In this article, we’ll take a quick look at the 10 Most Congested Cities in the US. For a detailed overview of the top 25 congested cities, with insights into global traffic congestion and recommended solutions, head over to our article 25 Most Congested Cities in the US.
10. Baltimore, Maryland
Proximity to other major cities and a dense urban design contribute to Baltimore’s traffic congestion. It holds the sixth spot on the TomTom Traffic Index, averaging a commute time of 17 minutes for every 10 km.
9. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Earning its place at eighth on the TomTom Traffic Index and a challenging fourth on INRIX’s Global Traffic Scorecard, the city’s commute often takes around 15 minutes and 20 seconds for a mere 10 km stretch. Throughout the year, an average driver loses up to 144 hours to traffic delays.
8. Seattle, Washington
Seattle’s traffic, notably intense on rainy days, often clogs routes leading to its numerous bridges. The Urban Congestion Report ranks it as the second most congested city in the US, experiencing 6 hours and 50 minutes of congestion daily.
7. Miami, Florida
Tourist traffic, combined with its role as a gateway to Latin America, means Miami’s roads are often busy. Ranked among the top 10 most congested cities, it takes an average of 14 minutes and 30 seconds to travel 10 km in the city. An average driver in Miami loses around 105 hours to traffic delays annually.
6. Los Angeles, California
Infamous for its traffic, especially on the I-405, LA’s sprawl and car-centric culture contribute to congestion in Los Angeles. Taking the top spot on the Urban Congestion Report, it registers 7 hours and 55 minutes of congestion daily.
5. Boston, Massachusetts
The INRIX Global Traffic Index ranks Boston as the fourth-highest city globally and second in the USA for traffic delays, with an average traffic delay of 134 hours. It takes around 18 mins and 40 seconds to cover 10km in the city, with the speed often dropping to 26km/h in rush hours.
4. San Francisco, California
San Francisco is among the top cities experiencing the worst traffic, with an average commute time of 20 minutes and 30 seconds per 10km, especially during peak times.
3. Washington, D.C.
As the nation’s capital, D.C. sees significant congestion, particularly during weekdays and when Congress is in session. The city’s roads take around 20 minutes and 40 seconds to drive a 10km distance, leading to the second top spot on TomTom Traffic Index.
2. Chicago, Illinois
With the highest traffic delay time of 155 hours in the USA and the second highest globally, Chicago’s traffic, especially around the Loop and on the Dan Ryan Expressway, is well-known. It takes around 18 minutes to drive 10 km in the city.
1. New York, New York
With an average speed of 20 km per hour in rush hours and an average travel time of 24 minutes and 40 seconds per 10 km, New York City ranks first when it comes to the cities with the most congestion thanks to its dense population.
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