States Where People Spend Multiple Days a Year Sitting in Bumper-to-Bumper Traffic

24/7 Wall St. Insights

Traffic can reduce your overall quality-of-life, increase gas prices, harm your car, and cause environmental damage.
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Each year, an estimated 2,600 jobs are added to the South Metro area of Denver, Colorado. The city itself is booming, with new residents, businesses popping up, and significant economic growth. However, with this growth usually comes additional problems such as excess traffic congestion. Nobody wants to sit in traffic, especially in heavily congested areas where going a few miles can take upwards of an hour. However, Denver policymakers and organizations such as Denver South are looking to reduce traffic congestion through efforts like improving public transportation, providing scooters and other similar devices, and offering free alternatives to ride-share companies like Lyft or Uber. (If you’re using ride-share companies, here’s how much you should tip a Lyft driver.)

However, not everywhere in the nation is investing as much in public transportation – and congestion isn’t equal in every state. But knowing where traffic congestion is occurring is important. Sitting in traffic can slowly damage your vehicle over time. Traffic also contributes to worsening pollution and reduces an area’s economic health, as it can make people late for work or school, and lead to other issues down the line. In some areas, though, traffic is hard to avoid because of smaller roadways or more population growth without infrastructure improvement. (Here are the states with the worst highways.)

To identify the state with the worst traffic congestion in America, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed libertarian Reason Foundation’s 27th Annual Highway Report, which provides data for 2020. The report includes a congestion measure from Texas A&M Transportation Institute’s 2021 Urban Mobility Report. The measure, annual hours of delay per auto commuter, evaluates “the extra travel time endured throughout the year by auto commuters who make trips during the peak period” in urbanized areas. As of the time of publication, this is the most recent data available.

24/7 Wall St. ranked states from the least amount of time delayed while sitting in peak-hour congestion, to the most amount of time delayed. As it highly correlates to traffic congestion, we also added population density per square mile of land of each state from the Census Bureau.

Nationwide, commuters spent an average of 27.04 hours driving in congested traffic in urbanized areas in 2020. Rhode Island, the second most densely-populated state, ranks fifth on the list with commuters spending 32.7 hours a year in traffic congestion. Massachusetts ranks third in both congestion and population density.

The congestion problem is naturally primarily concentrated in major cities, and states that have larger metropolitan areas tend to rank lower on the list. So while commuters in six states spent fewer than 10 hours sitting in peak-hour congestion, and commuters in 31 other states spent less than 30 hours, commuters in New Jersey, New York, and Massachusetts spent more than 40 hours of delay per year in traffic congestion. If you’re looking to move and really hate traffic, these probably are not the states for you.

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Dealing with traffic might be annoying, but it also has some pretty serious environmental and economic effects. Quality-of-life may also suffer, with traffic making it difficult to get around. By looking at the states where traffic congestion is worst, you can see where urban planning and infrastructure improvements are needed.

50. Wyoming

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 6.5
Avg. population density, 2020: 5.9 people per sq. mile of land — 2nd lowest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.34 average lanes — 19th narrowest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 6.70% — 10th highest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 15,792 — 13th lowest

49. Iowa

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 7.5
Avg. population density, 2020: 57.1 people per sq. mile of land — 15th lowest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.57 average lanes — 20th widest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 4.72% — 18th highest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 22,918 — 22nd lowest

48. Montana

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 8.0
Avg. population density, 2020: 7.4 people per sq. mile of land — 3rd lowest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.29 average lanes — 13th narrowest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 1.74% — 13th lowest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 25,211 — 25th lowest

47. North Dakota

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 8.6
Avg. population density, 2020: 11.3 people per sq. mile of land — 4th lowest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.33 average lanes — 17th narrowest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 0.98% — 2nd lowest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 17,245 — 15th lowest

46. South Dakota

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 9.8
Avg. population density, 2020: 11.7 people per sq. mile of land — 5th lowest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.32 average lanes — 16th narrowest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 1.14% — 4th lowest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 17,955 — 17th lowest

45. West Virginia

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 10.0
Avg. population density, 2020: 74.6 people per sq. mile of land — 22nd lowest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.06 average lanes — the narrowest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 8.99% — 6th highest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 71,054 — 7th highest

44. Idaho

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 11.3
Avg. population density, 2020: 22.3 people per sq. mile of land — 7th lowest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.47 average lanes — 24th narrowest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 1.66% — 11th lowest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 12,272 — 10th lowest

43. Nebraska

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 14.7
Avg. population density, 2020: 25.5 people per sq. mile of land — 8th lowest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.27 average lanes — 11th narrowest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 3.85% — 22nd highest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 22,541 — 21st lowest

42. Maine

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 14.7
Avg. population density, 2020: 44.2 people per sq. mile of land — 13th lowest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.09 average lanes — 3rd narrowest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 1.43% — 7th lowest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 17,467 — 16th lowest

41. Alabama

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 16.2
Avg. population density, 2020: 99.2 people per sq. mile of land — 24th lowest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.72 average lanes — 10th widest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 5.16% — 15th highest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 29,707 — 20th highest

40. Nevada

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 16.4
Avg. population density, 2020: 28.3 people per sq. mile of land — 9th lowest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.52 average lanes — 24th widest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 2.48% — 17th lowest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 13,509 — 11th lowest

39. North Carolina

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 16.4
Avg. population density, 2020: 214.7 people per sq. mile of land — 15th highest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.16 average lanes — 4th narrowest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 2.27% — 15th lowest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 173,653 — 2nd highest

38. Utah

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 17.0
Avg. population density, 2020: 39.7 people per sq. mile of land — 11th lowest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.73 average lanes — 9th widest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 2.69% — 20th lowest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 16,023 — 14th lowest

37. Wisconsin

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 17.0
Avg. population density, 2020: 108.8 people per sq. mile of land — 25th highest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.54 average lanes — 22nd widest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 5.23% — 14th highest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 29,806 — 19th highest

36. Alaska

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 17.1
Avg. population density, 2020: 1.3 people per sq. mile of land — the lowest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.09 average lanes — 2nd narrowest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 1.69% — 12th lowest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 11,754 — 8th lowest

35. New Mexico

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 17.6
Avg. population density, 2020: 17.5 people per sq. mile of land — 6th lowest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.47 average lanes — 23rd narrowest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 3.57% — 23rd highest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 29,430 — 21st highest

34. South Carolina

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 18.5
Avg. population density, 2020: 170.2 people per sq. mile of land — 19th highest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.19 average lanes — 7th narrowest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 1.13% — 3rd lowest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 90,552 — 4th highest

33. Florida

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 18.8
Avg. population density, 2020: 401.4 people per sq. mile of land — 8th highest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 3.71 average lanes — the widest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 1.59% — 9th lowest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 45,013 — 12th highest

32. Vermont

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 19.0
Avg. population density, 2020: 69.8 people per sq. mile of land — 20th lowest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.28 average lanes — 12th narrowest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 1.37% — 6th lowest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 5,998 — 3rd lowest

31. Kentucky

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 19.0
Avg. population density, 2020: 114.1 people per sq. mile of land — 23rd highest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.25 average lanes — 10th narrowest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 2.32% — 16th lowest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 62,346 — 8th highest

30. New Hampshire

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 19.1
Avg. population density, 2020: 153.8 people per sq. mile of land — 21st highest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.17 average lanes — 5th narrowest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 0.16% — the lowest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 8,453 — 4th lowest

29. Indiana

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 19.4
Avg. population density, 2020: 189.4 people per sq. mile of land — 16th highest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.58 average lanes — 18th widest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 4.24% — 20th highest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 28,445 — 23rd highest

28. Louisiana

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 19.5
Avg. population density, 2020: 107.8 people per sq. mile of land — 25th lowest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.35 average lanes — 20th narrowest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 11.99% — 2nd highest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 40,154 — 14th highest

27. Virginia

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 19.9
Avg. population density, 2020: 218.6 people per sq. mile of land — 14th highest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.18 average lanes — 6th narrowest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 2.57% — 19th lowest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 128,989 — 3rd highest

26. Arkansas

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 20.4
Avg. population density, 2020: 57.9 people per sq. mile of land — 17th lowest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.31 average lanes — 15th narrowest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 5.13% — 16th highest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 38,078 — 16th highest

25. Hawaii

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 20.7
Avg. population density, 2020: 226.6 people per sq. mile of land — 13th highest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.61 average lanes — 15th widest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 25.88% — the highest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 2,477 — the lowest

24. Arizona

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 22.2
Avg. population density, 2020: 62.9 people per sq. mile of land — 18th lowest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.93 average lanes — 5th widest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 2.13% — 14th lowest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 20,046 — 20th lowest

23. Mississippi

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 22.2
Avg. population density, 2020: 63.1 people per sq. mile of land — 19th lowest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.59 average lanes — 17th widest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 3.13% — 25th highest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 28,310 — 24th highest

22. Tennessee

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 22.5
Avg. population density, 2020: 167.6 people per sq. mile of land — 20th highest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.68 average lanes — 11th widest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 1.66% — 10th lowest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 37,746 — 17th highest

21. Ohio

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 22.6
Avg. population density, 2020: 288.8 people per sq. mile of land — 10th highest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.58 average lanes — 19th widest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 4.56% — 19th highest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 49,681 — 10th highest

20. Colorado

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 22.8
Avg. population density, 2020: 55.7 people per sq. mile of land — 14th lowest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.55 average lanes — 21st widest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 6.64% — 11th highest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 23,022 — 23rd lowest

19. Pennsylvania

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 22.9
Avg. population density, 2020: 290.6 people per sq. mile of land — 9th highest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.22 average lanes — 9th narrowest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 6.13% — 12th highest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 88,322 — 5th highest

18. Oregon

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 23.0
Avg. population density, 2020: 44.1 people per sq. mile of land — 12th lowest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.43 average lanes — 21st narrowest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 2.88% — 21st lowest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 18,460 — 18th lowest

17. Maryland

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 23.5
Avg. population density, 2020: 636.1 people per sq. mile of land — 5th highest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.87 average lanes — 6th widest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 6.94% — 9th highest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 14,928 — 12th lowest

16. Washington

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 24.3
Avg. population density, 2020: 115.9 people per sq. mile of land — 22nd highest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.62 average lanes — 14th widest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 2.92% — 22nd lowest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 18,450 — 19th lowest

15. Michigan

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 24.3
Avg. population density, 2020: 178 people per sq. mile of land — 18th highest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.84 average lanes — 7th widest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 7.79% — 8th highest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 27,366 — 25th highest

14. Kansas

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 24.7
Avg. population density, 2020: 35.9 people per sq. mile of land — 10th lowest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.33 average lanes — 18th narrowest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 3.08% — 25th lowest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 24,037 — 24th lowest

13. Missouri

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 28.1
Avg. population density, 2020: 89.5 people per sq. mile of land — 23rd lowest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.3 average lanes — 14th narrowest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 3.03% — 24th lowest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 77,693 — 6th highest

12. Minnesota

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 28.5
Avg. population density, 2020: 71.7 people per sq. mile of land — 21st lowest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.49 average lanes — 25th widest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 3.20% — 24th highest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 29,176 — 22nd highest

11. Georgia

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 28.9
Avg. population density, 2020: 185.6 people per sq. mile of land — 17th highest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.76 average lanes — 8th widest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 1.36% — 5th lowest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 49,497 — 11th highest

10. Oklahoma

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 29.6
Avg. population density, 2020: 57.7 people per sq. mile of land — 16th lowest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.48 average lanes — 25th narrowest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 5.42% — 13th highest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 30,407 — 18th highest

9. Connecticut

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 30.2
Avg. population density, 2020: 744.7 people per sq. mile of land — 4th highest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.65 average lanes — 13th widest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 1.57% — 8th lowest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 9,827 — 7th lowest

8. Delaware

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 30.8
Avg. population density, 2020: 508 people per sq. mile of land — 6th highest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.2 average lanes — 8th narrowest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 8.67% — 7th highest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 11,998 — 9th lowest

7. California

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 31.3
Avg. population density, 2020: 253.7 people per sq. mile of land — 11th highest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 3.46 average lanes — 3rd widest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 9.38% — 4th highest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 52,004 — 9th highest

6. Illinois

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 32.0
Avg. population density, 2020: 230.8 people per sq. mile of land — 12th highest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.65 average lanes — 12th widest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 4.82% — 17th highest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 42,169 — 13th highest

5. Rhode Island

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 32.7
Avg. population density, 2020: 1,061.40 people per sq. mile of land — 2nd highest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.6 average lanes — 16th widest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 2.49% — 18th lowest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 2,870 — 2nd lowest

4. Texas

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 34.9
Avg. population density, 2020: 111.6 people per sq. mile of land — 24th highest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.46 average lanes — 22nd narrowest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 3.97% — 21st highest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 198,465 — the highest

3. Massachusetts

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 40.4
Avg. population density, 2020: 901.2 people per sq. mile of land — 3rd highest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 3.19 average lanes — 4th widest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 2.99% — 23rd lowest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 9,556 — 6th lowest

2. New York

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 43.2
Avg. population density, 2020: 428.7 people per sq. mile of land — 7th highest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 2.53 average lanes — 23rd widest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 9.39% — 3rd highest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 38,157 — 15th highest

1. New Jersey

Annual peak hours spent in congestion per auto commuter, 2020: 48.0
Avg. population density, 2020: 1,263.00 people per sq. mile of land — the highest
System width (state-controlled highways), 2020: 3.67 average lanes — 2nd widest
Pct. urban interstate mileage in poor condition, 2020: 9.32% — 5th highest
State-controlled highway miles, 2020: 8,551 — 5th lowest

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