ATLANTA — A new study by traffic analytics firm INRIX ranks Atlanta one of the world’s most congested cities, underscoring just how severe traffic has become across the region.
In its latest “worst traffic cities worldwide” listing, INRIX placed Atlanta at No. 16 globally, just behind Miami and immediately ahead of Rome, Italy. According to the study, drivers in the metro area lose roughly 75 hours per year sitting in traffic, a figure that represents a 15% increase compared with last year. For the average driver, that time lost adds up to nearly $1,400 annually.
The firm identified Interstate 285 on Atlanta’s east side as the city’s busiest corridor.
Nationally, Atlanta ranks as roughly the seventh-worst traffic city in the United States, but the global ranking highlights how Atlanta’s traffic woes rival those of major cities around the world.
According to the 2025 Urban Mobility Report from the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, the average commuter wasted 87 hours in Atlanta traffic last year, putting the city in the top 10 for traffic congestion among major metros in the United States.
A new study from Texas A&M researchers shows that Atlanta’s traffic patterns have shifted in recent years, with Thursdays now ranking as the city’s most congested day.
For commuters, it’s yet another reminder of how costly and time-consuming getting around metro Atlanta has become.
WSB Radio’s Michelle Wright contributed to this story.