10 world cities with worst traffic congestion
Precious Rongmei, TIMESOFINDIA.COM, TRAVEL TRENDS, WORLD Updated : Sep 14, 2024, 11:46 IST
10 world cities with worst traffic congestion
One of the biggest problems cities worldwide face is traffic congestion. Longer commute, more pollution, and a great deal of annoyance on the road has become a normal thing for most people nowadays. When there is an increased automobile ownership and rapid urban population growth, one can’t expect much. According to research by INRIX's Global Traffic Scorecard, drivers in some of the biggest cities in the world lose hours a year due to traffic jams.
Here are top 10 cities that are (in)famous for having the worst gridlock.
New York City
The big NYC is for sure on so many traveller’s wish lists. The city is enchanting, and in some places, you will feel that the time has stood still. Roads, we are talking about roads in New York City. The city is known for its constant traffic jams, especially in Manhattan. Broadway and Fifth Avenue are two major avenues that will surely test your patience.
Mexico City
The capital of Mexico may be calling you for great summer breaks. But reaching there would test your patience. With a population of over 21 million, there is a tremendous amount of demand on the city's roads. It’s common to find hour-long traffic bottlenecks, a glaring result of the city's expansive design, quick urban growth, and inadequate public infrastructure.
London
It turns out the city's ancient, narrow streets weren't designed to handle the volume of traffic seen today, but that’s hardly surprising. The infamous London Orbital Motorway, or M25, is well-known for its heavy congestion, particularly during rush hour.
Paris
Traffic jams are frequent during morning and evening rush hours due to the city's small streets and high car population. Even though they live relatively close to the city center, Parisians frequently have long commutes—many drivers spend more than an hour delayed in traffic.
Chicago
Major thoroughfares like the Kennedy (I-90) and Dan Ryan (I-94) are frequently congested during rush hour, making the city's traffic especially terrible there. Due to natural traffic jams caused by the city's layout, which sees a number of key routes converge in the downtown region, rush hour travel is especially difficult.
Istanbul
Daily commuters use the city's bridges to cross the Bosphorus, which create significant traffic jams. Istanbul's road network is under tremendous strain due to increasing urbanization and population growth.
Los Angeles
Especially during rush hour, roads like 405, 101, and 10 are frequently at a stop. In addition, there are extremely few public transportation choices in the city, which increases the number of cars on the road.
Boston
The downtown district of Boston was not built with contemporary traffic in mind. To that, add the antiquated and, for the most part, complex road arrangement of the city. Boston traffic delays are notoriously bad, especially during peak hour
Cape Town
There is a lot of traffic in Cape Town, especially during the rush hour. The issue is exacerbated by the city's expanding population and constrained public transit choices. It is typical to observe congested tourist attractions and highways jam-packed with cars during the busiest travel season.
Jakarta
The population density of Jakarta is extremely high. The city's constrained road system and subpar public transit system make this worse. The traffic situation you have is something out of a nightmare. If you are traveling during rush hour, leave early because you will spend hours delayed in traffic.
Visual Stories

Travel
10 pretty Indian villages to visit this year-end

Travel
8 castles in Germany straight out of a fairy-tale

Travel
8 tiger reserves every wildlife enthusiast should visit in India

Travel
10 animals that are easily spotted in Ranthambore National Park

Travel
How to prepare for a night safari in India?

Travel
9 rare animals to spot in the Western Ghats and where to find them

Travel
10 must-visit Indian cities starting with the letter ‘V’

Travel
From tigers to caracals: Top destinations in Rajasthan to spot big cats

Travel
10 things to know before going on a tiger safari in Tadoba-Andheri Tiger Reserve

Travel
8 deadliest snakes that live in the forests of Amazon
Join Us On FacebookClose
Refrain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks, name calling or inciting hatred against any community. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by marking them offensive. Let's work together to keep the conversation civil.
closecomments
Refrain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks, name calling or inciting hatred against any community. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by marking them offensive. Let's work together to keep the conversation civil.
Trending Stories
10 best UNESCO spa towns of Europe where people visit for wellness and healing
Kolkata Police issues traffic advisory ahead of historic oath ceremony at Brigade Parade Ground; what travellers need to know
4 most hostile natural places on Earth — and why tourists still visit them
8 most uniquely designed passports in the world
She kept screaming, “I am not tied well”; teen tourist dies in a cliff swing accident in China sparking outrage over adventure tourism safety
Power Bank blast in Indian flight: Why it happens and why these devices can become dangerous onboard
10 weakest passports in the world in 2026; what limited visa-free access means for travellers
IMD issues rain and heat wave warnings across India: Travel advisory for tourists and holidaymakers
If caught with this one item when in the United States, tourists could face a fine of USD 100,000 and prison sentence
Rarest cats in India and where to find them – they're not tigers or leopards
Comments (0)