Chicago Tops List of Worst Traffic in the U.S.

A new national traffic study has named Chicago as the most congested city in the United States, overtaking traditionally gridlocked metros like Los Angeles and New York. According to the 2025 Global Traffic Scorecard released by transportation analytics firm Inrix, Chicago drivers lost an average of 96 hours to congestion last year—nearly four full days—making it the most time-consuming commute in the country.

While Los Angeles, New York, Miami, and Atlanta remain in the top five, Chicago’s dense downtown grid, aging infrastructure, and heavy commuter traffic propelled it to first place. Analysts noted that a surge in downtown construction projects, combined with increased return-to-office commuting and record tourism numbers, has further exacerbated delays in the city’s core corridors.

Nationally, the study found U.S. drivers spent an average of 56 hours stuck in traffic in 2024, up from 42 hours in 2023. Mid-sized metros also saw congestion rise, with cities like Austin, Nashville, and Charlotte experiencing double-digit increases as populations boom and road capacity lags behind demand.

The report highlights the economic cost of gridlock, estimating U.S. commuters collectively lost over $100 billion last year in wasted time and fuel. Transportation experts say solutions like improved public transit, expanded bike lanes, congestion pricing, and smart traffic management systems will be critical to reversing the trend.

For Chicago drivers, relief may be years away, as major highway modernization and mass-transit upgrades are still in early stages, leaving commuters bracing for another year of slow-moving traffic.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com