Is Chicago a hard city to drive in?

Driving in Chicago is no fun. Traffic snarls not only at rush hours but also most times in between. Road construction on the main highway through town has only added to the nightmare.



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We created a ranking that gives each city a score based on the percentage of stressed driving-related tweets posted there and how congested the local traffic is. The lower the score each city has been given, the worse it is for traffic. Chicago ranks as the worst city, with an index score of 4.

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Many locals drive as a main mode of transportation. Getting a rental car and driving is a decent option for visitors, but by no means is it necessary for getting around Chicago. If you're visiting Chicago on a road trip or plan on taking Chicago day trips during your visit, then it may be an option worth considering.

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The best way to get around Chicago is via public transportation – specifically the L train. Operated by the Chicago Transit Authority, the L (short for elevated train) is cheap and easy to use.

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Key takeaways. The worst cities for driving are New York City, Chicago, Miami, Austin, and Los Angeles. Chicago drivers lost an average of 104 hours to traffic congestion during peak rush hour in 2021.

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The 10 U.S. cities with the worst drivers, based on ConsumerAffairs' analysis, were:
  • Memphis, Tennessee.
  • Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
  • Albuquerque, New Mexico.
  • Macon, Georgia.
  • St. Louis, Missouri.
  • Cleveland, Ohio.
  • Detroit, Michigan and Victorville, California (tied)
  • Hesperia, California.


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There are a million reasons to visit Chicago — our award-winning food scene, stunning green spaces, iconic attractions, innovative theatre, and vibrant neighborhoods.

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