10 North American Cities With the Worst Traffic

As travelers, we love visiting new cities, but one thing no one likes is being stuck in traffic. So, we looked to navigational technology company TomTom, which analyzed traffic data from thousands of major cities across six continents in 2023 to find the areas with the most congestion. The 387 cities in the report were ranked by the longest traffic times based on the average time it takes to travel 6 miles. If you’ve visited these destinations, you can likely attest to the bumper-to-bumper conditions and annoying delays — but if you’re willing to be patient or consider alternate methods of transportation, there are plenty of exciting things to do and see. Here are the 10 North American cities with the worst traffic.

10. Chicago, Illinois

Time to drive 6 miles: 17 minutes, 13 seconds

The Windy City is not only the most populous metropolitan area in the Midwest — it’s also the most congested. Home to over 2.6 million people, Chicago boasts some of the most celebrated landmarks in the region, from Wrigley Field to the distinctive “Cloud Gate” sculpture better known as “The Bean.” With so many attractions for tourists and locals alike, it’s no wonder Chicago’s roads are so backed up — causing drivers to sit in an average of 83 hours of bumper-to-bumper traffic each year. Some of Chicago’s worst traffic weeks fall during Lollapalooza, an annual music festival in Grant Park, and St. Patrick’s Day, when the city’s rivers are dyed a festive neon green.

9. Montreal, Canada

Time to drive 6 miles: 18 minutes, 20 seconds

Nearly 1.8 million people live in Montreal, making it Canada’s second most populous city. Known for its rich cultural heritage, Montreal is a top travel destination and an arts hub of Canada, and as a result, it sees some of the worst traffic in North America. Drivers can expect to spend around 82 hours in traffic yearly, with an average rush-hour speed of just 16 mph. The city’s traffic jams are a testament to its vibrant cultural scene, which is busy year-round with arts and music events during summer, fall and spring festivals, and winter holiday markets.

8. Boston, Massachusetts

Time to drive 6 miles: 18 minutes, 30 seconds

Bostonians brave 83 hours of traffic every year — but if you ask them, they might say it’s worth the trade-off. With several professional sports teams, year-round concerts and festivals, fascinating history museums, and historic city parks such as Boston Common, Massachusetts’ capital city seems to have something for everyone. Although 642,000 people live in Boston proper, around 400,000 more drive into the city for work daily, adding to the congestion. Couple that with over 20 million annual tourist visits, and Boston’s streets are a recipe for heavy traffic.

7. Winnipeg, Canada

Time to drive 6 miles: 18 minutes, 40 seconds

Winnipeg, Manitoba’s capital city, is no stranger to bustling city streets. Although it’s far from being Canada’s largest city, it is still home to a thriving arts scene, namely the Royal Winnipeg Ballet — the longest continuously operating ballet company on the continent — and the Winnipeg Philharmonic Choir. And though Winnipeg’s drivers spend less total time stuck in traffic than residents of any other city on the top 10 list (about 61 hours annually), the city earned its ranking through its high average travel time — it takes nearly 19 minutes to travel just 6 miles. 

6. San Francisco, California

Time to drive 6 miles: 19 minutes, 47 seconds

San Francisco is known for its stunning coastal views and lively bar and restaurant scene, but with 72 hours of annual time spent in traffic, those attractions come at a cost. San Francisco has just over 873,000 residents, but the larger Bay Area is home to nearly 7.6 million people, making for a very busy commuter region. One of the busiest stretches of road in San Francisco lies within its most famous attraction, the Golden Gate Bridge. More than 100,000 cars traverse the historic bridge on any given day.

5. Washington, D.C.

Time to drive 6 miles: 20 minutes, 35 seconds

D.C. is home to some of the United States’ most famous landmarks, but it’s also known for terrible traffic. Not only is Washington, D.C., one of the U.S. cities where you’re most likely to get in a fender bender, but its drivers also spend a whopping 83 hours in traffic every year. Over 6.1 million people reside in the Washington metropolitan area (known as the DMV). Adding to the congestion, nearly 26 million tourists visit the capital yearly to take in sights like the National Mall, home to the White House and the United States Capitol.

4. Vancouver, Canada

Time to drive 6 miles: 22 minutes, 22 seconds

This busy port city on Canada’s western coast is home to picturesque parks, beaches, art galleries, museums, and a burgeoning culinary scene. It’s little wonder, then, that Greater Vancouver’s population has doubled over the last four decades. Now home to some 2.7 million Vancouverites, this British Columbia city sees its fair share of traffic, too. Drivers here sit in an average of 87 hours of traffic a year while moving at an average pace of around 14 mph. Adding to the congestion are popular year-round events such as the Vancouver International Film Festival, the PNE (Pacific National Exhibition) Fair, and the Cherry Blossom Festival.

3. New York, New York

Time to drive 6 miles: 23 minutes, 58 seconds

The “City That Never Sleeps” is also a city that never stops driving. New York City is the most congested metropolis in the United States, with nearly 9 million residents and millions more visitors braving 108 hours of traffic annually. It takes almost 24 minutes to drive just 6 miles. To mitigate the issue, the city recently announced plans for congestion pricing in the lower half of Manhattan, the city’s busiest area. The hope is that this will help improve the flow of traffic, as over 2.5 million nonresidents visit Manhattan daily.

2. Mexico City, Mexico

Time to drive 6 miles: 25 minutes, 35 seconds

As one of the oldest cities in the Western Hemisphere, Mexico City is home to fascinating historical sites such as Aztec temples, but the city has expanded dramatically since its ancient past. The capital’s population began to skyrocket in the latter half of the 20th century, and today, it’s home to some 22.5 million residents. Due to its sprawling area, large population, and significant tourist numbers, Mexico City has the highest congestion level on this list, meaning drivers will spend an average of 63% of their time stuck in traffic. Mexico City drivers also face the most time in rush hour traffic yearly, at 147 hours.

1. Toronto, Canada

Time to drive 6 miles: 28 minutes

Canada’s most populated city also tops the list for the worst traffic in North America. It’s easy to spend a day visiting some of Toronto’s best sights, from the CN Tower and High Park to the Royal Ontario Museum and St. Lawrence Market. But wherever you go in Toronto, be sure to bring your patience. The report from TomTom found that drivers take an average of 28 minutes to travel just 6 miles in this city, which is longer than in any other city studied in 2023.

Home to nearly 3 million people, Toronto isn’t the most populated city on this list, so why is the traffic so slow? The answer comes down to a multitude of factors, including construction, the number of daily commuters, and streets that have been repurposed for bike lanes and patio dining. Toronto also has the slowest average rush-hour speed on this list, at just 11 mph, so it’s no wonder drivers are frustrated.