45 replies to this topic

[vladittude0583]

Given that i'm a Jacksonville resident and that I've only traveled to Orlando, St. Augustine, Fernandina Beach, Gainesville & Tampa - I would say that Orlando probably has the worst traffic of all the cities I've been to.

[RiversideGator]

While I havent driven in all FL cities during rush hour, I think the worst traffic I have seen in FL (and some of the worst ever except for LA) was in Miami in the afternoon.  They seemed to have inadequate roads and poor drivers (although this was 6 years ago and in one area).  I cant imagine Orlando is worse than that.

[KendallKid]

Been to all major cities and gainesville during Rush Hour and there is no contest Miami wins hands down.  In second place for me is gainesville there is an overabundance of traffic lights that lack good synchronization.

[cityboy05]

Tallahassee doesn't really have that bad of traffic, only when FAMU's homecoming and FSU games come traffic is unbearable. Overall the cities i been too I will say Miami comes in 1st for worst traffic then, Jax, Tampa and Orlando are about tied.

[depechecureguyorl]

My vote is for Tampa. Anyone who's tried to go through the maze that is "Malfunction Junction" will know why...

[Metro242]

I'll go with a dark horse candidate with Ft. Myers. The traffic in that city is HELL from around September until April, and with no expressways or anything along those lines it's pretty much impossible to get anywhere.

Edited by Metro242, 08 July 2005 - 04:49 PM.

[Aessotariq]

Miami consistently ranks in the top 5 nationwide for worst traffic congestion, along with LA, Washington DC, Seattle, and San Francisco. South Florida MSA as a whole ties with Houston for #6 among metropolitan areas. The morning rush hour can last as long as 6am-9am, and the afternoon rush can be as long as 4pm-7pm. It has gotten just as bad in Broward County as well, especially along I-595.

The difference here is that there is (finally) a political will to do something about it besides just new roads. We've finally gotten that all-too-good combination of elected officials both at the municipal and county levels embracing mass transit projects and a general public that is sick and tired of sitting stuck in traffic and would ride the darn train today if only they could build it fast enough. The Metrorail expansions, the Miami Streetcar, our expanding bus fleet, etc., would not be possible because if we had not been willing to tax ourselves extra to pay for it.

[Brickell]

I've lived around and travelled throghout this state and hands down it's Miami.  The difference for me isn't the stop and go on major roads but the completely gridlock on surface streets as well.

[Florida]

my vote goes to the Palm Beaches... not only is that county big as all knows what... but the grid lock there has been unbareable for the past 5-7 years.

[csmurphy8885]

tallahassee is pretty good.  But when i visited tampa i was in hell.  I havent seen miami, But looking at maps, it cannot be good.   Gainsville's lights are no joke... there are about 4 itmes too many.  there is no way to reach the speed limit on most roads, before you are breaking for a constantly red light.  I vote for tampa... by default.

[otownusa]

In terms of traffic congestion, Miami is in a league of its own in the state of Florida.  The average of daily commute far outpasses the three other major metropolitan areas in the state.  However, Orlando may be the most dangerous city to drive in because of the mix of tourists, elderly and young people (i.e. college students and young business professionals).  There was recently an article in the Orlando Sentinel regarding several L.A. residents who are fearful of the aggressive driving in The City Beautiful - now that's pretty bad!  It is unfortunate that the metro area leads the nation in the number of pedestrian deaths - mainly due to the crosswalk nightware known as I-Drive.

[EbonyGardens]

Miami's traffic is something serious, then Orlando comes in 2nd place.

[facilities man]

1. Miami
2. Orlando
3. I-4 through Polk County (construction)
4. Tampa
5. Jacksonville

Edited by facilities man, 26 December 2005 - 10:43 AM.

[bobliocatt]

^I agree with facilities man's list.  I-4 was backed up for miles in Polk County today, due to the opening and closing of lanes for the road widening project.

Edited by thelakelander, 26 December 2005 - 05:58 PM.

[EbonyGardens]

Has I-4 near Polk been completed, if so then how would it ease traffic flow?

[Aporkalypse]

Metro242, on Jul 8 2005, 04:48 PM, said:

I'll go with a dark horse candidate with Ft. Myers. The traffic in that city is HELL from around September until April, and with no expressways or anything along those lines it's pretty much impossible to get anywhere.

I was wondering why they put Naples in the poll but not Ft Myers.  Naples traffic is light compared to most of urban Florida.  Ft Myers is an absolute nightmare, it has the traffic issues of a city of a million or a metro of several.  There's too much dependence on the Tamiami trail to carry traffic and I-75 is too far east to really be the main thoroughfare, though it is busy as well.

Miami has the heaviest traffic, no doubt.  That will never cease as density is too friggin' high because it sandwiched between the Glades and the Atlantic and you can only build a couple of parallel roads in that long strip - traffic is so much worse because most of it is going only North-South.  I-595 is terrible as well because it has to shoulder all of Broward's traffic.

Worse traffic, predictably:

Miami

Worst traffic issues with propensity to cause nightmare problems in the next two decades:

Ft Myers

[Jahi98]

MIA/FTL/WPB is the worst I've seen. Tampa Bay and Orlando are about an even second place. I've not driven around Jacksonville enough to really know about it.

Now for a relatively small city, Gainesville has some pretty bad rush hour traffic coming in from the west in the morning and going out to the west in the evening. It doesn't matter which road you take -- they're all backed up. Too many traffic lights and major roads that dead end at bad spots...not a good situation.

[FLAplaya]

For NW Florida traffic, hwy 98 from Gulf Breeze to Destin takes the cake for some of the worst traffic buildups in the area, especially the leg from Navarre to Hurlburt Fld. and the Island connecting FWB and Destin. Why, because it is the only main corridor on the coast.

For the big 4 of the state that I have driven through. Jax is not bad compared to Tampa, but I will take Tampa's over Orlando's. I haven't personally driven in Miami, but from what I have seen.....It wins HANDS DOWN

[EbonyGardens]

Orlando traffic reminds me of NY traffic, always backed up even in the evening hours.

[simms3]

I voted for Miami bc everytime i'm there traffic is backed up on 95, but then second for me would be orlando and then tampa and jacksonville tie.