A newly released INRIX 2025 Global Traffic Scorecard, covering 36 countries and nearly 1,000 cities, reveals that traffic congestion is worsening across the globe, with a significant majority of metropolitan hubs experiencing major slowdowns this year.
Istanbul: The World’s Most Congested City
The report names Istanbul, Turkey, as the world’s most congested city.
- Drivers in Istanbul lost a staggering 118 hours to traffic in 2025.
- This represents a 12% surge in delays compared to the previous year.
- INRIX attributes the mounting travel delays to continued economic growth, population increases, and infrastructure limits straining the city’s road network.
Istanbul’s congestion level places it ahead of all other global hubs, including Chicago, which holds the second-highest congestion ranking internationally.
United States Congestion: Chicago Takes the Top Spot
In the United States, Chicago has officially surpassed New York City to become the most gridlocked city, according to INRIX data.
- Drivers in Chicago lost 112 hours to traffic in 2025.
- The delays in Chicago alone cost drivers an estimated $2,063 each this year.
- Chicago’s ranking places it ahead of other major US cities, including New York, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Boston.
Nationwide, congestion is a growing problem, rising in 254 of the 290 US cities studied. This increase is linked to commuting patterns shifting back toward pre-pandemic levels. While over three-quarters of U.S. residents still commute by car, public transit use remains 22% below 2019 levels, further straining road networks.
Congestion Trends in Europe
Europe saw a mixed performance, though delays largely climbed across the continent.
- Policy Success: London and Paris were rare exceptions where delays either stayed the same or declined. INRIX specifically attributed London’s drop in congestion to policy changes that successfully reduced traffic volumes. London still remains one of the most congested major cities in the region.
- Sharp Rises: Elsewhere in Europe, delays rose sharply. Germany saw congestion increase in 62 cities, with Cologne claiming the top spot nationwide. German commuters collectively lost 329 million hours to traffic in 2025.
Overall, the INRIX 2025 Global Traffic Scorecard indicates that 62% of all studied cities saw congestion worsen this year, highlighting a persistent worldwide challenge.