Traffic congestion is a major challenge in many U.S. cities, leading to wasted time, increased stress, and significant economic costs.
In some areas, drivers lose hours each year stuck in traffic, affecting both personal productivity and the broader economy.
A recent report by INRIX highlights the cities with the worst traffic jams across the United States. From the bustling streets of Chicago to the sprawling roads of Los Angeles, these cities experience some of the most severe congestion in the nation.
Here’s a look at the 10 U.S. cities where traffic jams are at their worst:
1: Chicago, Illinois
Taking the absolute top spot for the US city with the highest traffic delays is Chicago, Illinois. The report highlights Chicago as having the most congested traffic among all US cities analyzed.
On a global scale, Chicago’s traffic congestion ranks remarkably high, coming in second only to London, United Kingdom, for terrible traffic conditions.
This means that among major cities worldwide, Chicago’s gridlock is surpassed only by London’s. According to INRIX’s report, drivers in Chicago lost a staggering 155 hours stuck in traffic in 2022.
This level of traffic congestion and associated delays was even higher than pre-COVID levels in the city.
Bob Pishue, a transportation analyst at INRIX, noted to CNBC that “We saw a lot of people get back into their cars” in Chicago, and based on the city’s travel patterns, this return to driving “caused quite a bit of congestion last year”.
2: Boston, Massachusetts
Following closely behind Chicago on the list is Boston, Massachusetts. The report positions Boston as the second city in the United States with the most congested traffic conditions.
Known for its vibrant culture and spirited residents, Boston unfortunately also earned the second spot for its “wicked” congested traffic.
3: New York City, New York
The city of bright lights and big city experiences, New York City, also unfortunately lives up to a reputation for “tons of traffic congestion”.
INRIX’s report details the impact on NYC drivers, showing they lost 117 hours due to traffic delays in 2022.
The financial cost for the average driver in New York City due to congestion in 2022 was substantial, estimated at $1,976.
For the city as a whole, the total cost of congestion reached a whopping $10.2 billion in 2022. These figures underscore the significant burden traffic places on both individual drivers and the entire metropolitan area’s economy.
4: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, a major Pennsylvania city known for its distinct charm, also ranks high on the list of congested US cities.
Whether you’re commuting downtown for work or heading out to enjoy a cheesesteak, you might find yourself burning gas in traffic. The report placed Philadelphia in the number four spot for traffic congestion nationwide.
This congestion came with a cost, averaging $1,925 per driver in 2022. The total cost attributed to traffic congestion for the city of Philadelphia reached $4.5 billion.
5: Miami, Florida
Miami, often referred to as the Magic City, is a bustling metropolitan area. According to INRIX’s report, drivers in Miami spend extra time and money in traffic compared to many other cities in the United States.
The data highlights a particularly notable trend in Miami: the city’s roads have become 30% busier than they were during pre-pandemic levels.
This indicates a significant increase in traffic demand and congestion in Miami compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic.
6: Los Angeles, California
As the most populous city in California, Los Angeles also ranks high on the list of American cities experiencing the most traffic congestion.
The report identifies Los Angeles as one of the cities where traffic significantly impacts drivers. It was reportedly estimated that traffic congestion cost the average driver in Los Angeles $1,601 from time spent sitting in traffic in 2022.
This figure reflects the considerable financial impact of congestion on commuters in the expansive Los Angeles metropolitan area.
7: San Francisco, California
Another major city in the Golden State, San Francisco, also made the list for heavy traffic congestion. Known for iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, this picturesque city experiences costly traffic delays.
The report indicates that San Francisco drivers faced substantial congestion costs in 2022. The total traffic congestion costs for the city of San Francisco amounted to a significant $8.6 billion in 2022.
This places San Francisco among the cities with the highest total economic impact from traffic congestion.
8: Washington, DC
The Nation’s capital, Washington, DC, is rich in history, but getting around by car is described as “no casual commute”.
Drivers in Washington, DC, face significant traffic challenges. The report estimates that drivers in the Washington, DC area accumulated substantial traffic congestion costs.
The average traffic congestion costs for the city totaled approximately $3.5 billion in 2022. This figure illustrates the economic burden that traffic places on the capital region.
9: Houston, Texas
Deep in the heart of Texas, drivers in Houston are also likely to become gridlocked on the road. Houston broke into the top ten list for having the highest traffic congestion in the country.
The report estimates that traffic congestion in Houston cost the average driver $1,257 in 2022. This positions Houston as one of the cities where individual drivers bear a significant financial cost due to time spent in traffic.
10: Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia, is a large city characterized by abundant urban sprawl. The presence of lots of commuters traveling in and out of the city each day contributes significantly to traffic congestion.
This volume of daily travel caused Atlanta to land in the top ten for the highest traffic congestion in the country.
Alicia Richards