If you’ve ever been stuck crawling through London’s streets during rush hour, you’re not imagining it - the city really is Europe’s slowest for traffic. According to TomTom’s latest Traffic Index, it now takes an average of 3 minutes and 38 seconds to travel just 1km in central London.
That’s four seconds longer per kilometre than in 2024, and congestion is slowly rising, with the city scoring 51.6 on TomTom’s congestion scale. To put that into perspective, congestion measures how much traffic slows you down compared to free-flow conditions - so the higher the number, the more time you spend sitting in queues rather than moving.
Interestingly, while London tops Europe for slow city-centre traffic, it’s not even the slowest in the world. That title goes to Barranquilla, Colombia, where 1km takes an average of 3 minutes and 40 seconds. Still, for anyone driving or managing fleets in London, these numbers are a clear reminder of just how tricky urban traffic can be.
Even within the UK, London isn’t the only challenge. Cities like Belfast, Edinburgh, Cambridge, and Exeter all saw congestion levels above London’s, showing that traffic headaches aren’t confined to the capital.
For businesses running city fleets - or anyone relying on regular commutes - these trends highlight the importance of smart planning, route optimisation, and vehicle choice. Leasing reliable, fuel-efficient, or even connected vehicles can help drivers navigate the congestion more comfortably and reduce downtime.
The takeaway? Patience is essential, but preparation matters just as much. With rising congestion, the right vehicle and strategy can make a big difference in both safety and efficiency on London’s busy streets.