For an unprecedented third consecutive year, London has secured the dubious honour of being crowned the world's worst megacity for traffic congestion. The latest Annual TomTom Traffic Index reveals that drivers in the UK capital are enduring average speeds of just over 10mph, cementing the city's status as having the slowest-moving traffic globally.
A Capital in Gridlock
The comprehensive report, which evaluates satellite navigation data from 501 cities across 62 countries, found that a typical six-mile journey in London now takes an average of 35 minutes and seven seconds. This represents a worsening situation, with travel times increasing by 45 seconds compared to the previous year. The cumulative impact is staggering, with the typical London driver now losing a whopping 136 hours each year stuck in rush-hour traffic.
Historical Infrastructure Under Strain
Andy Marchant, a traffic expert at TomTom, highlighted the structural challenges facing London. "London's place as the slowest capital city in the Traffic Index really highlights the strain on the city's roads," Marchant explained. "Many of these streets were built in the Middle Ages and expanded in the Georgian era, but they simply weren't built for the volume and variety of traffic we see today."
The report identified 10 September 2025 as particularly catastrophic, when widespread strikes on the London Underground forced commuters to seek alternative transport. By 5pm that day, congestion surged by up to 135 per cent, bringing much of the city to a standstill.
Global Megacity Rankings
Looking beyond London, the global picture reveals several other megacities facing severe congestion challenges. India's Bangalore, the centre of the country's high-tech industry, follows closely behind London in second place. Officially named Bengaluru and often called India's 'Silicon Valley', the city experiences average congestion rates of 74 per cent, with drivers losing a staggering 168 hours annually.
Mexico City claims third position, where citizens travel just 4.4km in 15 minutes during peak periods. India's Hyderabad follows in fourth place with congestion rates exceeding 55 per cent, while Colombia's capital Bogota rounds out the top five, where drivers lose 153 hours yearly with average speeds of almost 19km/h.
The Complete Top Ten
The world's ten worst megacities for traffic, according to the TomTom Index, are:
- London, United Kingdom
- Bangalore, India
- Mexico City, Mexico
- Hyderabad, India
- Bogota, Colombia
- New York City, United States
- Gran Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Chennai, India
- Paris, France
- Ahmedabad, India
UK Cities Facing Congestion Challenges
Within the United Kingdom, multiple cities are experiencing significant congestion problems. According to TomTom's data, Belfast leads as the UK's most traffic-filled city, registering congestion levels over 58 per cent. Several other British urban centres also recorded higher overall congestion levels than London, including:
- Cambridge
- Edinburgh
- Exeter
- Brighton and Hove
- Norwich
- Kingston Upon Hull
Seeking Solutions Through Innovation
Despite the grim statistics, there may be hope on the horizon. Marchant noted potential technological solutions: "Trials of autonomous vehicles will be rolled out across 20 London boroughs, giving local authorities and city planners a real opportunity to rethink how cities manage congestion and keep people moving."
When examining pure congestion percentages rather than overall traffic conditions, Mexico City claims the worst position globally with 75.9 per cent average congestion. Bengaluru follows with 74.4 per cent, while Bogota takes third place with 69.6 per cent congestion rates.
As millions of vehicles continue to travel across London daily, the report suggests conditions are deteriorating rather than improving for those needing to move quickly through the capital. The data underscores the urgent need for innovative transport solutions in one of the world's most historically significant yet congested cities.
