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.

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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

a new record

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo commits over $30 million to education

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo cattle exhibition

Courtesy of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

The money supports studies in fields such as animal husbandry.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo continues its annual tradition of breaking its own record when it comes to educational endowments. On Giving Tuesday, the organization pledged to disburse $30,353,380 in 2026 in the form of scholarships, grants, and other funding.

“This milestone moment of reaching $30 million in a single year highlights the Rodeo’s unwavering dedication to Texas youth and education,” HLSR president and CEO Chris Boleman said in a statement. “Thanks to our loyal donors, sponsors, more than 36,000 volunteers and dedicated attendees, 2026 will reach historic heights in supporting the next generation of leaders, agricultural professionals and organizations that share the Rodeo’s mission.”

This brings the total of education funding provided by the Rodeo since 1932 up to $660 million. Last year's $28 million commitment also set a new record.

One innovation this year is the establishment of the Area Go Texan Vocational Scholarship, a program that expands on the relationship with 68 Texas counties through the Area Go Texan affiliate program. One student from each county will receive $6,000 toward a degree or certificate in a vocational field at a Texas nonprofit college or university. Another $500,000 in vocational scholarships will awarded to 10 schools in 2026. Guidelines for applying can be found at this link.

In total, the Rodeo will hand out $15,126,000 in scholarships, $11,273,500 to junior exhibitors, $3,430,880 in grants, and $523,000 in graduate assistantships. Grants will be awarded to 82 Texas institutions and organizations, such as Arts for Rural Texas, BridgeYear, The Bryan Museum, Diversity in the Arts and Entertainment, Greater Houston Partnership Foundation, Multicultural Education and Counseling through the Arts (MECA), Space Center Houston, Texas State University Development Foundation, and University of St. Thomas at Houston.

Money for the annual endowment is raised through the annual auctions, sales of livestock and art, and through charitable donations. The goal of the endowment program is to promote study and research in agriculture, animal husbandry, and other fields that directly benefit the Rodeo.

The Rodeo is scheduled to run from March 2 – 22, 2026. More information on performers, attractions, and vendors can be found at RodeoHouston.com. Scholarship applications are open through February 2, with funds being awarded in summer 2026.

rodeohouston houston livestock show and rodeo

Honkin' mad

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

Canva

25. San Antonio

GagliardiPhotography // Shutterstock

24. New Orleans

Khairil Azhar Junos // Shutterstock

23. King of Prussia, Pennsylvania

Sean Xu // Shutterstock

22. Denver

GagliardiPhotography // Shutterstock

21. Austin

arbsimages // Shutterstock

20. Stamford, Connecticut

Hrach Hovhannisyan // Shutterstock

19. Portland, Oregon

Theodore Trimmer // Shutterstock

18. Honolulu

travelview // Shutterstock

17. Dallas

Grindstone Media Group // Shutterstock

16. Charlotte, North Carolina

4kclips // Shutterstock

15. Pittsburgh

Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

14. Baltimore

seand67 // Shutterstock

13. San Francisco

Marcus E Jones // Shutterstock

12. Nashville, Tennessee

Nina Henry // Shutterstock

11. San Juan, Puerto Rico

meunierd // Shutterstock

10. Seattle

Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

9. Atlanta

Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

8. Houston

Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

7. Washington DC

f11photo // Shutterstock

6. Philadelphia

Bilanol // Shutterstock

5. Miami

f11photo // Shutterstock

4. Boston

JW.photography31 // Shutterstock

3. Los Angeles

Dennis MacDonald // Shutterstock

2. Chicago

Volodymyr TVERDOKHLIB // Shutterstock

1. New York City

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a new record

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo commits over $30 million to education