Special Report

City With The Worst Traffic in Each US State

Samuel Stebbins

Published: January 11, 2024 12:31 pm

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average commute time in the United States is about 27 minutes. Over a week, this adds up to around four hours and 30 minutes, and more than 230 hours in a single year for the typical full-time worker. The number of Americans working from home surged during the pandemic. Many of those who still work remotely are likely reluctant to return to the office, if for no other reason than eliminating the daily commute.

Commute times are not only a product of distance but also of roadway congestion. Rush hour traffic can add significantly to commute times and lead to increased fuel consumption and travel expenses. Many of those with jobs that take them in and out of densely populated urban areas are all too familiar with this reality. (Here is a look at every major automaker’s plan to go electric.)

24/7 Wall St. identified the city in every state with the worst traffic by using traffic and analytics company INRIX’s traffic data and analytics company. Cities are ranked on the average number of hours commuters lost due to traffic congestion in 2022. Due to a lack of available data, Alaska, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming are not included in this analysis. Washington, D.C., is one of six places on this list that is home to only one city with available data. In these places, which are noted, the city listed ranks as having the worst traffic by default. 

Depending on the state, the average time lost to traffic congestion each year ranges from only a few hours to well over 100 hours in the city with the worst traffic. While many of the cities on this list are also the largest in the state by population, there are some notable exceptions. For example, although Los Angeles is the largest city in California and second largest in the country – and also notorious for its congested roadways – there is another California city where traffic is even worse. 

In nearly every city on this list, the average number of hours commuters spend sitting in traffic increased in 2022 compared to the previous year. This is likely largely due to easing pandemic restrictions and more workers returning to the office. In all but three cities on this list, traffic delays worsened from 2021 to 2022, by anywhere from 3% to 380%. (Here is a look at the worst city to drive in in each state.)

Here is the city with the worst traffic in each U.S. state

See below for our detailed methodology.

Alabama: Birmingham

Source: toddmedia / iStock via Getty Images

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 24 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: tied – 46th worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +33%
• Avg. commute time in city: 22 minutes (State avg.: 25 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 76,153; 92.8% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 7

Arizona: Phoenix

Source: photoquest7 / iStock via Getty Images

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 26 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: tied – 39th worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +26%
• Avg. commute time in city: 26 minutes (State avg.: 26 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 644,366; 93.0% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 3

Arkansas: Little Rock

Source: dlewis33 / iStock via Getty Images

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 4 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: tied – 242nd worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +20%
• Avg. commute time in city: 18 minutes (State avg.: 22 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 86,748; 95.6% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 2

California: San Francisco

Source: Sundry Photography / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 97 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: 6th worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +52%
• Avg. commute time in city: 33 minutes (State avg.: 30 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 179,667; 43.8% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 30

Colorado: Denver

Source: RudyBalasko / iStock via Getty Images

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 54 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: tied – 16th worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +35%
• Avg. commute time in city: 26 minutes (State avg.: 26 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 280,340; 84.0% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 5

Connecticut: Stamford

Source: carminesalvatore / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 73 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: 12th worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +59%
• Avg. commute time in city: 28 minutes (State avg.: 27 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 52,207; 80.0% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 9

Delaware: Wilmington

Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 19 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: tied – 79th worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +13%
• Avg. commute time in city: 23 minutes (State avg.: 26 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 23,321; 79.4% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 3

District of Columbia: Washington

Source: burwellphotography / E+ via Getty Images

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 83 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: 8th worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +88%
• Avg. commute time in city: 30 minutes
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 131,329; 44.2% of commuters
• Cities considered in region: 1

Florida: Miami

Source: CHUYN / iStock via Getty Images

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 105 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: 5th worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +59%
• Avg. commute time in city: 28 minutes (State avg.: 28 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 165,042; 81.8% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 22

Georgia: Atlanta

Source: stevecoleimages / iStock via Getty Images

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 74 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: tied – 10th worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +40%
• Avg. commute time in city: 28 minutes (State avg.: 29 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 163,636; 79.4% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 8

Hawaii: Hilo

Source: steinphoto / iStock via Getty Images

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 29 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: tied – 33rd worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +380%
• Avg. commute time in city: 19 minutes (State avg.: 27 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 17,622; 94.6% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 3

Idaho: Boise

Source: peeterv / iStock via Getty Images

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 7 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: tied – 205th worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +3%
• Avg. commute time in city: 19 minutes (State avg.: 21 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 100,272; 91.4% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 1

Illinois: Chicago

Source: Allkindza / E+ via Getty Images

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 155 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: the worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +49%
• Avg. commute time in city: 34 minutes (State avg.: 29 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 743,250; 62.7% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 7

Indiana: Indianapolis

Source: RudyBalasko / Getty Images

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 24 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: tied – 46th worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +71%
• Avg. commute time in city: 24 minutes (State avg.: 24 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 368,371; 94.8% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 7

Iowa: Des Moines

Source: JoeChristensen / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 7 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: tied – 205th worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +3%
• Avg. commute time in city: 19 minutes (State avg.: 20 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 93,450; 93.7% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 1

Kansas: Topeka

Source: peeterv / iStock via Getty Images

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 0 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: tied – 274th worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +0%
• Avg. commute time in city: 17 minutes (State avg.: 20 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 52,509; 95.8% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 2

Kentucky: Lexington

Source: JerryGrugin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 22 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: tied – 63rd worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +27%
• Avg. commute time in city: 21 minutes (State avg.: 24 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 140,129; 92.6% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 2

Louisiana: New Orleans

Source: huseyintuncer / iStock via Getty Images

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 77 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: 9th worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +22%
• Avg. commute time in city: 23 minutes (State avg.: 26 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 128,457; 82.7% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 3

Maine: Bangor

Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 8 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: tied – 182nd worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +5%
• Avg. commute time in city: 17 minutes (State avg.: 24 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 12,365; 89.2% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 2

Maryland: Baltimore

Source: raksyBH / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 55 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: 15th worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +49%
• Avg. commute time in city: 31 minutes (State avg.: 32 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 179,149; 73.9% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 6

Massachusetts: Boston

Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 134 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: 2nd worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +72%
• Avg. commute time in city: 31 minutes (State avg.: 30 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 151,856; 47.3% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 9

Michigan: Detroit

Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 23 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: tied – 53rd worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +75%
• Avg. commute time in city: 26 minutes (State avg.: 25 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 178,700; 85.9% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 7

Minnesota: Minneapolis

Source: YinYang / E+ via Getty Images

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 26 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: tied – 39th worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +47%
• Avg. commute time in city: 23 minutes (State avg.: 24 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 149,817; 74.4% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 1

Mississippi: Jackson

Interstate 220 Southbound, Jac... (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Ken Lund

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 4 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: tied – 242nd worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: -10%
• Avg. commute time in city: 21 minutes (State avg.: 25 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 61,304; 97.1% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 2

Missouri: St. Louis

Source: peeterv / iStock via Getty Images

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 17 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: tied – 91st worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +68%
• Avg. commute time in city: 23 minutes (State avg.: 24 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 117,199; 85.5% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 2

Montana: Missoula

Source: Jon Bilous / iStock via Getty Images

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 22 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: tied – 63rd worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +20%
• Avg. commute time in city: 16 minutes (State avg.: 19 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 32,765; 85.8% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 4

Nebraska: Omaha

Source: RiverNorthPhotography / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 14 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: tied – 110th worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +11%
• Avg. commute time in city: 19 minutes (State avg.: 19 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 215,928; 94.9% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 2

Nevada: Las Vegas

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• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 41 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: tied – 22nd worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +46%
• Avg. commute time in city: 26 minutes (State avg.: 25 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 243,916; 92.2% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 3

New Hampshire: Manchester

Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 13 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: tied – 127th worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +20%
• Avg. commute time in city: 24 minutes (State avg.: 27 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 55,412; 95.1% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 4

New Jersey: Ocean Township

2021-07-30 10 38 05 View north along New Jersey State Route 18 from the overpass for Monmouth County Route 14 (West Park Avenue) in Ocean Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey (CC BY-SA 4.0) by Famartin

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 17 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: tied – 91st worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +87%
• Avg. commute time in Monmouth County: 34 minutes (State avg.: 31 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work in Monmouth County: 251,861; 88.6% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 7

New Mexico: Albuquerque

Source: KateLeigh / iStock via Getty Images

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 20 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: tied – 71st worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +155%
• Avg. commute time in city: 22 minutes (State avg.: 23 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 232,016; 94.3% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 4

New York: New York City

Source: Eloi_Omella / iStock via Getty Images

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 117 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: 3rd worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +15%
• Avg. commute time in city: 41 minutes (State avg.: 33 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 1,082,647; 30.0% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 9

North Carolina: Charlotte

Source: digidreamgrafix / iStock via Getty Images

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 25 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: tied – 43rd worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +48%
• Avg. commute time in city: 25 minutes (State avg.: 25 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 354,197; 92.8% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 9

North Dakota: Fargo

Source: Tiago_Fernandez / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 0 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: tied – 274th worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +0%
• Avg. commute time in city: 16 minutes (State avg.: 18 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 63,762; 92.4% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 1

Ohio: Cleveland

Source: RudyBalasko / Getty Images

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 20 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: tied – 71st worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +36%
• Avg. commute time in city: 23 minutes (State avg.: 24 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 120,735; 84.3% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 9

Oklahoma: Oklahoma City

Source: peeterv / Getty Images

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 14 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: tied – 110th worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +44%
• Avg. commute time in city: 22 minutes (State avg.: 22 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 298,213; 96.2% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 2

Oregon: Portland

Source: peeterv / iStock via Getty Images

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 72 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: 13th worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +50%
• Avg. commute time in city: 26 minutes (State avg.: 24 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 220,404; 74.5% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 4

Pennsylvania: Philadelphia

Source: peeterv / iStock via Getty Images

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 114 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: 4th worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +27%
• Avg. commute time in city: 33 minutes (State avg.: 27 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 399,184; 62.9% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 13

Rhode Island: Providence

Source: aimintang / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 42 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: 21st worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +11%
• Avg. commute time in city: 24 minutes (State avg.: 25 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 65,447; 84.1% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 1

South Carolina: Greenville

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 23 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: tied – 53rd worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +34%
• Avg. commute time in city: 20 minutes (State avg.: 25 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 31,735; 92.1% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 6

Tennessee: Nashville

Source: FangXiaNuo / Getty Images

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 41 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: tied – 22nd worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +155%
• Avg. commute time in city: 25 minutes (State avg.: 25 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 305,799; 93.8% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 6

Texas: Houston

Source: Art Wager / E+ via Getty Images

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 74 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: tied – 10th worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +28%
• Avg. commute time in city: 28 minutes (State avg.: 27 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 912,664; 91.0% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 20

Utah: Ogden

Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 14 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: tied – 110th worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +31%
• Avg. commute time in city: 21 minutes (State avg.: 22 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 36,096; 93.0% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 5

Virginia: Fredericksburg

Source: krblokhin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 24 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: tied – 46th worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +9%
• Avg. commute time in city: 30 minutes (State avg.: 28 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 12,106; 87.6% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 11

Washington: Seattle

Source: peeterv / iStock via Getty Images

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 46 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: 20th worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +52%
• Avg. commute time in city: 28 minutes (State avg.: 28 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 204,468; 59.4% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 7

West Virginia: Wheeling

Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 12 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: tied – 143rd worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +33%
• Avg. commute time in city: 19 minutes (State avg.: 26 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 9,738; 92.8% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 2

Wisconsin: Milwaukee

Source: peeterv / iStock via Getty Images

• Avg. time lost to traffic delays in 2022: 32 hours per commuter
• Overall national ranking: tied – 27th worst of 280 U.S. cities considered
• Change in traffic delays from 2021: +47%
• Avg. commute time in city: 22 minutes (State avg.: 22 minutes)
• Commuters who drive or carpool to work: 210,005; 87.5% of commuters
• Cities considered in state: 6

Methodology

24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the 2022 Global Traffic Scorecard, from INRIX, a traffic data and analytics company to identify the city with the worst traffic in every state. We used the average time the typical commuter lost to traffic congestion in 2022 in the 280 U.S. cities with available data. Within each state, we identified the city with the most time lost to traffic congestion. 

Alaska, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming are not included on this list due to a lack of data. We did include Washington, D.C., however, which is one of six states or districts that is home to only one city with available data. In these places, which are noted, the city listed ranks as having the worst traffic by default. 

Supplementary data on average commute time for those not working from home and the number and share of commuters who drive or carpool to work are five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 American Community Survey. Due to a lack of ACS data at the city level for Ocean Township, New Jersey, we used data for Monmouth County, which is where Ocean Township is located.

Data on change in the average traffic delays from 2021 is also from INRIX.