California has a reputation for having terrible traffic jams, but that's not the full story when you look at the data. For starters, the worst cities for traffic in the United States are in the Midwest and Northeast. And while the Golden State does have some badly congested cities, it's also home to much more relaxed low-rush cities. Driving through California soon? Buckle up, here's what you can expect.
Top 5 Best Cities for Traffic in California
If you hate traffic but love California weather, these cities are for you. They tend to have more robust pedestrian and public transit infrastructures, which eases some of the brunt on city roads, highways, and freeways.
5. Lodi
Wine lovers know Lodi for its vineyards, and now the city is adding "not that bad to drive in" to its list of perks. On average, drivers wasted 11 hours waiting in traffic in 2022.
4. Auburn
Auburn is a town steeped in Gold Rush history located just a short drive northeast of Sacramento. It has just under 15,000 residents, yet drivers do still waste time in traffic: 12 hours in 2022.
3. Vallejo
Vallejo likely has the best traffic in the entire Bay Area. Drivers idled for only 8 hours in 2022, a 40% decline compared to 2019! Its mild climate, proximity to San Pablo Bay, small-town feel, and okay traffic make it a pleasant stop on a coastal road trip.
2. Lancaster
Lancaster might be in Los Angeles County, but when it comes to traffic, it's nothing like LA. Because it isn't as sprawling, you can drive to the outskirts from the city center in less than 30 minutes, even during rush hour.
1. Rohnert Park
Rohnert Park takes the cake. It's home to just under 45,000 people and has the best commuting time for a city in the state. Drivers only lose about 7 hours per year sitting in traffic, but that could soon change. 2022 was one of the busiest years for this Sonoma County city's roads.
The 5 Worst Cities for Traffic in California
These cities have the most traffic in the entire state. It's easy to see why. They have large populations, most people drive to work, and the cities are sprawled out (meaning more people commute many miles from the outskirts to the center). And while remote work helped cool things off for a few years, 2022 trends show us traffic is only getting worse.
5. Sacramento
The state's capital has one of the worst soul-crushing rush hours. Drivers waste 36 hours behind the wheel in traffic, and it's only gotten worse since 2019. Headed downtown during peak traffic? Expect to drive at a snail's pace of 17 mph.
4. Concord
This charming East Bay Area city hides an ugly truth: drivers spend 54 hours in congested traffic every year. It gets so bad during peak traffic that, on average, commuters can only drive at 24 mph.
3. San Diego
Southern California has one of the most stressful commutes, and San Diego residents know that all too well. Every year, drivers waste not only time (54 hours, to be exact) but also money: congestion costs each motorist $912. If you're prone to road rage, take a breather: San Diego will stress you out.
2. Los Angeles
You may be surprised to see Los Angeles not ranking number one, but that doesn't make traffic here bearable. While the average commute time in the United States is 27.6 minutes, Los Angeles commuters have to commute for a whopping 53.7 minutes every day — and waste 95 hours per year in traffic.
1. San Francisco
And finally, San Francisco wins the prize of worst traffic in California. Every morning, millions of people commute into the city from neighboring towns and suburbs, causing traffic jams on bridges and main roads. Congested traffic costs each driver $1,642 annually. And while 34% of people use public transportation to get to work, that's still not enough to cool down traffic.
Stay Safe in the City with Defensive Driving
Driving in a big city can take years to master. You're bound to make mistakes on the way, but don't let them tarnish your record. Aceable lets you mask traffic tickets so your insurance rates don't go up. Take traffic school classes at your own pace fully online — no need to brave the infamous California traffic for in-person lessons!
Updated 12/13/23