10 cities in the USA where you can't do without a car
Today, it is hard to imagine the United States of America without cars dominating the list of popular vehicles. Despite well-developed public transportation in the country, personal cars are more of a necessity than a luxury.
Automoblog has conducted research on the cities in the United States with the highest car ownership rates and found that in some cities, the rate exceeds 95%. Kansas.com reported on these cities and the reasons for their high demand for cars.
Raleigh, North Carolina
This city, the capital of North Carolina, sees about 82% of people commuting to work by car, with 75% traveling independently in their own cars. Moreover, the total percentage of households with access to cars stands at 96.1%. The average travel time is 24.4 minutes.
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville competes for the title of a music city, alongside being known for its bars and cars. It serves as the birthplace of many prominent country music stars and stands out as a city with one of the worst traffic bottlenecks in the country. Overall, the city records 95.8% of households with access to a car, with 84% commuting to work by car.
Riverside, California
Riverside is the only city on the West Coast that stands out in terms of car access. Overall, 95.7% of the population has access to a car, with 88% using them to commute to work. Traffic jams are not uncommon in this area and can last up to 84 hours on average during peak times.
Austin, Texas
This city is often referred to as the "Live Music Capital of the World." It hosts numerous music festivals annually, attracting many visitors. Additionally, it is home to one of the largest universities in the country, resulting in a high number of cars in the area. Overall, 95.6% of the city's population has access to a car, with 78% of them carpooling to work.
Dallas, Texas
As a sprawling city covering almost 400 square miles, Dallas boasts a variety of colleges and universities, contributing to a high rate of car ownership. Statistics show that 95.4% of the city's residents have access to a car, with 85% of them commuting to work by car. Consequently, traffic congestion can be significant, with traffic jams lasting up to 67 hours during rush hour.
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is famous, especially among parents, as the home of Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. The presence of these attractions contributes to heavy traffic in the area. With 95.2% of households having access to a car, traffic congestion can be severe, leading to traffic jams lasting up to 68 hours.
Charlotte, North Carolina
As the largest city in the state, Charlotte has experienced rapid growth in recent years. The city's development, including in the financial sector, professional sports teams, and museums, has contributed to a car ownership rate of 95.1%. Approximately 82% of commuters in Charlotte use their own cars to get to work, resulting in rush hour traffic jams lasting up to 58 hours.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City is the most populous city in the state, ranking 22nd in the country in terms of population. With a car ownership rate of 95.1%, the city sees 91% of local residents driving their own cars to work, with an average commute time of 21.4 minutes.
Houston, Texas
Houston is renowned for its concentration of medical and research institutions, as well as its vibrant theater and museum scene. Due to the city's vast size and attractions, residents rely heavily on cars, with 94.8% of people having access to them. The average travel time is 28.6 minutes.
Salt Lake City, Utah
Situated amidst the Rocky Mountains, Salt Lake City is renowned for its picturesque landscapes, national parks, and winter sports opportunities. The city attracts numerous tourists, contributing to increased traffic congestion and longer commute times. Overall, 94.7% of Salt Lake City residents have access to a car, with 75% of them commuting to work by car. Despite an average travel time of 19.8 minutes, rush hour congestion can result in up to 57 hours spent on the road.
