This is the most stressful U.S. city to drive in, according to a new study—and it’s not L.A. or New York

Drivers all over the country experience clenched jaws and racing hearts during rush hour, but one city stands out as having the most anxiety-inducing roads around. According to a new study by Lemon Law Experts, Atlanta, Georgia has officially earned the title of the most stressful city for drivers in the U.S.

To uncover where road rage and commute anxiety peak, researchers surveyed residents across 40 major U.S. cities, evaluating factors from traffic density to driver temperament. Atlanta topped the national ranking with a staggering stress score of 99.40 out of 100. Navigating the ATL requires dodging bumper-to-bumper gridlock, aggressive lane changes and crater-sized potholes. Unsurprisingly, Atlanta drivers are the most likely in the country to intentionally take longer, indirect routes just to avoid sitting in standstill traffic.

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Nashville, Tennessee, claimed second place with a score of 97.21, where nearly half of motorists report feeling frequently anxious or angry behind the wheel. Surprisingly, California hubs like San Francisco and Sacramento ranked among the calmest driving environments surveyed.

The study underscores a widespread epidemic of pre-commute dread and physical strain across the nation. More than half of drivers (54-percent) feel anxious before even starting their engines, and 89-percent of drivers say they experience physical stress symptoms, from tight jaws to elevated heart rates. Traffic can be so bad that 74-percent of Americans would rather do household chores, 43-percent would sit through a boring meeting and 31-percent would prefer a dentist visit over sitting in rush hour. Nearly one in four drivers say they have turned down or quit a job solely due to a miserable commute.

Nationwide, 62-percent of drivers agree that navigating their city is significantly more stressful than it was just a few years ago. As Lemon Law Experts emphasize, having a functioning vehicle is only half the battle on modern roads; staying safe requires vigilance, calm and serious patience—especially if you're braving Atlanta's infamous highways.

The top 10 most stressful driving cities in the U.S.:

1. Atlanta, GA
2. Nashville, TN
3. Philadelphia, PA
4. San Antonio, TX
5. Baltimore, MD
6. Columbus, OH
7. Orlando, FL
8. Louisville, KY
9. Pittsburgh, PA
10. Houston, TX