Traffic has gotten way worse in these US cities, report finds
(NEXSTAR) – You're not imagining it. Traffic congestion worsened last year in just about every American city studied by navigation and GPS company TomTom.
Residents of 90 large and mid-sized cities, from Tampa, Florida, to Portland, Oregon, were stuck in traffic more often and for longer in 2024 than they were the year prior.
Things grew terribly worse in Providence, Rhode Island, last year, with a massive 54% more time spent in traffic than in 2023. The sudden closure of the Washington Bridge in December 2023 is likely to blame, rerouting traffic and creating major rush hour congestion since. (Locals can expect more of the same next year. The bridge isn't projected to reopen until fall of 2026.)
Not far behind — and for a pretty similar reason — is Baltimore, where time spent in traffic jumped 37% in 2024. The Francis Scott Key Bridge remains closed after a deadly collapse in March.
People driving through Indianapolis (home to two of the country's "most loathed" highways) spent 27% more time sitting in traffic, according to TomTom's tracking. Those passing through Grand Rapids, Michigan, had a similar experience (26% more time in traffic).
Congestion also worsened across Ohio in 2024. Cincinnati, Dayton and Akron all saw time spent in traffic balloon by 17% to 20% in just one year.
The only cities to see traffic improvements last year, according to TomTom, were Bakersfield, California; Richmond, Virginia; Houston; and Las Vegas. (In Richmond, Houston and Las Vegas the change was subtle: 3% or less.)
Why does traffic keep getting worse pretty much everywhere? In many cases, it's because roads are free, explain the experts at UCLA's Institute of Transportation Studies.
Other valuable things that everybody needs — like water and electricity — have a price associated with them, the Institute writes. The same goes for other aspects of driving, like gas and vehicles. They have prices that fluctuate based on supply and demand, and we don't typically see those goods run out.
But that's not the case for most roads and highways.
"When goods are underpriced, they are prone to shortages," the Institute explains. "We choose to leave our roads free despite them being very valuable, and as a result they get overused and congested."
New York City, where traffic congestion ranks worst overall in North America, is doing something about it. A new toll, known as congestion pricing, just went into effect, charging most drivers $9 to enter part of Manhattan during peak hours. The toll is meant to reduce gridlock in the busiest part of the city, plus raise money to improve public transit.
While congestion pricing is often politically unpopular, it has worked to reduce traffic in cities around the world that have implemented it, according to the UCLA researchers. New York is the first American city to try it out. Only time will tell if the Big Apple finds itself lower on the list of most traffic-logged cities next year.
-
Climate crisis ‘wreaking havoc’ on Earth’s water cycle, report finds
Global heating is supercharging storms, floods and droughts, affecting entire ecosystems and billions of people. The climate crisis is “wreaking havoc” on the planet’s water cycle, with ferocious ...The Guardian - 2d -
London is Europe’s most congested city, with drivers sat in traffic an average 101 hours last year
The capital beats Paris and Dublin, in second and third place, as traffic congestion gets consistently worse. Much like its gridlocked traffic, London’s position as the most congested city in ...The Guardian - 2d -
NYC becomes 1st city in US with congestion charge
New York City has officially become the first city in the country to implement a congestion charge for any vehicle entering the middle of Manhattan. The tax has been in effect for decades in other ...NBC News - 3d -
Congestion Pricing Has Begun in New York City. Here’s How It Works.
The tolling program, the first of its kind in the nation, will charge most drivers who enter Manhattan south of 60th Street during peak hours a $9 fee.The New York Times - 3d -
New York City set to implement controversial plan to reduce traffic with congestion pricing
Beginning Sunday, New York City will implement a first-in-the-nation congestion pricing plan designed to reduce traffic and pay for transit improvements. Ali Bauman has more details.CBS News - 3d -
Antony Blinken: ‘China has been trying to have it both ways’
The outgoing US secretary of state on putting pressure on Beijing over Ukraine, the ‘road map’ for Syria — and why America must co-operate in order to leadFinancial Times - 5d -
A Year Ago, Tennis Was Broken. The Dysfunction Has Gotten Worse.
As the new season begins, the players, the tours and the Grand Slams are on a collision course.The New York Times - 5d -
Passive Heat from City Sewer Used to Heat and Cool Museum
Yahoo News - 6d
More from The Hill
-
Biden: Biggest regret failing to counter misinformation, including from Trump
President Biden in an interview published Wednesday reflected on the highs and lows of his administration, stating his biggest regret was failing to challenge misinformation — including claims ...The Hill - 10m -
Daniel Penny seeks dismissal of lawsuit by subway chokehold victim's father
Daniel Penny, a former U.S. Marine who was acquitted of criminal charges in the death of a Black man on a New York City subway, has filed to dismiss a lawsuit brought by the victim's father. In ...The Hill - 14m -
'Pod Save America' host: 'Biden did not return the favor' with Medal of Freedom for Obama
Jon Favreau, a host of “Pod Save America,” highlighted in a new podcast episode the fact that President Biden “did not return the favor” after being awarded the Presidential Medal by former ...The Hill - 26m -
Democrats are the party of religious freedom, not obligatory faith-talk
Democrats are advised to connect with voters by expressing their faith in an authentic way, but not to impose their religious beliefs on others, and to respect religious freedom and separation of ...The Hill - 26m -
Trump expected to appoint Eric Trager as Middle East director for National Security Council
President-elect Trump is expected to announce Eric Trager as Senior Director for the Middle East and North Africa on the National Security Council, a congressional aide told The Hill. Trager has ...The Hill - 32m
More in Politics
-
Biden: Biggest regret failing to counter misinformation, including from Trump
President Biden in an interview published Wednesday reflected on the highs and lows of his administration, stating his biggest regret was failing to challenge misinformation — including claims ...The Hill - 10m -
Daniel Penny seeks dismissal of lawsuit by subway chokehold victim's father
Daniel Penny, a former U.S. Marine who was acquitted of criminal charges in the death of a Black man on a New York City subway, has filed to dismiss a lawsuit brought by the victim's father. In ...The Hill - 14m -
DeSantis will take more time to pick Rubio's replacement
DeSantis said he will appoint a Senate seat replacement around Inauguration Day.CBS News - 21m -
'Pod Save America' host: 'Biden did not return the favor' with Medal of Freedom for Obama
Jon Favreau, a host of “Pod Save America,” highlighted in a new podcast episode the fact that President Biden “did not return the favor” after being awarded the Presidential Medal by former ...The Hill - 26m -
Democrats are the party of religious freedom, not obligatory faith-talk
Democrats are advised to connect with voters by expressing their faith in an authentic way, but not to impose their religious beliefs on others, and to respect religious freedom and separation of ...The Hill - 26m