5 min readNew DelhiJan 23, 2026 04:41 PM IST
First published on: Jan 22, 2026 at 06:38 PM IST
TomTom Traffic Index-Most Congested Global Cities 2025-26: Traffic jams have become a daily reality for people across the world. In fact, data from 2025 shows just how widespread the problem is. Out of nearly 500 cities analysed globally, only 34 recorded faster inner-city travel times compared to the previous year. That means congestion is no longer limited to a few megacities; it’s something most urban commuters are dealing with, whether they’re heading to work or making a quick trip to the nearest mall.
To understand how bad things really are, the TomTom Traffic Index has released its annual report, ranking cities based on congestion and travel delays. While speed is one part of the story, traffic flow matters just as much. And when flow is considered, the picture isn’t entirely gloomy. In 2025, congestion levels actually improved in 125 cities worldwide, suggesting that traffic moved a little more smoothly in some places compared to 2024.
Cities like Groningen in the Netherlands, Kiel in Germany, New Orleans in the US, Paris and Rome in Europe, Mumbai in India, and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia all saw their congestion levels drop, with improvements ranging from 23 per cent to 5 per cent.
Cities where traffic improved
Some cities stood out for managing traffic better than before. In Sapporo, Japan, congestion eased slightly in 2025 after the city suffered its worst traffic day in 2024, owing to harsh weather. Average travel time there dropped by one second per kilometre—small, but meaningful.
Europe also had a few bright spots. Groningen and Kiel showed the biggest gains, with travel times improving by 14 and 10 seconds per kilometre, respectively. Paris and Toulon in France also saw modest improvements, with traffic moving a few seconds faster than last year.
One surprising name on the list is New York City. Known for its packed streets and endless gridlock, the city still managed to cut average travel time by about two seconds per kilometre in 2025. It may not sound like much, but for a city as busy as New York, even a slight improvement is worth noting.
The world’s slowest city centres
When it comes to city centres where traffic crawls the most, the list spans multiple continents. At the top is Barranquilla in Colombia, where travelling just 1 km takes an average of 3 minutes and 40 seconds, two seconds slower than last year. In free-flow conditions, the same distance would take just over two minutes, giving the city a congestion level of 62.2.
London continues to hold the unwanted title of Europe’s slowest city centre. Average travel time there rose to 3 minutes 38 seconds per kilometre in 2025, up four seconds from the previous year. Its congestion level also climbed, crossing 51.
In Asia, Bengaluru once again finds itself among the slowest cities in the world. Drivers there spend an average of 3 minutes 37 seconds to cover 1 km. Under ideal conditions, that time drops to just over two minutes, showing how severe peak-hour slowdowns really are. This gap pushed Bengaluru to second place globally for congestion, with a score of 74.4, higher than last year.
Drivers in Bengaluru spend an average of 3 minutes 37 seconds to cover 1 km
Where traffic congestion is at its worst
Mexico City topped the global congestion rankings in 2025, earning a congestion score of 75.9. While traffic flows quickly in ideal conditions, averaging under two minutes per kilometre, real-world travel time jumps to nearly three and a half minutes.
Bengaluru follows closely in second place, while the historic city centre in Dublin, Ireland, ranks third, with a congestion score of 72.9. Dublin is also among the slowest cities overall, with average travel times matching those of Mexico City.
These cities are often highlighted in global traffic reports, but they are not alone. Many urban centres are moving in a worrying direction as congestion continues to rise.
India’s growing traffic challenge
On a country level, India ranked as the second most congested nation in Asia in 2025, just behind the Philippines. Within India, New Delhi emerged as the fourth most congested city. Compared to 2024, the capital saw its average congestion level rise by 3.5 percentage points, underlining how traffic pressures are steadily increasing in Indian cities.
Here’s a look at the top 10 most congested cities in the world
Most congested cities in the world: New Delhi emerged as India's fourth most congested city 
Drivers in Bengaluru spend an average of 3 minutes 37 seconds to cover 1 km
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