Why is Chicago traffic so bad?

Chicago's traffic has always been notoriously bad but recent road work and shifting traffic patterns have exacerbated the issues. Even for a population used to sitting in traffic jams these new issues are pushing commuters to their breaking points.



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Chicago traffic is worst in North America, costing drivers an extra $300 in gas each year: study. Chicago traffic is the most congested in North America, followed by Boston and New York, according to a new study from Inrix.

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

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1. Brussels, Belgium. Brussels takes the top spot as the hardest city to drive in, with an overall score of 23 out of 100. In Brussels, the average person spends 236 hours in rush hour a year, with the average speed during this time being 12.4 mph.

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And our roads are getting worse every year. According to Inrix, drivers spend more time stuck on gridlocked streets in London than in any other city on the planet. In 2022, our road hogs lost a whopping 156 hours each to congestion.

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Chicago ranked as the U.S. city with the highest traffic delays in 2022. On a global scale, the Illinois city ranked No. 2, after London in the United Kingdom. In Chicago, drivers lost 155 hours in 2022.

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They aren't. A whopping 60% more tourists — nearly 48.9 million domestic and international visitors — came to Chicago in 2022 compared to the year before, according to the tourism group Choose Chicago.

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Sitting on the banks of beautiful Lake Michigan, Chicago, Illinois, is the third-largest city in the United States, just behind New York City and Los Angeles. Chicago is known for its jaw-dropping architecture, vibrant music scene, amazing food, — including deep-dish pizza — and iconic neighborhoods.

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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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It's necessary to know the worst traveling days in the United States to plan better and have a safe and enjoyable time on the road.
  • December 23-26: Two days before and the day after Christmas. ...
  • November 23rd: The day before Thanksgiving. ...
  • July 3rd: The day before the 4th of July.


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