Traffic In DC Area Worse Than Most U.S. Cities: Analysis

WASHINGTON, DC — Commuters in the Washington, D.C. metro area are more likely to get stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic and spend more time on the road getting to work than nearly all other U.S. cities, according to a new analysis.

To determine the worst U.S. cities to drive in, a team of researchers from Consumer Affairs looked at 49 major U.S. metros to determine which cities have the heaviest congestion, longest travel times, and most fatal crashes.

Washington, D.C. came in at No. 2 on the list, earning a traffic score of 84.6 out of 100. The average commute time is nearly 33 minutes, longer than anywhere else in the country. Meanwhile, the average daily congestion hovers around 6 hours and 45 minutes.

"The driving force behind those high commute times is the difference between where people live and work. Most workplaces in Washington, D.C. are concentrated in downtown offices and at various military bases, while homes are scattered around the metropolitan area," researchers said.

Baltimore earned a traffic score of 71.8. The average commute time is about 28 minutes, while the average daily congestion sits at 5 hours and 24 minutes.

Baltimore’s congestion time is the eighth highest in the country. It doesn’t help that the city is in close proximity to Washington, D.C., No. 2 on our list.

Here are the top 10 worst cities for drivers, according to the analysis:

1. Los Angeles
2. Washington, D.C.
3. Seattle
4. San Francisco
5. New York City
6. Denver
7. Portland, Oregon
8. Atlanta
9. Chicago
10. Baltimore

Hoping to avoid traffic jams and a sea of red brake lights? St. Louis had the lowest traffic score, followed by Oklahoma City, Cleveland, and Richmond.

Researchers combined the various factors to calculate an overall traffic score for each city, according to the analysis.

"Understanding which cities are home to the worst traffic may help you determine where you want to live and work, while the potential for hours spent idling on the road could mean the difference between which auto insurance policy or car warranty is right for your vehicle," researchers said.

See the full ranking online.