Hate Being Stuck In Traffic?
Let's face it: some states are gridlock nightmares, where honking and endless delays define your daily commute. While others offer stress-free highways and smooth sailing from point A to B. Are you curious where your state falls, or even just where to move to? First, we’ll cover 10 states with the worst traffic, then shift gears to 10 that are bearable.
1. New York
In New York, traffic moves at the speed of a distracted tourist walking through Times Square. If you’re driving in Manhattan, expect delays and a deep appreciation for public transit, even if the subway smells questionable. With an estimated 102 hours lost per year sitting in traffic, NYC commuters experience a special kind of urban headache.
Mariordo (Mario Roberto Durán Ortiz) on Wikimedia
2. Illinois
Chicago’s Eisenhower Expressway holds the dubious title of one of the most jammed highways in the country. Rush hour feels more like rush morning, noon, and night. Unpredictable backups and slow-moving toll roads cause drivers to lose an average of 102 hours annually, staring at brake lights and contemplating their life choices.
Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA on Wikimedia
3. California
If you've ever found yourself along the 405 at a pace slower than a tortoise, congratulations—you’ve experienced California’s legendary traffic firsthand. Los Angeles, in particular, takes the crown for some of the worst congestion in the country, with the average LA commuter wasting over 88 hours a year stuck in traffic, according to The Hill.
4. Pennsylvania
Do you know drivers in Philadelphia spend 77 hours a year stuck in traffic? When you have narrow colonial-era streets and an aging highway system, congestion is unavoidable in the City of Brotherly Love. Despite its scenic riverside views, the Schuylkill Expressway (I-76) is infamous for bumper-to-bumper gridlock at all hours.
5. Florida
Despite the city’s laid-back beach vibe, its roads are anything but relaxing. The I-95 Express Lanes, meant to ease congestion, often turn into slow-moving nightmares, while U.S. 1 and the Dolphin Expressway (SR 836) become gridlocked battle zones during rush hour. Aggressive drivers and frequent accidents contribute to commuters spending 74 hours in traffic annually.
6. New Jersey
Sandwiched between New York City and Philadelphia, New Jersey, is an essential corridor for commuters and truckers. Millions of vehicles are forced onto highways that were never built for today’s volume. The George Washington Bridge alone sees over 280,000 vehicles daily, making it the world’s busiest motor vehicle bridge.
Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA on Wikimedia
7. Georgia
If there’s one thing Atlanta drivers can count on, it’s traffic; lots of it. At the heart of the chaos is the infamous Spaghetti Junction, where I-285 and I-85 collide in a swirling mess of overpasses, merging lanes, and brake lights. Backups stretch for miles daily, and frustrated commuters waste around 62 hours a year just sitting in gridlock.
Atlantacitizen at English Wikipedia on Wikimedia
8. Washington
With steep hills and a skyline wrapped in congestion, getting around the Emerald City often feels like an uphill struggle. The I-5 corridor, the city's main artery, is a perpetual bottleneck, where commute times are usually almost 60 minutes. Despite significant efforts to expand public transit, rapid population growth keeps outpacing infrastructure improvements.
9. Massachusetts
Traffic congestion in this state is a daily ordeal, made worse by an outdated road network never designed for modern vehicle volume. The I-93 tunnel, better known as the Big Dig, was supposed to be the city’s traffic-saving masterpiece, but instead, it remains a magnet for peak-hour delays and lane closures.
10. Hawaii
Limited land and high population density make Honolulu's traffic as terrible as many mainland cities. With no room for major roadway expansion, commuters are left battling congestion on the H-1 freeway, where backups stretch for miles during rush hour. Frequent construction and a lack of efficient public transit further worsen the situation.
Anthony Quintano from Honolulu, HI, United States on Wikimedia
Not every state forces drivers to endure endless delays and bumper-to-bumper frustration. Let’s leave the worst behind and look at the states where driving is less annoying.
1. Alaska
Alaska might be a driver's paradise if you’re tired of heavy traffic and endless honking. A small population and miles of open road mean congestion doesn't happen often. However, watch out for wildlife—because, in this state, you’re far more likely to hit a moose than a traffic jam.
2. Idaho
Idaho has some of the best commuting conditions in the country, where smooth highways and short travel times make driving a breeze. Boise, the state’s largest city, offers well-maintained roads and stress-free traffic flow, even during peak hours. Unlike the gridlock nightmares of bigger metro areas, Idaho drivers enjoy an average commute time of just 20 minutes.
3. Montana
Driving in Montana means minimal congestion and an interstate system that keeps traffic flowing smoothly. Even in the state’s largest cities, like Billings and Missoula, rush hour barely feels like a slowdown. Long road trips feel more like a scenic escape than a stressful commute, thanks to a low population density and well-spaced highways.
4. Vermont
Vermont drivers enjoy year-round smooth commutes, where traffic congestion is rare and peak-hour delays are barely noticeable. Unlike the snarled highways of bigger states, the roads offer a relaxed driving experience, even during rush hour. Well-preserved scenic routes like Route 100 are efficient and have breathtaking views.
Doug Kerr from now in Binghamton, NY on Wikimedia
5. Wyoming
This state has approximately 580,000 residents, according to 2024 data from the U.S. Census Bureau, meaning traffic jams are nonexistent. With more cattle than cars on the highways, Wyoming offers some of the country's most relaxed and stress-free driving conditions. Even in the capital, Cheyenne, rush hour barely dents commute times.
6. West Virginia
Commuting in West Virginia remains hassle-free, even in its busiest cities, Charleston and Morgantown. Short travel times and rare delays make driving far less stressful compared to major metropolitan areas. The state's mountainous terrain and well-distributed population further contribute to consistently low traffic volumes.
7. Mississippi
Mississippi ranks among the best states for commuter satisfaction, with open highways and minimal traffic delays. Jackson, the most populated city, still experiences light congestion, allowing drivers to move freely. Moreover, the efficient infrastructure and relatively low vehicle volume on major roadways allow drivers to move without gridlock or long wait times.
Ken Lund from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA on Wikimedia
8. New Hampshire
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to drive without constant stop-and-go traffic? In New Hampshire, well-maintained roads and a low population density keep congestion to a minimum. With shorter travel times and low accident rates, the state has earned a reputation as one of the most driver-friendly locations in the country.
9. North Dakota
It is no surprise that North Dakota, with one of the lowest population densities in the U.S., experiences virtually no major traffic jams. Drivers in this state enjoy some of the shortest commute times in the country because of wide-open highways and minimal congestion, which makes daily travel efficient and predictable.
Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant) on Wikimedia
10. South Dakota
If you are the type that can’t handle stop-and-go traffic, South Dakota is the place for you. With expansive roads and some of the shortest commute times in the country, drivers here enjoy a stress-free road experience year-round. Thanks to a well-maintained highway system and low vehicle volume, daily commutes and long road trips feel effortless.
