by Los Angeles, California — Getting around Southern California has long tested drivers’ patience, and now a new global mobility scorecard suggests the frustration is measurable. Four Southern California cities have landed among the 20 most difficult places in the world to navigate, according to a study analyzing traffic delays, commute times, air quality, crime rates and transit accessibility.
The rankings come from a global scorecard compiled by cell-service provider Holafly, which evaluated 150 cities worldwide — including 69 in the United States and 13 in California. The study factored in mobility variables such as traffic congestion, air quality, crime levels, walkability, public transit access, cellular service and online searches for directions. On this list, a higher ranking means a city is more difficult to navigate.
Los Angeles Ranks Third Globally
Among all cities studied, Los Angeles ranked as the third-most difficult city in the world to get around — the lowest mobility grade among U.S. cities included in the report.
Several factors contributed to Los Angeles’ ranking:
- 88 extra hours lost to traffic annually, the 20th-highest globally
- A 57-minute average commute, the second-longest among the 150 cities analyzed
- The 42nd-worst air quality ranking
- A crime ranking of 49th
The combination of long commutes, heavy congestion and environmental concerns pushed Los Angeles near the very top of the global list.
While the city’s sprawling freeway system is often blamed for gridlock, researchers noted that multiple mobility factors — not just traffic — weighed heavily in the final score.
Riverside Also Lands in Global Top 15
East of Los Angeles, Riverside ranked 11th globally, making it the third-hardest U.S. city to navigate.
Riverside recorded:
- 34 hours of traffic-related delays annually
- A 54-minute average commute, ranking fourth-longest worldwide
- The 39th-worst air quality
- A crime ranking of 99th
Although traffic delays were lower than in Los Angeles, Riverside’s long commute times significantly impacted its ranking.
Orange County Cities Make the List
Two Orange County cities also placed among the global top 20 for mobility challenges.
Santa Ana ranked 19th worldwide and seventh-most difficult in the U.S. Residents there lose 81 hours annually to traffic, ranking 24th globally, with a 43-minute commute time. The city also ranked 64th worst for air quality and 47th for crime.
Anaheim came in 20th globally, eighth-worst in the United States. The study found:
- 33 hours lost to traffic
- A 42-minute commute, 35th-longest worldwide
- Air quality ranked 47th worst
- Crime ranked 59th
Four Southern California cities placing in the global top 20 highlights the region’s ongoing mobility challenges.
Other California Cities in the Rankings
Beyond the top 20, several additional California cities appeared in the rankings:
- Long Beach (27th globally)
- Irvine (51st)
- San Diego (74th)
- Oakland (25th worst mobility)
- San Jose (39th)
- Fresno (78th)
- Stockton (81st)
- Sacramento (88th)
- Bakersfield (114th)
While congestion is often viewed negatively, some analysts note that it can also reflect economic growth and population density.
Crowded cities often attract residents due to job opportunities, entertainment and lifestyle options — even if mobility suffers as a result.
How the U.S. and World Compare
Among other major U.S. cities, Houston ranked sixth-worst globally, followed by Chicago (13th), Miami (16th) and Atlanta (17th).
Globally, the most difficult city to navigate was Delhi, India, followed by Lima, Peru. Several other international cities — including Bogotá, São Paulo, Mexico City and Jakarta — also ranked among the worst for mobility.
Meanwhile, New York City ranked 44th globally. While congestion remains a challenge there, its high walkability and extensive public transit network helped prevent it from ranking higher on the difficulty scale.
The findings underscore the reality that mobility remains one of Southern California’s most persistent urban challenges — particularly as population density and vehicle dependence continue to grow.
Do you think Southern California deserves its ranking among the world’s toughest places to navigate? Share your thoughts and daily commute experiences in the comments below.
