We're number one! DC is named most congested city

[TZ]

Despite support, most notably from Mayor Michael Bloomberg, New York City's congestion pricing plan stalled his week when the state Senate refused to assemble a vote on it. Had it gone forward, and passed, the plan would have charged drivers $8 to enter Manhattan below 60th Street during peak traffic hours.

Failed public policy initiatives like this are just one element contributing to gridlock nationwide. In other cities, overbuilding has lengthened commute times and delays. In Washington, D.C., for example, the country's most congested city by our measures, sprawl has compounded already existing traffic problems.
http://www.forbes.com/2008/04/10/congested-commute-cities-forbeslife-cx_mw_0410realestate.html
I'm just a tad surprised we beat LA on this list but it is bad..I know many many people whose commutes regularly take over an hour..and riding Metro..Its like being stuffed in a sardine can!
x(

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. For us in DC, it's about Metro prices.

Now, I live in the suburbs. For me to drive my car to a metro station and park for a day, and then commute each way on the rails, it's actually about the same expense as it would be for me to drive all the way to work and spend $12/day on parking. When you factor in the hassles and delays of Metro, it's easy to see why more people are driving, which is exactly contrary to the point.

[Chan790]

2. Your road layout doesn't help...

with all those intersections at odd angles and circles. That's one thing I don't miss about DC. It's a city designed to support very few people and look nice. If L'Enfant and Banneker had known DC was going to grow to a city of 600,000 with a commuting suburban population around 8 million, I think many decisions would have been made differently.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

3. Plus the street grid sucks in DC

Countless one ways that end up in traffic circles. Intersections at 30 degree angles. Coupled with detours and construction galore.

I grew up 40 miles from DC and I hated that city. Whenever my family took trips to DC, it would always inevitably end up with us taking some wrong turn and getting hopelessly lost in God knows where, no matter how good the map may have been.

[madinmaryland]

4. I hate driving in DC. I also hated driving in NYC, too.

I take public transportation whenever possible.