Most of us have gotten stuck in traffic at least once. Naturally, sitting hours on end knowing you’re running late for your destination is an infuriating experience that no one wants to repeat.
However, some cities in the U.S. are catered to bad traffic. Most aren’t at fault, but countless factors, including outdated infrastructure, high population density, and transportation challenges, lead to routine traffic jams. Here are some cities with the worst traffic in 2024:
Note: The content of this article does not reflect the writer’s personal beliefs.
U.S. cities with the worst traffic ranked
The 2017 American Community Survey by the US Census Bureau indicated a strong preference for commuting via private vehicles, with a large majority driving alone, contributing to a prominent increase in traffic.
Public transportation is an excellent solution that not only reduces the number of vehicles on the road but also potentially decreases traffic and carbon dioxide emissions. The INRIX Global Traffic Scorecard represents the top 10 cities in the U.S. with the worst traffic.
Boston, Massachusetts
Although most of us love Boston’s old-timey environment, its historical layout has contributed significantly to poor traffic control. Navigating Boston’s roads has become a struggle for most citizens, who spend a whopping 164 hours in traffic.
Another reason Boston experiences one of the worst traffic is its high population density. The city has too many cars for smooth transport, making getting places difficult. It also often faces construction challenges, which delay traffic.
Washington, DC
One of the busiest cities in the U.S., Washington area residents have lost an average of 155 hours in traffic. The city attracts one of the highest commuter populations, contributing to peak-hour traffic congestion.
Sadly, despite Washington’s incredibly congested traffic, the city has a poor road layout, which just makes traffic even worse. It’s also one of the most popular tourist destinations, causing an influx of people that only adds to the problem.
Chicago, Illinois
Illinois is a central commercial and economic hub, so it frequently has visitors and commuters from all over the U.S. This is why Chicago has a shocking 138-hour average lost to traffic congestion.
Plus, the city has a dense population, which only makes the situation worse. So, despite an exceptional public transport system, Chicago often experiences delays. Additionally, the city’s unpredictable weather often contributes to the problem too.
New York City, New York
Most New Yorkers already know the pain of getting stuck in the city, which causes drivers to lose around 133 hours on average. But New York’s bustling environment and overall rushed way of life is why the city will likely keep facing this issue.
To make matters worse, New York City has some of the highest tourist traffic, contributing to congestion. Not to mention, the road layout in NYC is quite confusing and often meets at ends, leading to traffic bottlenecks.
Los Angeles, California
Although Los Angeles has an incredibly dense population, its traffic problems are owed more to citizens' preference to drive than take public transportation. The city’s reliance on driving leads to numerous daily traffic jams.
Despite losing about 128 hours to traffic, Los Angeles does little to improve these conditions. Its freeways and roads are susceptible to bottlenecks and accidents leading to even worse traffic.
Seattle, Washington
Seattle’s robust job market and dense population contribute to a more significant commuter population, leading to frequent blocks and congestion at peak times. Seattle’s citizens lose an average of 138 hours to traffic, but it’s not all their fault.
Despite being an innovation hub, the city has limited public transportation and a poor road infrastructure. The city constantly renovates buildings or accepts construction projects, contributing to a higher-than-average traffic density.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Although you’d expect a hilly, serene area to have less traffic, it’s precisely why Pittsburgh loses an average of 127 hours to traffic. The city’s hilly terrain, the confluence of three rivers, and the remote landscape severely limit road development.
Citizens and tourists are forced to rely on private transport to get around. But because of the city’s limited routes and underdeveloped sites, it’s easy to get stuck in traffic. The high population also contributes to the severity of the traffic issue.
San Francisco, California
San Francisco isn’t only one of the busiest cities in California but it’s also a popular tourist attraction. For this reason, the city loses an average of 116 hours to traffic. The city’s iconic landscape also aggravates the situation.
Ironically, despite San Francisco’s high demand, the city has poor infrastructure and lacks a developed public transportation system. This prompts tourists and residents alike to travel privately, leading to frequent traffic jams.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
An average of 112 hours in traffic sounds like a nightmare, but it’s actually a bitter reality for the residents of Philadelphia. It has incredibly limited public transit and a large commuter population.
Compounding the issue, the city has some of Pennsylvania's oldest layouts and has a reluctance to build over historical roads. Moreover, Philadelphia often contends with construction projects that disrupt the flow of traffic.
Portland, Oregon
You’d think prioritizing public transport would alleviate the situation. Still, it has ironically made it worse for Portland, where frequent drivers and cyclers contribute to about 116 traffic hours.
This doesn’t come as a surprise since the city’s layout encourages cyclists to take to the road. Plus, the city’s lack of highway access leads to sudden bottlenecks, frustratingly increasing the chances of getting stuck in traffic delays.
Visiting these cities means a lifetime in traffic
While these cities may be appealing to visit or even live in, owning a vehicle often results in getting stuck in traffic, especially during rush hour. So, if you want to avoid wasting your valuable time or risking missing an important meeting in any of these cities with the worst traffic, we suggest you opt for public transport.
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The article was inspired by the cities with the worst traffic in America and first appeared on Spatula Desserts.
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