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Chicago Tops U.S. Traffic Rankings as INRIX Finds Gridlock Worsening in 2025

Manhattan congestion pricing helps stabilize New York traffic, underscoring Chicago's lack of comparable tools.

Overview

  • INRIX’s 2025 Global Traffic Scorecard reports Chicago drivers lost 112 hours in congestion, costing about $2,063 per driver and roughly $7.5 billion citywide.
  • Only Istanbul ranked worse globally at 118 hours, while Chicago’s last‑mile speed averaged 9 mph compared with 11 mph in New York.
  • New York drivers lost 102 hours, with congestion holding roughly flat after the city began charging tolls to enter parts of Manhattan.
  • Nationwide, the average driver lost 49 hours in 2025, up six from 2024, with 88% of U.S. cities seeing worsening delays as car commuting rebounds and transit use remains about 22% below 2019.
  • Several Chicago corridors placed among the nation’s worst, led by I‑55 southbound at 87 annual hours lost, with Kennedy and Eisenhower segments also in the top 10.