Top cities with the longest traffic times in the U.S.

Celeste Polidori
January 17, 2025

A study conducted by the TomTom Traffic Index presents statistics that help identify the cities with the slowest traffic across the country.

Traffic congestion in the United States has worsened in the years following the pandemic, leading to economic and time losses for drivers who face this issue daily. In a recent post, we shared the results of a study conducted by INRIX, Inc., which reveals that American citizens lose the equivalent of a full week every year due to traffic congestion.

The report analyzed over 1,000 cities in the U.S. to obtain this data, highlighting that the cities with the worst congestion are New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Furthermore, a new study conducted by the TomTom Traffic Index presents additional statistics that help identify the cities with the slowest traffic across the country, emphasizing how traffic has become a major problem for Americans.

The 10 Cities with the Slowest Traffic in the U.S.

1. New York, New York

The first place comes as no surprise, as both INRIX and TomTom have included this city in their top 3 most congested cities. However, the problem lies not only in the number of vehicles but in the time drivers spend stuck in traffic. According to TomTom’s data, the average travel time to cover 6 miles in New York is 30 minutes and 1 second, representing a 2.3% increase compared to 2023.

2. San Francisco, California

California stands out for its high volume of vehicle traffic. The city of San Francisco ranks second, with an average time of 25 minutes and 37 seconds to cover six miles. In 2023, the average time was 25 minutes and 8 seconds, reflecting a 1.9% increase in 2024.

3. Honolulu, Hawaii

Honolulu appeared on the list of the most traffic-congested cities in 2024. According to TomTom, the city has an average time of 19 minutes and 49 seconds to cover a distance of 6 miles under congested conditions. This represents a 0.6% increase compared to 2023, when the average time was 19 minutes and 56 seconds.

4. Chicago, Illinois

Chicago has the highest number of roads with traffic congestion. Covering a 6-mile stretch in the city takes an average of 19 minutes and 10 seconds, which is a 3% increase compared to 2023, when the average time was 18 minutes and 36 seconds.

5. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia experienced a 3.4% increase in the average time to cover 6 miles. In 2023, the average time was 18 minutes and 17 seconds, while in 2024, it rose to 18 minutes and 54 seconds.

6. New Haven, Connecticut

New Haven had an average time of 18 minutes and 15 seconds in 2023; however, in 2024, it experienced a 2.1% increase. The current average time to cover a 6-mile stretch in the city is 18 minutes and 38 seconds, a slight difference.

7. Columbia, South Carolina

Columbia ranks seventh, with an average time of 18 minutes and 25 seconds to cover a 6-mile stretch. Compared to the 2023 time of 18 minutes and 16 seconds, it only showed a 0.9% increase.

8. Washington, D.C.

With a total time of 17 minutes and 56 seconds, Washington, D.C. takes the eighth spot. In 2023, the average time to cover six miles in the city was 17 minutes and 28 seconds, representing a 2.8% increase in 2024.

9. New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans had an average time of 17 minutes and 3 seconds to cover a 6-mile stretch. However, in 2024, it experienced a 3.4% increase, reaching an average time of 17 minutes and 37 seconds.

10. Miami, Florida

Finally, the city of Miami ranks tenth. Miami has an average time of 17 minutes and 3 seconds to cover a 6-mile stretch on its roads. This represents a 3.2% increase, as the average time in 2023 was 16 minutes and 32 seconds.

The TomTom Traffic Index analysis not only covered the United States but also other parts of the world. One of the most surprising conclusions is that, compared to other global cities, travel times in New York place the city in 25th position worldwide.

Moreover, during peak congestion hours in the morning, the same 6-mile journey in New York can take up to 35 and a half minutes, while in the afternoon, it can reach 39 minutes.