EVERETT, Wash. — The city of Everett just knocked out major cities around the country to take the number one spot for worst congestion.
That’s according to a new report by global traffic data company, Inrix.
Analysts tell KIRO 7 in 2017, commuters in Everett spent the most time stuck in traffic – with a 28 percent peak congestion rate on highways in and out of the city.
They blame a combination of economic growth in the North Sound and more people moving out of Seattle.
KIRO 7’s Patranya Bhoolsuwan went on ride with Edmonds based sales rep Lisa Kennedy who said areas in and around Everett is one of the most backed up stretches during her commute.
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"It's really bottlenecks up there," says Kennedy. "You can see the frustrations in other drivers."
Kennedy says she spends at least 2 hours on the road every day driving from Everett to Tacoma.
She also says getting in and out of Seattle can be challenging.
The Inrix report also has Seattle moving up 1 spot this year to 9th in the country, and 20th in the world for worst traffic congestion.
Tacoma comes in at 16th in the US and 43rd globally.
Inrix analysts recommend using traffic navigation technology to help get you around congestion and accidents.
For Kennedy, she says the best way to get around traffic may be to get off the road altogether.
“The dream would be to find something either closer to home or where I don’t have to drive and work from home,” says Kennedy.
Inrix has been publishing this global traffic scorecard for 11 years.
In the US, the city with the worst traffic congestion is Los Angeles.
Cox Media Group
