10 Most Congested Cities in the US

Seattle's infamous traffic jams are a familiar sight to drivers. Seattle, the home of multinational conglomerates like Microsoft, Amazon, Starbucks, Costco, and others, is known for its busy economy, which is reflected in its streets. Even though there has been some improvement in traffic in the last year, rush hour wait times are probably still quite lengthy. Rainy days make commuting even more annoying since they make traffic crawl. Research backs up Seattle's reputation for gridlock. A 2019 study from Texas A&M University's Transportation Institute placed Seattle seventh in terms of congestion among major U.S. cities. Additionally, a 2020 report by INRIX noted that as Seattle’s economy and population expanded from 2017 to 2019, so did its traffic woes, ranking it as the 14th most congested city nationwide. On average, commuters in Seattle lost nearly 75 hours to traffic delays each year.

Despite a slight population decline, Pittsburgh still grapples with rising traffic congestion. Annually, drivers find themselves stalled in traffic for about 32 hours. The primary congestion hotspots are along Parkway East and West, where traffic frequently backs up. In response to the growing traffic issues, city planners are advocating for an increase in bike lanes and the expansion of public transportation options. However, these initiatives are still in their early stages and currently impact only a small portion of the city's roads, aiming to create a more fluid transportation network over time.