1 U.S. city with the worst traffic: Chicago, IL. Chicago ranked as the U.S. city with the highest traffic delays in 2022.

Determining the “worst” traffic in the U.S. depends on the metrics used (congestion level, hours lost, cost, stress), but several cities consistently top every major study. Based on recent data from sources like INRIX, TomTom, and Texas A&M’s Transportation Institute, the following cities are perennial contenders for the title:

The Most Common #1: Chicago, IL

In the INRIX 2023 Global Traffic Scorecard, Chicago ranked as the most congested U.S. city for the second year in a row. Drivers lost an average of 155 hours to congestion in 2023 (up from 155 in 2022). The cost of congestion per driver was estimated at over $2,500 annually. Factors: Dense urban core, major freight corridors, severe weather impacts, and complex expressway system (like the infamous “Circle Interchange”).

Other Top Contenders (In No Particular Order):

1. Boston, MA: Known for its narrow, colonial-era streets, aggressive drivers, and major bottlenecks like the I-93 “Expressway” through the city. Consistently in the top three.
2. New York City, NY: While driving rates are lower due to mass transit, traffic in Manhattan and the outer boroughs is legendary. The congestion is intensely concentrated and exacerbated by ride-sharing and delivery trucks.
3. Los Angeles, CA: The classic poster child for traffic. While it has fallen from the #1 spot in recent years (due to factors like increased remote work), its sheer volume and sprawl mean drivers still