California Keeps Widening Roads. Traffic Keeps Getting Worse.

Stuck in traffic? California is among one of the most congested states in the nation, according to a new study.

With more drivers are on the road traveling longer distances, traffic is moving slower cities across the globe “Overall, most cities show an increase in congestion and travel times,” said TomTom, a geolocation technology company specializing in maps, navigation and real-time traffic info.

Cities across California have been implementing ways to reduce traffic and improve accessibility by creating safer ways to walk and bike; adding housing units closer to public transit and connecting multiple modes of transportation for commuters.

In the United States, billions of dollars are going toward widening roads yet “there is no clear evidence” that expanding roadways help reduce traffic, Transport for America said.

Learn the effects of expanding major roads and highways and California driving trends:

How Bad Are Road Conditions in California?
California was the third most congested state in the country in terms of traffic in 2025, according to the TomTom Traffic Index.

The 2025 Report Card for California’s Infrastructure by the American Society of Civil Engineers gave California roadways a “D” grade — the second-lowest possible score — due to budgetary funds and road quality.

According to the report, drivers in major California cities lose more than 100 hours annually to traffic.

“Nearly one-third of California’s roads are in poor condition, placing the state among the worst for pavement quality,” the American Society of Civil Engineers said in the report.

In 2024, drivers traveled 325.96 billion miles on California highways, according to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics. In the same year, 67% of people driving to work were alone and 10% carpooled.

What Are California’s Worst Cities for Congestion?
Out of 492 cities worldwide, Los Angeles ranked 25th in terms of having the worst average congestion, according to the TomTom Traffic index.

Los Angeles had the highest average percentage of time lost to traffic — 59.8% — compared to driving in free-flow conditions in the United States.

On average, Los Angeles drivers lose 83 hours during rush hour per year.

San Francisco had the sixth worst congestion in North America, taking second place in California.

The Bay Area city ranked second in the United States in both the lowest average speeds — 12.6 miles per hour — and lowest average distance driven in 15 minutes, 4.5 miles.

In Fresno, the typical driver spends 70.3% of their trip on highways, the third most in the state.

Drivers in Sacramento spend 68.7% of their time on highways, the index indicated.

In a 2020, report from Transportation for America, “expanding highways to improve traffic flow can actually increase congestion by encouraging people to drive more than they otherwise would,” the transportation nonprofit organization said.

Cars traveling at high speeds make the road less safe and convenient for bikers and pedestrians, forcing more people to get behind the wheel, Transportation for America said.

People may find it more convenient to drive instead of taking public transportation when roadways are widened.

Widening roads can also lead to new developments that bring more people and businesses moving to the area, leading to more traffic.

Transportation for American said that areas with major roads and underdeveloped local roads leads people choosing to drive for multiple trips and diverting them from walking or biking.

“When neighborhoods and commercial areas lack a network of smaller well-connected local streets, cars pile onto major roads even for very short trips,” the transportation organization said.

Drivers have to take major roads even for shorter trips, which in turn produces more traffic and delays.

Local roads provide easier ways to travel short distances by offering ways to walk and bike to surrounding areas, the organization said.

Transportation for America said that mitigating congestion is the “wrong goal,” arguing that improving local accessibility take precedence.

What Are Major California Cities Doing to Reduce Traffic?
The city of Sacramento is expected to roll out about 100 new projects to improve transportation for pedestrians and cyclists, The Sacramento Bee previously reported.

In San Francisco, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission has supported plans to “improve freeway efficiency, offer alternatives to driving alone and promote development of walkable, transit-friendly communities.”

Projects to improve congestion in San Francisco include mobility hubs, which connect multiple modes of transportation to one area for easy, convenient and accessible transfers between public transit.

Another program in San Francisco, the Transit-Oriented Communities Policy, offers “housing and business development that is near to transportation, putting public transit in reach for more people and improving the quality of life in the Bay Area.”

Los Angeles aims to make walking and biking more accessible to residents with projects such as the Active Transportation Strategic Plan and Alameda Street Mobility.

The city wants to enhance its public bus and train systems as well by adding priority bus lanes, exploring faster bus routes and extending subway lines.

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