (at Jct Route 99), for a growth of 19.4%.
3. [CA] Route 167: 360 to 410 vehicles/day, for a growth of 11.4%

Route 167 runs from US 395 north of Mono Lake to the Nevada state line in the vicinity of the Pole Line Road. A road with constant low traffic.

In 2018, Route 167 went from a low of 100 (at the Nevada State Line) to a high of 180 (at Jct. Route 395, using the Ahead AADT number), for a growth of 18%.

 7. [CA] Route 197: 1,600 to 1,950 vehicles/day, for a growth of 12.2%

Route 197 runs from Route 199 to Route 101 staying north of the Smith River.

In 2018, Route 197 went from a low of 2,600 (at Jct. Route 199) to a high of 3,300 (at Jct. US 101), for a growth of 12.7%.
[I] I-205: 57,000 to 65,000 vehicles/day, for a growth of 11.4%

I-205 runs from I-580 west of Tracy to I-5 east of Tracy.

In 2018, I-210 went from a low of 89,000 (at Old Route 50) to a high of 160,000 (at the Alameda/San Joaquin County Line), for a growth of 17.97%.

 8. [CA] Route 282: 14,100 to 18,000 vehicles/day, for a growth of 12.8%

Route 282 runs from Route 75 to the Naval Air Station at North Island in Coronado in San Diego.

In 2018, Route 282 went from a low of 13,400 (at 3rd St/Alameda Blvd) to a high of 24,000 (at 4th St/Alameda Blvd), for a growth of 17.9%
4. [CA] Route 200: 1,650 to 1,900 vehicles/day, for a growth of 11.5%

Route 200 runs from US 101 to Route 299 staying north of the Mad River.

In 2018, Route 200 went from a low of 2,200 (at Jct. Route 299) to 2,600 (at Jct US 101), for a growth of 11.8%. This became less variable.

 [I] I-980: 148,000 to 189,000 vehicles/day, for a growth of 12.8%

The "John B Williams" freeway, running from I-880 to I-580 in Oakland.

In 2018, I-980 went from a low of 87,000 (at Jct I-580) to a high of 117,000 (at 18th St), for a growth of 13.4%

Most Busiest Route, on average, per Mile, at the time of Most Traffic (1993)

The highways listed below have the highest high average daily traffic per mile of the route, as of 1993. The Excel-foo to calculate these rankings is difficult: It would involve finding the highest Hourly traffic number for each route, and then obtaining the total mileage numbers, which will have changed. But then, the number is meaningless anyway. So we'll do a separate statistical table to look at busiest route in a different way.

1. [I] I-980: 148,000 to 189,000 vehicles/day over 2 miles, gives a "per mile" ADT of 74,000 to 94,500 vehicles per day per mile.

The "John B Williams" freeway, running from I-880 to I-580 in Oakland. Short and busy; a winning combination in this list.

 6. [I] I-380: 113,000 to 131,000 vehicles/dayover 3 constructed miles, gives a "per mile" ADT of 37,666.6 to 43,666.6 vehicles per day per mile.

I-380 runs from Route 1 near Pacifica to the San Francisco International Airport. A short busy route to a large busy airport.
2. [CA] Route 259: 55,000 to 66,000 vehicles/day over 1 mile.

Route 259 is basically a ramp between I-215 and Route 30 (future I-210) in San Bernardino. Another short but busy route.

 7. [CA] Route 77: 15,000 to 17,000 vehicles/day over 0.4 constructed miles, gives a "per mile" ADT of 37,500 to 42,500 vehicles per day per mile.

Route 77 runs from I-880 near 42nd Avenue to Route 24 near Lafayette. It serves as an on-ramp to a major freeway in the area.
3. [CA] Route 262: 45,000 to 61,000 vehicles/day over 1 mile.

Route 262 runs from I-880 to I-680 near Warm Springs. Another short route connecting freeways.

 8. [CA] Route 260: 25,000 to 60,000 vehicles/day over 2 constructed miles, gives a "per mile" ADT of 12,500 to 30,000 vehicles per day per mile.

Route 260 runs from Route 61 in Alameda to I-880 in Oakland, including the tubes between the Oakland and Alameda. This is actually signed as part of Route 61.
4. [CA] Route 125: 71,000 to 91,000 vehicles/day over the 2 constructed miles of this route, gives a "per mile" ADT of 35,500 to 45,500 vehicles per day per mile.

Route 125 is a route actually under construction in San Diego; it runs from Route 905 to Route 56. The constructed portion carries a lot of border traffic.

 [CA] Route 282: 14,100 to 18,000 vehicles/day over 0.6 constructed miles, gives a "per mile" ADT of 23,500 to 30,000 vehicles per day per mile.

Route 282 runs from Route 75 to the Naval Air Station at North Island in Coronado in San Diego.
5. [CA] Route 114: 44,000 vehicles/day over 1 mile.

Route 114 is a short route from US 101 (although at the time of statistics, it was from I-280) to Route 84 near Palo Alto, near the Dumbarton Bridge.

 10. [CA] Route 242: 54,000 to 88,000 vehicles/day over 3 constructed miles, gives a "per mile" ADT of 18,000 to 29,333.33 vehicles per day per mile.

Route 242 runs from I-680 to Route 4 north of Concord. It is a former part of Route 24.

Highest Hourly Traffic (2018)

As it is difficult to calculate the highest traffic per mile for 2018, we can report the highest hourly traffic for any segment of a route. I'll note that the first number that this sort gives appears to be an anomaly: 217,000 for Route 55 at I-5, compared with the next number at 35,500. It was probably a mistype, so we'll ignore that entry. Following the style of other versions of this type, we're only doing one entry per highway.

1. [I] I-405: 35,500 at the Junction with I-10.

Other I-405 entries are 35,000 at Venice Blvd (Route 187); 34,000 at Culver Blvd, and 27,000 at Jct. I-605.

 6. [I] I-15: 24,600 at Miramar/Pomerado Roads.

I-15 runner ups include 24,200 at Miramar Way, and 22,900 at Carroll Canyon Road
2. [I] I-5: 31,000 at the Junction with Route 22 and Route 57.

I-5 runner ups include 29,500 at Main Street, Santa Ana; 28,500 at both 17th Street and Grand Ave.

 7. [CA] Route 91: 24,400 at Pioneer Blvd

Route 91 runner ups include 23,600 at Norwalk Blvd and 23, 300 at Bloomfield Ave.
3. {US] US 101: 28,500 at Havenhurst Ave

US 101 runner ups include 27,000 at Balboa Blvd, and 26,500 at White Oak and Reseda Bl. It is interesting that non of the points for US 101 in the Bay Area make the list..

 8. [CA] Route 94: 23,900 at 32nd Street, San Diego.

Route 94 runner ups include 20,300 at 47th St, San Diego and 20,200 at Euclid Dr .
4. [I] I-10: 25,500 at the Junction with US 101.

I-10 runner ups include 24,600 at Hoover St and 24,500 at the junction with I-110.

 9. [I] I-280: 23,600 at Jct Route 82.

I-280 runner ups include 21,700 at Avalon Dr., S. San Francisco; and 20,900 at Hickey Blvd in Daly City.
5. [I] I-880: 24,600 at A Street, Hayward.

I-880 runner ups include 23,900 at Hesperian Blvd, and 23,700 at Winton Ave.

 10. [I] I-210: 23,600 at Lake Street, Pasadena

I-210 runner ups include 22,500 at Hill Ave, Pasadena; and 21,200 at Altadena Dr., Pasadena.

Least Busiest Route, on average, per Mile at the time of most traffic (1993)

On the other end of the spectrum, the routes with the lowest high ADT per mile are as follows. Again, we're not updating these for 2018 for the reasons described above:

1. [CA] Route 266: 70-110 over 12 miles, gives a "per mile" ADT of 5.8 to 9.2 vehicles per day per mile.

Route 266 is a 12-mile route in eastern Mono county, providing a short loop near Oasis.

 6. [CA] Route 172: 110-270 over 9 miles, gives a "per mile" ADT of 12.2 to 30.0 vehicles per day per mile.

Route 172 runs from Route 36 at Mineral to Route 36 near Morgan Summit. It was originally part of Route 36.
2. [CA] Route 167: 360-410 over 21 miles, gives a "per mile" ADT of 17.1 to 19.5 vehicles per day per mile.

Route 167 runs from Mono Lake to the Nevada state line in Mono County.

 7. [CA] Route 270: 350 over 10 miles, gives a "per mile" ADT of 35 vehicles per day per mile.

Route 270 is the way to Bodie State Historic Park from US 395 in Mono County. #3 on the least busy routes list.
3. [CA] Route 96: 500-3,800 over 147 miles, gives a "per mile" ADT of 3.4 to 25.9 vehicles per day per mile.

Route 96 runs from Route 299 near Willow Creek to I-5.

 8. [CA] Route 254: 540-1,200 over 32 miles, gives a "per mile" ADT of 16.9 to 37.5 vehicles per day per mile.

Route 254 is a former portion of the Redwood Highway that connects a a number of state park units near US 101 in Redwood country.
4. [CA] Route 136: 200-500 over 18 miles, gives a "per mile" ADT of 11.1 to 27.8 vehicles per day per mile.

Route 136 runs from US 395 near Lone Pine to Route 190 via Keeler.

 9. {US] US 95: 1,500-5,400 over 117 miles, gives a "per mile" ADT of 12.8 to 46.2 vehicles per day per mile.

US 95 runs from I-10 near Blythe to the Nevada state line.
5. {US] US 395: 1,050-16,600 over 557 miles, gives a "per mile" ADT of 1.9 to 29.8 vehicles per day per mile.

US 395 runs from north of San Bernardino to the Oregon border, with a break when it passes through Nevada. The first long route in this category.

10. [CA] Route 127: 380-4,700 over 91 miles, gives a "per mile" ADT of 4.17 to 51.6 vehicles per day per mile.

Route 127 runs from I-15 near Baker to the Nevada state line via the vicinity of Death Valley Junction. Another high desert routing.

Lowest Hourly Traffic (2018)

As it is difficult to calculate the lowest traffic per mile for 2018, we can report the lowest hourly traffic for any segment of a route. Following the style of other versions of this type, we're only doing one entry per highway.

1. [CA] Route 299: 10 at the Nevada State Line
 6. [CA] Route 271: 20 at old Route 101 Bridge (30 at Jct US 101 Piercy)
2. [CA] Route 39: 20 at Islip Saddle, the junction with Route 2 (30 at Crystal Lake Road)
 7. [CA] Route 25: 30 at the Monterey/San Benito County Line
3. [CA] Route 153: 20 at Marshall's Monument 8. [CA] Route 58: 30 at the San Luis Obispo/Kern County Line
4. [CA] Route 162: 20 at County Road 306 at County Road 307
 9. [CA] Route 96: 30 at Ishi Pishi Road
5. [CA] Route 167: 20 at the Nevada State Line 10. [CA] Route 155: 30 at Junction Old Route 155 at Woody Road

Least Busiest Route, on average, per Mile at the time of most traffic (1993)

On the other end of the spectrum, the routes with the lowest high ADT per mile are:

1. [CA] Route 266: 70-110 over 12 miles, gives a "per mile" ADT of 5.8 to 9.2 vehicles per day per mile.

Route 266 is a 12-mile route in eastern Mono county, providing a short loop near Oasis.

 6. [CA] Route 172: 110-270 over 9 miles, gives a "per mile" ADT of 12.2 to 30.0 vehicles per day per mile.

Route 172 runs from Route 36 at Mineral to Route 36 near Morgan Summit. It was originally part of Route 36.
2. [CA] Route 167: 360-410 over 21 miles, gives a "per mile" ADT of 17.1 to 19.5 vehicles per day per mile.

Route 167 runs from Mono Lake to the Nevada state line in Mono County.

 7. [CA] Route 270: 350 over 10 miles, gives a "per mile" ADT of 35 vehicles per day per mile.

Route 270 is the way to Bodie State Historic Park from US 395 in Mono County. #3 on the least busy routes list.
3. [CA] Route 96: 500-3,800 over 147 miles, gives a "per mile" ADT of 3.4 to 25.9 vehicles per day per mile.

Route 96 runs from Route 299 near Willow Creek to I-5.

 8. [CA] Route 254: 540-1,200 over 32 miles, gives a "per mile" ADT of 16.9 to 37.5 vehicles per day per mile.

Route 254 is a former portion of the Redwood Highway that connects a a number of state park units near US 101 in Redwood country.
4. [CA] Route 136: 200-500 over 18 miles, gives a "per mile" ADT of 11.1 to 27.8 vehicles per day per mile.

Route 136 runs from US 395 near Lone Pine to Route 190 via Keeler.

 9. {US] US 95: 1,500-5,400 over 117 miles, gives a "per mile" ADT of 12.8 to 46.2 vehicles per day per mile.

US 95 runs from I-10 near Blythe to the Nevada state line.
5. {US] US 395: 1,050-16,600 over 557 miles, gives a "per mile" ADT of 1.9 to 29.8 vehicles per day per mile.

US 395 runs from north of San Bernardino to the Oregon border, with a break when it passes through Nevada. The first long route in this category.

10. [CA] Route 127: 380-4,700 over 91 miles, gives a "per mile" ADT of 4.17 to 51.6 vehicles per day per mile.

Route 127 runs from I-15 near Baker to the Nevada state line via the vicinity of Death Valley Junction. Another high desert routing.

Most Busiest Route, on average, per Mile at the time of Least traffic (1993)

The highways listed below have the highest low average daily traffic per mile of the route, as of 1993:

1. [I] I-980: 148,000 to 189,000 vehicles/day over 2 miles, gives a "per mile" ADT of 74,000 to 94,500 vehicles per day per mile.

The "John B Williams" freeway, running from I-880 to I-580 in Oakland. Short and busy; a winning combination in this list. Also #1 when most busiest.

 6. [CA] Route 77: 15,000 to 17,000 vehicles/day over 0.4 constructed miles, gives a "per mile" ADT of 37,500 to 42,500 vehicles per day per mile.

Route 77 runs from I-880 near 42nd Avenue to Route 24 near Lafayette. It serves as an on-ramp to a major freeway in the area. #8 when most busiest.
2. [CA] Route 259: 55,000 to 66,000 vehicles/day over 1 mile.

Route 259 is basically a ramp between I-215 and Route 30 (future I-210) in San Bernadino. Another short but busy route. Also #2 when most busiest.

 7. [CA] Route 125: 71,000 to 91,000 vehicles/day over the 2 constructed miles of this route, gives a "per mile" ADT of 35,500 to 45,500 vehicles per day per mile.

Route 125 is a route actually under construction in San Diego; it runs from Route 905 to Route 56. #4 when most busiest.
3. [CA] Route 262: 45,000 to 61,000 vehicles/day over 1 mile.

Route 262, which is soon to be deleted, runs from I-880 to I-680 near Warm Springs. Another short route connecting freeways. Also #3 when most busiest.

 8. [CA] Route 282: 14,100 to 18,000 vehicles/day over 0.6 constructed miles, gives a "per mile" ADT of 23,500 to 30,000 vehicles per day per mile.

Route 282 runs from Route 75 to the Naval Air Station at North Island in Coronado in San Diego. Tied for #8 when most busiest.
4. [CA] Route 114: 44,000 vehicles/day over 1 mile.

Route 114 is a short route from I-280 to Route 84 near Palo Alto, near the Dumbarton Bridge. Moves up from #5 when most busiest.

 9. [CA] Route 109: 20,700 vehicles/day over 1 constructed mile

Route 109 runs from Route 84 to US 101. The only route on this list not also on the most busiest/mile list.
5. [I] I-380: 113,000 to 131,000 vehicles/dayover 3 constructed miles, gives a "per mile" ADT of 37,666.6 to 43,666.6 vehicles per day per mile.

I-380 runs from Route 1 near Pacifica to the San Francisco International Airport. A short busy route to a large busy airport. #6 when most busiest.

 10. [CA] Route 242: 54,000 to 88,000 vehicles/day over 3 constructed miles, gives a "per mile" ADT of 18,000 to 29,333.33 vehicles per day per mile.

Route 242 runs from I-680 to Route 4 north of Concord. It is a former part of Route 24. Also #10 when most busiest.

Least Busiest Route, on average, per Mile at the time of Least traffic (1993)

The highways listed below have the lowest low average daily traffic per mile of the route, as of 1993:

1. [CA] Route 299: 150-44,500 vehicles/day over 307 miles, gives a "per mile" ADT of 0.5 to 145.0 vehicles per day per mile.

Route 299 (former US 299) runs in far northern California, from US 101 to the Nevada state line.

 6. [CA] Route 1: 750-97,000 vehicles/day over 656 miles, gives a "per mile" ADT of 1.14 to 147.9 vehicles per day per mile.

Route 1 runs from southern Orange County to US 101 near Leggett. The coast highway.
2. [CA] Route 36: 180-26,500 vehicles/day over 250 constructed miles, gives a "per mile" ADT of 0.72 to 106 vehicles per day per mile.

Route 36 runs from US 101 to US 395 in far Northern California.

7. [CA] Route 178: 180-58,000 vehicles/day over 152 constructed miles, gives a "per mile" ADT of 1.18 to 381.6 vehicles per day per mile.

Route 178 runs from Bakersfield to Freeman via Walker Pass.

3. [CA] Route 3: 140-12,500 over 146 miles, gives a "per mile" ADT of 0.96 to 85.6 vehicles per day per mile.

Route 3 runs from Route 36 near Peanut to Montague.

 8. [CA] Route 58: 290-63,000 vehicles/day over 241 miles, gives a "per mile" ADT of 1.20 to 261.4 vehicles per day per mile.

Route 58 runs from US 101 to I-15/I-40.

4. [CA] Route 33: 300-37,500 over 290 miles, gives a "per mile" ADT of 1.03 to 129.3 vehicles per day per mile.

Route 33 runs from Ventura in various segments up to I-5 near Vernalis.

9. [CA] Route 4: 240-91,000 vehicles/day over 192 miles, gives a "per mile" ADT of 1.25 to 473.6 vehicles per day per mile.

Route 4 runs from I-80 to Route 89 near Markleville.

5. [CA] Route 190: 200-14,800 over 188 constructed miles, gives a "per mile" ADT of 1.06 to 78.7 vehicles per day per mile.

Route 190 runs through Death Valley, from US 99 near Tipton to Route 127 near Death Valley Junction.

10. [CA] Route 49: 400-43,000 vehicles/day over 295 miles, gives a "per mile" ADT of 1.36 to 145.8 vehicles per day per mile.

Route 49 is primarily the Gold Country highway. It runs from Route 41 near Oakhurst to Route 70 near Vinton through the Sierra gold country.

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