Roadways In Nampa, Idaho

Nampa is a mid-sized city in southwestern Idaholifornia with a population of around 95,000 residents. It is located in Canyon County, approximately 20 miles west of the state capital, Boise.

Nampa has an extensive network of roadways that connect various neighborhoods and areas within the city, as well as providing access to nearby towns and cities.

There are a few major highways that run through or near Nampa, including Interstate 84, Highway 55, and Highway 45. Most of the city’s streets follow a grid pattern with blocks, making navigation relatively straightforward.

Some key things to know about getting around Nampa by car:

• Rush hour traffic can get heavy, especially on major arterial roads. Try to avoid I-84, Garrity Blvd, and 12th Ave during peak times if possible.
• Nampa has been growing rapidly, which has led to some congestion issues on major roads. New construction projects aim to alleviate this.
• Downtown Nampa has angle parking along many streets. Make sure to pay attention to parking signs to avoid tickets.
• Idaho is prone to winter storms. Roads may become icy or snow-packed from November through March.

Major Highways

Interstate 84

I-84 runs east-west along the northern edge of Nampa, providing access to Boise and points east towards Mountain Home and Twin Falls. This stretch is six lanes wide and serves as a major transportation corridor through the Treasure Valley.

Key exits in Nampa:

• Exit 33 (N Franklin Blvd)
• Exit 36 (N Midland Blvd)
• Exit 38 (Idaho Center Blvd)

During peak hours, especially the evening commute, traffic can slow considerably around the Garrity Blvd interchange. Accidents are also not uncommon given the high volume of vehicles.

Highway 55

Highway 55 is a major state highway that runs north-south directly through the center of Nampa. It starts southwest of town as Karcher Road before transitioning into Nampa-Caldwell Blvd within city limits. This 4-5 lane road provides access to downtown and connects Nampa to Caldwell to the south.

Main intersections along Hwy 55:

• Karcher Rd and I-84
• 12th Ave
• Garrity Blvd
• 3rd St
• Amity Ave

As a core part of Nampa’s transportation network, Hwy 55 can experience heavy traffic during rush hour. The intersection at Garrity is frequently congested.

Highway 45

Hwy 45, also known as 12th Ave, runs north-south along the western side of Nampa. It is a primary route used to travel between Nampa and Melba to the south.

Key intersections:

• I-84
• 3rd St S (downtown)
• Garrity Blvd
• Amity Ave

12th Ave is a major four-lane road on Nampa’s street grid. It carries substantial commuter traffic in the mornings and evenings. The area around the Garrity intersection is often quite congested.

Arterial Streets and Routes

In addition to the major highways, Nampa relies on a network of arterial streets that move traffic through town and between neighborhoods. Some of the most significant arterials include:

Garrity Blvd

Garrity Blvd is arguably Nampa’s most important east-west arterial road. It stretches from the western edge of town to the eastern side. Key intersections are at 11th Ave, 16th Ave, Midland Blvd, Roosevelt Ave, and Happy Valley Rd.

This four-lane road serves many shopping centers and retailers. Traffic is generally heavy, especially around the Nampa Mall and at major intersections. The development along Garrity Blvd makes it one of city’s more congested routes.

Caldwell Blvd

Caldwell Blvd provides an arterial connection between downtown Nampa through the northern side of the city towards Caldwell. From downtown it intersects with 2nd St and Franklin Blvd. Further north, key junctions include Ustick Rd and Cherry Lane.

As a key route to I-84, Caldwell Blvd has moderate traffic for most of the day. The intersections at Franklin and Cherry Lane often back up during peak times.

Amity Ave

Amity Ave is an important north-south arterial in western Nampa that runs parallel to 12th Ave. Key cross streets include I-84, Roosevelt Ave, W Karcher Rd, and 2nd St S.

This route enables north-south travel for those wanting to avoid 12th Ave. It also provides access to commercial areas along Roosevelt and Karcher Rd. Traffic can be heavy during commuting periods.

Midland Blvd

Midland Blvd arcs from east to north Nampa, connecting I-84 with Ustick Rd and Orchard Ave. Notable intersections are at Lake Lowell Ave, 12th Ave, and Caldwell Blvd.

As a key conduit between the interstate and several neighborhoods, Midland Blvd has varying traffic patterns based on location. It tends to be busiest around the 12th Ave and Caldwell Blvd intersections.

Powerline Rd

Powerline Rd is an important east-west route along the southern end of Nampa. It stretches from Southside Blvd on the far western side through to roughly Madison Rd in east Nampa.

Powerline Rd mainly serves residential areas and the Ford Idaho Center. It can have moderate traffic during events at the Idaho Center complex. The intersection at 12th Ave S is busy during peak commuting times.

Downtown Streets

Downtown Nampa features a regular street grid pattern with one-way and two-way streets, on-street parking, stop signs/lights, and lower speed limits. Here are some key streets to know for navigating downtown:

1st St S

1st St S is one-way southbound and has angled parking on both sides. It runs through the heart of historic downtown, with restaurants, shops, and other businesses. Traffic is generally light given the one-way direction.

2nd St S

2nd St S is one-way northbound with angled parking and provides a parallel route to 1st St S through downtown. It carries a moderate amount of traffic during working hours but is less congested on nights/weekends.

3rd St S

3rd St S is a two-way east-west street that crosses through the downtown district. It intersects Nampa Blvd/Hwy 55. On-street parking and lower speeds make traffic flow smoothly.

Front St

Front St parallels 1st St S one block east. It is two-way with a mix of parallel and angled parking. Front St has restaurants/shops and leads into the library parking lot. Traffic is usually minimal except during events.

12th Ave S

12th Ave S is a major two-way arterial that becomes a one-way pair (with 13th Ave S) through downtown Nampa. It carries steady traffic volumes but the one-way direction keeps things moving.

Other Downtown Streets

Other notable two-way streets downtown include 11th Ave S, 7th St S, and 6th St S. These have on-street parking and provide access to businesses/residences in the downtown core. Traffic is generally light outside of major events.

Neighborhood Streets

Nampa has dozens of neighborhoods featuring local street grids. Here are some of the city’s major residential areas and their defining roadways:

Midway

Located in northwest Nampa, Midway is bounded by Roosevelt Ave, Midway Rd, and 6th St N. The key interior streets are Iowa Ave and Vermont Ave, which are two-way roads with stop signs and speed limits around 25 mph.

Franklin Village

Franklin Village spans southwest Nampa, with Franklin Blvd and Karcher Rd forming its west/north borders. Internal roads like Southwest Blvd, S Elder St, and S Fern St create a grid of calm, two-way streets through the neighborhood.

Central Nampa

Centrally located just west of Nampa High School, central Nampa is defined by streets like Dewey Ave, Clark Ave, 15th Ave S, and 9th St S. These paved two-way roads have sidewalks and speed limits of 20-25 mph.

Gateway

Gateway lies in northwest Nampa, surrounded by Cherry Ln, Midway Rd, and I-84. Interior roads are modest two-way streets with lower speed limits. Notable roadways include N Gateway St and N Eldorado St.

Greenhurst

In northeast Nampa, Greenhurst is framed by Greenhurst Rd, Sunny Ridge Rd, and I-84. Interior streets like E Georgia Ave and E Sherman Ave create navigable paths through the neighborhood at speeds around 25 mph.

Major Intersections and Problem Areas

Some intersections and road segments around Nampa are prone to congestion or have a higher accident rate. Here are a few areas to use caution when driving:

• I-84 and Garrity Blvd – The interchange here is frequently congested any time of day. Merging and changing lanes requires awareness and patience.
• Garrity Blvd and 12th Ave – With two major arterials intersecting, delays here are common during high traffic periods. Allow extra time if passing through.
• Caldwell Blvd and I-84 – The interchange gets quite backed up during morning and evening commutes. Seek alternate routes if possible.
• Nampa Blvd/Hwy 55 and 2nd St – Downtown Nampa’s weird offset intersection requires care when turning or crossing. Pedestrians also frequently cross here.
• Franklin Blvd and I-84 – Given the proximity to on/off ramps, the intersection here is prone to accidents. Use caution and avoid distractions.
• Karcher Rd and Midland Blvd – Long delays heading east/west through this junction are not uncommon. Be prepared to stop.

Alternative Transportation

Beyond passenger vehicles, Nampa has other transportation options to consider:

Walking

Downtown Nampa is walkable, with sidewalks along all streets. Use crosswalks and watch for turning vehicles. Other areas may lack continuous sidewalks, so take care.

Biking

Bikes are allowed on all Nampa streets. Some arterials like Midland Blvd have designated bike lanes. Helmets are recommended and night lights required by law.

Valley Regional Transit

VRT provides bus service around Nampa and the Treasure Valley. The #5 route connects Nampa with Caldwell and Meridian. Fares start at $1 per ride.

Interurban Trolley

This seasonal trolley offers transportation around Nampa with vintage styling. It runs select days from May through September. Fare is $1 per ride.

Taxi/Rideshare

Taxis and rideshares like Uber/Lyft serve the Nampa area. Fares vary by distance and demand. This can be an option if looking to avoid driving.

Amtrak

The Amtrak Southwest Chief stops at Nampa’s station twice daily and provides passenger rail service towards Boise or California and beyond.

Traffic Laws and Safety Tips

When driving in Nampa, follow these laws and safety practices:

• Obey all posted speed limits – fines can be steep in Idaho for speeding. School zones have a 20 mph speed limit when lights are flashing.
• Come to a full stop at stop signs – police frequently monitor downtown areas and neighborhoods for California stops.
• No texting/cell phone use without hands-free – Idaho bans all handheld phone use while driving.
• Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks – pedestrians have the right-of-way in marked crosswalks. Take care downtown and near schools.
• Keep proper following distance – tailgating is unsafe and illegal. Leave ample braking room between cars.
• Watch for bicyclists – bicycles have roadway rights. Leave 3+ feet when passing.
• Remove snow/ice from vehicle – Idaho law requires clearing windows, lights, hood, etc. before winter driving.
• Have vehicle properly maintained – ensure brakes, tires, lights, wipers are in good working order before driving.
• Buckle up! – Idaho is a primary seat belt law state. The front and back seats require belts.

Following these guidelines will help keep Nampa’s roadways safe for all users!

Final Thoughts

In summary, Nampa has a robust transportation network to allow easy navigation around the city and surrounding region. Major highways provide quick access, while arterial streets and downtown grids fill in connectivity within the urban core.

Rush hour and event traffic can cause delays on major routes, but alternative transportation options exist. Obeying laws and driving attentively will keep travel around Nampa pleasant and safe.