Is New York the Worst City to Drive In?

Last Updated on October 21, 2026 by James Shaffer

For traffic, New York is close to the worst in the country. INRIX’s 2025 Global Traffic Scorecard ranked New York City second among U.S. urban areas for time lost to congestion, behind only Chicago. For safety, the picture is better than the reputation: New York State has one of the lower crash death rates in the U.S., and New York City recorded its fewest traffic deaths on record in 2025.

So the answer depends on what you measure. Below we look at congestion, safety, the Manhattan congestion toll, the local rules that catch drivers out, and what all of it means for your tickets and insurance.

What “Worst City to Drive In” Really Means

Rankings of the “worst” driving cities use very different yardsticks. Some measure hours lost in traffic, some measure crash deaths, and others mix in costs like parking and insurance. NYC does badly on the first and last of those, and better than most people expect on the second.

The figures below come from sources that publish their methods and update every year, so you can check the latest numbers yourself.

Traffic and Congestion in New York City

INRIX’s 2025 Global Traffic Scorecard estimated that New York City drivers lost 102 hours to congestion during the year. That put NYC second in the U.S. behind Chicago (112 hours), which overtook New York for the top spot. INRIX said NYC delays were roughly flat compared with 2024. The U.S. average was 49 hours.

TomTom’s traffic index tells a similar story. In its 2025 data, an average 10 km (about 6.2 mile) drive in New York took 31 minutes and 35 seconds, and drivers lost an estimated 125 hours to rush-hour traffic over the year. See the TomTom Traffic Index for New York for its methodology.

The two companies measure delay differently, so their hour counts don’t match. Both place New York among the slowest places to drive in the country.

The Manhattan Congestion Relief Zone Toll

Since January 5, 2025, vehicles entering Manhattan’s Congestion Relief Zone pay a toll. The zone covers local streets and avenues at or below 60th Street. The FDR Drive, the West Side Highway/Route 9A, and the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel connections to West Street are excluded. Passenger vehicles are charged once per day, based on the first entry. Current rates for cars, pickups, SUVs, minivans and small vans:

Time Period	With E-ZPass	Tolls by Mail
Peak (weekdays 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., weekends 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.)	$9.00	$13.50
Overnight (all other hours)	$2.25	$3.30

During peak hours, E-ZPass drivers who enter through the Lincoln, Holland, Queens-Midtown or Hugh L. Carey tunnels get a crossing credit of up to $3. The MTA says the peak toll for cars is scheduled to rise to $12 in 2028 and $15 in 2031. Full rules, discounts and exemptions are on the MTA’s Congestion Relief Zone toll page.

One year in, the state reported that about 27 million fewer vehicles had entered the zone, a drop of 11 percent, or more than 73,000 fewer vehicles on a typical day. It also reported that crashes in the zone fell 7 percent and traffic injuries fell 8 percent. Those figures are from the Governor’s first-anniversary announcement, which drew on MTA and NYPD data. The MTA’s program page has the official evaluation materials.

Safety: NYC Feels Chaotic, but Crash Deaths Are Falling

Heavy traffic is stressful, but it isn’t the same as deadly traffic. Slow, crowded streets produce lots of low-speed fender-benders, while the most severe crashes tend to happen at higher speeds.

Statewide, New York has one of the lower crash death rates in the country. In 2024, according to the IIHS analysis of federal FARS data, New York had 1,101 traffic deaths, or 0.91 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, compared with 1.19 for the U.S. as a whole. Per person, New York’s rate was 5.5 deaths per 100,000 people versus 11.5 nationally. State rates ranged from 0.59 per 100 million miles in Massachusetts to 1.81 in Mississippi. See the IIHS state-by-state fatality data.

Inside the city, NYC DOT reported 205 traffic deaths in 2025, down 19 percent from 253 in 2024 and one fewer than the previous low of 206 in 2018. Pedestrians still made up the largest group, with 111 deaths. Traffic deaths are down 31 percent since the city launched Vision Zero in 2014.

The state figure is not an NYC-only number. City driving has its own risks, including heavy foot traffic, cyclists, delivery vehicles and double-parked trucks, which can make minor collisions common even when deaths are relatively rare.

Insurance Angle: Frequency vs. Severity

Insurers look at two things when they price a location:

• Frequency: How often claims happen, such as parking scrapes, mirror strikes and rear-end bumps in stop-and-go traffic.
• Severity: How expensive claims are, including injuries, totaled vehicles, lawsuits, theft and vandalism.

A dense city can have a low death rate and still produce a lot of claims, which helps explain why NYC can be expensive to insure. Prices also differ from one borough to the next.

Minimum Insurance Rules Still Apply

A vehicle registered in New York needs New York State insurance from a company licensed by DFS. The DMV does not accept out-of-state insurance, and the coverage has to stay in force for as long as the registration is valid, even if you don’t drive the car. If coverage lapses, the DMV can suspend your registration and your license. The minimum liability limits for most vehicles, per the DMV’s insurance requirements page, are:

Liability Coverage	New York Minimum
Bodily injury, one person	$25,000
Death, one person	$50,000
Bodily injury, two or more people	$50,000
Death, two or more people	$100,000
Property damage, one crash	$10,000

New York is also a no-fault state. Your policy’s no-fault benefits, up to $50,000 in basic coverage, can pay for injury-related expenses no matter who caused the crash. You generally need to give written notice of a no-fault claim within 30 days of the accident. The DFS No-Fault FAQs explain who files with which insurer, including pedestrians.

Uninsured drivers are less common in New York than in most states. The Insurance Research Council estimated that 8.6 percent of New York motorists were uninsured in 2023, compared with 15.4 percent nationally, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Uninsured motorist coverage still matters for hit-and-runs and drivers who can’t pay.

NYC Driving Snapshot

Category	Latest Data	What It Means for Drivers
Congestion	102 hours lost per driver in 2025, second in the U.S. (INRIX)	More time on the road and more exposure to minor crashes
Statewide death rate	0.91 per 100 million miles in 2024 vs. 1.19 nationally (IIHS)	Severe crashes are less common than in many states
NYC traffic deaths	205 in 2025, the lowest on record (NYC DOT)	Pedestrians remain the most at risk
Uninsured drivers	8.6% in New York vs. 15.4% nationally in 2023 (IRC via III)	UM coverage still helps after hit-and-runs
Manhattan toll	$9 peak with E-ZPass, $13.50 by mail	Adds a daily cost for trips at or below 60th Street

The Rules That Trip Up Drivers in NYC

Several city rules differ from what drivers are used to in the rest of the state and country.

• No turning on red: You can’t turn on a red light in New York City unless a sign permits it. See the DMV Driver’s Manual on traffic control.
• 25 mph default speed limit: Unless a different limit is posted, the speed limit on NYC streets is 25 mph.
• The whole city is a tow-away zone: Any vehicle parked or driven illegally can be towed, and so can a car with missing or expired registration or inspection stickers. Double parking a passenger vehicle is banned at all times, and you can’t park within 15 feet of either side of a fire hydrant. When several signs cover the same spot, the most restrictive one applies. See NYC DOT parking regulations.
• Alternate side parking: Many streets require you to move your car for street cleaning. Rules are suspended on set holidays and sometimes for weather, and the suspension calendar and status alerts are on the NYC DOT alternate side parking page.

New DMV Point Values Raise the Stakes for Tickets

New York changed its driver point system for violations on or after February 16, 2026. Points now count over a 24-month window instead of 18 months, and if you get 11 points in 24 months, the DMV may suspend your license. Some violations that matter in city driving now carry more points, according to the DMV’s announcement:

Violation	Points Before Feb. 16, 2026	Points Now
Failure to exercise due care	2	5
Passing a stopped school bus	5	8
Speeding in a construction zone	Based on speed	8
Leaving the scene of a personal injury crash	3	5
Alcohol- or drug-related conviction or incident	0	11
Using a mobile phone while driving	5	5 (unchanged)

Points are only part of the cost. Separately from any suspension, the DMV charges a Driver Responsibility Assessment if you get 6 or more points within 18 months, and your insurer may surcharge your policy for a conviction under its own rules. DMV points and insurance surcharges are separate systems, so a ticket can affect one, both, or neither depending on the violation and your insurer. The DMV’s points and penalties page covers the details.

The Real Cost of Driving in NYC

Even a careful driver pays more in NYC: tolls, parking, more frequent claims and higher repair costs all add up.

Insurance is a big part of it, especially if your car is garaged in the five boroughs. For a closer look at why, see why NYC car insurance rates run so high.

Tickets add cost too, both through fines and through what happens at renewal. Here’s how one of the most common violations can affect your premium: speeding tickets and car insurance.

How to Make NYC Driving Less Stressful and Protect Your Rates

• Drive less when you can: If you’re visiting, park once and use transit for the rest of the day. It’s often cheaper and calmer than circling for a spot.
• Compare the alternatives: For short trips, a cab can cost less than parking plus tolls. Here’s what a NYC taxi typically costs.
• Don’t let the pace push you: Aggressive traffic tempts risky lane changes. Even a small scrape claim can show up at renewal.
• Never drive impaired: An alcohol- or drug-related conviction now carries 11 points on its own, on top of criminal penalties and insurance consequences. Read how a DUI/DWI can affect car insurance rates and how the New York DMV handles drunk drivers.
• Report a crash promptly: Check for injuries, call 911 if anyone is hurt, exchange information, and photograph the scene and damage. Then notify your insurer and keep the no-fault 30-day notice deadline in mind. Coverage has to be in place before an accident, as explained in can you backdate car insurance after an accident.
• Driving outside New York: If you’re heading to New Jersey or beyond, see am I insured when driving out of state?

FAQs on Driving in New York City