10 Cities With the Worst Traffic (We Never Thought About #2)

You might be frustrated with your daily commute or just getting around to do errands, but just how bad is it?

FinanceBuzz did a survey of the most and least laid-back cities based on economic factors, well-being, leisure activities, and livability including walkability, weather, and traffic.

To live in some cities, you might need to know how to make smart money moves if you own a car. And sitting in traffic won't help you save money on gas.  

The cities with the worst traffic may not surprise you, but traffic might be a consideration if you're considering relocating for work or retirement.

Check out the top 10 cities with the worst traffic to see if your local roads made the list.

Bottlenecks are an issue for commuters in Miami, but the city is undertaking some construction projects to ease congestion. Among these are the construction of several flyover ramps to connect east-west expressways to I-95 and Florida's Turnpike.

The city has also seen an increase in population since the COVID-19 pandemic, adding extra drivers to the roads in recent years.

The city's infamous 'Spaghetti Junction' can add further stress for drivers. Like Miami, Atlanta has also seen an increase in population numbers. 

Honolulu drivers may face infrastructure challenges as well as gridlock on the roads. 

Houston is the fourth-most populous city in the U.S., behind New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago, which could affect traffic and commute times.

The Houston district has 5.5 million registered vehicles as of 2024, according to data from the Texas Department of Transportation. 

The city's public transportation system, METRO, is insufficient for the area's needs and  may contribute to the traffic challenges.

One of the factors contributing to Boston's traffic woes is the lack of commuters using public transportation.

The T — Boston's MBTA public transportation system — includes commuter rails, subways, ferry, and buses. Although the number of users dropped dramatically during the pandemic, the city reported an increase in ridership in summer 2024. 

Seattle is another city affected by commuters returning to the office after working from home during the pandemic.

The city has seen an uptick crowded roads in the post-pandemic years, with one study finding that drivers spent 63 hours on traffic-related delays. 

One issue facing San Jose is that the city at the south end of San Francisco Bay doesn't have the room to expand highways and other roads, which causes choke points and additional traffic for commuters.

One study estimated that driving during morning and evening rush hours can add 17 minutes to a driver's commute, up to 72 hours per year in rush-hour traffic.

The DMV — the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia — has seen a boom in population in the past 20 years, adding over 100,000 residents. 

Many flocked to the suburbs around the city without the necessary infrastructure updates to handle all the vehicles on the road.

One study found that commuters in the D.C. area lose around 62 hours in traffic due to the city's driving woes.

Although some reports state that congestion has decreased, San Francisco drivers may still face an uphill battle on the roads. 

Housing costs could also factor into commute times, with residents having to commute longer to suburban areas where they can afford a home. 

The median sale price for a home in San Francisco was around $1.3 million in December 2024, according to the real estate website Redfin.

It may not be surprising to see Los Angeles at the top of the FinanceBuzz list of cities with the worst traffic, as the city is notorious for its traffic issues.

One recent study found that Angelinos spend an average of 88 hours a year sitting in traffic, making it one of the worst cities for traffic issues.

Delays on the road can cost you time and money, so it's important to know a city's typical traffic experience before getting behind the wheel. 

To reduce your commuting costs, consider an electric vehicle as well as researching ways to save money on car insurance if you're looking for a new car. 

If you live in one of the worst cities for traffic, drive carefully and accept that delays will happen.