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How bad is the traffic in Chicago?
I’m driving to Chicago in a few weeks to visit family and I know they’re going to want to go downtown. I’m not a fan of driving in traffic and I’m worried it will be a nightmare. Is Chicago traffic bad?
Andrea Barrett · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Downtown
Chicago
is full of incredible things to do, but driving in the city can make you want to pull your hair out. Why? Chicago ranks second among US cities with the most congestion—and sixth globally. Drivers lose an average of *104 hours a year to traffic, costing them a whopping $1,622.32. But here’s the funny thing—numbers are down from pre-pandemic levels. Total hours lost to traffic has dropped by 63 hours compared to pre-pandemic times, equating to a 28% decrease.
How do you avoid sitting at a stand-still? Avoid rush hour! Weekday rush hour is from 6 am to 11 am and from 3 pm to 7pm. And while you may think weekends are better, Sundays can be equally busy.
Knowing when to hit the road is key to avoiding congestion. The best time to drive in Chicago are:
- Before 5 a.m.
- Between 11 am and 12 pm
- Between 2 pm and 3 pm
- Between 7 pm and 9 pm
With a ranking as high as Chicago has for congestion, you know the roads can get messy. But when you’re armed with a solid insurance policy, you can feel confident and safe on the roads. The
car insurance
comparison super app Jerry
scans over 50 top insurers to get you the best rates. Just download the app, answer a few questions, and choose the right quote. Jerry users save more than $800 a year on car insurance. View full answer
- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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