U.S. Traffic Statistics: 6 Packed Facts About Traffic

In most places in the United States, traffic is a common sight and problem for commuters, weekend warriors, and parents in a rush to pick up their kids from school or camp.

From highways to city streets, traffic has caused challenges and frustration for most at some point.

Here are six interesting facts about the dreaded gridlock.

1. Traffic jams are not always justified

Have you ever come to the end of a traffic jam and wondered, “What was that all about?”

This is more common than you may think, and has been deemed “phantom traffic jams.”

This happens when one driver slows down, causing the next driver to slow down, and the next, and the next and so on.

To avoid this, try to keep a car’s distance between the car in front of you and the car behind you. When we are not riding each other’s bumpers, phantom traffic jams are less likely.

2. Traffic Statistics: Traffic costs Americans – both time and money

According to the INRIX, the average American spent 51 hours stuck in traffic in 2022—over two days of the year.

To add on to this, the constant stop and go traffic causes wasted gas, accruing up to about $546 of fuel wasted.

3. Traffic Statistic: Chicago has the worst traffic in the US – 155 hours delayed per average driver

According to the 2022 INRIX Global Traffic Report, Chicago is the most congested city in the United States, and it ranks only second to London as the most congested city in the world.

Traffic Stat: In 2022, the average Chicago driver spent 155 hours in traffic, over three times the national average. That is almost six and a half days of their lives spent sitting in their cars!

4. Traffic Statistic: On the Monday and Tuesday after daylight savings time, risk of traffic car accidents rise 6%

Every second Sunday of March in the United States, we spring the clocks forward one hour. Consequently, most Americans wake up groggy the next Monday from losing an hour of sleep. This forced sleep deprivation is not only causing crankiness, but also an increased number of accidents. In the days following daylight savings time, it is estimated that the risk of car accidents rises 6%.

5. Traffic Fact: traffic can take a toll on your car

Beyond traffic taking a toll on your patience, it does take a toll on your car. It’s a fact that owners of cars constantly driven in densely populated areas could see problems over time with their cooling systems, brakes, and engine performance.

6. Traffic Fact: traffic dropped since the pandemic

And finally, some good news about traffic! With many commuters turned remote workers in 2020, there were fewer cars on the road. Roads have become more congested since, but the INRIX report suggests the congestion is still much lower than the pre-pandemic days.