Columbus has the best commute in the nation, study finds. Here’s why drivers love Columbus – MASHAHER

Congested roads and rush hour traffic tend to make driving less enjoyable. Nothing is better than traveling to your destination without having any traffic.

Luckily for Columbus locals, their city has the best commutes in the nation, according to a study by Lyft. The study looked at what 1,400 drivers value in their commutes, and statistics from Lyft rides supplemented by public data sources.

What makes Columbus’ commute so amazing? Here’s what to know about traveling in the Arch City.

The traffic is terrific: How Columbus’ highways will change with Downtown Ramp Up ODOT project

Columbus has the quickest commute

This study analyzed 35 cities in the nation with populations over half a million and looked at which commutes had the shortest, cheapest, and greenest travel.

Columbus ranked as the No. 1 city with the quickest commute, earning a speed score of 100. The average commute time in Columbus is 22 minutes, and the average speed in traffic is 24.3 mph.

Columbus has one of the least congested commutes, having a travel time that is 1.3% faster during peak commuting hours. It was one of only two cities (Las Vegas was the other) to see faster compared to the average travel time.

Other Midwest cities that made the top 10 list of quick commutes are Detroit at No. 6, and Milwaukee at No. 8.

Columbus’ commute is one of the cheapest

Nearly 70% of working Americans have toll and parking expenses during their commute to work. Additionally, gas prices and public transportation fares add up. The average household spends nearly $12,300 on transportation expenses, according to 2022 data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics—contributing to about 17% of household expenses.

Fortunately, Columbus has one of the cheapest commutes in the nation, taking the spot as No. 2 with a cost score of 95.8. The city has the third-cheapest fuel cost and parking cost of any city in the top 10, according to Lyft.

Columbus has an average parking cost of 35 dollars and a fuel cost of $28.50. It scores high in public transportation, however, with an average cost of $62.

Along with Memphis, Tennessee, and Houston, Texas, parking expenses in Columbus are often under $40 per month.

Columbus has one of the most vibrant downtowns

Columbus may be small compared to other cities in the study, such as Houston, Phoenix, Dallas and Las Vegas, but it’s quite mighty with its bustling atmosphere, tall buildings, and several historic landmarks.

Lyft named Columbus as one of the busiest downtowns in the nation, alongside Baltimore, Maryland. Those two cities were also recognized for recovering after the COVID-19 pandemic, with downtown activity now exceeding 2019 levels.

Columbus has the overall best commute in the nation

Columbus was named the city with the best commute due to how quick and cheap the drive is, along with the consistent activity downtown. With all factors combined, Columbus achieved a score of 84.5.

Here are the top 10 best overall commutes in the US, along with their scores:

1. Columbus: 84.5

2. El Paso, Texas: 82.4

3. Las Vegas: 80.3

4. Memphis, Tennessee: 67.2

5. Albuquerque, New Mexico: 66.5

6. Baltimore: 59.9

7. Phoenix: 58.5

8. Tuscon, Arizona: 55

9. Detroit: 52.2

10. Dallas: 49.1

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Why Columbus has the best commute in the nation, according to one study