Fort Myers Traffic Congestion Is Now As Bad As Tampa

Going into the holidays we definitely saw an uptick in traffic in Fort Myers. Now that it’s spring things are much worse. I knew things have been getting increasingly worse traffic-wise over the years but I didn’t think this. According to a traffic congestion ranking index, the Fort Myers-Cape Coral metro area is now seen as the 13th worse in the country for traffic congestion. Heading to the other coast for spring break? Miami is much worse. So how is this ranking done?

According to TomTom “We calculate the baseline per city by analyzing free-flow travel times of all vehicles on the entire road network – recorded 24/7, 365 days a year. This information allows us to also calculate, for example, how much extra time a driver will spend in traffic during rush hour.”

So the devices in our cars know whether we’re moving or stopped in traffic. The data is then compiled to determine in which cities you’re most likely to be stuck and not moving on the roads. From this, they determine a ‘congestion level’ which is a percentage. From there a formula is used to determine how much time the average commuter loses each year sitting in traffic. It’s data like this that shows why living close to where you work and shop is ideal. So how much time do you lose each year sitting in traffic? It’s not hours. It’s days.

• 1. New York

  New York has a congestion level of 35%. An typical driver in New York loses an average of 80 hours per year sitting in traffic.

• 2. Los Angeles

  33% congestion level. That breaks down to 75 hours a year lost.

• 3. Miami

  Remember the lyric “Two miles an hour so everybody sees you.” Yeah, it’s about Miami. A congestion level of 28% means 64 hours a year sitting in traffic.

• 4. Baton Rouge

  27% congestion level costs 62 hours per year.

• 5. San Francisco

  They have a congestion level of 26% which means 59 hours each year sitting in traffic.

• 6. Chicago

  A 24% congestion level means 55 hours a year lost to traffic. And it’s cold there. Hope you got heated seats.

• 7. Honolulu

  Bet you didn’t know that traffic on the island is pretty bad. A 23% congestion level is 52 hours a year not being at a luau.

• 8. Seattle

  Grab a Starbucks. Your congestion level is also 23% for 52 hours a year staring at tail lights.

• 9. Riverside

  Same. 23% for 52 hours.

• 10. Philadelphia

  At least you can sit in your car listening to sports guys talk about the Eagles. 22% congestion level for 50 hours a year. Gone.

• 11. Atlanta

  How is this not worse? Driving I75 through Atlanta is one of the more punishing journeys you can make. Atlanta has a 21% congestion level. 48 hours a year stuck in traffic.

• 12. Tampa

  You knew we’d get to this one. Tampa also has a 21% congestion level costing the average commuter 48 hours a year. Waiting.

• 13. Cape Coral-Fort Myers

  That’s right, we’re tied with Tampa. A 21% congestion level. 48 hours – 2 full days each year – wasted, sitting in traffic.

• If you’re interested in the full study, here’s the pdf:

  TomTomTrafficIndex-Ranking-2021-filtered

  This is why I insisted on living close to work. I pick my ‘drive to work song’ and I’m usually pulling up as the song is finishing. Today was some classic Run The Jewels from about 5 years back.

   

• What about Work From Home?

  Obviously that’s the best way to save yourself two full days each year. And since people keep moving here to SWFL (even with the hurricanes), I’m expecting traffic to get even worse.