Radio's Opportunity: Captive In-Car Listeners

The latest Global Traffic Scorecard reveals that Americans spent an average of 43 hours in traffic in 2024. This presents a significant opportunity for brands to connect with consumers while they are in their cars, particularly through radio. Katz Radio Group highlights that between daily commutes and other activities, people spend a considerable amount of time in their vehicles.

New York City tops the list with drivers losing 102 hours in traffic last year, well above the national average. Other cities with high traffic congestion include Chicago (102 hours), Los Angeles (88 hours), Boston (79 hours), Philadelphia (77 hours), Miami (74 hours), Houston (66 hours), Atlanta (65 hours), Seattle, and Nashville (both 63 hours)1. On the other hand, cities like Dallas, Charlotte, and San Antonio are below the U.S. average.

Interestingly, some cities have seen an increase in time spent in traffic, with Denver (+19%), Stamford, CT (+18%), Nashville (+13%), and Philadelphia (+12%) experiencing the most significant increases. However, there have been improvements in Los Angeles, Washington, and Boston.

Time spent in the car, even in traffic congestion, offers significant opportunities for brands to engage with captive audiences through audio. And no audio platform is equipped to turn these opportunities into connections with local consumers better than AM/FM radio. According to Edison's Share of Ear, 9 out of every 10 minutes of ad supported listening time is spent with AM/FM radio.

As Americans get closer to spending 2 full days in traffic a year, radio is a must for brands looking to reach these attentive consumers in the car with ad messaging. Radio dominates ad-supported listening, and its Drive Time programming of popular Morning and Afternoon shows are designed to accompany listeners through peak AM and PM commuting hours.