New figures show that Newport was the most congested city in Wales in 2017 with motorists spending an average of 24 hours a year in traffic jams.
Traffic analytics firm Inrix's study found the total cost of congestion in Wales in 2017 was more than £1.8bn, with drivers in Cardiff worst hit financially, with jams costing them on average £1,119 in lost time and fuel.
Dr Graham Cookson, Chief Economist at Inrix, said the cost of congestion was "astonishing", taking billions out of the economy and impacting businesses and drivers.
"With the Office of National Statistics showing more cars on the road than ever before, we need to consider innovative new approaches to solving the issue," he says.
"Increased flexible working or road charges have potential, however, transport authorities should be looking to exciting developments in data analytics and AI which promise to reinvent our approach to traffic management."