These U.S. Cities Have the Worst Traffic-and Driving in Them Could Cost You 80+ Hours a Year in Traffic

"The city of Los Angeles came in as the worst for traffic congestion in the United States with drivers losing an average of 83 hours to peak hour traffic per year, according to a report from mapping and location technology company TomTom that was shared with Travel + Leisure. As the most congested city in the U.S., drivers only reached an average of 24 mph when navigating the sprawling metropolis."

"Drivers hoping to get a jump start on beating the morning rush may not have to set the alarm as early. TomTom found morning commutes are now happening in a "more diffused pattern" and spilling over into the late morning rather than the typical 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. dash. And in the evenings, traffic is starting to pick up as early as 3 p.m. and remain high through 6 p.m."

Los Angeles drivers lose an average of 83 hours to peak-hour traffic per year and average about 24 mph during commutes. Honolulu drivers lose about 85 hours annually with average speeds of 17.8 mph. San Francisco ranks after Honolulu. New York City ranks fourth overall but records the slowest measured 6-mile commute, with drivers losing about 120 hours to peak traffic. Congestion pricing implementation produced measurable improvements on major corridors, including a four-percentage-point year-over-year drop in major-road congestion. Morning commutes have become more diffused into late morning, and evening traffic begins as early as 3 p.m. and stays high through 6 p.m. The U.S. ranks 54th globally in congestion.

Read at Travel + Leisure