Honkin' mad

Houston snarls to No. 8 on new list of U.S. cities with worst traffic

Shocker: Houston made another list of cities with the worst traffic.

Courtesy photo

Few things are more frustrating for Houston drivers than sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic. You're late, you're stuck, and you're wasting time and gas — every single day. It's no surprise that the Bayou City has ranked inside the top 10 in a new list of cities with the worst traffic.

The average Houston driver lost 62 hours to traffic delays in 2023, according to Inrix's latest Global Traffic Scorecard. That's 16 hours more than the time tallied in 2022, and 20 hours more than the national average of 42 hours lost. Ouch!

Trends across the country after the pandemic continue to contribute to congestion. Remote work has led to a longer stretch of high-traffic hours instead of the usual pre-9 am and post-5 pm rush hour surges — and less predictable peaks at that.

"On any given day, everybody might be going into the office and no one is expecting it," David Schrank, a senior research scientist at Texas A&M Transportation Institute, told The Hill in June 2024. "What if next Monday everybody gets called in? Then boom — it's gridlock."

On top of that, truck-related congestion (as anyone driving across Texas knows) has increased with the continued rise of e-commerce and home delivery, with one truck equaling two to three cars on the road.

To see where congestion is the biggest problem nationwide, Stacker ranked the 25 cities in the U.S. with the most time lost per driver due to congestion, according to data from Inrix. Houston lands at No. 8, the worst in Texas. Of course, Houstonians don't need a new survey to tell them just how miserable our traffic is - as our late, beloved columnist Ken Hoffman expressed earlier this year.

Three other cities in Texas have made the top 25-worst list: Dallas is No. 17, Austin is No. 21, and San Antonio rounds out the whole list at No. 25.

Stacker's analysis includes how much delays cost drivers based on median hourly wages in each metro area, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and comparisons to pre-COVID-19 pandemic hours lost, measured in 2019. Inrix calculated commute times by looking exclusively at the time it takes to get to and from major employment centers based on anonymized GPS data.

Downtown speed is the speed at which a commuter should expect to travel 1 mile into the city's downtown or central business area during peak morning hours, and the first quarter of 2024 versus the first quarter of 2023 metric is the change in travel times during those two periods.

Read on to find out how Houston compared with other cities in the U.S. and Texas, including a city that topped (yikes!) 100 hours lost on average per driver.

Several highways intersecting in the foreground with aerial view of a city in the background.

Canva

25. San Antonio

- Time lost per driver due to congestion, 2023: 35 hours
--- Change from pre-COVID: +17%
--- Change from Q1 2023 to Q1 2024: +1%
- 2023 cost per driver: $607
- 2023 city-wide cost: $625 million
- Average downtown speed: 19 mph

An aerial view of a city by a river with a road running along its banks.

GagliardiPhotography // Shutterstock

24. New Orleans

- Time lost per driver due to congestion, 2023: 37 hours
--- Change from pre-COVID: +9%
--- Change from Q1 2023 to Q1 2024: -2%
- 2023 cost per driver: $641
- 2023 city-wide cost: $329 million
- Average downtown speed: 14 mph

A highway overpass with two sets of green road signs.

Khairil Azhar Junos // Shutterstock

23. King of Prussia, Pennsylvania

- Time lost per driver due to congestion, 2023: 53 hours
--- Change from pre-COVID: -18%
--- Change from Q1 2023 to Q1 2024: -5%
- 2023 cost per driver: $918
- 2023 city-wide cost: $9 million
- Average downtown speed: 22 mph

A highway with multiple lanes cuts through landscape with tall snowy mountaiuns in the distance.

Sean Xu // Shutterstock

22. Denver

- Time lost per driver due to congestion, 2023: 37 hours
--- Change from pre-COVID: -11%
--- Change from Q1 2023 to Q1 2024: -4%
- 2023 cost per driver: $640
- 2023 city-wide cost: $831 million
- Average downtown speed: 14 mph

A busy city street with the building visible in the center background, with a distinctive dome. Various modern skyscrapers and high-rise buildings in the city skyline.The street is filled with vehicular traffic, with cars densely packed and people walking along the sidewalks.

GagliardiPhotography // Shutterstock

21. Austin

- Time lost per driver due to congestion, 2023: 38 hours
--- Change from pre-COVID: -14%
--- Change from Q1 2023 to Q1 2024: -3%
- 2023 cost per driver: $663
- 2023 city-wide cost: $632 million
- Average downtown speed: 16 mph

An aerial view of a city with a large red brick building in the center.

arbsimages // Shutterstock

20. Stamford, Connecticut

- Time lost per driver due to congestion, 2023: 41 hours
--- Change from pre-COVID: +12%
--- Change from Q1 2023 to Q1 2024: -8%
- 2023 cost per driver: $706
- 2023 city-wide cost: $265 million
- Average downtown speed: 13 mph

An aerial view of a city with a mix of modern and historic buildings. The city is surrounded by hills covered in greenery.

Hrach Hovhannisyan // Shutterstock

19. Portland, Oregon

- Time lost per driver due to congestion, 2023: 39 hours
--- Change from pre-COVID: -8%
--- Change from Q1 2023 to Q1 2024: -2%
- 2023 cost per driver: $679
- 2023 city-wide cost: $665 million
- Average downtown speed: 15 mph

City skyline dominated by tall skyscrapers in the background. A wide, multi-lane highway cuts through the city, filled with traffic.

Theodore Trimmer // Shutterstock

18. Honolulu

- Time lost per driver due to congestion, 2023: 42 hours
--- Change from pre-COVID: -3%
--- Change from Q1 2023 to Q1 2024: -1%
- 2023 cost per driver: $739
- 2023 city-wide cost: $270 million
- Average downtown speed: 17 mph

City skyline is dominated by tall skyscrapers in the center, with a mix of shorter buildings and structures spreading out towards the edges of the image. A network of highways and roads crisscrossing the city.

travelview // Shutterstock

17. Dallas

- Time lost per driver due to congestion, 2023: 38 hours
--- Change from pre-COVID: +12%
--- Change from Q1 2023 to Q1 2024: -3%
- 2023 cost per driver: $658
- 2023 city-wide cost: $2.2 billion
- Average downtown speed: 16 mph

An aerial view of a complex highway interchange. Multiple levels of roads crisscross each other, with cars and trucks traveling in various directions.

Grindstone Media Group // Shutterstock

16. Charlotte, North Carolina

- Time lost per driver due to congestion, 2023: 41 hours
--- Change from pre-COVID: -10%
--- Change from Q1 2023 to Q1 2024: -2%
- 2023 cost per driver: $711
- 2023 city-wide cost: $794 million
- Average downtown speed: 17 mph

Aerial view of a city with a river flowing through it. The city has a mix of modern and historic buildings, with skyscrapers dominating the skyline. There is a large bridge crossing the river, with cars and trucks driving on it.

4kclips // Shutterstock

15. Pittsburgh

- Time lost per driver due to congestion, 2023: 43 hours
--- Change from pre-COVID: -14%
--- Change from Q1 2023 to Q1 2024: -9%
- 2023 cost per driver: $749
- 2023 city-wide cost: $724 million
- Average downtown speed: 20 mph

Aerial view of a city with a mix of modern and historic buildings, with skyscrapers dominating the skyline. A large body of water is visible in the foreground with several boats and ships docked.

Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

14. Baltimore

- Time lost per driver due to congestion, 2023: 44 hours
--- Change from pre-COVID: -24%
--- Change from Q1 2023 to Q1 2024: -7%
- 2023 cost per driver: $762
- 2023 city-wide cost: $905 million
- Average downtown speed: 13 mph

A steep, narrow street lined with colorful houses climbs uphill with cars parked along the road and cable car tracks running through the street and bridge spanning the bay,

seand67 // Shutterstock

13. San Francisco

- Time lost per driver due to congestion, 2023: 45 hours
--- Change from pre-COVID: -6%
--- Change from Q1 2023 to Q1 2024: -6%
- 2023 cost per driver: $787
- 2023 city-wide cost: $1.3 billion
- Average downtown speed: 12 mph

An aerial view of city with river flowing through the city. Several bridges cross the river.

Marcus E Jones // Shutterstock

12. Nashville, Tennessee

- Time lost per driver due to congestion, 2023: 56 hours
--- Change from pre-COVID: -8%
--- Change from Q1 2023 to Q1 2024: +1%
- 2023 cost per driver: $985
- 2023 city-wide cost: $852 million
- Average downtown speed: 20 mph

Colorful modern and historic buildings with pastel hues line the streets with traffic.

Nina Henry // Shutterstock

11. San Juan, Puerto Rico

- Time lost per driver due to congestion, 2023: 57 hours
--- Change from pre-COVID: +14%
--- Change from Q1 2023 to Q1 2024: -2%
- 2023 cost per driver: $994
- 2023 city-wide cost: $802 million
- Average downtown speed: 20 mph

City skyline dominated by a cluster of tall skyscrapers in the center, with a mix of shorter buildings and structures spreading out towards the edges of the image. A network of roads crisscross the city.

meunierd // Shutterstock

10. Seattle

- Time lost per driver due to congestion, 2023: 58 hours
--- Change from pre-COVID: -11%
--- Change from Q1 2023 to Q1 2024: -1%
- 2023 cost per driver: $1,010
- 2023 city-wide cost: $1.6 billion
- Average downtown speed: 17 mph

City skyline dominated by modern, gklass skyscrapers of varying heights. A multi-lane highway with heavy traffic with cars and trucks in the foreground.

Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

9. Atlanta

- Time lost per driver due to congestion, 2023: 61 hours
--- Change from pre-COVID: -3%
--- Change from Q1 2023 to Q1 2024: -4%
- 2023 cost per driver: $1,066
- 2023 city-wide cost: $2.6 billion
- Average downtown speed: 16 mph

City skyline is dominated by a cluster of tall skyscrapers in the center, with a mix of shorter buildings and structures spreading out towards the edges of the image.

Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

8. Houston

- Time lost per driver due to congestion, 2023: 62 hours
--- Change from pre-COVID: +1%
--- Change from Q1 2023 to Q1 2024: -1%
- 2023 cost per driver: $1,082
- 2023 city-wide cost: $3.2 billion
- Average downtown speed: 17 mph

City skyline with a mix of shorter buildings and structures spreading out towards the edges of the image. A network of highways and roads can be seen crisscrossing the city.

Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

7. Washington DC

- Time lost per driver due to congestion, 2023: 63 hours
--- Change from pre-COVID: -9%
--- Change from Q1 2023 to Q1 2024: -4%
- 2023 cost per driver: $1,095
- 2023 city-wide cost: $2.7 billion
- Average downtown speed: 11 mph

A large, red-brick building with traditional, ornate details. A busy street in the foreground.

f11photo // Shutterstock

6. Philadelphia

- Time lost per driver due to congestion, 2023: 69 hours
--- Change from pre-COVID: +2%
--- Change from Q1 2023 to Q1 2024: -9%
- 2023 cost per driver: $1,209
- 2023 city-wide cost: $2.9 billion
- Average downtown speed: 11 mph

Tall, modern skyscrapers dominate the skyline. A large body of blue water stretches across the right side of the image.

Bilanol // Shutterstock

5. Miami

- Time lost per driver due to congestion, 2023: 70 hours
--- Change from pre-COVID: +18%
--- Change from Q1 2023 to Q1 2024: -1%
- 2023 cost per driver: $1,219
- 2023 city-wide cost: $3.1 billion
- Average downtown speed: 14 mph

City skyline dominated by a cluster of tall skyscrapers in the center, with a mix of shorter buildings and structures spreading out towards the edges of the image with a bridge spanning the river.

f11photo // Shutterstock

4. Boston

- Time lost per driver due to congestion, 2023: 88 hours
--- Change from pre-COVID: -1%
--- Change from Q1 2023 to Q1 2024: -10%
- 2023 cost per driver: $1,543
- 2023 city-wide cost: $2.9 billion
- Average downtown speed: 10 mph

A multi-lane highway with heavy traffic. The road is divided by a concrete barrier, and there are several overpasses visible in the background. The sky is clear blue, and there are mountains in the distance.

JW.photography31 // Shutterstock

3. Los Angeles

- Time lost per driver due to congestion, 2023: 89 hours
--- Change from pre-COVID: -4%
--- Change from Q1 2023 to Q1 2024: -5%
- 2023 cost per driver: $1,545
- 2023 city-wide cost: $8.3 billion
- Average downtown speed: 19 mph

A multi-lane road lined with trees and streetlights. The road is filled with cars, creating a traffic jam. In the background, there are several tall buildings.

Dennis MacDonald // Shutterstock

2. Chicago

- Time lost per driver due to congestion, 2023: 96 hours
--- Change from pre-COVID: +18%
--- Change from Q1 2023 to Q1 2024: -8%
- 2023 cost per driver: $1,672
- 2023 city-wide cost: $6.1 billion
- Average downtown speed: 11 mph

Skyline dominated by several skyscrapers of varying heights with glass facades.

Volodymyr TVERDOKHLIB // Shutterstock

1. New York City

- Time lost per driver due to congestion, 2023: 101 hours
--- Change from pre-COVID: +11%
--- Change from Q1 2023 to Q1 2024: -11%
- 2023 cost per driver: $1,762
- 2023 city-wide cost: $9.1 billion
- Average downtown speed: 11 mph

Story by Ali Hickerson. Editing by Jaimie Etkin. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Ania Antecka.

commute times ecommerce remote work reports rush hour traffic worst traffic

merry xmas h-town!

Ho-Ho-Houston lands on list of best cities to celebrate Christmas

Photo courtesy of Houston Zoo

undefined

Houston has slipped five spots on Santa's nice list of the best cities for celebrating Christmas in 2024.

The very merry Bayou City has fallen into the No. 41 spot on WalletHub's list, which annually ranks the 100 most populous U.S. cities across five key dimensions: Traditions and fun, observance, generosity, shopping opportunities, plus travel and meal costs.

Houston previously ranked as the No. 36 best U.S. city for celebrating Christmas in WalletHub's 2023 report.

Here's how the city performed across the study's five main categories:

No. 22 – Traditions and fun rank
No. 22 – Shopping rank
No. 24 – Costs rank
No. 77 – Generosity rank
No. 90 – Observance rank

Houston at least gets to cheer on as the fourth highest-ranked Texas city in 2024 thanks to its hoard of holiday happenings, including numerous light displays throughout town. From local restaurants and bars putting their all into creating festive feasts and delightful cocktail experiences, there is plenty to get Houstonians in the holiday spirit this year.

Smaller Central Texas towns like Smithville have also transformed into fun, festive escapes for city dwellers this time of year.

Houston households also have bigger holiday budgets in 2024 than they did the year before. According to a separate WalletHub study, the average Houston household is expected to spend about $1,334 on Christmas gifts this year, versus $1,296 in 2023.

"With inflation making Christmas celebrations, gifts, food and travel more expensive, certain cities are much better for your wallet than others during the holiday," said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. "In addition to being affordable, the best cities have a large number of people celebrating, plenty of places for Christians to worship, populations who give generously to charity, and plenty of fun activities to enjoy with family and friends."

In a separate report by home services provider Thumbtack, Houston was named the No. 4 most festive U.S. city in 2024.

Elsewhere in Texas, other festive cities that earned spots in the top 50 include Austin (No. 23), San Antonio (No. 30), and Dallas (No. 31).

The top 10 best places to experience Christmas in 2024 are:

No. 1 – Atlanta, Georgia
No. 2 – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
No. 3 – Seattle, Washington
No. 4 – Las Vegas, Nevada
No. 5 – Orlando, Florida
No. 6 – San Francisco, California
No. 7 – St. Louis, Missouri
No. 8 – Miami, Florida
No. 9 – Chicago, Illinois
No. 10 – New York, New York

holidays christmas wallethub lists