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Think traffic in New York is hell on Earth? You're not wrong—but according to TomTom’s 2024 Traffic Index, it could be worse. While New York City claims the top spot for worst traffic in the U.S., it actually ranks second overall in North America. That’s right: Mexico City has officially snatched the crown, where it takes an eye-watering 30 minutes and 47 seconds to drive just six miles. (If you’re keeping track of your wasted hours, locals lose 147 hours a year to rush hour. That’s nearly a full week of your life spent watching brake lights.)
New Yorkers, by comparison, spend 94 hours a year stuck in traffic, with an average travel time of 30 minutes and one second to go the same six-mile stretch. Still brutal, but at least not the worst. (We’ll take our small wins where we can get them!) Congestion pricing has offered some relief in Manhattan’s busiest corridors, but its fate remains uncertain amid legal battles and logistical snags.
The TomTom Index, now in its 14th year, analyzed traffic patterns in over 500 cities worldwide using floating car data—think GPS info from connected cars, smartphones, and delivery trucks. It’s a full data deep-dive, not just vibes and honks. Cities were ranked by the average time it takes to travel six miles, factoring in congestion levels, road design, and daily commuting volume.
Mexico isn’t just home to the top spot; it also dominates the rest of the list, with Guadalajara and Puebla placing third and fourth. Canada also makes a strong (if unfortunate) showing with Toronto, Vancouver, Halifax, and Winnipeg all in the top 10. Rounding it out is San Francisco, where 81 hours are lost annually to traffic, and even the Golden Gate Bridge turns into a golden gridlock during rush hour.
So while New Yorkers can still complain (it’s a civic pastime, after all), just know that somewhere in Mexico City, someone is sitting in worse traffic—with a burrito maybe, but still.