When it comes to topics that get our readers talking, Lakeland's traffic is consistently high on the list.

Whether you're navigating stoplights down South Florida Avenue, construction on Lakeland Hills Boulevard, or slowdowns on I-4, it's no secret — Lakeland's traffic can feel hard to escape.

According to data from the INRIX 2024 Global Traffic Scorecard, Swan City ranked No. 83 for congestion in the US. These rankings were based on three years of travel delay comparisons, costs of congestion to drivers, and commuting trends based on metro area traffic patterns.

Here's a breakdown of Lakeland's 2024 traffic by the numbers:

No. 477 — Lakeland's congestion rank out of 900+ cities worldwide, compared to No. 83 in the US alone.
20 — The amount of hours Lakelanders lost in congestion
$358 — The cost of congestion per driver
37 miles per hour — Lakelanders' average vehicle speed during peak traffic times, compared to 46 miles per hour during low traffic times

These busier roads mirror Lakeland’s population boom over the last several years, along with ongoing road maintenance and construction to support infrastructure needs.

In other words, we’re sharing the roads with more people calling Lakeland home, so give yourself plenty of time and find a good playlist.