Posted on 07/27/25
| News Source: WBAL
Baltimore, MD - July 27, 2025 - Baltimore is now ranked as the ninth-worst city for traffic in the United States, according to a new analysis by ConsumerAffairs.
The study, which evaluated data such as commute times, traffic congestion and fatal crash rates across the 50 most populous U.S. metropolitan areas, highlighted Baltimore’s growing traffic woes.
In the 2025 rankings, Baltimore moved up from its position at No. 10 last year.
Baltimore’s average commute time is 29.2 minutes, up 2.1% from 2024 and among the longest commute times nationwide.
Weekday traffic congestion has also worsened, now lasting 5 hours and 41 minutes — an increase of 5.2% compared to last year.
However, the city boasts a relatively low fatal car crash rate, with just over 6.7 crashes per 100,000 residents — one of the lowest fatal crash rates in the top 10.
Washington, D.C., claimed the top spot for worst traffic, dethroning Los Angeles.
The average commute in the capital lasts 33.4 minutes — the longest in the country — while weekday congestion exceeds 6.5 hours.
Los Angeles, ranked second, has the most prolonged congestion period at nearly eight hours per weekday, equating to roughly 85 full days in traffic each year.
Miami, Florida, jumped to No. 3, up from 12th place in 2024, with commuters spending more than 6.5 hours in congestion on an average weekday.
San Francisco remained steady at No. 4, with daily commutes averaging 32.1 minutes.
Atlanta rounded out the top five with a 31.3-minute commute time, despite experiencing less congestion than other top cities.
Experts point to economic prosperity and rising population numbers as key drivers of traffic congestion.
Michael Manville, a UCLA transportation expert, explained that booming economies attract households and cars, placing significant strain on local road systems.
Rochester, New York, earned the title of least congested U.S. metro, with an average commute of just 21.2 minutes.
Other cities with minimal traffic included Salt Lake City, Cleveland and Hartford. Cleveland in particular reflects a pattern found in several cities facing population decline.
With infrastructure built for larger populations, these cities now offer more road space per vehicle.
Washington, D.C.
Los Angeles, California
Miami, Florida
San Francisco, California
Atlanta, Georgia
New York City
Houston, Texas
Seattle, Washington
Baltimore, Maryland
San Jose, California
Rochester, New York
Salt Lake City, Utah
Cleveland, Ohio
Hartford, Connecticut
St. Louis, Missouri
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Columbus, Ohio
Fresno, California
Kansas City, Missouri
Buffalo, New York