10 U.S. Cities With the Worst Traffic Jams

Nobody likes long traffic queues, but certain cities in the United States test their residents’ patience every day with their jammed roads.

Transportation company INRIX determined the US cities with the most congested traffic, costing drivers more than just their time. Do you live in one of them?

Driving People Crazy 

Traffic congestion causes a lot of headaches for commuters across the US. Not only do drivers lose time, but the more traffic builds, the more fuel is spent. INRIX used diverse traffic datasets to find which US cities have the most congestion and shared their findings in their Global Traffic Scorecard report.  

Crunching the Numbers 

Across the country, INRIX’s report shows that American drivers spend approximately 4.8 billion hours in traffic jams. Breaking it down further, the average American driver lost 51 hours in congestion in 2022, costing an average of $869 in lost time. The following cities are the biggest traffic jam offenders.

1: Chicago, Illinois 

Taking the top spot for the US city with the highest traffic delays is none other than Chicago. Home to iconic hotspots like “The Bean” and Wrigley Field, Chicago came in second only to London, United Kingdom for terrible traffic on a global scale. 

First Is Worst 

According to INRIX’s report, Chicago drivers lost 155 hours in 2022, bringing more traffic congestion and delays than pre-COVID. “We saw a lot of people get back into their cars. Based on Chicago travel patterns, it caused quite a bit of congestion last year,” said Bob Pishue, a transportation analyst at INRIX, to CNBC. 

2: Boston, Massachusetts

Following Chicago on the list is Boston, Massachusetts. Well-known for its vibrant culture and spirited residents, Boston earned the second spot for “wicked” congested traffic conditions.

3: New York City, New York 

Bright lights, big city, tons of traffic congestion. INRIX’s report shows NYC drivers losing 117 hours to traffic delays in 2022, costing the average driver $1,976. This totals a whopping $10.2 billion in congestion costs for the city. 

4: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 

Philly is an American city with distinct charm, but you may be burning gas on your commute downtown if you want to indulge in a cheesesteak. The major Pennsylvania city came out in the number four spot for traffic congestion, costing an average of $1,925 per driver and $4.5 billion total for the city.

5: Miami, Florida 

Miami is a bustling city, and according to INRIX’s report, you’ll spend extra time and money in traffic than in many other cities in the US. The Magic City has become 30% busier on the roads than pre-pandemic levels. 

6: Los Angeles, California 

The most populous city in California also ranks high on the list of American cities with the most traffic congestion. Los Angeles reportedly cost the average driver $1,601 sitting in traffic. 

7: San Francisco, California 

Another big city in the Golden State made the list for heavy (and costly) traffic congestion: San Francisco. Home to the Golden Gate Bridge, the picturesque city racked up $8.6 billion in traffic congestion costs in 2022. 

8: Washington, DC 

The Nation’s capital is home to rich history, but anyone driving around town knows it’s no casual commute. Washington, D.C., drivers accumulated an average of $3.5 billion in traffic congestion costs. 

9: Houston, Texas 

Deep in the heart of Texas, drivers will likely become gridlocked on the road. Houston broke the top ten for highest traffic congestion in the country, costing the average driver $1,257.

10: Atlanta, Georgia 

Atlanta is a big city, and urban sprawl is abundant. Tons of commuters traveling in and out of the city each day caused Atlanta to land in the top ten for the highest traffic congestion in the country. 

Costly Commutes 

To put your time in traffic into perspective, INRIX notes that US drivers spent 4.8 billion hours in congestion in 2022. While that may sound like a lot, it comes in significantly lower than pre-pandemic traffic levels of 2019, where people spent six billion hours in congestion. 

Worth It 

It’s hard to look on the bright side when staring at the back of the same car for hours, but Pishue says it’s a sign of a strong economy. “Traffic is a problem, but it’s reflective of people going to the office, running errands, shopping, visiting relatives, which are all good things.”

Back to Normal 

While some congested US cities have yet to return to their pre-pandemic levels, others, like Chicago and Miami, have more traffic congestion and delays than before, according to INRIX’s report. High travel demand and limited road infrastructure are some culprits of traffic jams.

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