The 'worst' morning commute occurs ... ?

(Drumroll please) ... TODAY!

According to a national traffic survey by a firm in Kirkland, Wash., Wednesday morning is the worst time to slide behind the wheel and head for the workplace. The survey, performed by INRIX, relied on data from "nearly one million anonymous, GPS-equipped commercial vehicles" that reported their speed and location continually, says a press release. Some other findings:

• Worst traffic day: Friday

• Worst weekday commute: Friday evening

• Worst commuting hour: Friday,  5 to 6 p.m.

• Worst morning commute: Wednesday

• Best weekday for traffic: Monday

• Best weekday commute: Friday morning

• Best weekday commuting hour: Friday, 6 to 7 a.m.

• Best weekday afternoon: Monday

There's good news/bad news/no news all over the report. Once again, as other researchers have found, Los Angeles is the nation's "most congested metropolitan area" -- even though it has but one freeway that ranked among the nation's top 10 bottlenecks. New York City leads that league. To see the Los Angeles list, check out the next page.

-- Bill Nottingham

Photo: Richard Hartog / Los Angeles Times

The top 10 worst bottlenecks in Southern California:

1. Southbound 101 at Vermont Avenue. Speed when congested: 13.8 mph. Hours congested per week: 83

2. Northbound 405 at the 90 (Culver City). Speed when congested: 16.5 mph. Hours congested per week: 81

3. Northbound 101 at Alameda Street (downtown LA). Speed when congested: 12.9 mph. Hours congested per week: 79

4. Southbound 101 at Melrose Avenue. Speed when congested: 15 mph. Hours congested per week: 75

5. Northbound 110 at Adams Boulevard. (South L.A., just south of the 10 Freeway) Speed when congested: 15.6 mph. Hours congested per week: 75

6. Southbound 101 at Santa Monica Boulevard. Speed when congested: 14.5 mph. Hours congested per week: 67

7. Southbound 101 at Normandie Avenue. Speed when congested: 15.7 mph. Hours congested per week: 74

8. Northbound 110 at the 10 (South L.A.). Speed when congested: 15.7 mph. Hours congested per week: 71

9. Southbound 101 at Sunset Boulevard. Speed when congested: 13.1 mph. Hours congested per week: 56

10: Northbound 101 at Los Angeles Street. Speed when congested 12.2 mph. Hours congested per week: 68

Photo: Richard Hartog / Los Angeles Times