What are the UK's 10 most congested cities with the worst traffic?

A new study has found that London is the most congested city in the UK and Europe – as well as also ranked fifth on a global scale.

The data for the report from INRIX – a global transportation analytics company – revealed that in its 2024 Global Traffic Scorecard, London’s drivers lost 101 hours sitting in congestion in 2024, which was a 2% increase in delays from the previous 12 months.

The capital also accounts for approximately 50% of all UK traffic delay.

INRIX stated that the delays cost to London was £3.85 billion, averaging £942 per driver*.

Looking at the wider analysis for the UK, the country lost £7.7 billion, £200 million more than in 2023.

The average UK driver lost 62 hours due to traffic congestion last year, up only one hour from the previous 12-month period. This works out to £581 per driver per year.

Bob Pishue, transportation analyst and author of the report: “While the UK did see a slight increase in congestion again this year, overall congestion has remained steady.

“Roadworks in key corridors such as M25 Wisely Interchange caused considerable traffic on a main artery into the capital. Interestingly it was cities outside of the capital that saw the greatest increase in congestion with Manchester seeing a large increase, up 13%.

“While London only had a modest increase in time lost, it still represented half of the entire country’s delay.

“Bristol and Leeds both moved up a spot while Birmingham and Wigan fell. Sheffield and Edinburgh were added to the top 10 list this year, as delays grew to 53 hours lost per driver in both places.

“Manchester has continued its rise to the 4th ranked spot in the country, after moving from 11th to 8th from 2022-2023, and from 8th to 4th in 2024.”

What are the most congested cities in the UK?

Here, INRIX highlights the most congested urban areasin the UK. (The 2024 Scorecard values time loss by analysing peak speed and free-flow speed data for the busiest commuting corridors and sub-areas as identified by origin and destination patterns unique to that area.)

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London, Bristol, and Leeds have the UK’s most congested roads

London, with its dense population, employment, and economic activity, experiences the majority of the UK's worst traffic delays. On the city's most congested route—the westbound A40 between the North Circular and the A406—drivers face an additional 17-minute delay during the 5:00 PM peak hour.

This results in a total of 68 hours spent in traffic over the course of a year. Ongoing roadworks at the Wisely Bypass on the M25 and M3 further exacerbated delays, placing this corridor third in the UK for traffic congestion.

In Bristol, the second most congested city in the UK, the busiest route is the eastbound A420, stretching from the Lawrence Hill Roundabout to Hollow Road. At 4:00 PM on weekdays, drivers lose about 5 minutes per day, which adds up to 21 hours annually.

Looking at the city of Leeds, the busiest roads were the A650 southbound, the A657/Leeds Road westbound, and the A65/New Road southbound.

Top 10 most congested cities in the world

London ranked as the fifth most congested city in the world for traffic – but here is the rest of the cities where drivers are waiting in their vehicles.

Top 10 most congested cities in Europe

The UK capital also ranked at the top of the pile when it comes to most congested city in Europe – and here is the rest of the top 10.

Have you noticed the traffic getting worse in your area? What can be done to improve the situation? Leave your comments below.

^{*Based on INRIX 2024 data}