Is D.C.'s Traffic Really the Worst? Think Again.

Understanding the Data Behind D.C.'s Traffic Rankings

Federal travel data is often used to evaluate cities on various metrics, such as “best for new drivers” and “most dangerous for going out at night.” Recently, a report highlighted that Washington, D.C., has the worst traffic in the country. This assessment was based on data from multiple sources, including the Census Bureau, the Federal Highway Administration, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. These sources were used to calculate factors like average daily commute times, average length of daily congestion, and annual rates of fatal crashes.

Despite this ranking, D.C. isn’t the first city to be labeled as having poor traffic conditions. The city has consistently ranked high on these lists, though not always at the top. With more people returning to in-office work this year, traffic levels are trending back toward pre-pandemic norms. However, there are several reasons why the numbers should be considered with caution.

Outdated Commute Time Data

One key issue with the report is that the commute time data it relies on comes from 2023. The Census Bureau’s surveys take time to compile and analyze, meaning the data is inherently delayed. In 2023, reports indicated that commutes were particularly difficult, with many people driving outside traditional rush hours. According to cellphone data analyzed by the University of Maryland, average travel times between neighborhoods in D.C., Virginia, and Maryland increased by about 20% between 2019 and late 2022. This suggests that current commute times may be even worse than what the report indicates.

The report also used older data on fatal crashes, showing sharp increases in D.C. and New York in 2023. However, police data indicates that fatal crashes have actually been lower in both cities in 2025. For congestion, the report does use more recent data from vehicle probes collected by the Federal Highway Administration between January and March of this year. According to this data, D.C. ranks poorly, with an average of 6 hours and 35 minutes of congestion per day. This is close to its 2019 level of 6 hours and 51 minutes.

Limitations of Average Commute Times

Average commute times are not always a perfect measure of traffic conditions because they do not account for distance. A longer commute from a distant location will naturally take more time, regardless of how much traffic is present. This is why cities with large, sprawling suburbs often appear at the top of traffic rankings.

At the time the data was collected, D.C. was experiencing a rise in "super-commuting," where individuals travel 75 miles or more to work, with average travel times exceeding two hours. This contributes to higher overall average commute times. Cities that are cited as having less traffic, such as Columbus, Ohio, are also seeing rapid changes this year as more people return to in-office work.

Alternative Metrics and Perspectives

Other data firms, like INRIX, use in-car technology to track actual travel lengths and speeds. Their analysis ranks D.C. among the top 25 cities globally for traffic delays but places it below eight other major U.S. cities, including Boston, Los Angeles, and New York.

It's also worth noting that congestion can sometimes indicate economic prosperity. Cities that perform well on traffic measures often have shrinking populations and struggling economies. Stewart Schwartz of the Coalition for Smarter Growth explained that a successful metropolitan region like the D.C. area naturally experiences more traffic. He emphasized that concentrating future growth near transit hubs is the best way to manage traffic without overwhelming the region.

Congestion Pricing and Traffic Management

Congestion pricing, which charges for access to reduce demand, has shown promise in improving traffic. New York recently implemented this practice in downtown Manhattan, resulting in significantly reduced travel times. Virginia has also used tolling on express lanes as a form of congestion pricing.

In some cases, transportation planners intentionally slow down traffic for safety reasons. The Federal Highway Administration measures free-flow speeds, and implementing features like bike and bus lanes, roundabouts, and speed cameras can keep vehicles from reaching those speeds. These strategies are already in place in parts of the D.C. area.

What to Look for Instead

Every three years, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments conducts an in-depth survey of local commute times. This survey considers commute length, destination, and mode of transportation. The most recent data collection period just ended, and the report is expected to be released later this year or early next year. The council issued several hundred thousand surveys, with about 8,000 returned.

The last report, released in 2022, reflected the shift to remote work during the pandemic and an increase in solo car trips. Commute times in that survey were generally higher than census data, with an average of 37 minutes each way. This was a decrease from 43 minutes in the 2019 survey. A key difference is that the Census Bureau includes a much larger and more rural area as part of the D.C. region, stretching to Shenandoah National Park and Harpers Ferry.

Anecdotally, Daniel Sheehan of the council noted increased interest in the Commuter Connections program, which helps people carpool or take transit. Some individuals who started commuting three or four years ago are now regularly heading to their offices. The council hopes to learn from the latest data how much commuters are using transit due to congestion.