Best Podcasts and DIY Audio Tools for Commuters in Austin and 5 Major U.S. Cities (2026)

Commuting is back in a big way. After the pandemic suppressed rush hour traffic, 2024 and 2025 saw congestion rebound to record levels. The Texas A&M Transportation Institute’s 2025 Urban Mobility Report found that U.S. drivers lost an average of 63 hours sitting in traffic in 2024【387450439130156†L220-L226】. Major metros fare even worse: Los Angeles tops the list with 137 hours of delay per commuter, followed by San Francisco (134 hours) and New York City (99 hours)【96995870972117†L42-L46】. In Texas, Houston and Dallas drivers waste roughly eight days a year in traffic, while Austinites lose 64 hours【387450439130156†L220-L226】.

At the same time, audio content has become the commuter’s best friend. Podcast listeners reached over 584.1 million in 2025—a 6.84 percent increase from 2024【55405669260249†L87-L93】. People love podcasts because they are on demand, offer in depth storytelling, travel easily and invite an emotional connection【55405669260249†L70-L85】. A good show can turn wasted travel time into learning or entertainment. And thanks to new AI tools, you can even turn your own reading list into a custom listening experience.

Below you’ll find a city‑by‑city guide for commuters in Austin and five other major U.S. metropolitan areas. It summarizes the latest congestion data, highlights podcast recommendations tailored to commute length and local interests, and introduces ArticleCast, an AI tool that turns articles and PDFs into podcast‑style audio for your commute.

Why Audio Fits the Commute

Podcasts and other audio formats are ideal for commuters for several reasons:

On demand and portable – you can listen whenever and wherever you like【55405669260249†L70-L85】. This flexibility suits unpredictable travel schedules and transit rides.
In depth storytelling – many podcasts dive deeply into a subject, providing context that short form media cannot【55405669260249†L70-L85】. Long content makes extended drives feel shorter.
Emotional connection – hearing someone’s voice creates an intimate feel【55405669260249†L70-L85】.
Niche topics and low barriers – no matter your interest, there is probably a show about it【55405669260249†L70-L85】. Anyone with a microphone and editing software can start a podcast.

Turn Articles Into Podcasts With ArticleCast

While ready‑made podcasts are great, sometimes you want to listen to content that hasn’t been recorded yet—such as articles or reports you’ve saved for later. ArticleCast is an AI‑powered tool that converts any web article or PDF into a polished audio file you can listen to on your commute. The service is designed for busy readers who want to capture articles on the go and finish them hands free.

What ArticleCast Does

ArticleCast transforms long reads into host‑led mini pods on your phone【328611417151301†L18-L21】. It’s particularly useful for commuters, people doing chores or workouts, blog publishers who want audio versions of their posts, internal briefings teams can absorb on the move and anyone needing an accessible audio format【328611417151301†L22-L28】. Instead of leaving articles unread in a queue, you can listen during a drive or train ride.

How It Works

Getting started is simple. To create audio from an article:

Share any web page or upload a PDF to ArticleCast via its mobile app or browser extension【328611417151301†L29-L33】.
Pick a voice and enable optional intro or outro music【328611417151301†L29-L33】. The service offers natural sounding, human like voices and lets you choose the tone and speed【808358933842369†L91-L104】. You can also adjust playback speed and add ambient sound if desired【808358933842369†L91-L106】.
Convert and listen – the app generates the audio file, which you can queue or download for offline listening【328611417151301†L29-L33】. One tap from Safari adds any article directly from the iOS share sheet【808358933842369†L20-L24】.

Features for Commuters

Natural voices – ArticleCast uses expressive, human‑like narration, which makes listening enjoyable【808358933842369†L91-L99】.
Speed and voice control – You can customize playback speed and choose from multiple voice options【808358933842369†L99-L103】.
Background music and ambient sound – Optional ambient sounds enhance the experience【808358933842369†L103-L106】.
Offline playback – Download audio files so you can listen without an internet connection【808358933842369†L107-L110】.
Progress sync and cross‑platform support – Your listening progress syncs across devices and offline downloads keep your queue ready【808358933842369†L61-L64】【808358933842369†L119-L123】.
Time saving – Consume content while commuting, exercising or cooking【808358933842369†L111-L113】.

ArticleCast offers a free plan with five article conversions per month and basic customization options, along with voice and speed control【808358933842369†L174-L186】. A premium plan (coming soon) will allow more conversions, advanced host customization and longer podcasts up to ten minutes【808358933842369†L191-L204】. App Store reviews call ArticleCast a time saver and praise its voice quality and ease of use【808358933842369†L213-L236】.

Pro Tips from the Creators

The ArticleCast blog suggests a few best practices: choose a neutral voice for dense material, keep background music subtle, and adjust speed around 0.95–1.05x depending on content type【328611417151301†L35-L41】. If the article is long, split it by subheads to preserve pacing【328611417151301†L41-L42】. For publishers, a short cold open and clear subheads improve the listening experience【328611417151301†L46-L52】. Students and researchers can batch their readings once a week and use descriptive titles to organize their queue【328611417151301†L53-L57】. Teams can combine related articles and add a brief summary at the top that explains what’s new and what actions to take【328611417151301†L58-L61】.

Using ArticleCast alongside your favorite podcasts turns your reading backlog into a personalized audio feed, so you never waste a commute again.

Austin, Texas – Tech Hub With Growing Traffic

Congestion snapshot. Austin’s booming population and tech economy mean the region’s roads are busier than ever. The 2025 Urban Mobility Report ranks Austin 30th among U.S. metro areas, with commuters wasting 64 hours per year in traffic【387450439130156†L220-L226】. Local travel patterns have shifted: Mondays are now the easiest day to drive. A KUT analysis notes that a national study found “Monday is hands down the least congested weekday”【901023224363020†L380-L390】. In Austin, delays on Tuesday between 8 and 9 a.m. are almost twice as bad as Monday【901023224363020†L397-L400】, and congestion is spread throughout the day rather than being confined to morning and evening peaks【901023224363020†L415-L417】. Hybrid schedules let many workers stay home on Mondays【901023224363020†L387-L390】. For those who still drive, podcasts and tools like ArticleCast help ease the mid‑week backups.

Podcast picks for Austin commuters

The Indicator from Planet Money – A bite sized show that explains the economy in about 10 minutes【7973554822557†L90-L96】. It’s perfect for a 15‑ to 20‑minute commute.
Up First – NPR’s daily news briefing summarises the top stories in around 10 minutes【7973554822557†L105-L110】. Ideal for easing into the week.
Stuff You Should Know – A long form show (about 46 minutes【7973554822557†L54-L62】) exploring everything from chaos theory to the Stonewall uprising. Great for longer drives or when traffic spreads across midday.
DIY with ArticleCast – For the articles you never find time to read, capture them in the ArticleCast app, pick a voice and let the tool produce a mini podcast you can add to your queue【328611417151301†L29-L33】. Turning your reading backlog into audio is perfect for Austin’s unpredictable traffic patterns.

Los Angeles, California – America’s Most Congested City

Congestion snapshot. Los Angeles retains the title of America’s most congested metro area. A Crosstown analysis notes that LA roadways are 15 percent more congested than before COVID【822456634887732†L82-L90】 and that commuters wasted 137 hours in traffic last year【822456634887732†L93-L97】. Mondays offer some relief, but by midweek the pain intensifies—Thursday between 4 and 5 p.m. is the worst hour for delays【822456634887732†L131-L134】. Flexible schedules spread traffic across the day and even weekends【822456634887732†L107-L115】. With such long delays, LA commuters benefit from both professional podcasts and custom ArticleCast feeds.

Podcast picks for LA commuters

SmartLess – A comedic interview show hosted by Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett. Hour‑long episodes with surprise guests and banter help pass long freeway drives.
My Favorite Murder – A true crime podcast blending gripping storytelling and dark humor. Episodes run about an hour or more, easing the monotony of gridlock.
The Daily – A news podcast from The New York Times that delivers a deep dive into one story in about 20 minutes【7973554822557†L125-L128】. Perfect for a bus ride or shorter segment of your commute.
DIY with ArticleCast – If there is a long‑form feature or blog you’ve been meaning to read, ArticleCast will convert it into a personal mini pod. Use natural voices and offline download to make sure it lasts through the 405.

New York City, New York – The City That Never Sleeps

Congestion snapshot. The New York metropolitan area remains the country’s largest employment center. New York commuters lose about 99 hours a year to traffic【96995870972117†L42-L46】. Manhattan’s population nearly doubles during workdays as millions flood in from the suburbs; midweek rush hours are particularly intense. Even with high transit ridership, traffic jams are inevitable. A mix of quick updates, storytelling and DIY audio helps New Yorkers make the most of subway rides or bridge delays.

Podcast picks for NYC commuters

The Daily – A must listen for New Yorkers, this show dissects one big story every weekday in about 20 minutes【7973554822557†L125-L128】. Its national scope resonates with residents.
Radiolab – Produced by WNYC, this science and storytelling program immerses listeners in thought provoking narratives. Episodes run about 45 minutes, making them ideal for longer subway rides.
The Indicator from Planet Money – A 10 minute economic explainer【7973554822557†L90-L96】 that offers a useful snapshot for short trips.
DIY with ArticleCast – Use ArticleCast to convert that long investigative piece into audio. Share the link, pick a voice and listen on your next ferry ride【328611417151301†L29-L33】.

Chicago, Illinois – Most Congested U.S. City in 2025

Congestion snapshot. In 2025 Chicago overtook New York as the nation’s most gridlocked city. An Axios report states that Chicago commuters lost 112 hours to congestion, costing each driver about $2,000【435245260701627†L45-L54】. Another local article notes a 10 percent increase in wasted time, with drivers averaging 112 hours in 2024【722132088841428†L78-L84】. Winter weather, returning office workers and continued highway construction have pushed Chicago’s traffic to new highs【722132088841428†L81-L93】. Chicagoans need long podcasts and dynamic audio queues.

Podcast picks for Chicago commuters

Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me! – NPR’s weekly news quiz, produced by WBEZ Chicago, blends current events with humor in a 50 minute format.
This American Life – Another Chicago‑born program, this hour‑long storytelling show explores a theme each week and is ideal for train rides.
Curious City – A local podcast from WBEZ that answers quirky questions about Chicago’s history and culture; episodes run 20–30 minutes.
DIY with ArticleCast – Turn city newsletters, government reports or even the latest Chicago Tribune feature into audio using ArticleCast. Add multiple articles to your queue and listen through one by one during a snowstorm.

Washington, D.C. – The Capital’s Congested Corridors

Congestion snapshot. The nation’s capital sees heavy traffic despite a robust transit system. An INRIX scorecard reported that DC‑area commuters spent 62 hours stuck in traffic in 2024【250000444210149†L48-L70】. Fourteen percent fewer people worked from home compared with the previous year【250000444210149†L48-L75】, contributing to busier roads. Downtown travel speeds average 12 mph【250000444210149†L108-L112】. D.C. commuters appreciate short, informative podcasts and easy‑to‑create audio briefs.

Podcast picks for DC commuters

The NPR Politics Podcast – Daily conversations among NPR’s political reporters about the biggest stories on Capitol Hill. Episodes typically run 15–30 minutes.
Planet Money – NPR’s economics program that translates complex policy into engaging stories. Episodes are around 25–30 minutes.
Pod Save America – A humorous, liberal leaning political discussion hosted by former Obama aides. Episodes run about an hour.
DIY with ArticleCast – Use ArticleCast to convert policy reports, think tank essays or local news articles into bite sized briefings. You can customise the voice and pace【328611417151301†L29-L33】.

San Francisco Bay Area, California – Tech & Transit Hotbed

Congestion snapshot. The Bay Area, including San Francisco and Oakland, ranks second in congestion. A Crosstown analysis notes that Bay Area commuters lost 134 hours in traffic and trips are 30 percent longer than in 2019【822456634887732†L136-L139】. Geography (bays and bridges) and the region’s tech boom create daily jams on both roads and transit. A mix of tech and storytelling podcasts plus personal audio conversions suits Bay Area travelers.

Podcast picks for Bay Area commuters

99 Percent Invisible – Produced in Oakland, this show explores design and architecture. Episodes average 25–30 minutes.
Pivot – Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway discuss tech, business and politics twice weekly. Episodes last 45–60 minutes.
Techmeme Ride Home – A 15 minute daily roundup of the day’s tech news.
DIY with ArticleCast – Use ArticleCast to turn long essays on innovation, research papers or user guides into audio. Capture the article from Safari, pick a voice and listen while crossing the Bay Bridge【808358933842369†L20-L24】.

Conclusion: Make Every Commute Count

Los Angeles and San Francisco commuters lose more than five days a year to congestion【822456634887732†L93-L97】【822456634887732†L136-L139】, Chicago drivers lose almost as much【435245260701627†L45-L54】, and even Austin’s shorter trips still burn more than two workdays【387450439130156†L220-L226】. Podcasts offer a silver lining, letting you learn, laugh or relax while sitting in traffic. With tools like ArticleCast, you can go a step further by converting your reading queue into custom audio content. Whether you prefer quick news summaries, narrative deep dives or a personalised mini pod, there has never been a better time to make commuting time your own. Load up your queue, hit play and turn gridlock into growth.