It’s official: Chicago has some of the worst traffic in the world.
According to Inrix’s Global Traffic Scorecard, Chicago ranks No. 5 for worst traffic in the world with a loss of 96 hours in traffic for the average traveler in 2023. To compare, the typical American driver lost 42 hours in traffic in the same year.
Chicago ranks behind New York, London, Paris and Mexico City in highest global traffic delay times. The study uses traffic data to provide delay comparisons, economic projections and commuting trends based on unique geographic travel patterns.
Chicago’s congestion surge was an 18% jump from pre-pandemic travel times in 2019.
Some of Chicago’s expressways are the busiest in the country, too. The Dan Ryan headed south from the Jane Byrne Interchange to Interstate 57 at 4pm ranks as the 10th busiest travel corridor in the country, and eastbound on the Stevenson from the Dan Ryan to Cicero Avenue at 4pm ranks 12th in the nation.
The report also showed travel trends reflecting changes in Chicago’s downtown. As the Loop approaches one of its highest storefront vacancies in decades, Chicago’s year-over-year trips to its city center decreased by 1%, the only U.S. city in the report to experience a reduction.
The damages done to travelers aren't just to their psyches, either. The cost of lost time and general price of congestion averaged out to $1,672 per Chicago driver, according to the report. On a wider scale, the study estimates the city of Chicago lost $6.1 billion in 2023 from congestion alone. Economic costs were calculated from hourly values of time via the Federal Highway Administration.
While there is no proven cause for the increase in congestion, experts speculate that the online shopping boom has resulted in more freight traffic. Decreased public transit ridership has also led to worsening congestion on the roads over the years.
To read the full report, click here.