Monitor Madison Traffic in Real-Time
Access 300+ live traffic cameras across Wisconsin's capital — where the Beltline loops the south side, three interstates converge on the east, and the narrow downtown isthmus between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona creates one of the most constrained commuting corridors in the Midwest. Our interactive map provides real-time access to live street feeds and intersection cameras throughout the downtown isthmus and University of Wisconsin campus. Track conditions on US-12/18, I-90/I-39/I-94, US-151 Verona Road, and campus-area routes.
VIEW MADISON CAMERAS →Coverage Areas
US-12/18 Beltline
100+ Live Cameras
Complete south-side loop, all major exits, Rimrock Road to Mineral Point Road
I-90/I-39/I-94 Junction
60+ Live Cameras
East-side interchange, Deerfield area, DeForest corridor northbound
US-151 Verona Road
50+ Live Cameras
West side corridor, Epic Systems campus area, Verona connections
Downtown Isthmus & University
40+ Live Cameras
Capitol Square, State Street, University Avenue, Campus Drive, East Washington Avenue
Suburban Arterials
50+ Live Cameras
Stoughton Road, Fish Hatchery Road, Mineral Point Road, Whitney Way
Features
Interactive Map
View all Madison cameras on an interactive map with real-time clustering
Grid View
Browse cameras in a filterable grid with search and sort options
Save Favorites
Bookmark frequently-used cameras for quick access
Live Updates
Real-time feeds from WisDOT and 511 Wisconsin
24/7 Access
Monitor traffic conditions any time of day or night
Mobile Friendly
Fully responsive design works on all devices
Madison Traffic Overview
Madison's traffic challenges stem directly from its geography. The downtown and university area sit on a narrow isthmus between Lake Mendota to the north and Lake Monona to the south, essentially creating a bottleneck that funnels east-west traffic through a handful of roads. According to U.S. Census data, residents of the Madison area enjoy a relatively efficient transportation network, with an average one-way commute of 20.8 minutes—notably shorter than the Wisconsin statewide average of 22.1 minutes.
The US-12/US-18 Beltline Highway loops around Madison's south side and carries the highest traffic volumes in the region. It serves as the de facto interstate through Madison, connecting I-90/I-94 on the east with US-151 on the west. According to data from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), the Beltline's innovative Flex Lane system now carries over 120,000 vehicles daily along its primary 10-mile segment. The Beltline's interchanges at Park Street, Fish Hatchery Road, and Verona Road are chronic congestion points, particularly during the afternoon rush when UW-Madison, state government, and Epic Systems employees all head home simultaneously.
Research from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) found that access to real-time traveler information systems can reduce incident-related delays by as much as 40% by enabling drivers to avoid bottlenecks before they become trapped in localized gridlock.
Key Routes
The Beltline (US-12/US-18)
The Beltline is Madison's most important highway, functioning as the primary east-west route for through-traffic and cross-town commuters. Safety remains a critical focus for WisDOT; in 2023 alone, Dane County recorded 11,859 traffic crashes. Regional data also highlights unique local hazards, such as deer-related incidents, which account for approximately 13% of all property damage crashes in the area. The most congested stretch runs between the Park Street interchange and the Verona Road (US-151) interchange, where afternoon rush routinely creates stop-and-go conditions.
Check Beltline Traffic Now
See live conditions on the entire Beltline loop before your commute across Madison.
VIEW MADISON CAMERAS →I-90/I-39/I-94 Corridor
Three interstates converge on Madison's east side, creating a complex interchange system near the Dane County Regional Airport. I-90 and I-39 run together from the south (Janesville/Rockford), while I-94 approaches from the east (Milwaukee). The junction handles both through-traffic and commuters accessing east-side employment centers and commercial districts along East Washington Avenue.
The I-90/I-39 corridor south of Madison through Stoughton Road (US-51) carries heavy volumes during peak hours, as suburban growth in McFarland, Stoughton, and Oregon generates increasing commuter traffic.
US-151 Verona Road
US-151 through the Verona Road corridor serves the booming west side, including access to Epic Systems' massive campus in Verona. Epic employs over 13,000 people, and shift transitions create pronounced traffic waves on US-151 and the Beltline's west end. The corridor has undergone significant reconstruction to handle increasing volumes, but the Beltline interchange area remains a chokepoint.
Rush Hour Patterns
Peak Traffic Hours
Morning Rush: 7:00-8:30 AM — Beltline westbound toward Verona/Epic, East Washington Avenue inbound, I-90/I-39 northbound. Evening Rush: 4:00-6:30 PM — Beltline eastbound from Verona Road, University Avenue outbound, I-90/I-39 southbound toward suburbs.
Madison traffic is heavily influenced by UW-Madison's academic calendar. During summer and winter breaks, commute times improve noticeably as 45,000+ students leave the area. Football Saturdays in fall create massive traffic around Camp Randall Stadium, with the Beltline, University Avenue, and Regent Street seeing game-day congestion for hours before and after kickoff.
Plan Your Madison Commute
Build a custom route to monitor every camera along your daily drive across the isthmus or around the Beltline.
BUILD YOUR ROUTE →Weather Impacts
Madison's winters are the most significant traffic factor. Lake-effect snow, ice storms, and sub-zero temperatures are common from November through March. The Beltline and I-90/I-39 are particularly affected during winter storms, as plowing operations struggle to keep up with heavy snowfall on the high-volume corridors. Bridge decks on the Beltline freeze before road surfaces, creating hazardous conditions at overpasses.
UW-Madison Badgers football games at Camp Randall Stadium (capacity 80,000+) create severe traffic on the Beltline, University Avenue, Regent Street, and Monroe Street for 2-3 hours before and after kickoff. Check cameras before traveling near campus on game days.
Camera Sources
Madison traffic cameras on TrafficVision.Live are sourced from WisDOT (Wisconsin Department of Transportation) and 511 Wisconsin. These cameras are part of the world's largest traffic camera directory with 135,000+ live feeds from 600+ sources across 130+ countries on all 7 continents.
Related Guides
- Wisconsin Traffic Cameras — Statewide coverage
- Milwaukee Traffic Cameras — I-94 east to Milwaukee
- I-90 Traffic Cameras — Complete I-90 corridor
- I-94 Traffic Cameras — Milwaukee to Minneapolis via Madison
- Minneapolis Traffic Cameras — I-94 west to the Twin Cities
Are Madison traffic cameras free to view?
Yes. All 300+ Madison traffic cameras on TrafficVision.Live are completely free. Feeds come from WisDOT and 511 Wisconsin, which are publicly funded transportation resources.
How do I check Beltline traffic in Madison?
Use the interactive map on TrafficVision.Live and zoom to Madison. The Beltline (US-12/18) has 100+ cameras covering the full loop around the south side of the city, including all major interchange areas.
When is traffic worst in Madison?
Evening rush from 4:00-6:30 PM is the worst, especially on the Beltline between Park Street and Verona Road. UW-Madison football Saturdays also create severe congestion near Camp Randall Stadium.
Does Madison traffic improve during UW summer break?
Significantly. When 45,000+ UW-Madison students leave for summer and winter breaks, commute times improve noticeably on University Avenue, the isthmus corridors, and the Beltline.
How does winter weather affect Madison traffic?
Madison's harsh winters create frequent hazardous conditions. Snow and ice significantly slow traffic on the Beltline and I-90/I-39. Bridge decks freeze before road surfaces, and WisDOT cameras help you assess conditions before driving.
Where can I find Madison street feeds?
You can find live Madison street feeds and intersection cameras by using our interactive map, which aggregates WisDOT data for major surface routes like University Avenue and Stoughton Road.
Start Monitoring Madison Traffic
Access 300+ live cameras and city street feeds across Madison. Monitor the Beltline and city street feeds instantly — free 24/7.
VIEW ALL MADISON CAMERAS →