Which American Cities Have the Worst Traffic?

Benjamin Franklin may have been right about the inevitability of death and taxes, but clearly, he never encountered rush hour in Los Angeles, or he surely would have added that conundrum. Traffic is another one of those certainties in life that everyone must deal with. Traffic jams can be particularly challenging for truck drivers, particularly since they’re paid by the mile and because big rigs aren’t easy to maneuver. Savvy truck drivers use the radio or CB to find out about potential traffic issues ahead, and to adjust their plans accordingly.

Los Angeles, CA
According to the INRIX Global Traffic Scorecard, Los Angeles has once again earned the dubious distinction of being the number one most traffic congested city in the world. This scorecard was ranked according to the average amount of time drivers spent sitting in traffic jams. In Los Angeles, that number was 102 hours during 2017. To put that in perspective, 102 hours is the equivalent of 4.25 days.

New York City, NY
In the U.S., New York City is the second-most traffic congested city. Its drivers sat for an average of 91 hours in traffic jams during 2017. However, it isn’t just the traffic that discourages truck drivers from taking a route near here. NYC is infamous for low overpasses, scarce truck stops, and streets so narrow they’re impossible to turn onto. The good thing is that NYC cops are very helpful to truck drivers stuck in a bad situation. Additionally, some trucking companies offer extra pay for NYC routes!

Atlanta, GA
Atlanta is another city that’s infamous for its traffic jams. Situated just northeast of Atlanta is the Tom Moreland Interchange, more often referred to as Spaghetti Junction. During peak traffic hours, truckers can expect to creep forward at less than 20 mph.

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