Three South African cities ranked among the worst in the world for traffic

South Africa is facing a growing traffic problem, with major urban centers ranking alarmingly high on the global scale for hours lost in congestion.

Recent data from Inrix, a traffic management company, analysing 942 cities worldwide shows Cape Town ranks 6th globally, highlighting the severity of delays for commuters in the Mother City.

The average driver in Cape Town lost a staggering 96 hours to traffic in 2025.

While the year-on-year increase was modest, 2% higher than 2024, the city has seen a 16% rise in congestion since 2023.

Peak-hour speeds in Cape Town’s downtown area averaged just 11 miles per hour, underscoring the gridlock residents face daily.

Johannesburg is not far behind, with commuters losing 59 hours to traffic, earning the city an Impact Rank of 29.

Other South African cities displayed varied trends: Pretoria ranked 92 with 48 hours lost, Durban, despite a global ranking of 254th, saw an unusually high 33 hours lost.

Mid-sized cities also show mixed results.

Pietermaritzburg lost 35 hours, up 6% from 2024, while East London experienced 25 hours lost, which reflects a 15% rise.

Meanwhile, Port Elizabeth and Bloemfontein saw 30 and 24 hours lost, respectively.

Smaller towns like Welkom recorded 7 hours lost, a 17% increase from the previous year.

The global trend

South Africa’s traffic woes reflect a worldwide trend. Overall, 62% of the 942 cities analysed saw congestion worsen compared to 2024.

Urban gridlock occurs when vehicle demand exceeds road capacity, leading to delays and economic costs.

Globally, Istanbul, Turkey, claimed the title of the most congested city for the second year running, with drivers losing 118 hours, a 12% increase from 2024.

Cities like Mexico City, Chicago, New York, and Philadelphia also topped rankings based on Impact Rank, which considers congestion severity relative to population.

In terms of hours lost per driver, Istanbul (118 hours), Chicago (112 hours), and Mexico City (108 hours) led the world.

Traffic congestion carries a heavy financial burden.

In the United States, the average driver lost 49 hours in 2025, an increase of six hours from 2024, leading to an estimated $894 cost per driver and a total of $85 billion nationwide.

Chicago, the most impacted city, experienced drivers losing 112 hours, costing individuals approximately $2,063.

In contrast, some Western cities reported improvements.

In the UK, the average driver lost 59 hours, three hours less than 2024, with London still experiencing 91 hours lost despite a 10% reduction.

Germany saw worsening delays, with drivers losing 47 hours on average, costing €750 per driver; Cologne topped the list with 67 hours lost.