This City Has Just Been Named the Most Congested in the World
A report indicates something Angelenos probably already know: Los Angeles ranks as the number one most congested city in the world.
You can find the rankings via the INRIX Global Traffic Scorecard. INRIX, a car and transportation analytics company, analyzed some 1,000 cities and sorted them by hours spent in congestion each year. Los Angeles topped the list at 104.1 hours, beating out Moscow (91.4), New York (89.4), San Francisco (82.6), Bogota (79.8), Sao Paulo (77.2), and London (73.4). The United States ranked high overall, with 11 of the 25 most congested cities and an estimated 42 hours on average spent in congestion across the country. American cities towards the bottom of the list, however, included High Point, North Carolina (3.2), and Parkersburg, West Virginia (3).
INRIX noted that even though Los Angeles is the worst when it comes to “peak hours sitting in congestion,” the city only has one of the worst corridors: the dreaded 10 East between the 405 and the 110. That ranks number five in terms of most congested roadways, while a stretch of New York’s I-95 Westbound tops the list. This finding is why a commute from downtown L.A. to Santa Monica can, at times, seem extraordinary hellish.
Los Angeles’ traffic issues are the butt of numerous L.A. jokes, including greeting cards that state the giver loves the receiver so much that they’d get on the 405 at 5 p.m. for their beloved. There is also much speculation as to why Los Angeles traffic is as bad as it is. For one, Los Angeles is a sprawling city, built horizontally as opposed to vertically. Los Angeles County is also the most populous in the nation.
Los Angeles’ public transit system is fairly accessible, but not used nearly as much as one might expect. According to City Metric, of the metro area’s 13 million people, only 360,000 are regular Metro rail riders, and only 855,000 frequently use the bus. The low number of uses could be because the rail line has been slow to expand; it wasn’t until 2015 that rail users could get all the way from downtown L.A. to Santa Monica via train. Other factors include riders’ sense of safety and convenience and their overall understanding of how to use public transit. Many simply aren’t willing to give up the comfort, privacy and perceived convenience of their vehicles, even if it means circling the blocks for parking or stagnating in traffic.
INRIX estimates congestion costs Los Angeles drivers $2,408 annually, while the city likely loses $9.6 billion. These costs may include fuel, time, and freight and business fees (a burden the consumer may later share). Metro fare is $1.75 per ride and includes free transfers—something to consider the next time you’re in L.A.
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meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
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Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
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