Everyone knows about the indisputable feud between Tampa and Orlando. The two Floridian cities share the same interstate highway, but there can be only one… better city. When you weigh the pros and cons of both cities, they come out equal. What isn’t equal, however, is their traffic conditions. Which do you think is worse: Tampa traffic or Orlando traffic?

Traffic is a deal-breaker. Just ask anyone who moved away from Dallas, Los Angeles, or Atlanta. Joining the ranks among the worst traffic conditions in the country could be one of these tourist traps. That’s why we’re breaking down the traffic conditions of Tampa and Orlando to discover which city has the worst traffic.

Orlando Traffic

Rush Hour

Rush Hour is a major contributor to the traffic conditions in Orlando, Florida. Calm down, we’re not talking about the hit thriller/action film Rush Hour starring the amazing Jackie Chan and hilarious Chris Tucker. We know how much you love that movie. In fact, there are four specific times that are considered rush hour: 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM, 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM, and, finally, 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM. This accumulates to about 6 hours of traffic during the week. In other words, you could watch Rush Hours 1, 2, and 3, while waiting in rush hour traffic.


Disney World

Disney World brings in millions of tourists every single year, which makes Orlando one of the busiest vacation destinations in Florida. Between the out-of-state drivers and the drive-by gawkers, the roads can become a dangerous place. Immediately, they become filled with people driving under the speed limit, clogging up intersections, highways, and exits. Whenever tourist enters Orlando, they automatically become your 85-year-old grandmother.


“The I-4 Mystery”

“The I-4 Mystery” is folklore told amongst locals throughout the city. It tells about the mysterious nature of interstate 4 traffic, which travels through downtown Orlando. Some days, traffic could flow perfectly, but other days it could be mind-numbingly gridlocked. Instead, “the I-4 Mystery” sums up the odds and ends of various reasons why traffic could be backed up. It’s not so much a mystery as it is road construction, roadside incidents, and traffic violators.

Tampa Traffic

Rush Hour

Rush Hour times in Tampa aren’t nearly as bad as they are in Orlando. With fewer tourists checking in and out of hotels, Tampa will naturally experience less tourist traffic during mid-day. That doesn’t stop the bay city from having evening traffic. The rush begins at 7:30 to 9:30 AM and picks up again at 3:30 PM to 7:30 PM in the evening. Everyone just needs to see those famous Tampa sunsets.


Reckless Drivers

Reckless Drivers are in every city. They clog up the roads by driving sporadically. Especially when they get pulled over by a police officer. Nothing is more frustrating than shifting to one lane of traffic when a reckless driver gets pulled over. If this is you, maybe try becoming a defensive driver. Also, if you enroll in traffic school, you can save money by keeping your auto insurance rates from increasing. Two birds, one stone, but in Tampa beach terms: two seagulls, one volleyball.


A Good Economy

A Good Economy is a fantastic news for a city’s growth. However, when a city grows in the population without updating its infrastructure, it could lead to traffic congestion. Forbes listed Tampa as one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas, but the roads are having a hard time keeping up. More cars mean more traffic.

Regardless of which city has the worst traffic, the important advice to remember, when driving, is to be a defensive driver. When you’re not, and you get a traffic ticket, remember you can prevent your auto insurance from increasing by enrolling in a traffic school. Now go watch some Rush Hour.