Surviving the chaos of urban traffic is more than just a daily struggle; it’s a battle that can feel never-ending. The relentless congestion in some cities pushes drivers to their limits, leaving them yearning for a teleportation device to escape the gridlock and reclaim their time.
Urban traffic congestion is not just a local problem but a global issue affecting everyone. Based on accident rates, traffic congestion, road quality, statistics from INRIX, a transportation data company, and other factors, here are the top 12 worst cities to drive in:
London, United Kingdom
According to Bloomberg, London held its title as the most congested city globally for the second year.
Driving in London is not just a time-consuming ordeal; it’s also costly. In 2022, drivers spent an average of 156 hours in traffic, up 5% from pre-COVID times. According to the report, the city incurred a staggering cost of $5.7 billion, translating to £1,377 per driver.
Chicago, Illinois, USA
CNBC notes that Chicago snagged the title for the U.S. city with the highest traffic delays in 2022.
Globally, the Windy City ranked second, following London in the UK. Chicago drivers spent a whopping 155 hours stuck in traffic last year.
Paris, France
In 2022, drivers spent 138 hours in traffic in the French capital, ranking it the second-worst city in Europe.
Traffic remains a persistent issue in the city, with its charming center characterized by narrow, cobbled streets.
Boston, Massachusetts, USA
As per CBS News, if you’re familiar with driving in Boston, you know the traffic can be quite a challenge. A recent study reveals that the congestion here ranks among the most severe globally.
Based on its annual Global Traffic Scorecard, INRIX indicates that Boston traffic is the second-worst in the U.S. and the fourth-worst worldwide.
New York City, New York, USA
In NYC, drivers spent 117 hours stuck in traffic, up from 102 in 2021. According to the INRIX report, these delays cost the average driver $1,976 and the city $10.2 billion.
Another report from TomTom discovered that, on average, commuters in the heart of the Big Apple spent about 24 minutes and 50 seconds driving roughly six miles in 2023, marking a 20-second increase from 2022. New York City has been identified as having the most challenging traffic in America.
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Bogotá, Colombia
Similar to many other bustling Latin American cities, Bogotá faces a challenge with heavy traffic congestion.
In 2022, as per the INRIX Index, Bogotá was listed as the sixth most congested city globally. On average, residents spend about 94 hours a year stuck in traffic.
Toronto, Canada
According to the 2022 Global Traffic Scorecard by INRIX, a top player in mobility analytics and connected car services, Toronto snagged the 7th spot with an average of 118 hours lost in traffic. This marks a 59% jump from 2021 but a 13% dip from pre-pandemic 2019.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
The 2022 INRIX Global Traffic Scorecard places Philly eighth in the world for the most congested traffic, reaching five spots from last year’s ranking.
Philly even outperforms other major U.S. cities like Los Angeles, Miami, and Washington D.C. Nice work, Philly!
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Miami, Florida, USA
According to the INRIX Global Traffic Scorecard, Miami traffic increased by 30% from 2021 to 2022, making it one of the most congested cities.
Palermo, Italy
Palermo! It’s where the architecture is ancient, and driving almost feels like trying to navigate a chariot through a modern-day Colosseum.
Drivers spent an average of 121 hours stuck in traffic congestion in 2022, which was 11% higher than in 2021.
Oakland, California, USA
The average San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley metro area driver takes around 21 minutes to cover 6 miles, spending approximately 97 hours a year in traffic.
Oakland isn’t the most accessible city to drive in the U.S., partly due to its challenging accidents, pricey gas, and lengthy commute times. According to a recent Forbes ranking, Oakland was the most challenging city!
San Francisco, California, USA
San Francisco ranked second among California cities on Forbes’ list and third among the top 10 worst cities to drive in the U.S.
The city earned a score of 96.6 out of 100. On average, drivers shell out around $4.72 per gallon of regular gasoline at the pump and $1,642 every year while stuck in traffic.
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