Motorists in Chicago are enduring the worst traffic congestion in the United States, with drivers losing a staggering 112 hours each year stuck in their vehicles, according to a major new study.
The Cost of Gridlock: Time and Money Lost
Data from the Inrix Global Traffic Scorecard reveals that Chicago has surged into the top spot for traffic misery, overtaking New York City which shared the title last year. The Windy City's drivers now face nearly five full days of delays annually, with the financial burden exceeding $2,000 per driver in lost time and fuel.
The report indicates a sharp ten percent increase in lost driving time in Chicago in recent years, propelling it not only to the top of the US rankings but also into the top three worst cities for traffic globally. It now sits ahead of major European capitals including London, Paris, Dublin, and Rome.
Congestion Pricing: A Lesson from New York?
While Chicago's congestion worsened, New York's notorious gridlock held steady. Analysts suggest this is likely due to the city's controversial congestion pricing programme, launched on 5 January. The scheme, championed by New York State Governor Kathy Hochul, charges drivers a daytime toll of $9 to enter areas of Manhattan below 60th Street.
Governor Hochul stated the plan was designed to 'unclog our streets, reduce pollution and deliver better public transit.' Six months on, she has declared it a success, citing an 11 percent drop in vehicles entering the zone and faster traffic speeds. The programme has already generated over $216 million, earmarked for mass transit upgrades.
A National and Global Problem
The traffic crisis is not confined to Chicago. Across the US, drivers lost an average of 49 hours to congestion in 2025—a six-hour increase from the previous year. Congestion rose in 254 of the 290 American cities analysed. Other major cities hit hard include Manhattan (102 hours lost), Philadelphia (101 hours), and Los Angeles (87 hours).
One bright spot in the data is a fall in traffic-related deaths after four consecutive years of increases. First-half fatalities dropped to just over 17,000 in 2025, down from around 20,000 in prior years. The shift to hybrid working, with 13 percent of Americans now working from home, may have contributed to this decline.
On the world stage, Istanbul claimed the dubious honour of the city with the very worst traffic. The report underscores the growing economic and personal toll of urban congestion, a challenge facing cities on both sides of the Atlantic, including many in the UK.
