Cities With the Absolute Worst Traffic in the World

Toronto has the worst traffic in Canada. Local drivers take about 10 minutes to drive a single mile during peak hours. People spend over three hours a week in congestion. There have been suggestions to control traffic flows through adaptive traffic signals and with road congestion pricing strategies.

The United States’ capital is the city with the second worst traffic in the country. Drivers in D.C. lose 155 hours, the total equivalent of about a week, dealing with slow-moving traffic. Local drivers lose up to $2,161 per year due to congestion, according to the Department of Transportation.

Belo Horizonte residents who drive lose 202 hours per year — more than eight days — due to traffic congestion, the 11th worst in the world. The congestion rank of the city, known for its huge soccer Mineirão Stadium, has gotten worse since 2017, when Belo Horizonte was ranked 22nd.

Melbourne often ranks among the best cities in the world in different categories — happiest and most livable for a few years in a row. But locals who drive on a regular basis may have something to say about that. It takes them about 11 minutes to drive a mile during peak hours. Drivers lose nearly five days a year sitting in traffic, though it’s a 13% improvement from 2017.

Being among the most visited city in the world comes with pros and cons. A big factor in the congestion problem in the French capital is the age of the roads. Many date back to Roman times. As a result, cars can drive on roads that have been basically designed for horse carriages and walking. Drivers in Paris lose 237 hours a year — almost 10 days — sitting in traffic, the fifth most in the world.