Software development and satellite navigation company TomTom reviewed nearly 500 cities for its annual Global Traffic Index and found that traffic or congestion is going from bad to worse. 

The company measured both congestion level and travel time per kilometer. Congestion level is tabulated by how much traffic slows a road network, comparing ideal free-flow travel times with real-world average travel times. Major cities, like San Francisco, experienced increased travel time compared to 2024. But 125 cities, including New Orleans, saw improvements in congestion level. 

Many cities have made changes that can impact free-flow travel times, such as lowering speed limits, adding bicycle lanes and upgrading infrastructure. Of the cities with eased congestion levels, only 24 had reduced their average travel time per kilometer, and just 11 had reduced their free-flow travel times. 

“If actual travel times stay the same while free-flow times rise, congestion levels will appear to decrease — not because roads are moving faster, but because infrastructure changes have reduced the difference between free-flow and actual travel times,” said TomTom.

Notably, New York City saw a 1%, or two-second, reduction in travel time per kilometer last year. The index credits the change to a new congestion charge for drivers entering the city, as well as improved cycling infrastructure. Drivers pay a fee, based on the time and duration of their visit and their vehicle type, to enter lower Manhattan between the southern end of Central Park and the city’s financial district. 

Three U.S. cities saw travel times worsen: Syracuse by about 9%, Minneapolis by about 7%, and San Francisco, also by about 7%. Los Angeles had the highest congestion level, but its traffic moved quickly, according to the index.