Delayed Drives

There is nothing worse than sitting in unmoving traffic, and Australians are reported to lose the equivalent of almost two working weeks a year doing just this. New findings from the car insurance comparison service iSelect reveal which Australian cities face the most congested roads.

The Aussie cities that spend the most time stuck in traffic 

When it comes to time lost sitting in traffic, Sydney takes the cake. Despite having the fifth-shortest average commute distance (20.6 km), Sydney’s full-time workers spend the most time stuck behind the wheel each year, with over four full working days lost to congestion. 

Sydneysiders work from home an average of 1.3 days a week, one of the highest of the cities analysed, yet that still hasn’t eased the gridlock. Daily round-trip commutes that should take around 1 hour and 5 minutes in optimal conditions stretch out to an average of 1 hour and 40 minutes during rush hour, leading to more than 34 minutes being lost to traffic per day, per road user. 

Melbourne follows closely behind, with drivers losing just a few hours less to commuting traffic over the year. On average, Melbourne commuters spend 33 minutes extra per day in traffic compared to free-flow conditions, equating to nearly four days lost annually. 

Further down the list, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth round out the top five, with each city’s drivers losing between two and a half to three days per year to congestion. Meanwhile, Darwin enjoys the smoothest drives, with less than a day and a half of total time lost annually. 

Across Australia’s major cities, the average driver loses around two and a half days each year sitting in traffic, time that could be better spent doing almost anything else! 

The cities where commuters lose the most time

Adelaide ranked as Australia’s most congested city in 2025, with commuters losing an estimated 109 hours annually to rush-hour traffic. That’s equivalent to over 14 workdays or almost 4.5 full days every year. Congestion worsened from 51.9% in 2024 to 55.1% in 2025, while a typical 10-kilometre trip now takes more than 30 minutes during the evening rush hour traffic.

Melbourne ranked second nationally, with drivers losing 103 hours annually to congestion. The average commuter spends the equivalent of 13.6 workdays each year sitting in traffic, while weekly delays add up to almost 2 hours. Congestion increased from 51.6% to 52.9%, making Melbourne one of the most congested cities for rush-hour commuters.

Sydney ranked third overall for annual hours lost in traffic, with drivers spending 93 hours a year stuck in rush-hour congestion. While Sydney drivers lose the equivalent of 12.2 workdays annually, they recorded the slowest average travel time for a 10-kilometre journey at 18 minutes and 52 seconds. Travel times stretch to almost 30 minutes during the evening rush hour.

Brisbane was one of only two Australian cities analysed to record an improvement in congestion levels, with average congestion easing from 41.5% in 2024 to 40.5% in 2025. Despite the improvement, drivers still lose around 77 hours a year to traffic delays, equivalent to over 10 workdays. Commuters spend almost 90 minutes a week sitting in rush-hour traffic.

The Gold Coast ranked fifth nationally, with drivers losing around 71 hours annually to congestion, equivalent to over 9 workdays, while congestion levels edged up from 48.3% to 48.6%. The findings suggest rapid population growth is increasing pressure on the city’s road network.

Newcastle ranked sixth overall, with drivers losing 67 hours annually to rush-hour traffic. That’s equivalent to almost 9 workdays per year. Congestion increased from 40.2% in 2024 to 41.3% in 2025, highlighting growing traffic pressures outside the capital cities.

Hobart recorded one of the largest increases in congestion levels, rising from 34.7% to 38.2%. Drivers lose 67 hours annually to traffic delays, equivalent to almost 9 workdays. Despite being among Australia’s smaller capitals, congestion is worsening faster than in many larger cities.
Perth ranked eighth overall for annual congestion impacts, with drivers losing 62 hours annually, equivalent to over 8 workdays. While average congestion remained relatively stable at 35.9% there was with only a small increase from the previous year.

Australia’s least congested cities

Canberra motorists lose around 56 hours annually to rush-hour delays, equivalent to 7.4 working days. Congestion increased from 32.2% to 33.6%, while commuters spend more than 64 minutes each week sitting in traffic.

Wollongong recorded relatively low congestion compared to larger cities, but traffic conditions still deteriorated in 2025. Congestion increased from 29.9% to 31.8%, while drivers lose around 40 hours annually to rush-hour traffic, equivalent to just over five workdays.

Darwin ranked as the least congested city analysed, with drivers losing 38 hours annually to traffic delays, equivalent to five working days. Darwin was also one of only two cities where congestion improved, falling only slightly from 27.8% to 27.5%.

Australia’s worst traffic days in 2025

For Australians planning their commute, 5pm on Wednesdays appears to be the time and day most likely to bring traffic headaches. Analysis of traffic data found that more than half of the cities studied recorded their worst day for congestion on a Wednesday. Melbourne, Brisbane, Newcastle, Hobart, Perth and the Gold Coast all experienced the most congested day of the year midweek. The late afternoon commute was also a common culprit. Five of the 11 cities recorded their peak congestion at 5pm, coinciding with the traditional commute home from work. A further three cities recorded their worst congestion at 3pm, potentially reflecting a mix of school pick-ups, early finishes and increasing traffic volumes throughout the afternoon.

While Adelaide was Australia’s most congested city overall, Perth had the country’s single worst traffic day, with congestion reaching 188% at 5pm on a Wednesday in June. Meanwhile, Melbourne and Hobart both saw congestion spiking to 172% on their busiest, both at 5pm on Wednesday. Adelaide followed closely behind, with its busiest day falling on a Friday in November, when congestion levels surged to 140% above normal. Newcastle and Brisbane also recorded their most congested day on a Wednesday. Brisbane’s busiest day fell on 5 February, when congestion reached 133%, while Newcastle experienced congestion levels of 134% on 30 April. Sydney’s worst traffic day fell on Valentine’s Day, with congestion reaching 104% above normal levels at 5pm Friday 14 February.