CHOKEPOINTS

Maybe this will make you feel better about your commute to Seattle

Apr 5, 2017, 1:09 PM | Updated: 1:48 pm

Seattle traffic, transportation...

(AP file photo)

(AP file photo)

While you’re sitting in Seattle traffic heading to or from work and thinking about how miserable your commute is, maybe the knowledge that drivers in other parts of the country have it worse will make you feel better.

RELATED: City employees aren’t all buying into Seattle’s own traffic program

A web-based tool that utilizes census data found that, of the most densely populated cities in the country, Chicago drivers experience the worst average commute times at 32.4 minutes. Philadelphia trails just behind, with an average commute of 31.2 minutes.

Other populous cities with notably high commute times include New York, Miami and Los Angeles.

Of course, Seattle-area drivers shouldn’t get too excited.

According to the latest INRIX traffic scorecard, Emerald City ranked 10th out of 240 cities in the U.S. and 11th out of 310 cities in North America. The city was 23rd overall. The scorecard analyzed congestion in 1,064 cities in 38 countries. It’s worth noting that the INRIX data doesn’t include China.

RELATED: East Link wants kudos for being on budget?

The Kirkland-based company notes that Seattle drivers spent 13 percent of their time in congestion last year. A total of 54.8 peak hours were in congestion.

Los Angeles, according to INRIX, has the worst congestion; drivers spent more than 100 hours in traffic jams last year.

A separate data-driven study released by TomTom ranks Seattle fourth worst for congestion in the country and 53rd worst in the world.

INRIX ranks Seattle just behind Chicago for hours spent in congestion per year. Seattle drivers spent nearly 55 hours in traffic.

So what’s the takeaway from all this? If you are tired of sitting in traffic but don’t want to give up that city lifestyle, maybe it’s time to move to Omaha, Neb. Or how about Oklahoma City?

Chokepoints

Photo: WSDOT crews pump concrete at new Veterans Drive tunnel....

Nate Connors

Late night I-5 closures coming up this week as WSDOT works on new tunnel

Contractors WSDOT are prepping for work on the new Veterans Drive Tunnel beneath I-5, adjacent to State Route 516.

12 hours ago

Image: A Pierce Transit Stream Bus can be seen in Pierce County....

Micki Gamez

South Sound travelers may opt for transit after major service change

It's been seven years since Pierce Transit announced a major service change. The change means more access to Tacoma and the region.

2 days ago

headphones windshield obstructions...

Chris Sullivan

Sullivan: Driving with headphones, windshield obstructions in Washington

It's another episode of "rules of the road," I'm tackling two driving questions: Using headphones or windshield obstructions while driving.

2 days ago

four-way stops...

Chris Sullivan

Sullivan: Why do so many people get freaked out at four-way stops?

There is no mystery to how four-way stops work, so why do so many people mess up this simple maneuver?

7 days ago

There's a right way and a wrong way to turn into traffic with a bus lane. (Graphic: Bill Kaczaraba,...

Chris Sullivan

Sullivan: Sweeping bus-only lanes, what’s the right move?

I received feedback from my story on lane sweeping last week. But what happens when you are turning and the closest lane is restricted?

9 days ago

lane sweeping...

Chris Sullivan

Sullivan: Lane sweeping is all too common and needs to stop

This is called lane sweeping and let me be crystal clear -- what that driver did to me is 100% illegal for multiple reasons.

14 days ago

Maybe this will make you feel better about your commute to Seattle