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 in 2024 to find the areas with the most congestion. 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. Winnipeg, Canada

Time to drive 6 miles: 22 minutes, 13 seconds
Time spent in rush hour traffic annually: 72 hours

Manitoba’s capital city is no stranger to bustling city streets, with some 850,000 residents and 3.5 million annual tourists. Drivers in Winnipeg can expect to spend more than 22 minutes traveling just 6 miles, making it the fourth-busiest major city in Canada for drivers. Although it’s far from being Canada’s largest city, Winnipeg is 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. 

9. Halifax, Canada

Time to drive 6 miles: 22 minutes, 42 seconds
Time spent in rush hour traffic annually: 80 hours

Halifax is home to one of the world’s largest harbors — and some of the worst traffic in North America. Drivers in Nova Scotia’s capital can expect to spend a whopping 80 hours in rush hour traffic annually. Whether you’re driving to see the lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove or to set out for a day of family fun at the Halifax Waterfront, be sure to pack some patience when visiting this Atlantic Canada city.

8. Toronto, Canada

Time to drive 6 miles: 24 minutes, 20 seconds
Time spent in rush hour traffic annually: 74 hours

Toronto, Canada’s largest city, has seen an improvement in the ranking of North America’s most congested cities — it falls to No. 8 this year after being ranked as having the worst traffic last year. That’s not to say you’ll be able to speed down an open highway, though. While there are plenty of sights to see in Toronto, from the CN Tower and High Park to the Royal Ontario Museum and St. Lawrence Market, it will take you a while to reach them.

Home to nearly 3 million people, Toronto’s high congestion levels come 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, making the city more biker- and pedestrian-friendly.

7. León, Mexico

Time to drive 6 miles: 25 minutes, 32 seconds
Time spent in rush hour traffic annually: 69 hours

Home to stunning colonial architecture and 1.9 million residents, León is situated in the central Mexico state of Guanajuato. In the heart of downtown is the Triumphal Arch of the Causeway of the Heroes, an ornate, lion-topped archway commemorating Mexico’s independence. Though León’s drivers spend less total time stuck in rush hour traffic than residents of any other location in the top 10 cities with the worst traffic, the city earned its ranking through its high average travel time — it takes more than 25 minutes to travel just 6 miles.

6. San Francisco, California

Time to drive 6 miles: 25 minutes, 37 seconds
Time spent in rush hour traffic annually: 81 hours

San Francisco is known for its stunning coastal views and lively bar and restaurant scene, but with 81 hours of time spent in rush hour traffic annually, those attractions come at a cost. San Francisco has just over 840,000 residents, but the larger Bay Area is home to more than 7.7 million people, making for a very busy commuter region. One of the most congested 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. Vancouver, Canada

Time to drive 6 miles: 26 minutes, 7 seconds
Time spent in rush hour traffic annually: 83 hours

This busy British Columbia port city 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 over 3 million people, Vancouver sees its fair share of traffic, too. 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.

4. Guadalajara, Mexico

Time to drive 6 miles: 26 minutes, 12 seconds
Time spent in rush hour traffic annually: 99 hours

The vibrant city of Guadalajara is known for its local tequila, mariachi music, and, unfortunately, busy streets. Drivers here can expect to spend nearly 100 hours in rush hour traffic annually. While traffic does move slowly, patience is rewarded, with many things to see and do. Enjoy a football (soccer) game, view the murals of the Instituto Cultural Cabanas, or explore the local culinary scene, where regional specialties like tortas ahogadas (“drowned” sandwiches) and birria (a slow-cooked meat stew) steal the show.

3. Puebla, Mexico

Time to drive 6 miles: 28 minutes, 55 seconds
Time spent in rush hour traffic annually: 71 hours

Puebla is the capital and largest city of the state of Puebla, situated just southeast of Mexico City. Several million tourists arrive annually for the city’s rich history, including the site of Mexico’s May 5, 1862, victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War — and the reason for the holiday Cinco de Mayo. Nearby, the pre-Hispanic site of Cholula, with its Great Pyramid, is another popular site.

2. New York, New York

Time to drive 6 miles: 30 minutes, 1 second
Time spent in rush hour traffic annually: 94 hours

The City That Never Sleeps is also a city that never stops driving. New York City tops the list of U.S. cities with the worst traffic. It takes over 30 minutes to drive just 6 miles — an average of five minutes per mile. To mitigate the issue, the city recently implemented congestion pricing in the lower half of Manhattan, the city’s busiest area, but its future may be up in the air after a federal challenge. Regardless of the outcome, it’s clear that something needs to be done to improve traffic flow in the Big Apple, as over 2.5 million nonresidents visit Manhattan daily.

1. Mexico City, Mexico

Time to drive 6 miles: 30 minutes, 47 seconds
Time spent in rush hour traffic annually: 147 hours

As one of the oldest cities in the Western Hemisphere, Mexico City is home to many fascinating historical sites, but the city has expanded dramatically since its ancient past. Today, it’s home to around 22 million people — making it one of the world’s most populated metro areas. 

Due to its sprawling area, large population, and significant tourist numbers, Mexico City has the highest congestion level of any city in the world. Moreover, Mexico City drivers also spend the most hours in rush hour traffic in North America (and third-most globally), with a staggering 147 hours lost annually. But for many, the wait is worth the reward of experiencing this vibrant city.

About the data: Navigational technology company TomTom analyzed traffic data from thousands of major cities across six continents in 2024 to find the areas with the most congestion. The 501 cities in the report were ranked by the longest traffic times based on the average time it takes to travel 6 miles. The above cities had the longest traffic times in North America. Read about their methodology and find the full report here.