A new national study has ranked Ohio among the states with the slowest urban driving speeds in the country. According to the report, drivers in Ohio cities average just 21.4 miles per hour, placing the state fifth from the bottom nationwide.
The study was conducted by MoneySuperMarket, a price comparison platform that used data from Google Routes API to analyze real-time traffic patterns. Researchers selected two of each state’s most populated city centers, provided they were at least 50 kilometers apart. They measured travel speeds by plotting routes that extended 5 kilometers into and out of the cities in two different directions. These tests were carried out multiple times on both Mondays and Saturdays at various times of day to ensure accurate sampling.
Ohio’s average urban speed of 21.4 miles per hour was slower than the national average and trailed only behind Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, and Colorado. New York followed Ohio closely at 21.5 miles per hour.
The report suggests that congestion in densely populated urban areas is a major factor in slower speeds. Other contributors may include poor weather conditions and aging infrastructure, though the study does not single out specific causes for Ohio’s ranking.
In contrast, the fastest average urban driving speed was found in Alaska, where motorists averaged 30.1 miles per hour. Other high-speed states included Alabama, Nebraska, Arkansas, and Missouri.
The findings reflect broader challenges facing urban centers with growing populations and increased traffic volumes. With multiple Ohio cities continuing to expand, managing urban mobility remains an ongoing concern for local planners and transportation officials.
The complete study is available through MoneySuperMarket’s website and includes rankings for all 50 states.