According to a 2025 study by TRIP, a national transportation research nonprofit, Long Island commuters spend 92 hours sitting in traffic every year and waste 36 gallons of gas.

Traffic has been especially worse since the pandemic, according to Robert Sinclair Jr., with AAA Northeast.

"We've seen a significant increase in the number of vehicles registered in New York. New York State in general and on Long Island and in New York City in particular, and as a result, we're seeing a lot more traffic," said Sinclair.

Some suggested improvements from TRIP include improving traffic signal timing, increasing the number of projects that relieve traffic bottlenecks and adding capacity to public transit systems will help commuters.

They also say a better pedestrian and bike infrastructure will take cars off the road.

AAA suggests in addition to finding alternate routes and leaving earlier to avoid rush hour, see if you can work out a different work schedule with your job.

Jason Rutigliano, from Syosset, says he avoids the Long Island Expressway and the Northern State Expressway whenever possible.

"Honestly, it gets worse every year. It never slows down, there's more people, there's more people living here, more cars," he said.

The New York State Department of Transportation estimates vehicle traffic in New York will increase 23% by 2040.