Which Texas City Has the Worst Traffic? Ranking the Most Congested Areas for Drivers
Texans love to debate which city has the worst traffic, sparking numerous discussions and disagreements. Whether you believe Houston, Austin, Dallas, or another city takes the title, the data provides a clear answer. Let’s delve into the metrics that determine which Texas city truly has the most congested roads.
Most Dangerous Traffic in Texas
According to the Texas Department of Transportation’s data for 2023, Houston stands out as the most dangerous driving city in Texas. Fatal crashes in Houston far exceed those in other Texas cities, with 274 fatal crashes and 290 fatalities recorded in 2023 alone. Additionally, the city experienced 1,360 suspected serious crashes, resulting in an estimated 1,612 suspected serious injuries.
Comparatively, Dallas, despite being slightly less populous than San Antonio, is not far behind in terms of fatal crashes and traffic-related fatalities. In 2023, Dallas saw 36 more fatal crashes and 41 more traffic-related fatalities than San Antonio. The disparity in crash numbers between Houston, Dallas, and other Texas cities is significant, with a steep decline in the number of crashes reported in lesser-populated areas like Lewisville, Mesquite, Odessa, Port Arthur, and Wichita Falls.
Overall, Texas witnessed a total of 2,057 fatal crashes in 2023, highlighting the severity of the traffic safety issue across the state.
Longest Wait Times on Texas Roads
When it comes to measuring traffic by the minutes spent on the road, Houston once again takes the lead. In June, transportation analytics company Inrix released its 2023 Global Traffic Scorecard, which analyzed data from 947 urban areas globally to rank cities based on the delays they cause drivers.
While Houston did not make the global top 20, it did secure a spot in the U.S.-only ranking, with a delay of 62 hours per driver in 2023. This delay, though lower than New York City’s 101 hours, exceeded the delay times of other major cities like Atlanta, San Francisco, and Baltimore. Other Texas cities that made the U.S.-only ranking include Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio, each experiencing significant delay times that impact drivers’ daily commutes.
Busiest Roads in Texas
Although Texas does not have any highways in the top 10 of the financial tech news outlet Coast’s list of the 20 Busiest Highways in the U.S., Houston’s Interstate 10 and I-69 rank as the 11th and 15th busiest highways, respectively. The Federal Highway Administration’s highway statistics data also reveals that Texas is home to half of the top 10 busiest highways in the southern region, with cities like Conroe–The Woodlands, Dallas–Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Denton–Lewisville making the list.
Furthermore, Texas A&M’s Transportation Institute conducted an analysis of the state’s 100 most congested road sections, identifying the areas with the highest traffic volumes across the Lone Star State. According to TAMU’s findings, the top five most congested roadways in Texas include West Loop Freeway/IH-610, Eastex Freeway/IH-69, Woodall Rodgers Freeway/SS-366, IH-35, and Southwest Freeway/IH-69.
Texans collectively experienced a total annual delay of 408,197,108 hours on Texas roads, underscoring the significant impact of traffic congestion on daily commutes and overall road safety.
Final Verdict: Houston
While Austin may struggle with inadequate road infrastructure and Dallas faces comparable traffic dangers to Houston, the data unequivocally points to Houston as the city with the worst traffic in Texas. From the highest number of fatal crashes to the longest wait times and busiest roadways, Houston emerges as the epicenter of traffic congestion in the state.
As Texans navigate their daily commutes, it’s essential to prioritize safety on the roads and adhere to traffic regulations. Remember to Drive Friendly — the Texas Way — and stay vigilant while traveling through the state’s busiest cities.
