For drivers in London, getting anywhere quickly has become a rare luxury.
The UK capital has once again been labeled the world’s worst megacity for traffic, with cars crawling along at an average speed of just over 10mph.
According to a new TomTom report, a typical six-mile journey now takes more than 35 minutes, leaving Londoners frustrated and wasting precious time on the road.
The traffic woes aren’t new, but the numbers show things are steadily worsening.
On average, drivers are now spending an extra 45 seconds on each trip compared to last year, translating to a staggering 136 hours stuck in traffic annually.
How the Traffic Index Measures Congestion
TomTom’s Annual Traffic Index monitors movement in 501 cities across 62 countries, assessing everything from average speeds and congestion levels to the time lost during rush hours.
For the purposes of ranking the world’s worst megacities—cities with populations over eight million—the report looks at average travel speeds, distances covered in 15 minutes, and delays caused by congestion.
The findings highlight just how overwhelmed London’s streets are, with millions of vehicles navigating roads that were never designed for modern traffic volumes.
A Day That Showed London at Its Worst
One standout day for congestion was 10 September 2025, when a major London Underground strike forced thousands of commuters onto the roads.
By 5pm, traffic congestion spiked by as much as 135 percent, demonstrating how fragile the city’s transport system can be.
Andy Marchant, a traffic expert at TomTom, explained, “London’s position as the slowest capital city shows the strain on the city’s roads.
Many streets date back to the Middle Ages and were expanded in the Georgian era—they simply weren’t built for the amount of traffic we see today.”
Could Technology Be the Answer?
Marchant also pointed to a potential solution: autonomous vehicles.
Trials are planned across 20 London boroughs, offering city planners and local authorities an opportunity to rethink traffic management.
The goal is to keep people moving efficiently despite the historic limitations of the road network.
London Isn’t Alone: Global Traffic Struggles
While London tops the list, other megacities aren’t far behind.
Bangalore, India—often called India’s “Silicone Valley”—records average congestion rates of 74 percent, with drivers losing 168 hours per year stuck in traffic.
Mexico City comes in third, where navigating just 4.4 kilometers can take 15 minutes during peak periods.
India’s Hyderabad is fourth, with congestion rates exceeding 55 percent, and Bogota, Colombia rounds out the top five, with average speeds barely reaching 19km/h and drivers losing 153 hours a year to gridlock.
Other cities in the top ten include New York City, Buenos Aires, Chennai, Paris, and Ahmedabad, highlighting that traffic headaches are a global problem.
Traffic Across the UK
London isn’t the only city in Britain grappling with congestion.
Belfast leads the UK rankings for traffic-filled cities, with congestion levels exceeding 58 percent.
Cambridge, Edinburgh, Exeter, Brighton and Hove, Norwich, and Kingston Upon Hull also rank high for slow-moving traffic, proving that gridlock isn’t just a London problem.
The World’s Worst Megacities for Traffic
- London, United Kingdom – Average speed: 16.5 km/h
- Bangalore, India – 16.6 km/h
- Mexico City, Mexico – 17.4 km/h
- Hyderabad, India – 18.4 km/h
- Bogota, Colombia – 18.4 km/h
- New York City, United States – 18.9 km/h
- Gran Buenos Aires, Argentina – 19 km/h
- Chennai, India – 19 km/h
- Paris, France – 19.2 km/h
- Ahmedabad, India – 20.7 km/h
In terms of congestion, Mexico City leads the world with 75.9 percent, followed by Bangalore at 74.4 percent, and Bogota at 69.6 percent.
What’s Next for Drivers?
With traffic levels continuing to rise, Londoners and drivers worldwide may need to embrace new technologies, alternative transport options, and smarter city planning if they hope to reclaim hours lost in traffic every year.
Trials like autonomous vehicles could offer a glimpse into the future, but for now, patience remains a key skill for anyone navigating the world’s busiest roads.
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